Utilization of Vertical Profiles to Analyze

Ozone Production in the Los Angeles Basin

S. M. Barlow
S. E. Pusede
A. E. Kotsakis

Introduction - Ozone

Good up high, bad

down low

Introduction - Ozone

Good up high, bad

down low
UV radiation drives
ozone production in
the stratosphere
Stratospheric Ozone Production Cycle

Introduction - Ozone

Good up high, bad

down low
UV radiation drives
ozone production in
the stratosphere
Nitrogen oxides and
VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) drive
ozone production in
the troposphere

Stratospheric Ozone Production Cycle

Tropospheric Ozone Production Cycle

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Introduction Boundary Layer

Lowest level of the

troposphere

Introduction Boundary Layer

Lowest level of the

troposphere
Height ranges from
100m to 3000m

Introduction Boundary Layer

Lowest level of the

troposphere
Height ranges from
100m to 3000m
Entrainment zone
caps surface air,
preventing mixing
into the free
atmosphere
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Introduction Boundary Layer

Lowest level of the

troposphere
Height ranges from
100m to 3000m
Entrainment zone
caps surface air,
preventing mixing
into the free
atmosphere

Night time residual

layer comprises air
from the day time
mixed layer
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Introduction Vertical Profiles

Introduction Vertical Profiles

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Introduction Vertical Profiles

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Introduction Vertical Profiles

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Introduction Vertical Profiles

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Methods Data Collection

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Methods Data Collection

52.94 km

Alt < 2000 m

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Methods Data Collection

34.41 km

Alt < 1000 m

52.94 km

Alt < 2000 m

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Results O3 Vertical Profiles

Ox = O3 + NO2
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Results O3 Vertical Profiles

Ox = O3 + NO2
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Results CO/CO2 Ratio

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Results NOz/NOy Ratio

NOz = Higher
oxides of nitrogen
NOy = NOx + NOz
NOx = NO + NO2
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Results NOz/NOy and CO/CO2 Ratios

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Results Change in Ozone

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Results Ozone Time Series

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Results Ozone Time Series

T = 12:00 PM
O3 = 79 ppbv

T = 10:00 AM
O3 = 54 ppbv

T = 1:00 PM
O3 = 79 ppbv
T = 11:00 AM
O3 = 60 ppbv

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Results Ozone Time Series

m = 12.5 ppbh-1
m = 9.5 ppbh-1

T = 12:00 PM
O3 = 79 ppbv

T = 10:00 AM
O3 = 54 ppbv

T = 1:00 PM
O3 = 79 ppbv
T = 11:00 AM
O3 = 60 ppbv

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Conclusions

Ozone was produced at a rate of 10 ppbh-1 at ground

level in Long Beach
Ascent and descent of the missed approaches took
place in different air masses
Smoke from the Sherpa fire in Santa Barbara county
was present over Long Beach
From 500 - 1000 m, ozone was produced at 20 55
ppbh-1
VOC and NOx concentrations were favorable to the
production of ozone in the smoke from the Sherpa
fire.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Sally Pusede and Alex
Kotsakis for their invaluable help, guidance, and
contributions towards my research this summer.
I would also like to thank Emily Schaller for all of
her work in organizing and planning our
summer at SARP.

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Questions?

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