Author(s)

MASUMAH AL-QASSIMI, SULTAN MAJED AL-SALEM

Abstract

Continuously monitored ambient concentrations of ozone (O₃), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) for the years 2004–2005 and 2014–2015 are used to understand the relationships and photochemical rections between ozone (O₃) and nitrogen oxides (NO_X ≈ NO+NO₂) in one of Kuwait’s major urban areas (Fahaheel). The objective of the study is to investigate the fate of O₃ as a secondary pollutant and to determine the chemical coupling and mixing ratio of NO₂ to O₃. The variation of total atmopsheric oxides (OX = O₃+NO₂) concentrations with NO₂ is also assessed to gain an insight into the atmospheric sources of OX. In addition, the diurnal variations of NO, NO₂, NOX, O₃, and OX along with variation of regional and local O_x are examined. The daytime and night-time relationships between O₃ and NOX and the ozone weekend effect in Fahaheel area are also reported in this communication. This study creates a historical baseline for urban areas subjected to heavy industrial emissions that can significantly improve our understanding of the impacts of future changes in O₃ concentrations.

Keywords

precursors, volatile, pollution, air quality, ozone (O₃)