Effect of lightning activities on surface atmospheric NO, O3 and submicron particles based on artificially triggered lightning technology: A case study

Abstract

Lightning can cause a variety of atmospheric chemical reactions because of its high temperature and high pressure. Known as a major natural source of atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NOx), lightning can also affect the abundance of ozone (O3) and result in the generation of new particles in the atmosphere. This study explores the effect of lightning activities on surface atmospheric nitric oxide (NO), O3 and submicron particles utilizing artificially triggered lightning experiments. Five lightning flashes were successfully triggered in Guangzhou on 19th August 2014. Concentrations of surface NO, O3 and submicron particles were observed together with lightning and meteorological parameters. Results show that NO concentration increased rapidly from 0.4 ppbv to 220.5 ppbv after a successful upwind artificially triggered lightning flash. Wind direction played an important role in the enhancement of NO concentration at different levels caused by each triggered lightning flash. O3 concentration increased from 15.8 ppbv to 28.7 ppbv before triggering lightning. After the first triggered lightning flash, O3 concentration decreased rapidly to the valley value of 16.9 ppbv because of titration effect. In addition, the number concentration of submicron particles also increased rapidly after successful triggered lightning experiments. The finds resulting from this study give a deeper insight into the impact of lightning on atmospheric chemistry.