Unraveling the Ozone-Temperature Relationship in the Gulf Coast of the United States and its Effects on Local Communities

Ground-level ozone concentrations and surface temperature are thought to carry a linear relationship. Within this relationship, a statistically significant change in the ozone-temperature slope defined as ozone suppression (OS) occurs at extremely high temperatures. At specific locations such as the Gulf Coast region of the United States, encompassing Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, there is a breakdown in the linearity of this relationship, and we find that ozone suppression can occur at less extreme temperatures. Many meteorological and chemical variables such as the Bermuda High circulation pattern, precipitation, and background ozone can cause this effect. Days are removed when variable conditions are met to tease out which variables cause a breakdown in the linearity of the ozone-temperature relationship. Further, the Gulf Coast region is home to numerous electrical and petrochemical industries whose emission patterns can influence this relationship regionally and on a site level. Ozone precursor emission responses to different ozone-temperature slope regimes (before OS, OS, after OS) are examined on a site level to identify how anthropogenic changes influence this relationship and the pollutant burden on local communities. Examining the ozone-temperature relationship along the Gulf Coast region will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the ozone-temperature relationship and how this relationship can affect the air quality of local communities.