A climatology of regional ozone: Meteorological effects on ozone exceedences in the Southeast United States
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)
- North Carolna Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC (United States)
A statistical analysis of ozone (O{sub 3}) concentrations and meteorological parameters was performed to determine the effect of meteorological changes on ambient O{sub 3} concentrations in the urban and semi-urban environment on a regional basis in the Southeast United States. The correlation between average daily maximum O{sub 3} concentration and various meteorological variables was analyzed on a monthly basis from April through October during 1980-1994. Positive correlation was found between O{sub 3} concentration and temperature and dewpoint temperature depression, while negative correlation was found between O{sub 3} concentration and relative humidity and the minimum Pasquill Stability Index. The correlations were strongest during the summer months, particularly June, July, and August. Flight pressure stagnation was found to be positively correlated with O{sub 3} concentrations, although not at a statistically significant level. Regional analysis indicates that the location of areas of high pressure stagnation may play an important role in the resultant ambient concentrations of O{sub 3} throughout the region. Analysis of long term O{sub 3} concentration trends indicates increasing trends during the 1980s and decreasing trends during the 1990s. Trends for meteorological parameters that demonstrate positive (negative) correlation with O{sub 3} increase (decrease) during the 1980s and decrease (increase) during the 1990s, however causal relationship between these trends and those for O{sub 3} cannot be determined based on this analysis. 14 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 617634
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9605175--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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