The use of TOMS data for tropospheric ozone studies
Instances were identified where enhancements of tropical ozone are associated with sporadic widespread biomass burning. A strong positive correlation exists between total ozone and the distribution of carbon monoxide in the tropics, indicating that total ozone data can be used for tropospheric ozone studies. Using ozone profiles derived from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE), preliminary findings show enhanced tropospheric ozone concentrations over Africa and the eastern Atlantic at tropical latitudes. Other preliminary studies also suggest that Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data may provide a means of identifying widespread air pollution episodes over the United States during the summer.