The effect of temperature and humidity on tropospheric ozone is greater in the spring and autumn seasons. Why?
The effect of temperature and humidity on tropospheric ozone is generally greater in the spring and autumn seasons due to several factors:
I am not sure if this is a global effect, but this reference might give you some insights: Article Impact of meteorological conditions on tropospheric ozone an...
In the spring, the increase in temperature promotes more intense solar radiation, leading to enhanced photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. This increased sunlight triggers ozone production by reacting nitrogen oxides (NOx) with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. Additionally, the higher humidity levels during spring provide a favorable environment for the oxidation of VOCs, resulting in increased ozone formation.
During the autumn season, temperature inversions become more common. Temperature inversions occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface. This stable atmospheric condition restricts vertical mixing and prevents the dispersion of pollutants, including ozone, into higher layers of the atmosphere. As a result, ozone concentrations tend to accumulate near the surface. The cooler temperatures of autumn also slow down the chemical reactions that break down ozone, further contributing to its persistence in the troposphere.
Therefore, the combination of increased temperature and sunlight in spring, temperature inversions, and reduced ozone destruction in autumn results in a greater influence of temperature and humidity on tropospheric ozone levels during these seasons.
According to (Xiau et al., 2021) Tropospheric ozone is an important air pollutant and greenhouse gas, and also plays a key role in atmospheric chemistry. Its evolution in the atmosphere is strongly modulated by weather and climate, involving a number of biogenic, chemical, and dynamic processes on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
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