Title: Influence of land-sea breezes on nocturnal ozone maxima observed in urban sites

Authors: M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, M.C. Mesquita, M. Isabel Ferreira, S.I.V. Sousa

Addresses: LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Quimica, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Oporto, Portugal. ' LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Quimica, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Oporto, Portugal; Departamento de Fisica, Escola de Ciencias, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. ' Departamento de Fisica, Escola de Ciencias, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. ' LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Quimica, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Oporto, Portugal

Abstract: Sometimes nocturnal ozone maxima have been observed, contrasting with the nocturnal minimum values of typical daily profile. The influence of land-sea breeze on the nocturnal ozone maxima was analysed in two urban sites strongly influenced by traffic emissions. Results showed that the increase in nocturnal ozone concentration, as well as its maxima was caused by horizontal advection of ozone, associated with the development of land-sea breezes. This conclusion, obtained considering 18 months of two years, is in agreement with the only previous study that analysed the influence of land-sea breeze, but considering simply the four warmest months of one year.

Keywords: nocturnal ozone maxima; land-sea breezes; horizontal advection; traffic emissions; air pollution; air quality; urban sites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.035064

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.293 - 308

Published online: 02 Sep 2010 *

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