Prediction of extreme ozone levels in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is one of the most polluted cities in Western Europe, although our levels of air pollution are within the World Health Organisation air quality guidelines. However, high concentrations of air pollution have not been studied yet. Ground ozone levels is a topic of considerable environmental concern, since excessive level of ozone are taken as indicative of high pollution. In terms of the air quality guidelines ozone levels higher than 100 µg m^–3 can start to be health-hazards for human health. Our objective is to report a detailed analysis of ozone data exceeding the thresholds established by the air quality guidelines. Data analysed were collected in two measurement stations in Barcelona, for the reference period 1991–1996. Applying statistical techniques commonly used in the analysis of extreme values, mainly the Peak Over Threshold method was used for in this study. The analysis reveal that the ozone threshold values for the protection of human health has exceeded many times in both stations. The estimated return values for 3, 10, and 40 yr exceed the threshold value for information to the public of almost once in both stations, also it seems to be unlikely that the threshold value for warning to the public will be exceeded in 40 yr.     

Air quality at a snowmobile staging area and snow chemistry on and off trail in a Rocky Mountain subalpine forest, Snowy Range, Wyoming

A study was begun in the winter of 2000–2001 and continued through the winter of 2001–2002 to examine air quality at the Green Rock snowmobile staging area at 2,985 m elevation in the Snowy Range of Wyoming. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of winter recreation snowmobile activity on air quality at this high elevation site by measuring levels of nitrogen oxides (NO _x , NO), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃) and particulate matter (PM₁₀ mass). Snowmobile numbers were higher weekends than weekdays, but numbers were difficult to quantify with an infrared sensor. Nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide were significantly higher weekends than weekdays. Ozone and particulate matter were not significantly different during the weekend compared to weekdays. Air quality data during the summer was also compared to the winter data. Carbon monoxide levels at the site were significantly higher during the winter than during the summer. Nitrogen oxides and particulates were significantly higher during the summer compared to winter. Nevertheless, air pollutants were well dispersed and diluted by strong winds common at the site, and it appears that snowmobile emissions did not have a significant impact on air quality at this high elevation ecosystem. Pollutant concentrations were generally low both winter and summer. In a separate study, water chemistry and snow density were measured from snow samples collected on and adjacent to a snowmobile trail. Snow on the trail was significantly denser and significantly more acidic with significantly higher concentrations of sodium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, and sulfate than in snow off the trail. Snowmobile activity had no effect on nitrate levels in snow.     

臭氧数值预报模型综述

光化学大气质量模型在研究臭氧(O_3)污染以及O_3预报方面具有核心作用,是O_3污染防治决策者的有力工具。文章结合目前中国及国际区域尺度光化学大气质量预报模型的研究与应用,重点论述与O_3有关的大气化学过程在数值预报模型中的数学表达和计算方法,阐述大气物理与大气化学过程在主流大气质量数值预报模型中的实现方法及其优势和缺陷,介绍用于数值预报模型的大气物理过程和湍流参数化方案的最新进展。就当前O_3数值模拟的主要输入资料进行讨论,强调那些易被忽视但又显著影响模型预报能力和效果的诸多因素以及模型效果评估的重要性。结合O_3与复合型大气污染的关系,强调区域大气质量数值预报模型的发展趋势与方向以及在大气环境管理方面的意义和作用。     

Differences between weekend and weekday ozone levels over rural and urban sites in Southern Italy

Air quality data from a network of 11 monitoring stations in the Apulia region of southern Italy during the summer of 2005 reveal a high frequency of ozone law limit violations. Since ozone is a secondary pollutant, air quality control strategies aimed at reducing ozone concentration are not immediate. Herein, we analyse weekly changes in concentration levels of ozone (O(3)), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and evaluate how the differences in primary emissions cause changes in the production of ozone. The comparison between weekend and weekday levels of O(3) and its precursors are direct evidence for the existence of the "ozone weekend effect." This effect was observed at all stations with a considerable variation in the overall ozone magnitude, including both traffic stations and non-traffic stations. Data from VOC measurements at traffic stations primarily indicated elevated levels of benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX); all of these substances showed an overall decrease over the weekend. A single station indicated levels of non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) and PM10, both of which did not demonstrate any weekly cycle. Analysis of weekly and diurnal cycles of O(3), NO(x), CO, NMHC, and PM10 indicates that higher weekend ozone levels result from a reduction in the emission of nitrogen oxides on weekends in VOC-sensitive regimes. This indicates that a reduction in VOC and NO(x) levels would be more effective than NO(x) reduction alone. Our results underscore the need for improved and more efficient VOC measurements.     

