The influence of meteorological factors and biomass burning on surface ozone concentrations at Tanah Rata, Malaysia
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
The surface ozone concentrations at the Tanah Rata regional Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station, Malaysia (4°28′N, 101°23′E, 1545 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL)) from June 2006 to August 2008 were analyzed in this study. Overall the ozone mixing ratios are very low; the seasonal variations show the highest mixing ratios during the Southwest monsoon (average 19.1 ppb) and lowest mixing ratios during the spring intermonsoon (average 14.2 ppb). The diurnal variation of ozone is characterised by an afternoon maximum and night time minimum. The meteorological conditions that favour the formation of high ozone levels at this site are low relative humidity, high temperature and minimum rainfall. The average ozone concentration is lower during precipitation days compared to non-precipitation days. The hourly averaged ozone concentrations show significant correlations with temperature and relative humidity during the Northeast monsoon and spring intermonsoon. The highest concentrations are observed when the wind is blowing from the west.
Description
Keywords
Surface ozone, Biomass burning, Meteorological conditions, Regional transport, Backward trajectory
Citation
Toh, Y. Y., Lim, S. F., & Von Glasow, R. (2013). The influence of meteorological factors and biomass burning on surface ozone concentrations at Tanah Rata, Malaysia. Atmospheric Environment, 70, 435-446.