A trajectory model of the relationship between ozone and precursor emissions

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a trajectory model to provide information on the source-receptor relationships for photochemical ozone in northwest Europe. The model incorporates a simplified description of the major features of ozone production by volatile organic compounds in polluted boundary layers. A seasonal variation of OH radical concentration is incorporated along with a temperature dependence for both OH radical concentration and mixing height. A constant dry-deposition velocity for ozone to land surface is assumed. The model has been used to make initial estimates of the contributions from different countries to the ozone at sites in the United Kingdom. The major source areas associated with photochemical ozone episodes in the United Kingdom are in the U.K., France, Germany and the Netherlands. Source-receptor relationships have also been investigated for three sites outside the U.K.: in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.