May 2008: Effects of the 2006 El Nino on tropospheric composition as revealed by data from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES)

TES is unique in providing multi-year coincident tropospheric profiles of CO, O3 and H2O. Our analysis of TES data showed large differences in these gases over Indonesia and the eastern Indian Ocean in October-December 2006 relative to 2005.

The figure shows difference plots for 2006-2005. Drought in Indonesia in 2006 associated with the El Nino caused major fires, emitting CO and other O3 precursors. Photochemical formation of O3 from these emissions and reduced convection during the moderate El Nino contributed to elevated O3 over Indonesia. Convection moved from Indonesia in 2005 to the Pacific in 2006 during the El Nino, causing the changes in H2O. For more details, see Logan et al. [2008].

For more information please see Logan et al 2008.