The role of precursor emissions on ground level ozone concentration during summer season in Poland

Three online coupled chemical transport model simulations were analyzed for three summer months of 2015 in Poland. One of them was run with default emission inventory, the other two with NO_x and VOC emissions reduced by 30%, respectively. Obtained ozone concentrations were evaluated with data from air quality measurement stations and ozone sensitivity to precursor emissions was estimated by ozone concentration differences between simulations and with the use of indicator ratios. They were calculated based on modeled mixing ratios of ozone, total reactive nitrogen and its components, nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The results show that the model overestimates ozone concentrations with the largest errors in the morning and evening, which is primarily related to the way vertical mixing is resolved by the model. Better model performance for ozone is achieved in rural than urban environment, as PBL and mixing mechanisms play more significant role in urban areas. Modeled ozone shows mixed sensitivity to precursor concentrations, similarly to other European regions, but indicator ratios have different values than are found in literature, particularly H₂O₂/HNO₃ is larger than in southern Europe. However, indicator ratios often differ between locations and transition values need to be established individually for a given region.     

Connection between ozone concentration and atmosphere circulation at peak Moussala

Connection between ozone concentration and atmosphere circulation is investigated based on measurements at BEO station, peak Moussala (2,925 m a.s.l.), for the period 09 August 2006 to 29 January 2008. Ozone concentration data are collected with UV-analyzer “Environnement O₃ 42” and meteo data with weather station “Vaisala”. There are measurements of ⁷Be. Data from NOAA HYSPLIT model for particle trajectories are also used. Eight wind directions and three ranges of wind velocities are employed in the analysis. A comparison of ozone concentrations in upward and downward air transport according to HYSPLIT model is made. The number of cases with ozone concentration above 63 ppb has been counted. Mann–Whitney nonparametric test is employed as a basic statistical method. Correlation between atmosphere pressure and tropospheric ozone content is made. The same is done for ⁷Be and ozone. The main conclusion is that there is not any local or regional pollution effect detectable at peak Moussala, but most of the ozone measured is due to emissions of hydrocarbons and NO _x over a larger region. There could be some regional sources of ozone building substances in southwest direction from peak Moussala. Air transported from the north quarter has higher ozone concentrations compared to the south quarter. In vertical direction, upward transport of air masses shows higher values of ozone concentration. Higher wind velocity is associated with low ozone concentrations at peak Moussala. The annual course of ozone concentration has summer maximum and winter minimum. There is right connection between air pressure and ozone concentration. The same is valid for the correlation between ⁷Be and ozone. Diurnal ozone course shows daytime maximum in winter and nighttime maximum in summer.     

东亚区域对流层臭氧及其前体物的季节性关联

利用2010—2012年对流层臭氧（O₃）及其多种前体物的卫星遥感资料和全球水汽再分析资料,研究东亚区域O₃及其前体物的时空分布,以及在中国东部（分为南、北两部分）相关性的季节变化。结果表明:东亚区域NO₂与CO的对流层柱含量均表现为冬季高、夏季低的时空变化形式。O₃对流层柱含量夏季达到峰值,冬季为谷值。中国东部的北部与南部地区O₃与NO₂均在夏秋季呈正相关,冬春季呈负相关。夏季大部分地区NO_x的光化学循环反应对O₃生成有积极的促进作用,冬季大部分地区O₃的光化学循环生成受到抑制。O₃与CO在北部地区夏秋季和南部地区夏季正相关性最大,无论是在北部还是南部地区,O₃与CO的相关性在轻污染情况下最大,而在重污染和背景情况下较小,表明重污染气团向下风方的输送更有利于O₃的光化学生成。O₃与水汽在北部和南部地区的多数时间均呈较显著的正相关性,而在南部地区夏季和北部地区冬季具有较大的负相关性,反映出不同的环流形式、气团来源及伴随的天气条件变化对O₃分布的影响。     

Impact of Air Transport on Seasonal Variations and Trends of Surface Ozone at Kislovodsk High Mountain Station

The impact of air transport on the surface ozone variations is analyzed at Kislovodsk High Mountain Station for the period 1989–1996 on the basis of 2D back trajectories. It was shown that the contribution of photochemical and dynamical processes is different for the different seasons. In summer months the surface ozone concentration is governed by photochemical ozone production in semi polluted air from the regions of Northern Caspian, Southern Ural and Volga region. Time of the seasonal ozone maximum appearance is defined by joint influence of the processes of photochemical production and destruction in the eastern sectors and advection from Ukraine and Central Europe. The value of the seasonal minimum is determined by the processes of ozone destruction in the air coming from northeastern direction in the stable frontal zone. Distribution of sectors of the air transport changes from year to year and it can partly explain strong negative trend of the surface ozone concentration at the site.     

