A case study of a transported bromine explosion event in the Canadian high arctic. Issue 1 (5th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, X.; Strong, K.; Adams, C.; Schofield, R.; Yang, X.; Richter, A.; Friess, U.; Blechschmidt, A.‐M.; Koo, J.‐H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2016-01-05
• Subjects: bromine explosion -- blowing snow -- boundary layer; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JD023711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: Ozone depletion events in the polar troposphere have been linked to extremely high concentrations of bromine, known as bromine explosion events (BEE). However, the optimum meteorological conditions for the occurrence of these events remain uncertain. On 4–5 April 2011, a combination of both blowing snow and a stable shallow boundary layer was observed during a BEE at Eureka, Canada (86.4°W, 80.1°N). Measurements made by a Multi‐Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy spectrometer were used to retrieve BrO profiles and partial columns. During this event, the near‐surface BrO volume mixing ratio increased to ~20 parts per trillion by volume, while ozone was depleted to ~1 ppbv from the surface to 700 m. Back trajectories and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment‐2 satellite tropospheric BrO columns confirmed that this event originated from a bromine explosion over the Beaufort Sea. From 30 to 31 March, meteorological data showed high wind speeds (24 m/s) and elevated boundary layer heights (~800 m) over the Beaufort Sea. Long‐distance transportation (~1800 km over 5 days) to Eureka indicated strong recycling of BrO within the bromine plume. This event was generally captured by a global chemistry‐climate model when a sea‐salt bromine source from blowing snow was included. A model sensitivity study indicated that the surface BrO at Eureka was controlled by both local photochemistry and boundary layer dynamics. Comparison of the model results with both ground‐based and satellite measurements confirmed that the BEE observed at Eureka was triggered by transport of enhanced BrO from the Beaufort Sea followed by local production/recycling under stable atmospheric shallow boundary layer conditions. Key Points: A transported bromine explosion event was observed in the Canadian High Arctic Both blowing snow and a stable shallow boundary layer were observed during the event The bromine explosion event is simulated by a global chemistry‐climate model