Extended Abstract (332K)P2.10
An Analysis of Meteorological Factors that Influence Boundary Layer Ozone Concentrations Using Ozonesonde Data from Valparaiso, Indiana, Pellston, Michigan and Houston, Texas
Ashley Mefferd, Valparaiso Univ., Valparaiso, IN; and G. Morris, C. Clark, and B. Johnson
As part of NASA's IONS and IONS-06 campaigns, 52 ozonesondes were launched from Pellston, Michigan in July and August 2004 and Valparaiso, Indiana in April and May 2006. In this study, the data from the lowest 3 km of each profile were examined to identify the impacts of mixed layer heights and environmental variables such as potential temperature and relative humidity on boundary layer ozone concentrations. The evolution of the boundary layer through the day and the amount of cloud cover present are other significant factors that influence ozone concentration. The launch days were classified based on three ozone categories: high, mid and low ozone days. These categories were determined by adding or subtracting a standard deviation from the mean ozone concentration at 0.25 km above the surface. Values less than 23.74 ppbv were classified as low ozone days while readings greater than 51.61 ppbv became high ozone days. Any 0.25 km concentration between these values were classified as a mid ozone day. By determining the mixed layer height for each launch day and using the designated categories, it was found that days with higher 0.25 km ozone concentration had higher mixed layer heights.
Supplementary URL: http://physics.valpo.edu/ozone
Poster Session 2, Atmospheric Chemistry Poster Session 2
Wednesday, 17 January 2007, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Exhibit Hall C
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