杭州主城区大气臭氧对空气污染指数API的影响

利用2004年至2007年空气污染监测数据,比较现行API指数和修正后API指数的差异,分析修正后O3污染的变化状况,研究O3污染的季节变化。结果表明,O3作为一种新的空气污染指标,对修正后API指数的影响很大。与现行API指数相比,4年来修正后API指数的污染率大幅度增加,并且各季节的污染率越来越接近,2007年污染率在25%左右。2007年各季节修正后API指数污染天数中O3污染天数所占百分比分别是春季为52%、夏季91.6%、秋季20.8%、冬季O3,未出现污染。     

Photochemical pollution indicators—an analysis of 12 European monitoring stations

Indicators were devised to classify air pollution monitoring sites according to the type of expected photochemical pollution. The indicators are based on measured ozone volume fractions, the most frequently monitored component of photochemical pollution, and in particular on two contributions: one due to the ratio of daily maximum-to-minimum ozone volume fractions and the other to observed peak values. The two contributions regarded as independent are logically connected by “and” and therefore mathematically combined by multiplication. The criterion of classification is mainly described by the mentioned ratio and incidences of ozone volume fractions exceeding the limit of 80 ppb. Twelve monitoring stations within the European network (Cooperative programme for monitoring and evaluation of long-range transmission of air pollutants in Europe, EMEP) were classified according to this indicator predicting what ozone levels can be expected at the particular sites during the growth season (April through September) into three groups: clean, medium, and polluted, based on the data for the 7 years (1997 to 2003).     

大连市臭氧污染特征及典型污染日成因

通过对大连市区10个空气监测子站的监测数据进行分析,探讨了大连市臭氧污染的时空分布、气象条件对臭氧污染的影响,对臭氧污染日进行了归类分析。结果表明,大连市臭氧污染主要出现在4—10月。在强紫外辐射、高温、低湿、低压和低风速的气象条件下,监测点位的臭氧浓度较高。臭氧污染日的日变化分为单峰型、双峰型和夜间持续升高型3种类型。通过对2015年的一次高浓度臭氧污染过程的气象条件、污染物浓度和污染气团轨迹进行分析,发现臭氧浓度在夜间持续升高现象与区域输送密切相关。     

2015—2020年全国重污染天变化趋势及时空分布特征分析

2015—2020年,全国重污染发生天数、比例及城市数量整体呈逐年下降趋势。与2015年相比,2020年全国337个地级及以上城市重污染天数减少1 847 d,降幅达55.2%;重污染天数比例下降1.6个百分点;发生过重污染天气的城市数量减少60个。其中,全国细颗粒物重污染天数整体呈下降趋势,沙尘重污染天数随气象条件的差异波动变化,臭氧重污染天数呈波动上升趋势。"十四五"期间,消除重污染天气的主要对象仍是细颗粒物重污染。应将天山北坡城市群、"2+26"城市、汾渭平原及苏皖鲁豫交界地区作为"十四五"期间污染减排的重点关注区域。此外,需遏制"2+26"城市臭氧重污染上升势头。     

成都市夏季近地面臭氧污染气象特征

利用2016年7月成都市8个环境监测站点的臭氧、NO_2的监测资料以及成都市国家基准气象站和基本气象站的观测资料,对成都市夏季臭氧、NO_2浓度和气象要素的日变化特征和臭氧污染过程进行了分析。研究结果表明:成都市臭氧污染受综合气象条件和NO_2浓度的影响,高温、低湿、强辐射有利于臭氧大量生成,NO_2浓度高低决定了臭氧浓度的峰值大小;在污染期间,大气边界层高度远高于本地平均水平,数值约为平均水平的2～3倍;成都市臭氧污染的主要影响因子存在地区差异,成都市区的臭氧主要来自于自身的光化学反应,而灵岩寺地区的臭氧来自于VOCs和大气水平输送。     

海口市臭氧污染特征

基于2013—2015年海口市4个空气质量自动监测站点数据,结合气象资料,分析了海口市O_3的污染特征。结果表明:海口市O_3总体优良,优良天数比例为99.4%,污染天数均为轻度污染;在良和污染天数中,O_3作为首要污染物的天数占40%,超过其他5项污染物占比。海口市10月O_3浓度最高。O_3月均浓度与温度呈负相关关系,同时与风向有密切关系:5—8月气温较高,以南风为主,O_3浓度较低;1月北风频率较高,易受外来污染传输作用,O_3浓度相对较高。O_3超标日以东北风为主,日变化并未呈现单峰型特征,12:00—22:00时段O_3浓度在10%范围内小幅变化。台风外围型和北方冷高压底部型是造成海口市O_3超标的2类典型天气形势。     

