NO2, Ozone, and Particulate Measurements in the Chicago Area during AGES+ 2023

During July and August 2023, the UAH group measured significant ozone-exceedance events along the Lake Michigan western shoreline. In particular, surface ozone levels reached a peak of 126 ppbv in Kenosha, Wisconsin. NO_x emissions originating from the Chicago area propagated northward and then inland due to the lake-breeze phenomenon. To study ozone and its precursor nitrogen dioxide along with particulate matter, we employed a diverse range of instruments and platforms. These resources included a ground-based, mobile ozone and aerosol LiDAR, a doppler wind LiDAR, radiosondes, ozonesondes, drones, and an amphibious SeaRey aircraft. Notably, the SeaRey investigations measured marine boundary plumes at altitudes from 5 to 2000m over land and sea and how they interact with both land and marine thermodynamic environments. The insights garnered from these measurements offer valuable knowledge for experts in air-quality forecasting, significantly aiding in the prediction of days when ozone levels might exceed limits. These measurements will enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between synoptic-dominated winds and thermally generated lake-breeze circulations along the Lake Michigan coastline and will improve our methods for predicting air quality.