Elevated ozone in the boundary layer at South Pole

Vertical profile measurements of ozone, water vapor, and meteorological conditions, as well as surface and tower measurements of these parameters during the 2003 Antarctic Tropospheric Chemistry Investigation (ANTCI) yielded their vertical (between the surface and 500 m) and temporal distribution in the boundary layer at South Pole (SP) during December 13–30, 2003. Ozone in the surface and lower planetary boundary layer above SP was frequently enhanced over lower free tropospheric levels. During stable atmospheric conditions (which typically existed during low wind and fair sky conditions) ozone accumulated in the surface layer to reach up to twice its background concentration. These conditions were correlated with air transport from the N–SE sector, when air flowed downslope from the Antarctic plateau towards the SP. These data provide further insight into the vigorous photochemistry and ozone production that result from the highly elevated levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the Antarctic surface layer.