Atmospheric patterns in relationship with observed ozone concentrations in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area during the North American Monsoon

Malloy, Jonny W.

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.08.001

Cited by 3 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Ozone pollutant dispersion patterns over the PNA are heavily dictated by the existence of a prominent topographically induced mountain-valley circulation (Malloy 2018). As noted in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The formation of ozone is derived through complex photochemical chemical reactions primarily between sunlight, oxygen, oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds (Quincey et al 2007;Wayne 1987). Phoenix, Arizona, has been shown to be susceptible to recurring ozone levels reaching unhealthful levels based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pollutant standards (Malloy 2018). Consequently, the Phoenix mean statistical area (MSA) represents a designated nonattainment area for ozone, specifically concerning the daily maximum 8-h average (DMO8) (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…weather hazards (Brazel and Nickling 1986;King and Balling 1994;Maddox et al 1995), and 4) varying levels of atmospheric dispersion affecting pollutant buildup potential, including ozone accumulation (e.g., Ellis et al 2000;Malloy 2018;Shi et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A previous study (Malloy 2018) statistically identified a variety of temperature, moisture, and wind-related meteorological parameters between the surface and 300 hPa. Variations in those parameters were found to be statistically significant in their association with days when the DMO8 value in the PNA exceeded the 2015 U.S. EPA standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb) during the months of July and August.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, for example, Rodriguez et al (2010) investigated mean differences in sounding parameters between thunderstorm and nonthunderstorm days in São Paul, Brazil, while Schrage et al (2007) employed composite sounding analysis to determine cloudiness potential during the West African monsoon. Other examples of employing the technique include identifying vertical profile characteristics favoring fog versus nonfog days in northeastern Japan (Sugimoto et al 2013), using sounding data in the Intermountain West region of the United States to link synoptic influence on the persistence of winter season inversions (Gillies et al 2010a), and identifying atmospheric conditions preceding severe hail reports in northern Arizona during the NAM (Malloy 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Atmospheric Composite Sounding Analysis as a Forecasting Tool for Ozone Accumulation in a Semiarid Metropolitan Area during the North America Monsoon: Phoenix, Arizona

Malloy

Cerveny

2019

Weather and Forecasting

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Phoenix, Arizona, observes a high summertime frequency for daily maximum 8-h ozone averages (DMO8) exceeding 70 parts per billion, resulting in nonattainment status by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This study discusses the use of composite atmospheric sounding analysis (constructing average sounding conditions for specific recurring events) to forecast different air quality index daily ozone classifications, including “good,” “moderate,” and collectively categories exceeding the 2015 ozone standard. Composite sounding analysis, using the Phoenix 1200 UTC (0500 LST) rawinsonde data (2006–17), identifies “pollutant dispersion windows” for ozone accumulation or dispersal for Phoenix during the North American monsoon (July and August period). A favorable ozone exceedance atmosphere is associated with a “Four Corners high” synoptic pattern bringing relatively light winds at and below 700 hPa (≤4.5 ms−1) and higher easterly winds above (≤12.3 ms−1). Healthy ozone days (good category) are common when Pacific low pressure troughing over the western United States creates deep and faster westerly flow above the surface reaching speeds of 6.7 (19.5) m s−1 by 700 (200) hPa. Surprisingly, large standard deviations over 10°C for dewpoint temperature at midlevels (500–400 hPa) were determined for all three daily ozone classification ranges used in this study. Additionally, modest temperature deviations and mean differences are noted at significant pressure levels. Consequently, wind speed and direction are better indicators when forecasting ozone accumulation potential. These results are pertinent to air quality meteorologists responsible for disseminating ozone forecasts for heavily urbanized areas of the U.S. Southwest.

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“…Ozone pollutant dispersion patterns over the PNA are heavily dictated by the existence of a prominent topographically induced mountain-valley circulation (Malloy 2018). As noted in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Atmospheric Composite Sounding Analysis as a Forecasting Tool for Ozone Accumulation in a Semiarid Metropolitan Area during the North America Monsoon: Phoenix, Arizona

Malloy

Cerveny

2019

Weather and Forecasting

Self Cite

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Ozone in the Desert Southwest of the United States: A Synthesis of Past Work and Steps Ahead

Sorooshian,

Arellano,

Fraser

et al. 2024

ACS EST Air

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A region often neglected in the grander scale of general atmospheric chemistry studies and model evaluation for gasphase chemistry is the desert southwest of the U.S. Despite regulatory progress, challenges in meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone motivate a re-examination of the unique meteorological conditions, interactions between the desert, agricultural, and built environmental landscapes, emissions across natural and anthropogenic sources, and regional transport of precursors that govern ozone formation in the desert Southwest. Arizona includes multiple nonattainment counties with a unique situation in terms of its environment (e.g., vegetation, meteorology, fire prone areas), complex terrain, urban growth, transport vulnerability, and limited knowledge base. Here we summarize past works investigating the ozone over Arizona, including 61 peerreviewed publications found since the first one in 1996, and determine significant knowledge gaps to guide future research with the aim of improving regulatory policy. A more in-depth focus is placed here on Maricopa County, which includes the Phoenix Metropolitan area, where significant population growth in recent decades coupled with the extreme high temperatures and surrounding complex terrain creates a poorly understood airshed in terms of ozone chemistry, thereby complicating regulatory decisions. We suggest paths forward, including improved monitoring, assessment, and modeling tools for the region, better leveraging of archived data, and engagement with the public, government, and policy. This Review is highly relevant as well to other semiarid and arid regions, which represent the most common land type globally, warranting more attention.

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Influence of Transboundary Pollution on the Variability of Surface Ozone Concentrations in the Desert Southwest of the U.S.: Case Study for Arizona

Betito,

Arellano,

Sorooshian

2024

Atmosphere

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Arizona, a rapidly growing state in the southwestern U.S., faces ozone pollution challenges, including nonattainment areas in Yuma and Maricopa counties influenced by neighboring state pollution transport. In this study, we use five-year (2017–2021) hourly back-trajectories and O3 concentration data for concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis to identify transport pathways and potential source regions of O3 at six monitoring sites in Arizona. We divide the data into five seasons (winter, spring, dry summer, monsoon summer, and fall) to examine variations in O3 concentration and transport across sites and seasons. The highest mean O3 concentrations occur during spring (37–49 ppb), dry summer (39–51 ppb), and monsoon summer (34–49 ppb), while winter (19–41 ppb) exhibits the lowest seasonal mean. The CWT results reveal that high O3 concentrations (≥40 ppb) in Arizona, with the exception of Phoenix and Tucson sites, are influenced significantly by regional and international transport, especially in spring (14.9–35.4%) and dry summer (12.7–26.9%). The major potential source areas (excluding the Phoenix and Tucson sites) are predominantly located outside Arizona. This study highlights the critical role of pollution transport in influencing O3 variability within Arizona and will be valuable in shaping pollution control strategies in the future.

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Atmospheric patterns in relationship with observed ozone concentrations in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area during the North American Monsoon

Cited by 3 publications

References 18 publications

Atmospheric Composite Sounding Analysis as a Forecasting Tool for Ozone Accumulation in a Semiarid Metropolitan Area during the North America Monsoon: Phoenix, Arizona

Atmospheric Composite Sounding Analysis as a Forecasting Tool for Ozone Accumulation in a Semiarid Metropolitan Area during the North America Monsoon: Phoenix, Arizona

Ozone in the Desert Southwest of the United States: A Synthesis of Past Work and Steps Ahead

Influence of Transboundary Pollution on the Variability of Surface Ozone Concentrations in the Desert Southwest of the U.S.: Case Study for Arizona

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