Author(s)

Roberta Vecchi & Gianluigi Valli

Abstract

Increased tropospheric ozone concentrations are currently a matter of large concern, not only as a local problem in urban areas but especially as a regional one. Moreover comparison of old and recent data indicates that surface ozone concentrations in rural areas in Europe have doubled during the past 100 years. The great interest given to ozone levels assessment is due to its role in controlling the chemical composition of the troposphere and climate; furthermore recent studies liave been shown tliat elevated ozone concentrations can affect human health and vegetation. The largest mountainous region in Central Europe are the Alps, surrounded by heavily industrialised and densely populated regions, the Alps cover a wide area in Northern Italy, r

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