National and transboundary contributions to surface ozone concentration across European countries

Tropospheric ozone impacts health, climate, and ecosystems. Effective ozone mitigation policies are challenged by limited quantitative understanding of national versus transboundary contributions to surface ozone. This study uses a chemical transport model with a source apportionment algorithm to an...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Garatachea Solé, Roger, Pay Pérez, Maria Teresa|||0000-0001-7985-9253, Achebak, Hicham, Jorba Casellas, Oriol|||0000-0001-5872-0244, Bowdalo, Dene, Guevara Vilardell, Marc|||0000-0001-9727-8583, Petetin, Herve, Ballester Claramunt, Joan, Pérez García-Pando, Carlos|||0000-0002-4456-0697
Format: article
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/425463
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/425463
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01716-w
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Atmospheric chemistry
Environmental impact
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Degradació ambiental::Contaminació atmosfèrica
Description
Summary:Tropospheric ozone impacts health, climate, and ecosystems. Effective ozone mitigation policies are challenged by limited quantitative understanding of national versus transboundary contributions to surface ozone. This study uses a chemical transport model with a source apportionment algorithm to analyze ozone contributions across Europe from 2015 to 2017 during peak ozone season. We quantify country-level ozone production and imported ozone, distinguishing contributions from 35 European countries, neighboring countries, seas, and hemispheric influences. Results show substantial contributions from outside the 35 European countries, with hemispheric contributions playing a significant role. European contributions are crucial during high ozone episodes, especially from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Poland, and Spain. Spain, northern Italy, and northwest France are identified as areas where national precursor reductions would be more effective in improving national air quality. Furthermore, 25 of the 35 European countries studied are net importers of cumulative ozone mass, with the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK acting as major exporters. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive air quality policies and cross-border cooperation.