Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Atmospheric O 3 possesses a rare isotopic signal, that is, Δ 17 O(O 3 ), varying with pressure and temperature, providing a potential tracer to explore stratosphere‐to‐troposphere transport (STT) of O 3 that plays a vital role in atmospheric chemistry and climate. However, it has been proposed that the higher stratospheric Δ 17 O(O 3 ) can't be preserved en‐route to the troposphere given the rapidly re‐established isotopic equilibrium by photochemistry. Here, we reported Δ 17 O(O 3 ) data mainly from the Tibetan Plateau, and found the relatively high Δ 17 O(O 3 ) at Mt. Everest can't be explained by in situ photochemistry. Instead, the distinct diurnal cycle with elevated nighttime value at Mt. Everest is associated with the katabatic wind bringing stratosphere‐sourced O 3 with high Δ 17 O. This demonstrates that the high Δ 17 O(O 3 ) can be preserved at troposphere at some circumstances. Given the fast transfer of Δ 17 O(O 3 ) to atmospheric nitrate, it might be potential to probe past STT of O 3 using nearby ice core records of nitrate.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2025gl121239
Authors: Yichao Wu, Zhongyi Zhang, Zhuang Jiang, Shichang Kang, Joel Savarino, Chunxiang Ye, Pengfei Chen, Weili Lin, Chong Zhang, Lei Geng
Institutions: University of Science and Technology of China, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Grenoble Alpes, Peking University, Minzu University of China
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7130938144