Sensitivity of ground-level ozone to NOx emission during a high ozone episode in SW Poland

Abstract

Sensitivity of ozone formation to NOx and VOC emission is important in terms of implementing control strategies for photochemical pollutants, helping to determine the most effective way to limit O3 concentrations and population exposure to high levels of O3. In this study, the role of NOx emissions on hourly O3 concentrations is examined in order to determine whether NOx is the driver or limiting factor of ozone formation in SW Poland in high-ozone situations. In order to assess that, four scenarios are analyzed: baseline, with no modification of the available emission inventory, a 10, 20 and 30 % decrease in anthropogenic emission of NOx. The simulations were performed for an episode with high O3 concentrations. Both spatial and temporal changes in ozone concentrations for all scenarios have been analyzed. Preliminary results show that reducing NOx emission is associated with higher O3 concentrations, however, further research is needed to assess the role of VOC.