Meteorological Modeling Of Ozone Concentrations In Western North Carolina

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the effect of photochemical oxidants on human health and vegetation. Ozone, a prevalent photochemical oxidant, has been associated with eye irritation and changes in human lung function, as well as forest decline and crop loss. For these reasons, it is important to have some knowledge of ozone concentrations over wide geographical regions. Mathematical or statistical modeling of ozone concentrations is attractive because ozone measurement instrumentation is expensive. Correlation of ozone with meteorological variables is desirable since these data are low in cost and are widely available.