Large-Scale Environmental Conditions and the Transport of Ozone and Ozone Precursors from Biomass Fires in West and Central Africa

The goal of this research is to examine the climatology and seasonal circulation patterns in West and Central Africa and investigate the relationship of biomass fires and tropospheric ozone levels of the Tropical Atlantic. High ozone levels in the tropical Atlantic have major implications for global atmospheric chemistry and potential environmental effects throughout the tropics. The principal investigator is utilizing visible and infrared satellite imagery and numerical modeling of selected case studies to isolate key transport mechanisms for ozone and ozone precursors. The project involves significant collaboration with African scientists.