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Wildfire smoke destroys stratospheric ozone
Peter Bernath1,2,3, Chris Boone2, Jeff Crouse2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 17, 2022
Summary
Large Australian wildfires sent smoke into the stratosphere, damaging ozone. The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment satellite found smoke particles altered stratospheric gases, impacting ozone chemistry.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Stratospheric Science
- Wildfire Smoke Impacts
Background:
- Large wildfires release smoke and biomass-burning products into the stratosphere.
- Stratospheric ozone protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
- Previous understanding of wildfire smoke's stratospheric impact was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the composition of smoke particles from Australia's "Black Summer" fires.
- To investigate the impact of these smoke particles on stratospheric gas composition.
- To understand the potential effects on ozone chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the infrared spectrometer on the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite.
- Measured spectra of smoke particles injected into the stratosphere.
- Analyzed changes in various stratospheric gases following smoke injection.
Main Results:
- Smoke particles contained oxygenated organic functional groups and adsorbed water.
- Observed unprecedented perturbations in stratospheric gases, including increases in formaldehyde, chlorine nitrate, chlorine monoxide, and hypochlorous acid.
- Measured significant decreases in ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrochloric acid.
Conclusions:
- Wildfire smoke significantly alters stratospheric composition.
- These alterations have led to extreme and unexpected changes in key stratospheric gases.
- The observed perturbations pose potential risks to stratospheric ozone and chemistry.
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