Faculty Sponsor

Gary Morris

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Physics and Astronomy

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

5-3-2014

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is a well-known greenhouse gas that plays an important role in our atmosphere. The highest concentrations of O3 occur in the stratosphere, but O3 can also be found in smaller concentrations in the troposphere. Tropospheric O3 can result from multiple processes, such as subsidence from the stratosphere or photochemical production resulting from emissions of precursors at or near the surface. O3 can also be produced throughout the troposphere in conjunction with or as a direct result of lightning. In the years 2006 and 2007, 30 weather balloons were launched from Valparaiso, Indiana to measure O3 concentrations in the troposphere. Using archived radar, satellite, and surface observation data, we identified several of these dates on which convective weather capable of producing lightning passed over Valparaiso. We connect the lightning strikes from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) with observed enhancements in O3 as detected by instruments on the Valparaiso weather balloons using modeled air mass trajectories and estimate the fraction of observed O3 resulting from lightning production.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Abby Kenyon, Molly Becker, and Kevin Wagner are meteorology students who conducted this project under the advising of Professor Gary Morris of the Physics and Astronomy Department. Junior Abby Kenyon plans to continue her education in atmospheric sciences through graduate school. She hopes to conduct further lightning-based research. Senior Molly Becker hopes to continue her research after school and work with fellow meteorologists on lightning studies. Senior Kevin Wagner wanted to broaden his research experience in the atmospheric sciences and will continue his studies after graduation.

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