河源市2014-2017年空气污染特征及天气类型分析

利用2014—2017年河源城区环境空气自动监测站数据和气象数据，对期间出现的污染天气过程进行统计，对影响污染的天气类型进行分类。结果表明，2014—2017年，河源城区累计出现污染天气65 d，超标污染物主要为PM_2.5和O₃，O₃超标比例逐年上升成为达标率首要影响因子。PM_2.5易污染天气型中冷高压出海占比最多（38.2%），其次为冷锋前（17.7%）和均压场（14.8%）；O₃易污染天气型中副高控制占比最多（31.0%），其次为副高叠加台风外围（24.1%）和冷高压出海（13.8%）及均压场（13.8%）。河源城区低程度污染（AQI值101～110）占比较大。     

Surface ozone and meteorological condition in a single year at an urban site in central–eastern China

Surface ozone and some meteorological parameters were continuously measured from June 2003 to May 2004 at urban Jinan, China. The levels and variations of surface ozone were studied and the influences of meteorological parameters on ozone were analyzed. Annual and diurnal ozone variation patterns in Jinan both show a typical pattern for polluted urban areas. Daytime ozone concentrations in summer were the highest in the four seasons. However, during nighttime from 2100 to 0600 hours ozone concentrations in spring was higher than that in summer. Daily averaged ozone showed negative correlation with pressure and relative humidity and positive correlation with temperature, total solar radiation, sunshine duration and wind speed during the study period. Further studies show that, solar radiation is a primary influence factor for the daytime variations of ozone concentrations at this site; transport of pollutants by wind could enhance the pollution at this site; precipitation has a significant influence on decreasing surface ozone. A multi-day ozone episode from 16 to 21 June 2003 was observed at this site. Surface meteorological data analysis and backward trajectory computation show that the episode is associated with the influence of typhoon Soudelor, attributing to both local photochemical processes and transport of air pollutants from southeastern coastal region, especially Yangtze River Delta region.     

Case studies on summertime measurements of O3, NO2, and SO2 with a DOAS system in an urban semi-industrial region in Athens, Greece

The objective of this study is to analyze the concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ measured by a Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) system that was operating at the campus of Technological Education Institute of Piraeus during 2008 and 2009 warm periods (July to September) in relation to the prevailing meteorological conditions. The DOAS system was operating in a particularly polluted area of the West part of Attica basin on a continuous basis, measuring the concentration levels of the main pollutants (O₃, NO₂, and SO₂) as well as aromatic hydrocarbon substances (benzene, toluene, and xylene). According to the analysis, the SO₂ concentration levels at this measuring site are rather high and this may be attributed to the characteristics of this measuring site. Proximity of roadways and local circulation are just some of the factors that can affect the concentration levels of monitoring of pollutant concentrations such as NO₂ and surface ozone. The results provide evidence for the occurrence of an atmospheric phenomenon that produces higher ozone concentrations during weekends despite lower concentrations of ozone precursors. This phenomenon is known as the weekend effect.     

广东省空气质量等级预报准确性评估

对广东省空气质量等级预报准确性评估进行了探讨,结果表明,在不区分污染等级的情况下,2016年夏季广东各市的预报准确性差异较大,中山预报准确性达92%,是全省唯一一个准确性超过90%的城市,云浮最低,为53%。在区分污染等级时,实测为轻度及以上污染级别的情况下,各市的准确性普遍较低,仅佛山、东莞与广州的准确性达50%以上,而有11个城市的准确性为0。综合考虑不同污染级别的准确性得分后,佛山市排名第1,较不区分污染等级时的排名提前9名。指出,采用区分污染等级的预报效果评估办法更加适合广东空气污染较轻的区域。在首要污染物为臭氧的情况下,广东省平均的等级预报准确性低于首要污染物为其他物种的情况。     

Air quality assessment of Estarreja, an urban industrialized area, in a coastal region of Portugal

Despite the increasing concern given to air quality in urban and industrial areas in recent years, particular emphasis on regulation, control, and reduction of air pollutant emissions is still necessary to fully characterize the chain emissions–air quality–exposure–dose–health effects, for specific sources. The Estarreja region was selected as a case study because it has one of the largest chemical industrial complexes in Portugal that has been recently expanded, together with a growing urban area with an interesting location in the Portuguese coastland and crossed by important road traffic and rail national networks. This work presents the first air quality assessment for the region concerning pollutant emissions and meteorological and air quality monitoring data analysis, over the period 2000–2009. This assessment also includes a detailed investigation and characterization of past air pollution episodes for the most problematic pollutants: ozone and PM10. The contribution of different emission sources and meteorological conditions to these episodes is investigated. The stagnant meteorological conditions associated with local emissions, namely industrial activity and road traffic, are the major contributors to the air quality degradation over the study region. A set of measures to improve air quality—regarding ozone and PM10 levels—is proposed as an air quality management strategy for the study region.     