A Eulerian air pollution model for Europe with nonlinear chemistry

A long-range transport model with nonlinear chemical reactions is described. The model contains 35 pollutants and 70 chemical reactions. This is a Eulerian model defined on a space domain containing the whole of Europe. The spherical space domain (corresponding to the Earth's surface covered by the model) is mapped into a square plane domain and discretized by using a 32×32 grid. The grid increments are equidistant (both along the Ox axis and along the Oy axis). The choice of values of the physical parameters involved in the model and the numerical treatment of the model are shortly discussed. The model is tested with meteorological data for 1985 and 1989. The numerical results are compared with measurements at stations located in different European countries. Extensive comparisons of ozone concentrations for July 1985 with measurements taken at 24 European stations are also carried out. Results concerning three episodes in July 1985 as well as results obtained in the study of the sensitivity of the ozone concentrations to variations of NO _x and/or anthropogenic VOC emissions are presented. The advantages and the limitations of such a model are discussed. The model is continuously improved by adding new modules to it. The plans for improvements in the near future are outlined.     

Concentration of trace gases in the lower troposphere,simultaneously recorded at neighboring mountain stations Part II: Ozone

Summary Long-term ozone recordings at different altitude levels, conducted in remote areas, can make a valuable contribution to an understanding of the background level of ozone, its periodical variations and possible long-term trends.The measuring stations (three high mountain stations between 740 and nearly 3000 m a.s.l. with small horizontal distance) are described together with recording and calibration procedures. Information is provided on the time history of all recordings since 1978, considering not only the annual means but also the monthly and 10-day means as a function of height. An analysis is presented of the annual variations which differ considerably in the respective height levels and—in three-dimensional diagrams—the correlation between daily and annual variation is shown as a function of height. Then follows a careful parameterization: analysis of the frequency distribution of the ozone concentration, correlation with relative humidity, relative sunshine duration, and temperature. It can be seen that the correlations are very different and partly inverse, depending on the altitude level.Many ozone profiles obtained between valley level and nearly 3000 m a.s.l. (cable car O₃ radiosonde) give a picture of the typical ozone profile for different meteorological situations and for the case of stratospheric intrusions of ozone into the troposphere. The stratospheric contribution of ozone to the tropospheric ozone budget is discussed.Since obviously a very high photochemical production rate can be established for ozone in the lowest layer above ground (correlation of O₃ with the daily variation of the sunshine duration) it was examined if this O₃ variation might be caused only by horizontal transport of ozone from remote areas with high anthropogenic activity by the daily quasiperiodical currents near the ground. But this is not the case.The correlation between ozone concentration, other trace gases such as nitrogen-oxygen compounds and hydrocarbons is shown.With 29 Figures     

On the Spatial Distribution and Seasonal Variation of Lower-Troposphere Ozone over Europe

Surface ozone data from 25 Europeanlow-altitude sites and mountain sites located between79°N and 28°N were studied. The analysiscovered the time period March 1989–February 1993.Average summer and winter O₃ concentrations inthe boundary layer over the continent gave rise togradients that were strongest in the north-west tosouth-east direction and west-east direction, respectively. WintertimeO₃ ranged from 19 to 27 ppbover the continent, compared to about 32 ppb at thewestern border, while for summer the continentalO₃ values ranged between 39 and 56 ppb and theoceanic mixing ratios were around 37 ppb. In the lowerfree troposphere average wintertime O₃ mixingratios were around 38 ppb, with only an 8 ppbdifference between 28°N and 79°N. For summerthe average O₃ levels decreased from about 55 ppbover Central Europe to 32 ppb at 79°N. Inaddition, O₃ and O_x(= O₃ + NO₂)in polluted and clean air were compared. Theamplitudes of the seasonal ozone variations increasedin the north-west to south-east direction, while thetime of the annual maximum was shifted from spring (atthe northerly sites) to late summer (at sites inAustria and Hungary), which reflected the contributionof photochemical ozone production in the lower partsof the troposphere.     

