Surface Ozone Pollution: Trends, Meteorological Influences, and Chemical Precursors in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Silva, RCV (Author) Other; Pires, JCM (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Sustainability

Vol. 435

Final page: 2383

ISSN: 2071-1050

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Projeto Estratégico do LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

IF/01341/2015 - Configurações de fotobiorreatores para cultivo de microalgas: modelação de bioprocessos e avaliação de sustentabilidade

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-5N4

DOI: 10.3390/su14042383

Abstract (EN): Surface ozone (O-3) is a secondary air pollutant, harmful to human health and vegetation. To provide a long-term study of O-3 concentrations in Portugal (study period: 2009-2019), a statistical analysis of ozone trends in rural stations (where the highest concentrations can be found) was first performed. Additionally, the effect of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and meteorological variables on O-3 concentrations were evaluated in different environments in northern Portugal. A decreasing trend of O-3 concentrations was observed in almost all monitoring stations. However, several exceedances to the standard values legislated for human health and vegetation protection were recorded. Daily and seasonal O-3 profiles showed high concentrations in the afternoon and summer (for all inland rural stations) or spring (for Portuguese islands). The high number of groups obtained from the cluster analysis showed the difference of ozone behaviour amongst the existent rural stations, highlighting the effectiveness of the current geographical distribution of monitoring stations. Stronger correlations between O-3, NO, and NO2 were detected at the urban site, indicating that the O-3 concentration was more NOx-sensitive in urban environments. Solar radiation showed a higher correlation with O-3 concentration regarding the meteorological influence. The wind and pollutants transport must also be considered in air quality studies. The presented results enable the definition of air quality policies to prevent and/or mitigate unfavourable outcomes from O-3 pollution.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17