A Predictive Model for Steady State Ozone Concentration at an Urban-Coastal Site

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2019-01, Vol.16 (2), p.258
• Main Authors: Alghamdi, Mansour A, Al-Hunaiti, Afnan, Arar, Sharif, Khoder, Mamdouh, Abdelmaksoud, Ahmad S, Al-Jeelani, Hisham, Lihavainen, Heikki, Hyvärinen, Antti, Shabbaj, Ibrahim I, Almehmadi, Fahd M, Zaidan, Martha A, Hussein, Tareq, Dada, Lubna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air pollution; Chemical properties; Chemical reactions; Emissions; Environmental conditions; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Free radicals; Hydroxyl radicals; Lower atmosphere; Models, Theoretical; Nitrogen Oxides - analysis; Organic chemistry; Oxidants; Oxidation; Oxidizing agents; Ozone; Ozone - analysis; Photochemical oxidants; Photochemicals; Prediction models; Regression analysis; Saudi Arabia; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16020258

Ground level ozone ( ₃) plays an important role in controlling the oxidation budget in the boundary layer and thus affects the environment and causes severe health disorders. Ozone gas, being one of the well-known greenhouse gases, although present in small quantities, contributes to global warming. In this study, we present a predictive model for the steady-state ozone concentrations during daytime (13:00⁻17:00) and nighttime (01:00⁻05:00) at an urban coastal site. The model is based on a modified approach of the null cycle of ₃ and and was evaluated against a one-year data-base of ₃ and nitrogen oxides ( and ₂) measured at an urban coastal site in Jeddah, on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. The model for daytime concentrations was found to be linearly dependent on the concentration ratio of ₂ to whereas that for the nighttime period was suggested to be inversely proportional to ₂ concentrations. Knowing that reactions involved in tropospheric ₃ formation are very complex, this proposed model provides reasonable predictions for the daytime and nighttime concentrations. Since the current description of the model is solely based on the null cycle of ₃ and , other precursors could be considered in future development of this model. This study will serve as basis for future studies that might introduce informing strategies to control ground level ₃ concentrations, as well as its precursors' emissions.