Influence of ozone precursors and PM10 on the variation of surface O3 over Kannur, India

• Published in: Atmospheric research Vol. 138; pp. 112 - 124
• Main Authors: Nishanth, T., Praseed, K.M., Kumar, M.K. Satheesh, Valsaraj, K.T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air pollution; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Marine; Photochemical production; PM10; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Seasonal variations; Surface ozone; Asia; India; ISW, India; Seasonal variations; Air pollution; PM10; Photochemical production; Surface ozone; Pollutant formation; Ozone; Secondary pollutant; Precursor; Coastal zone; Coarse particle; Seasonal variation; Aerosols; Rural area; PM
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2013.10.022

This paper presents the results of the continuous measurements of surface ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and methane (CH4) in a rural coastal location at Kannur (11.9°N, 75.4°E, 5m AMSL), India from November 2009 to December 2012. The maximum and minimum mixing ratios of surface O3 were observed in winter and monsoon seasons respectively. NOx concentration was high during mid-night to early morning and low during noontime. The diurnal variations of mixing ratios for NOx and O3 were anti-correlated. Monthly average maximum and minimum CH4 concentrations were observed in December and August respectively. The diurnal variations of CH4 were quite similar to that of NOx. A gradual build up of CH4 was observed during early morning hours of all days throughout the observational period. Further, the analyses of O3, NO, NO2 and NOx have been carried out and the correlation between O3 and its precursors is discussed in detail. The chemical analysis of air samples conducted to identify the main inorganic species present in air and their significance is presented. An attempt has been made to investigate the impact of concentration of Particulate Matter (PM10) present in the ambient air on the production of surface O3 at this location to explore the influence of PM10 on surface O3. •Diurnal variations of O3, NOx and CH4 are presented.•First report on the monthly variation of PM10 in Kannur•Chemical analysis for the samples in April, August, October and December•Negative correlation between daily mean values of PM10 and O3 concentrations