Spatial mapping of VOC and NO x-limitation of ozone formation in central California

Abstract

Ambient aerometric data were used to predict whether ozone formation at specific times and locations in central California was limited by the availability of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or oxides of nitrogen (NO x ). The predictions were compared with differences between mean weekday and weekend peak ozone values. The comparison with weekend and weekday ozone levels provided a means for empirically investigating the effects of VOC and NO x reductions on ozone formation, because the relative proportions and levels of ozone precursor species were significantly different on weekends than on weekdays. Weekend NO x levels averaged 27 percent lower than weekday levels at the time of the peak ozone hour. Daytime weekend levels of VOC species were also consistently lower than weekday values throughout the region, though the differences between weekends and weekdays were not always statistically significant ( p<0.05). Site-to-site differences between weekend and weekday mean peak hourly ozone were related to whether ozone formation was VOC- or NO x -limited.