Summertime Surface N2O Concentration Observed on FildesPeninsula Antarctica： Correlation with TotalAtmospheric O3 and Solar Activity

Three-year summertime surface atmospheric N2O concentrations were observed for the first timeon the Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica, and the relationships among the N2O concentration, totalatmospheric O3 amount, and sunspot number were analyzed. Solar activity had an important effecton surface N20 concentration and total O3 amount, and increases of sunspot number were followed bydecreases in the N2O concentration and total O3 amount. A corresponding relationship exists betweenthe N2O concentration and total atmospheric O3, and ozone destruction was preceded by N2O reduction.We propose that the extended solar activity in the Antarctic summer reduces the stratospheric N2O byconverting it into NOx, increases the diffusion of N2O from the troposphere to the stratosphere, decreasesthe surface atmospheric N2O, and depletes O3 via the chemical reaction between O3 and NOx. Ourobservation results are consistent with the theory of solar activity regarding the formation of the AntarcticO3 hole.