Title: Impact of large-scale circulation patterns on surface ozone concentrations in Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB)
Institution(s) Represented: Texas A&M University - Galveston - Yuxuan Wang
Lead PI: Yuxuan Wang
AQRP Project Manager: Vincent Torres
TCEQ Project Liaison: Mark Estes
Awarded Amount: $79,325.00
Abstract
Impact of large-scale circulation patterns on surface ozone concentrations in Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB)
The Bermuda High (BH) is a key driver of large-scale circulation patterns in Southeastern Texas in summer. The variations in the location and strength of the Bermuda High are expected to influence surface ozone concentrations and cause high- or low-ozone years in HGB through modulating the southerly flows that bring marine air with lower ozone background from the Gulf of Mexico. This project aims at establishing a statistical relationship from historical observations to quantify the impact of the BH variations on the variability of surface O3 in HGB during the ozone seasons. Such a relationship will then be used to improve the GEOS-Chem simulation of background ozone inflow from the Gulf of Mexico through development of a bias correction scheme. The more than decade-long observational record of ozone and meteorology (1998 - 2012) during the ozone season (April 1 - October 31) will be analyzed to characterize the complex effects of the BH on surface ozone variations in HGB. The ozone variability will be defined for maximum daily 8-h average (MDA8) at the monthly and interannual time scales (i.e., the timescale of determining air quality attainment or nonattainment). A variety of indices to define the location and strength of the Bermuda High (BH Index; BHI) will be adopted from the literature and new BHI of better relevance to Texas air quality will be proposed. Statistical relationships between the variability of surface ozone concentrations and BHI will be constructed based on observations. The observed relationship will then be used as a mechanistic basis to design a bias correction scheme in the GEOS-Chem global CTM to improve its simulation of background O3 associated with maritime inflow to HGB. The results will benefit the regulatory models of TCEQ through improved boundary conditions at the Gulf of Mexico model domain.
Executive Summary: projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 Executive Summary.pdf
Work Plan: projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 Scope.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 MTR Jan 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 MTR Feb 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 MTR Mar 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 MTR Apr 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 MTR May 2015.pdf
QAPP: projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 QAPP.pdf
Final Report: projectinfoFY14_15\14-010\14-010 Final Report.pdf
