Rural O₃ Levels in the Middle Ebro Basin During the Plant Growing Season

Gonzalez, Laura; Bermejo, Raúl; Parra, María Asunción; Elustondo, David; Garrigó, Jordi; Santamaría, Jesús Miguel

Rural O₃ Levels in the Middle Ebro Basin During the Plant Growing Season

2010

Ground-level dynamics of O₃, NO x and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes were characterised at rural sites in the medium Ebro River Basin (Northern Spain) from April to September (2003-2007) and by means of automated and passive monitoring. The study registered high O₃ levels within the area, which were influenced by traffic emissions, and a monthly evolution of these levels consistent with the occurrence of a broad summer maximum, typical of polluted areas. The mean ozone concentration registered in the studied area by means of passive sampling was 87 ± 12 μg m⁻³. The 2008/50/EC objective value for the protection of vegetation was widely exceeded during this study (AOT40 = 57,147 ± 14,114 μg m⁻³ h), suggesting that current ambient levels may pose a risk for crops and vegetation in this important agroindustrial region.

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