Highlighting the Impact of Anthropogenic OCS Emissions on the Stratospheric Sulfur Budget With In Situ Observations
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) is an important atmospheric sulfur species that plays a dominant role in the formation of (nonvolcanic) stratospheric sulfate aerosol in the middle stratosphere. Major uncertainties in surface sources and sinks and inconsistent model representation of vertical transport limit understanding of OCS distribution, particularly in the sparsely sampled upper atmosphere. During the 2022 Asian Summer Monsoon Chemical and CLimate Impact Project (ACCLIP) campaign, in situ measurements of OCS in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) at the eastern edge of the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone (ASM), showed significant OCS enhancements (>750 ppt) near the tropopause from convectively influenced air parcels. Here, we compare these novel Asian UTLS measurements with long‐term satellite observations and regional measurements to broaden understanding of OCS trends and its transport by the ASM. Trajectory analysis identifies northern China as the main source region for deep convective lofting of OCS‐enriched parcels and demonstrates ASM entrainment in the UTLS, allowing evaluation of global model predictions for OCS's stratospheric influence. The ACCLIP data set provides vital in situ validation of limited vertically resolved OCS data in a region of significant anthropogenic emissions, which serves to enhance our understanding of the global sulfur budget.
DOI: 10.1029/2024jd042588
Institutions: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, NSF NCAR Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling, Ames Research Center, University of Leeds, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Miami
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
Funders: National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Langley Research Center, Canadian Space Agency, Natural Environment Research Council, Office of Naval Research
OpenAlex ID: W4410109250