Collected reprints: Abstract 2648
Collected reprints
Abstract
Otten, P.; Injuk, J.; Van Grieken, R. (1994). Vertical sulfur dioxide, ozone, and heavy metal concentration profiles above the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Israel Journal of Chemistry 34: 411-424
Vertical profiles of SO2 and O3 concentrations were measured continuously within the lower atmosphere during 18 flights over the Southern Bight of the North Sea. The average SO2 concentration below the temperature inversion layer ranged from 1.9 to 19.5 ppb. The highest levels were observed when the air masses came from the southeast-east and under variable wind sector conditions : 15.2 and 12.0 ppb, respectively. The highest SO2 concentrations were found at altitudes between 100 and 200 m. The overall average O3 concentration was 46 ppb, with values of 30-40 ppb at sea level to 60-70 ppb at altitudes above 100 m. Low O3 concentrations reflect O3 depletion through reaction with freshly emitted pollutants, while high O3 concentrations are an indication of photochemical activity. O3 concentrations are primarily dependent on seasonal influences, while SO2 levels are dictated more by the history of the sampled air mass. The results are discussed in relation to the heavy metal concentrations, measured within the same experiment. In spite of some differences, SO2 and trace metals showed similar trends. The individual SO2 and O3 profiles clearly illustrated the high variability in vertical concentration distributions.
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