Study and analysis of the concentrations of tropospheric ozone

Abstract

In this study, data from sampling stations distributed along the Valley of Aburrá region in Colombia is analysed, as reported by the regional air quality monitoring network, between 2014 and 2015. Variations in ozone hourly concentrations are presented, according to average and maximum values, grouped by hour of day and by day of the week, including peak-hours behaviour. Correlations were established with meteorological phenomena (sunshine, rainfall and cloud cover). Out of the more than 100,000 hourly data values, a 1.29% exceeds the hourly quality standard of 61 ppb. From this point of view, the situation should not be considered as a serious one from the point of view of public health, although it should be monitored and studied in relationship to climate and vehicular sources. Quality Air indexes were also determined as well as a comparative analysis with 25 cities in the world.