Seasonal and Diurnal Variation of Surface Ozone and a Preliminary Analysis of Exceedance of its Critical Levels at a Semi-arid Site in India

Abstract

The mixing ratios of surface O3 were measured at St. John's College, Agra, an urban and traffic influenced area for the period of 2000–2002. The monthly averaged O3 mixing ratios ranged between 8 to 40 ppb with an annual average of 21 ppb. Strong diurnal and seasonal variations in O3 mixing ratios were observed throughout the year except for monsoon season. The mixing ratios of O3 follow the surface temperature cycle and solar radiation (r = 0.72 and r = 0.65 with temperature and solar radiation, respectively). Concentrations were higher with winds associated with NE and NW direction indicating the impact of pollution sources on surface O3 concentration. Exceedance of ozone critical level was calculated using the AOT 40 index and found to be 840 ppb.h and 2430 ppb.h for summer and winter seasons, respectively. The present O3 exposures are lower than the critical level of O3 and suggest that the present level of O3 does not have any impact on reduction in crop yields.