Spatial and temporal variation in ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the seaside recreation area environment

Abstract

Our experiment was conducted during the summer (seven days) in the seaside recreation area of Curonian Spit, Lithuania, with a view to observe the dispersion of ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in this territory. In addition, the meteorological parameters (ambient temperature, relative air humidity, wind velocity, and direction) were recorded in order to assess the influence of these parameters on the changes in pollutants in the Curonian Spit. During the experiment, the ozone concentration in the spit varied from 5 to 130 μg/m3, while the concentration of nitrogen dioxide varied from 1 to 34 μg/m3. It was found that the meteorological parameters influenced the changes in the levels of ozone. The investigation data showed that such meteorological parameters as temperature and relative humidity had the most important infl uence on ozone concentration variations (r = 0.619 (p<0.05); r = 0.612 (p<0.05), respectively). The changes in the level of nitrogen dioxide have been mostly influenced by traffic intensity. O3 and NO2 were inversely related. The ozone concentration in Juodkrantė and Preila was higher by 37% than that measured in Klaipėda, while the nitrogen dioxide concentration was lower by 43%. The formation of ozone in the troposphere begins with NO2 photolysis, after which the NO quickly reacts with ozone to regenerate the NO2.