Relationship of non-methane hydrocarbons and NO x to ozone formation in the atmosphere of Bahrain

Abstract

The hourly air quality monitoring data for hydrocarbons, NO x , and ozone were analyzed from two sites; one north of the industrial areas in Sitra and the other one located south on the east coast. The background levels of non-methane hydrocarbons at both sites were in excess of the U.S. federal ambient air quality standard of 0.24 ppm most of the time. The U.S. ozone air quality hourly standard of 0.12 ppm. however, was exceeded twice only at Sitra during high ambient NO x concentrations greater than 0.15 ppm and high non-methane hydrocarbon levels of 10 ppm. The suitability of introducing the U.S. standard for non-methane hydrocarbons to the region is discussed.