Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-693
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-693
18 Oct 2022
 | 18 Oct 2022
Status: a revised version of this preprint is currently under review for the journal ACP.

Hydrogen peroxide in the upper tropical troposphere over the Atlantic Ocean and western Africa during the CAFE-Africa aircraft campaign

Zaneta Hamryszczak, Dirk Dienhart, Bettina Brendel, Roland Rohloff, Daniel Marno, Monica Martinez, Hartwig Harder, Andrea Pozzer, Birger Bohn, Martin Zöger, Jos Lelieveld, and Horst Fischer

Abstract. This study focuses on the distribution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the upper tropical troposphere at altitudes between 8 and 15 km based on in situ observations during the Chemistry of the Atmosphere – Field Experiment in Africa (CAFE-Africa) campaign conducted in August–September 2018 over the tropical Atlantic Ocean and western Africa. The measured hydrogen peroxide mixing ratios in the upper troposphere show a nearly uniform latitudinal distribution with locally increased levels (up to 1 ppbv) within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), over the African coastal area, as well as during measurements performed in proximity of the tropical storm Florence (later developing into a hurricane), indicating the influence of convective transport processes. The measurements are compared to observation-based photostationary steady-state (PSS) calculations and numerical simulations by the global EMAC model. North of the ITCZ, PSS calculations produce lower H2O2 mixing ratios relative to the observations. Here observed mixing ratios exceed the PSS calculations by up to a factor of 2. On the other hand, PSS calculations overestimate the H2O2 mixing ratios south of the ITCZ by a factor of up to 3. The significant influence of convection in the ITCZ and the enhanced presence of clouds towards the southern hemisphere indicate contributions of atmospheric transport and cloud scavenging in the probed region. Differences between H2O2 observations and simulations of local PSS indicate that convective transport in the ITCZ region and consequent redistribution of H2O2 towards the north and south impacts the spatial distribution of H2O2 in the upper troposphere.

Simulations performed by EMAC analogously overestimate hydrogen peroxide levels particularly in the southern hemisphere, most likely due to underestimated cloud scavenging. Latitudinal distribution analysis indicates a gradient from the equator towards the subtropics both in the EMAC simulations and the PSS calculations. On the other hand, the measurements display nearly uniform mixing ratios of the species in the upper troposphere with a slight decrease from the ITCZ towards the subtropics, indicating a relatively low dependency on the solar radiation inclination and the corresponding photolytic activity. The highest deviations relative to the observations correspond with the underestimated hydrogen peroxide loss due to enhanced cloud presence, scavenging, and rainout in the ITCZ and towards the south.

Zaneta Hamryszczak et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on acp-2022-693', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Nov 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Zaneta Hamryszczak, 27 Jan 2023
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC1', Zaneta Hamryszczak, 27 Jan 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on acp-2022-693', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Dec 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Zaneta Hamryszczak, 27 Jan 2023
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Zaneta Hamryszczak, 27 Jan 2023

Zaneta Hamryszczak et al.

Zaneta Hamryszczak et al.

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Short summary
Hydrogen peroxide is a key contributor to the oxidative chemistry of the atmosphere through its link to the most prominent oxidants controlling its self-cleansing capacity, HOx. During CAFE-Africa campaign, H2O2 was measured over the Atlantic Ocean and western Africa in August/September 2018. The study gives an overview of the distribution of H2O2 in the upper tropical troposphere and investigates the impact of convective processes in the Intertropical Convergence Zone on the budget of H2O2.
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