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Hu Q, Ji X, Hong Q, Li J, Li Q, Ou J, Liu H, Xing C, Tan W, Chen J, Chang B, Liu C. Vertical Evolution of Ozone Formation Sensitivity Based on Synchronous Vertical Observations of Ozone and Proxies for Its Precursors: Implications for Ozone Pollution Prevention Strategies. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:4291-4301. [PMID: 38385161 PMCID: PMC10919071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Photochemical ozone (O3) formation in the atmospheric boundary layer occurs at both the surface and elevated altitudes. Therefore, the O3 formation sensitivity is needed to be evaluated at different altitudes before formulating an effective O3 pollution prevention and control strategy. Herein, we explore the vertical evolution of O3 formation sensitivity via synchronous observations of the vertical profiles of O3 and proxies for its precursors, formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), using multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) in urban areas of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions in China. The sensitivity thresholds indicated by the HCHO/NO2 ratio (FNR) varied with altitude. The VOC-limited regime dominated at the ground level, whereas the contribution of the NOx-limited regime increased with altitude, particularly on heavily polluted days. The NOx-limited and transition regimes played more important roles throughout the entire boundary layer than at the surface. The feasibility of extreme NOx reduction to mitigate the extent of the O3 pollution was evaluated using the FNR-O3 curve. Based on the surface sensitivity, the critical NOx reduction percentage for the transition from a VOC-limited to a NOx-limited regime is 45-72%, which will decrease to 27-61% when vertical evolution is considered. With the combined effects of clean air action and carbon neutrality, O3 pollution in the YRD and PRD regions will transition to the NOx-limited regime before 2030 and be mitigated with further NOx reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihou Hu
- Key
Laboratory of Environmental Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute
of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Xiangguang Ji
- Information
Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Qianqian Hong
- School
of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan
University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Institute
of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Qihua Li
- Institute
of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jinping Ou
- The
Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of
Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Haoran Liu
- Institute
of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Chengzhi Xing
- Key
Laboratory of Environmental Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute
of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Key
Laboratory of Environmental Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute
of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department
of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Bowen Chang
- Institute
of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Environmental Optics and Technology, Anhui Institute
of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Department
of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Center
for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban
Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- Key
Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher
Education Institutes, University of Science
and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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