The 1996 and 1997 Paso del Norte ozone studies: An overview of the field studies and data analyses

Conference · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:20006526

MacDonald, C P; Roberts, P T; Main, H H; Dye, T S; Coe, D L; Yarbrough, J

This paper summarizes the measurement campaigns of the 1996 and 1997 Paso del Norte Ozone Studies, the resultant data sets, and the findings and conclusions that arose from subsequent data analyses. The purpose of these data analyses was to develop an understanding of the significant chemical and physical processes that lead to high concentrations of ozone in the Paso del Norte study region which includes El Paso, TX; Sunland Park, NM; and Juarez, Mexico. High ozone concentrations resulted from a combination of conditions, including slow convective boundary layer (CBL) growth, reduced CBL depth, light surface winds, and high concentrations of ozone precursor at ground level in the morning. Synoptic-scale meteorological conditions observed during high ozone episodes included an upstream aloft high-pressure system, and aloft warming. Aloft carryover of ozone and ozone precursors did not significantly contribute to the surface ozone concentration. Furthermore, hydrocarbon and NO{sub x} data, although spatially limited, showed that the system is more often NO{sub x}-limited rather than VOC-limited.

• Research Organization: Sonoma Technology, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US)
• OSTI ID: 20006526
• Report Number(s): CONF-990608--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
DATA ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROCARBONS
METEOROLOGY
MEXICO
NEW MEXICO
NITROGEN OXIDES
OZONE
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
TEXAS
TRANSFRONTIER POLLUTION