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Vegetation feedbacks during drought exacerbate ozone air pollution extremes in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Meiyun Lin

    (Princeton University
    NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Larry W. Horowitz

    (NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Yuanyu Xie

    (Princeton University
    NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Fabien Paulot

    (NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Sergey Malyshev

    (NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Elena Shevliakova

    (NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory)

  • Angelo Finco

    (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart)

  • Giacomo Gerosa

    (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart)

  • Dagmar Kubistin

    (Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Hohenpeissenberg Meteorological Observatory)

  • Kim Pilegaard

    (Technical University of Denmark)

Abstract

Reducing surface ozone to meet the European Union’s target for human health has proven challenging despite stringent controls on ozone precursor emissions over recent decades. The most extreme ozone pollution episodes are linked to heatwaves and droughts, which are increasing in frequency and intensity over Europe, with severe impacts on natural and human systems. Here, we use observations and Earth system model simulations for the period 1960–2018 to show that ecosystem–atmosphere interactions, especially reduced ozone removal by water-stressed vegetation, exacerbate ozone air pollution over Europe. These vegetation feedbacks worsen peak ozone episodes during European mega-droughts, such as the 2003 event, offsetting much of the air quality improvements gained from regional emissions controls. As the frequency of hot and dry summers is expected to increase over the coming decades, this climate penalty could be severe and therefore needs to be considered when designing clean air policy in the European Union.

Suggested Citation

  • Meiyun Lin & Larry W. Horowitz & Yuanyu Xie & Fabien Paulot & Sergey Malyshev & Elena Shevliakova & Angelo Finco & Giacomo Gerosa & Dagmar Kubistin & Kim Pilegaard, 2020. "Vegetation feedbacks during drought exacerbate ozone air pollution extremes in Europe," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(5), pages 444-451, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:10:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1038_s41558-020-0743-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0743-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Youru Yao & Kang Ma & Cheng He & Yong Zhang & Yuesheng Lin & Fengman Fang & Shiyin Li & Huan He, 2023. "Urban Surface Ozone Concentration in Mainland China during 2015–2020: Spatial Clustering and Temporal Dynamics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Liu, Ziheng & Lu, Qinan, 2023. "Ozone stress and crop harvesting failure: Evidence from US food production," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    3. Kenza Khomsi & Youssef Chelhaoui & Soukaina Alilou & Rania Souri & Houda Najmi & Zineb Souhaili, 2022. "Concurrent Heat Waves and Extreme Ozone (O 3 ) Episodes: Combined Atmospheric Patterns and Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.

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