Seasonal characteristics of ambient nitrogen oxides and ground–level ozone in metropolitan northeastern New Jersey

Developmental Biology

Fei Song¹  Dawn Roberts–Semple¹  Yuan Gao¹ 

[1] Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA$$

关键词: Nitrogen oxides;    Ozone;    Seasonal variations;   

DOI  :  10.5094/APR.2012.027

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Dokuz Eylul Universitesi * Department of Environmental Engineering

【 摘 要 】

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and ground–level ozone (O₃) were measured and meteorological parameters, wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure were monitored, to determine the seasonal variations of gas–phase pollutants in the Meadowlands. O₃ and NO_x were inversely related; the highest average NO_x concentration (29 ppb) occurred in winter while average O₃ concentrations peaked in summer up to 36.2 ppb. The seasonal variations of O₃ were more distinct than NO_x. In multiple linear and principal component regression analysis, ambient levels of NO₂ and O₃ were influenced primarily by wind speed. In time series and regression analysis, NO₂ and O₃ displayed an inverse relationship with wind speed but O₃ paradoxically increased with wind speed downwind.

The seasonality of O₃ was amplified mainly by wind speed and temperature, while NO_x displayed stronger dependence on diurnal source emissions. Concentrations of NO_x and O₃ were also influenced by differences in chemical processing through their complex emission–production and consumption mechanisms, making them interdependent. In intense solar radiation, O₃ was NO_x–dependent but as O₃ levels were inhibited by lower temperatures, NO_x concentrations increased. Higher O₃ on weekends indicated an apparent sensitivity to VOC precursors. This study provides a basis for improved air quality standards primarily in summer and during daily O₃ peaks. Additionally, plans for protection against health problems caused by O₃ and NO_X are feasible in this region.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   

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