Formation of the Summertime Ozone Valley over the Tibetan Plateau: The Asian Summer Monsoon and Air Column Variations

The summertime ozone valley over the Tibetan Plateau is formed by two influences,the Asian summer monsoon(ASM) and air column variations.Total ozone over the Tibetan Plateau in summer was ～33 Dobson units(DU) lower than zonal mean values over the ocean at the same latitudes during the study period 2005-2009.Satellite observations of ozone profiles show that ozone concentrations over the ASM region have lower values in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere(UTLS) than over the non-ASM region.This is caused by frequent convective transport of low-ozone air from the lower troposphere to the UTLS region combined with trapping by the South Asian High.This offset contributes to a ～20-DU deficit in the ozone column over the ASM region.In addition,along the same latitude,total ozone changes identically with variations of the terrain height,showing a high correlation with terrain heights over the ASM region,which includes both the Tibetan and Iranian plateaus.This is confirmed by the fact that the Tibetan and Iranian plateaus have very similar vertical distributions of ozone in the UTLS,but they have different terrain heights and different total-column ozone levels.These two factors(lower UTLS ozone and higher terrain height) imply 40 DU in the lower-ozone column,but the Tibetan Plateau ozone column is only ～33 DU lower than that over the non-ASM region.This fact suggests that the lower troposphere has higher ozone concentrations over the ASM region than elsewhere at the same latitude,contributing ～7 DU of total ozone,which is consistent with ozonesonde and satellite observations.     

东亚太平洋地区近地面臭氧的季节和年际变化特征及其与东亚季风的关系

利用东亚清洁背景站近地面臭氧观测资料,结合风场和降水资料,分析东亚各地区臭氧的多年季节变化特征,并探讨东亚太平洋地区臭氧的季节和年际变化与季风的关系以及影响近地层臭氧的主要因子。结果表明：东亚大部分地区与北半球背景站观测一致,近地层臭氧季节变化表现为春季最高、夏季最低的特征;但在东亚中纬度33～43°N,臭氧表现为夏季最高,而在东亚20°N以南地区臭氧则表现为冬末、春初最高。东亚太平洋沿岸近地面臭氧的季节变化主要受东亚冬、夏季风环流的季节变化控制。该地区不同纬度上春季峰值出现时间的差异与亚洲大陆春季不同时期污染物输送路径的差异有关。对东亚太平洋沿岸对流层顶附近位势涡度、高空急流和垂直环流季节变化的分析表明,冬春季可能是平流层向对流层输送的最强期,对近地面臭氧贡献最大。初夏至秋季（5-11月）,平流层向对流层输送较弱,对近地面臭氧贡献较小。东亚太平洋地区夏季风爆发的时间和强度以及季风环流型的年际差异是导致该地区春、夏季臭氧年际变化的主要原因;而季风降水和云带位置以及平流层一对流层交换是造成臭氧年际变化的其他原因。     

Trends of surface ozone concentrations in germany and their connections with changes in meteorological variables

Changes in daily mean and daily maximum surface ozone concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity are evaluated based on the data of long-term observations (from 11 to 16 years) carried out at eight German stations. For all stations the trends of daily mean surface ozone concentration are statistically significant and positive. The trend values are different and generally range from 0 to 10% per 10 years. The trends of the maximum daily concentration are, on average, approximately 1.5 times less. Noticeable part of trends of the surface ozone concentration is connected with the trends of meteorological variables: temperature, relative humidity, and air mass transport direction. After the account of the influence of the trends of meteorological variables, the trends of the surface ozone concentration at most stations substantially decrease. The highest trend values of daily mean and daily maximum surface ozone concentrations are observed in a cold season; in a warm season, the trend values are much lower, at some stations they are statistically insignificant. A conclusion is made that for a correct revealing of reasons of long-term changes in the surface ozone concentration one should take into account changes in meteorological factors influencing its formation.     

