Ground Level Ozone in Camarillo, CA
Author:
Kayte BatailleMentor:
Simone Aloisio, Professor of Chemistry , California State University Channel IslandsGround-level ozone is one of the primary components of photochemical smog, and is one of the air pollutants of major concern to human health. This ozone occurs in many cities all over the world due to vehicles and electric power plants emitting pollutants into the atmosphere. Due to the harmful effects large amounts of ozone can cause on humans, it is vital to monitor and predict levels to understand the mechanisms behind ozone production. The ozone levels at CSU Channel Islands were monitored over a period of four months. The relationship between local weather conditions and ozone concentration was analyzed. During the monitoring of ozone at the university, obvious positive trends between temperature and ozone production were observed. When the temperature of a day is above normal values, the ozone levels obtained are far above what would normally be seen i.e. A 90 degree day during a week that averaged 78 degrees would experience much higher ozone levels, 67ppb, than the rest of the week’s averaged values, 43ppb. The relationship of ozone and wind direction and precipitation were analyzed. Sources of the ozone pollution can be inferred from these data as well.