Atmospheric CO, O₃, and SO₂ measurements at the summit of Mt. Fuji during the summer of 2013

Atmospheric trace gases CO, O₃, and SO₂ were observed at the summit of Mt. Fuji (3776 m a.s.l.) during the summer of 2013. Considerable variations were observed in the concentrations of CO and O₃; however, they were correlated in most cases. Trends analyzed through backward trajectory calculations showed lower concentrations of CO and O₃ transported from the Pacific Ocean and South East Asia directions, while higher concentrations were detected from the direction of the Asian continent. High O₃ and low CO concentrations were observed during some periods; in these air masses, water content of the air was low indicating that the air originated from high altitudes and was influenced by the stratosphere. Gaseous SO₂ was mostly lower than the detection limit of the instrument used for measurement (0.06 ppbv), but on August 20–21, high SO₂ spikes of about 5 ppbv were observed. Backward and forward trajectory calculations confirmed that volcanic smoke from the Sakurajima volcano was transported to the summit of Mt. Fuji.