Ozone and sulfur dioxide dry deposition to forests: Observations and model evaluation

Abstract

Fluxes and deposition velocities of O3 and SO2 were measured over both a deciduous and a mixed coniferous‐deciduous forest for full growing seasons. Fluxes and deposition velocities of O3 were measured over a coniferous forest for a month. Mean deposition velocities of 0.35 to 0.48 cm/s for O3 and 0.6 to 0.72 cm/s for SO2 were observed during the growing seasons of 1997 and 1998. Weekly averages of O3 deposition velocity ranged from 0.25 cm/s at the beginning and end of the season to 1.25 cm/s in late June. SO2 had a smaller seasonal variation, from 0.75 to 1.5 cm/s between the beginning and peak of the season. Because O3 concentrations are higher, the flux of O3 to forests is considerably greater than the flux of SO2. Daytime deposition velocities are very similar at each site, from 0.75 to 0.79 cm/s for O3, and from 1.01 to 1.04 cm/s for SO2. Diurnal cycles for both gases are discussed, as are the impact of some weather events. The peak time for O3 deposition velocity is in midmorning, while it is near midday for SO2. Surface wetness is usually associated with a small increase in deposition velocity, but for some rain events a major increase was noted. Minimum deposition velocities usually occur at night and increase slowly in the predawn hours before light. Comparisons are made between observations of deposition velocity and predictions made with the Meyers multilayer deposition velocity model. While the model is, on average, unbiased for O3, it tends to underpredict the higher deposition velocity values. The model is slightly biased low (underpredicts) for SO2 deposition velocity. The strengths of the model are noted, as are opportunities for improvement.