Periodic variability of surface ozone concentration over western and central Europe from observational data

Characteristics of periodic variability of surface ozone concentration at 98 western and central European stations participating in the EMEP program for at least 7 (up to 14) years are determined. Daily and hourly model concentrations of surface ozone for each station are given in an analytical form that presents a sum of a constant constituent and basic harmonics that determine ozone concentration variability throughout a year and a day. A 12-month harmonic, whose maximum is observed in the spring period (in Northern Europe it is observed 1 to 2 months earlier than in Southern Europe) dominates in the energy spectrum of seasonal variability of daily mean ozone concentration at most stations. The energy part of higher (6-and 4-month) harmonics is the largest at the stations close to the sea and ocean coasts. Higher harmonics largely influence the time of the ozone extremum formation, shifting it towards the summer, or even forming a second (summer) maximum, whose magnitude at a number of stations (in Italy, Hungary, in the south of Germany, and in some others) exceeds the spring maximum. A 24-hour harmonic dominates in the energy spectrum of daily ozone variability. The maps of a “normal” distribution of surface ozone fields and their standard deviations for different seasons and time of the day have been compiled based on the model characteristics. The “norms” derived can be used to detect anomalies in the temporal trend of the surface ozone and to validate its climate changes.     

Geochemistry of regional background aerosols in the Western Mediterranean

The chemical composition of regional background aerosols, and the time variability and sources in the Western Mediterranean are interpreted in this study. To this end 2002–2007 PM speciation data from an European Supersite for Atmospheric Aerosol Research (Montseny, MSY, located 40 km NNE of Barcelona in NE Spain) were evaluated, with these data being considered representative of regional background aerosols in the Western Mediterranean Basin. The mean PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁ levels at MSY during 2002–2007 were 16, 14 and 11 µg/m³, respectively. After compiling data on regional background PM speciation from Europe to compare our data, it is evidenced that the Western Mediterranean aerosol is characterised by higher concentrations of crustal material but lower levels of OM + EC and ammonium nitrate than at central European sites. Relatively high PM_2.5 concentrations due to the transport of anthropogenic aerosols (mostly carbonaceous and sulphate) from populated coastal areas were recorded, especially during winter anticyclonic episodes and summer midday PM highs (the latter associated with the transport of the breeze and the expansion of the mixing layer). Source apportionment analyses indicated that the major contributors to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were secondary sulphate, secondary nitrate and crustal material, whereas the higher load of the anthropogenic component in PM_2.5 reflects the influence of regional (traffic and industrial) emissions. Levels of mineral, sulphate, sea spray and carbonaceous aerosols were higher in summer, whereas nitrate levels and Cl/Na were higher in winter. A considerably high OC/EC ratio (14 in summer, 10 in winter) was detected, which could be due to a combination of high biogenic emissions of secondary organic aerosol, SOA precursors, ozone levels and insolation, and intensive recirculation of aged air masses. Compared with more locally derived crustal geological dusts, African dust intrusions introduce relatively quartz-poor but clay mineral-rich silicate PM, with more kaolinitic clays from central North Africa in summer, and more smectitic clays from NW Africa in spring.     

Influence of coastal wind on surface ozone and nitrogen oxides in suburban Shanghai

Surface ozone, NO, NO₂, and NO _x were measured at a coastal site (Shihua) and a nearby inland site (Zhujing) in suburban Shanghai for the whole year of 2009. More days with ozone pollution in a longer time range were observed at the coastal site than the inland site. The diurnal variations of NO _x concentrations were obviously higher at Zhujing station, while those of ozone concentrations were higher at Shihua station, indicating their different air pollution conditions. Coastal wind has significant influence on the levels and characteristics of the air pollutants. The ozone concentrations during maritime winds (MW) were much higher than those during continental winds (CW) at each of the site, while the NO and NO₂ concentrations were both opposite. The ozone concentrations at Shihua station were much higher than those at Zhujing station, while the NO and NO₂ concentrations were both opposite. The ozone concentrations at both of the two sites showed a distinct “weekend effects” and “weekdays effects” patterns during CW and MW, respectively. Correlation analysis of the pollutants showed that, the compounds during MW were more age than those during CW, and the compounds at Shihua were more age than those at Zhujing. The air pollutions at both of the two sites are mainly associated with the pollutants emitted in this region instead of long range transport.     

