Photochemical analyses of ozone and related compounds under various environmental conditions

The photochemical characteristics of ozone (O3) and its main precursors (e.g. NOx and VOCs) were investigated in relation to the photochemical O3 budget and O3–NOx–VOC sensitivity, based on a modeling approach using data sets observed during intensive field campaigns conducted under various environmental conditions (i.e. urban (Seoul), rural (Yang Pyeong), landfill (Dae Gu), coastal (Gwang Yang), and remote sites (Jeju Island). The production of O3 under most environmental conditions (especially, spring season at the urban site) was found to be more strongly sensitive to VOCs than NOx. At the landfill site and during summer at the rural and coastal sites, the production of O3 was partially sensitive to NOx. On the other hand, despite the remote air on Jeju Island, the production of O3 was mainly VOC-sensitive (high NOx levels), but in part NOx-sensitive (low NOx levels), due to the transport processes from different environmental regions (e.g. heavily and less polluted locations).

► We investigated the photochemical characteristics of O3 and its main precursors.
► O3 production at the urban site was more sensitive to VOCs than NOx.
► O3 production at the landfill site was partially sensitive to NOx.
► O3 production at the rural and coastal sites in summer was in part sensitive to NOx.
► On Jeju Island, O3 production was mainly VOC-sensitive, but in part NOx-sensitive.