Spatial Pattern of Ground-Level Ozone Concentration in Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

Department of Geography, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305279, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze spatial patterns of ground-level ozone concentration
in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area. Average daily maximum eight-hour ozone concentration,
number of days with concentrations exceeding 75 ppb, average outside air temperature, and resultant wind
direction at 20 monitoring stations were compiled for January-December, 2013. Recent estimates of population
and vehicle miles traveled were also compiled for 12 counties with ozone monitoring station(s). Ozone levels
and resultant wind directions were mapped for representative months in each season. On several days from
May-October, eight-hour ozone measurements exceeded 75 ppb. September, followed by August, produced
the highest ozone concentrations, as well as the most observations exceeding 75 ppb. Late spring and summer
months also showed the greatest range in ozone concentrations; during this time period, sustained southeasterly
winds caused distinct clusters of high ozone concentration at the northern perimeter of the study area.
However, ozone concentrations at individual monitoring stations were not associated with population or
vehicle miles traveled in counties occupied by those stations.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Research
Volume 8, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
October 2014
Pages 897-902

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