Work

Aerosol inhibition on photochemical surface ozone formation under future climate and air quality scenarios

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aerosols significantly influence tropospheric oxidation and ozone formation by modulating photolysis rates and radical sinks. This study employs the GEOS-Chem model to analyze different aerosol heterogeneous uptake coefficients (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) and their effects on photochemical ozone levels across regions in the near-present and under future Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios. Higher uptake coefficients enhance the sink of radical species like HO2 and expand the aerosol-inhibited regime (AIR), particularly in otherwise NOx-limited regions like India and East Asia, leading to a notable increase in surface ozone (40–50%), especially during colder months. Projections for 2046 indicate a global reduction in AIR areas, resulting from stricter emission controls. By 2096, the extent of AIR further diminishes, with regions such as Southeast Asia transitioning to NOx-limited conditions, though aerosol uptake of HO2 continues to elevate surface ozone levels by 10–15% in heavily aerosol-loaded areas.

Source: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

DOI: 10.1038/s41612-025-01048-2

Authors: G. S. Gopikrishnan, D. M. Westervelt, J. Kuttippurath

Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,590