厦门市空气质量臭氧预报和评估系统

为了评价和预测厦门市区空气中臭氧的污染水平,运用2006～2009年的监测数据对臭氧的污染成因及其变化规律进行研究。通过风向、风速、气温、湿度等气象因子对臭氧浓度影响的分析,进而运用多元线性回归法建立厦门市臭氧预报及评估系统。     

宁波市大气污染概况及影响因素分析

为研究宁波市大气污染状况及其影响因素，利用2013—2018年宁波市国控站点实时监测污染物数据以及气象数据，探讨分析了宁波市大气污染特征以及所受气象因素的影响概况。结果表明：宁波市颗粒物污染和O₃污染呈现典型的季节性特征，颗粒物浓度冬季最高，O₃最大滑动8 h平均质量浓度春、秋季最高。宁波市O₃污染问题越来越突出，且呈现出春、秋季O₃超标天数最多的季节变化特征。O₃小时质量浓度与气温和太阳辐射成正相关关系，NO₂和颗粒物浓度与气温成负相关关系。NO₂与O₃浓度成负相关关系，与颗粒物浓度成正相关关系。     

A Preliminary Assessment of the Montréal Process Indicators of Air Pollution for the United States

Air pollutants pose a risk to forest health and vitality in the United States. Here we present the major findings from a national scale air pollution assessment that is part of the United States' 2003 Report on Sustainable Forests. We examine trends and the percent forest subjected to specific levels of ozone and wet deposition of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. Results are reported by Resource Planning Act (RPA) reporting region and integrated by forest type using multivariate clustering. Estimates of sulfate deposition for forested areas had decreasing trends (1994-2000) across RPA regions that were statistically significant for North and South RPA regions. Nitrate deposition rates were relatively constant for the 1994 to 2000 period, but the South RPA region had a statistically decreasing trend. The North and South RPA regions experienced the highest ammonium deposition rates and showed slightly decreasing trends. Ozone concentrations were highest in portions of the Pacific Coast RPA region and relatively high across much of the South RPA region. Both the South and Rocky Mountain RPA regions had an increasing trend in ozone exposure. Ozone-induced foliar injury to sensitive species was recorded in all regions except for the Rocky Mountain region. The multivariate analysis showed that the oak-hickory and loblolly-shortleaf pine forest types were generally exposed to more air pollution than other forest types, and the redwood, western white pine, and larch forest types were generally exposed to less. These findings offer a new approach to national air pollution assessments and are intended to help focus research and planning initiatives related to air pollution and forest health.     

支撑京津冀区域大气污染联防联控的大气监测体系构建

京津冀区域已成为全国大气污染最严重的地区之一,并且呈现出明显的区域性污染特征,加强区域间的环境合作,实施区域联防联控是解决京津冀区域大气污染问题的有效手段。对照《生态环境监测网络建设方案》的要求,目前京津冀区域大气监测体系还存在着监测网络不健全、监测项目覆盖不全面、监测新技术应用不足、质控体系不完善、信息产品供给与公众需求有差距等问题,与京津冀区域大气污染联防联控的要求不相适应。为全面提升京津冀区域大气监测体系对区域联防联控的技术支撑能力,亟需进一步完善京津冀区域的监测网络,增设传输研究、污染监控等特殊监测点位;逐步拓展监测项目,开展颗粒物化学组分和O_3前体物监测;加快遥感监测等立体监测技术在大气监测中的应用,全面分析污染物时空分布特征与传输规律;加强空气质量预报预警能力建设,为重污染天气应对提供技术支持;规范监测事权上收后的全过程质控体系,建立颗粒物标准方法比对和O_3量值传递质控机制;构建环境监测大数据平台,加强数据分析应用与信息公开。     

内蒙古近地面臭氧污染时空分布特征及气象条件分析

使用2018—2020年内蒙古臭氧(O₃)、气象要素观测资料和NCEP FNL资料,统计分析内蒙古近地面O₃质量浓度的时空分布特征和变化趋势,并针对全区O₃污染典型个例分析其天气形势和气象要素的影响作用。结果表明:内蒙古2018—2020年O₃质量浓度年评价值呈逐年下降趋势,2020年较2018年下降10.3%,各盟市O₃超标率也显著降低,仅赤峰市和通辽市略微上升。内蒙古O₃质量浓度高值分布在中西部偏南地区,尤其是乌海市和鄂尔多斯市;O₃超标率峰值主要出现在5—7月,周末效应存在东西部差异。O₃浓度变化和天气形势关系密切,南部暖平流和暖高压控制有利于O₃生成,西北部冷平流和冷涡发展使得O₃浓度下降;高温、低湿、微风和较高的能见度均为诱发O₃污染的重要气象条件,而西北大风通过降低温度、能见度和易于扩散的风向使得内蒙古O₃浓度降低,但同时可能会导致PM₁₀污染。