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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2027
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2027
22 Jul 2024
 | 22 Jul 2024

The long-term impact of BVOC emissions on urban ozone patterns over central Europe: contributions from urban and rural vegetation

Marina Liaskoni, Peter Huszár, Lukáš Bartík, Alvaro Patricio Prieto Perez, Jan Karlický, and Kateřina Šindelářová

Abstract. The paper evaluates the long-term (2007–2016) impact of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) emissions on urban ozone patterns over central Europe, specifically focusing on the contribution of urban vegetation using a regional climate model offline coupled to chemistry transport model. BVOCs are emitted by terrestrial ecosystems, with the prominent species being isoprene, monoterpenes, alcohols, carbonyls, and acids. Their impact is considered especially important over NOx-rich environments such as urban areas.

The study evaluates the impact of BVOC emissions on ozone (O3), formaldehyde (HCHO) and hydroxyl radical (OH) near surface concentrations, showing an increase in summer ozone by 6–10 % over large areas in central Europe due to BVOC emissions. It also demonstrates a substantial increase in formaldehyde concentrations. Additionally, the impact of BVOC emissions on hydroxyl radical concentrations shows a decrease over most of the domain by 20–60 %, with some increases over urban areas. Impacts on peroxy radicals (HO2 and higher RO2) are shown too.

Importantly, the study explores the partial role of urban vegetation in modulating ozone and evaluates its share in the overall ozone formation due to all BVOC emissions. The findings reveal that urban BVOC emissions contribute to around 10 % of the total impact on ozone and formaldehyde concentrations in urban areas, indicating their significant but localized influence.

The study also conducts sensitivity analyses to assess the uncertainty arising from the calculation of the urban fraction of BVOC emissions. The results show that the impact of urban BVOC emissions responds to their magnitude nearly linearly, with variations of up to fourfold, emphasizing the importance of accurately quantifying the urban BVOC fluxes. Overall, the study sheds light on the intricate relationship between urban vegetation, BVOC emissions, and their impact on atmospheric chemistry, providing valuable insights into the regional chemistry of BVOC emissions over central Europe and the causes of urban ozone pollution.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

10 Dec 2024
The long-term impact of biogenic volatile organic compound emissions on urban ozone patterns over central Europe: contributions from urban and rural vegetation
Marina Liaskoni, Peter Huszár, Lukáš Bartík, Alvaro Patricio Prieto Perez, Jan Karlický, and Kateřina Šindelářová
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13541–13569, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13541-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13541-2024, 2024
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

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The impact of biogenic emissions of hydrocarbons from vegetation on ozone as well as on overall...
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