A model study of ground level ozone pollution in the High Tatras Mountain region

Abstract

Air pollution, especially ground level ozone (O₃), negatively influences sensitive ecosystems of the Tatra National Park (UNESCO Biosphere reserve). The aim of this work is to analyse the role of long-range transport in extremely high ozone air pollution situation over the High Tatras Mountain region. Summer O₃ episode observed during 12–14 August 2003 was modelled by coupled meteorological and photochemical mesoscale model MetPhoMod (Perego, 1999). Standard meteorological data and O₃ concentration measured at fixed ground stations: Poprad – Gánovce, Stará Lesná, T. Lomnica – Štart, Skalnaté Pleso and Lomnický štít in vertical profile from 706 to 2634 m a.s.l. were used. Emissions and land cover type of model domain (20 × 18 km) were obtained from EMEP database and regional land use maps, respectively. Observed maximal O₃ concentrations were about 60–90% higher than the simulated values (considered as local O₃ forming potential). During the peak phase of investigated O₃ episode, the contribution of local independent emission sources to observed O₃ concentration was on average 37%. Achieved results indicate that long-range transport (from Western Europe) and descent of O₃ enriched air from high troposphere to ground level supported by high pressure system played more significant role in O₃ concentration increase than its local formation during the extremely high O₃ events in the High Tatras Mountain region.