BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPOSPHERIC OZONE VARIATIONS OVER EUROPE

A. M. Zvyagintsev

Basic characteristics of a temporal trend of the mixing ratio of tropospheric ozone over Europe are derived using data from about 60 stations. The seasonal periodicity of the ozone mixing ratio at different stations is quantitatively described; and dates of seasonal maximums and minimums are determined. It is shown that at all stations the seasonal trend of the ozone mixing ratio near the maximum is of complicated form; in some cases two maximums of a different origin are observed. It is found that the spring maximum is connected with a natural ozone source and is caused by intensification of vertical mixing between the surface layer and the free atmosphere. The summer maximum of the ozone mixing ratio is not pronounced at all stations and is possibly connected with photochemical ozone production under the effect of anthropogenic pollution of the atmo¬sphere. Differences in the diurnal trend of the ozone mixing ratio in different seasons and its seasonal trend in different time of the day are found. Significant differences are established in the temporal trend of ozone at plain and mountain stations attributable to the influence of the free atmosphere. Differences in the ozone level on days off and working days are revealed.

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