From the journal Environmental Science: Atmospheres Peer review history

22-Dec-2023

Dear Professor Lin:

Manuscript ID: EA-ART-11-2023-000161
TITLE: Preliminary observation of strong NOx release over Qiyi Glacier in the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau

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Prof. Nønne Prisle
Associate Editor, Environmental Sciences: Atmospheres

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Reviewer 1

The production of nitrogen oxides from nitrate photolysis in snow is a well-established process. However, to my knowledge, such evidence, and such high fluxes as observed here on the Tibetan Plateau is novel and worth reporting. This manuscript reports summer measurements of atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NO2,NOx) of several ppbv above Qiyi Glacier (4600 m asl) on the Tibetan Plateau. Based on a close correlation of NOx with observed UV-B radiation, negative vertical NOx gradients and presence of nitrate in snow the authors conclude the local snow pack must be an important source of atmospheric NOx, possibly a stronger source than polar snowpacks.That such high concentrations of nitrogen oxides can be found in remote areas is interesting and important for the oxidative budget of the boundary layer. The work was carried out in August 2004, 19 years ago. The original intention is to verify the hypothesis that released NOx on the glacier surface of the Tibetan Plateau should have a higher concentration than in Antarctic and Arctic regions. The obaserational result did verify the hypothesis, but limited by the knowledge and experimental conditions that time, there was something unsatisfactory for the first measurement. More unfortunately, no further and in-depth researches have been available in this Glacier after that. This left a dilemma that this manuscript is more like a measurement reporting paper, which does not include analysis of other relevant parameters (turbulence, boundary layer height) and processes (e.g. transport via down-ward mixing from the free troposphere). Overall, the manuscript was generally well-written. Given the potential scientific interest of this study, the preliminary result is worth publishing.

Reviewer 2

Authors have conducted a sampling work to understand the release of NOx from a typical glacier in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Sampling work conducted is very praiseworthy. Nevertheless, current version of the MS lacks sufficient (scientific) discussion. Another major concern is on the use of two decades old datasets.
My other concerns are listed here:
- No line number makes very hard to provide suggestions.
- Maintain consistency in the fonts
- The relative humidity was measured…
- Figure 2 before Fig 1?
- Section 3.2: Mg2-?
- There is no Fig. 7.
- Carelessness can be observed while preparing the MS. For example: the first sentence of Section 4.
- In many places, the sentences need to be revised. It is difficult to provide comments without line number inserted.

PLS see the upload file of response to referee.

13-Jan-2024

Dear Professor Lin:

Manuscript ID: EA-ART-11-2023-000161.R1
TITLE: Preliminary observation of strong NOx release over Qiyi Glacier in the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau

Thank you for submitting your revised manuscript to Environmental Science: Atmospheres. I am pleased to accept your manuscript for publication in its current form. I have copied any final comments from the reviewer(s) below.

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Prof. Nønne Prisle
Associate Editor, Environmental Sciences: Atmospheres

Reviewer 1

The revised manuscirpt has significantly improved in scientific discussions. With this, together with the precious observation data, I think it can be accepted now.