西太平洋地区大气边界层内臭氧的季节变化及其影响因子分析

利用臭氧探空资料,分析了西太平洋地区香港(Hong Kong)、那霸(Naha)和札幌(Sapporo)三个站点2000~2010年期间大气边界层内臭氧(O₃)的季节分布和年变化趋势。结果表明,三个站点O₃的季节分布存在明显的差异。其中,那霸和香港大气边界层内O₃季节平均呈双峰值分布,其峰值分别出现在春季和秋季;而札幌站为单峰分布,峰值出现在春季。造成季节分布差异的主要原因包括人为污染源和自然因素如气象条件。另外,三个站点大气边界层内O₃均呈上升趋势。其中札幌、那霸上升最快,分别达0.80 ppb a-1和0.77 ppb a-1。(ppb表示10-9,下同)香港的年际增长较不明显,但秋季增长却非常明显,高达1.21 ppb a-1。结合GOME (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) 和SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectro Meter for Atmospheric Chartography)卫星反演的NO₂数据发现,过去10年中国京津唐和东北地区的对流层内NO₂柱总量增加极为迅速。这些O₃前体物通过远距离输送是导致札幌、那霸O₃浓度增加的主要原因之一。珠江三角洲人为污染源的增加及偏北气流的影响,是导致香港地区秋季O₃增加的主要原因。     

The Influence of Selected Meteorological Parameters on the Concentration of Surface Ozone in the Central Region of Poland

Abstract?This paper presents the results of measurements of the concentration of surface ozone and concurrent standard meteorological parameters: total solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, pressure, wind speed, and vertical and horizontal components of the wind. The data were collected from 2005 to 2010 at stations located in central Poland (Mazowieckie voivodeship): Warszawa (urban), Legionowo (suburban), Granica and Belsk (rural). Furthermore, Granica is situated in the forested area of Kampinoski National Park. Continuously measured surface ozone concentrations demonstrated the well-known diurnal cycle of surface ozone concentration with a maximum in the afternoon and a minimum in the early morning hours. The averaged diurnal variations over six years reveal that the highest concentrations appear at rural stations (Belsk: 55?µg?m^?3 and Granica: 50?µg?m^?3) and the lowest at the urban station (Warszawa: 41?µg?m^?3). The threshold for high levels of surface ozone (120?µg?m^?3 per 8?h) was exceeded most often at Granica and Belsk. The occurrence of the ozone “weekend effect,” especially at urban stations, has been identified. The difference between weekend and weekday surface ozone concentrations at urban and rural stations was as high as 6.5?µg?m^?3 and approximately 2?µg?m^?3, respectively. Using appropriate statistical tools, it has been shown that meteorological conditions have a significant influence on ozone concentration. High correlation coefficients were found between ozone concentration and solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The forward stepwise regression model explains up to 75% of the variations in daily surface ozone concentration in terms of meteorological variability in summer and up to 70% in winter. At the same time, a multilayer perceptron neural network model was used to reconstruct the concentration of surface ozone. High correlation coefficients (up to 0.89) indicate that, on the basis of standard meteorological parameters and NO₂ concentration, we can determine ozone concentration with high accuracy.     

Atmospheric circulation as a factor for air temperatures in Bulgaria

The research period is 1950–2012, and includes data for air temperatures in 21 Bulgarian stations. Two circulation indices, covering the same period and showing west–east or south–north directions of transport of air masses, were calculated. Statistical methods were used in the study. The results show a significant positive trend in average annual air temperatures in almost the entire territory of Bulgaria with the exception of its eastern-northeastern part. The warming occurs mainly in March, June and July, with some stations having significant positive values also in January, May and August. The zonal index reveals an insignificant increase of western transport of air masses in the cold half of the year (October–April) and strengthening of the eastern transport in the rest of the year. The meridional index shows an increase of the northern transport of air masses over the entire year and this is particularly visible in March, June, August and September. Correlation coefficients indicate that atmospheric circulation has leading role in determination of air temperatures during the period from November to April. Western transport of air masses leads to higher temperatures in spring, autumn and winter and to lower temperatures in summer. The influence of ENSO on atmospheric circulation over Bulgaria is weak, with a time lag of 2 months. El Niño is associated with increased western and northern transport of air masses, while La Niña is associated with increased eastern and southern transport of air masses over southeastern Europe.     

A NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE VARIATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF TROPOSPHERIC OZONE AND ITS PRECURSORS OVER CHINA*

By means of a three-dimensional meteorological model (MM5) and a chemical model,the distributions of tropospheric ozone and its precursors over China have been simulated in summer and winter time,16-18 August 1994 and 7-9 January 1995.The distribution of ozone over the Tibetan Plateau in summer time is deeply discussed.The simulated results indicate that thedistributions of surface ozone and NO_x are in good agreement with observed results,and human activities and photochemical reactions are the main factors controlling the surface ozone and NO_x concentrations.In addition,higher ozone concentrations are coincided with the air convergence,and the lower concentrations are related to the air divergence.In summer,over the Tibetan Plateau the strong flow convergence results in higher ozone concentrations in the lower troposphere:and the strong flow divergence results in lower ozone concentrations in the upper troposphere.In winter time ozone concentrations show large-scale characteristics controlled by westerly flow,and in the jet area they are lower than those outside the jet.     

Temporal variations in surface ozone and its precursors and meteorological effects at an urban site in China

Continuous measurements of ozone and its precursors including NO, NO₂, and CO at an urban site (32°03′N, 118°44′E) in Nanjing, China during the period from January 2000 to February 2003 are presented. The effects of local meteorological conditions and distant transports associated with seasonal changed Asian monsoons on the temporal variations of O₃ and its precursors are studied by statistical, backward trajectory, and episode analyses. The diurnal variation in O₃ shows high concentrations during daytime and low concentrations during late night and early morning, while the precursors show high concentrations during night and early morning and low concentrations during daytime. The diurnal variations in air pollutants are closely related to those in local meteorological conditions. Both temperature and wind speed have significant positive correlations with O₃ and significant negative correlations with the precursors. Relative humidity has a significant negative correlation with O₃ and significant positive correlations with the precursors. The seasonal variation in O₃ shows low concentrations in late autumn and winter and high concentrations in late spring and early summer, while the precursors show high concentrations in late autumn and winter and low concentrations in summer. Local mobile and stationary sources make a great contribution to the precursors, but distant transports also play a very important role in the seasonal variations of the air pollutants. The distant transport associated with the southeastern maritime monsoon contributes substantially to the O₃ because the originally clean maritime air mass is polluted when passing over the highly industrialized and urbanized areas in the Yangtze River Delta. The high frequency of this type of air mass in summer causes the fact that a common seasonal characteristic of surface O₃ in East Asia, summer minimum, is not observed at this site. The distant transports associated with the northern continental monsoons that dominate in autumn and winter are related to the high concentrations of the precursors in these two seasons. This study can contribute to a better understanding of the O₃ pollution in vast inland of China affected by meteorological conditions and the rapid urbanization and industrialization.     

The influence of medium-range transport on O3 levels at a rural site in Israel

Simultaneous ozone measurements were made at a rural site, 25 km SSW of the city of Jerusalem, and in the center of the city during a period of 28 months. The ozone data were supplemented by SO₂, NO/NO _x ,and meteorological measurements at both sites. Elevated ozone concentrations were recorded at the rural site, mostly during the spring months (May and June) during which the monthly averages and the monthly averages of the daily 30 min maximum levels equalled those measured in the city. During the summer months, both average and peak levels were lower at the rural site by 20 and 35 ppb. The increased ozone levels at the rural site were accompanied by a parallel increase of SO₂ and NO _x ,suggesting hat the excess ozone at the rural site is a result of a transformation during transport of air pollutants from coastal sources.     

Comparison of Five Eulerian Air Pollution Forecasting Systems for the Summer of 1999 Using the German Ozone Monitoring Data

Eulerian state-of-the-art air pollution forecasting systems on the European scale are operated routinely by several countries in Europe. DWD and FUB, both Germany, NERI, Denmark, NILU, Norway, and SMHI, Sweden, operate some of these systems. To apply such modeling systems, e.g. for regulatory purposes according to new EU directives, an evaluation and comparison of the model systems is fundamental in order to assess their reliability. One step in this direction is presented in this study: The model forecasts from all five systems have been compared to measurements of ground level ozone in Germany. The outstanding point in this investigation is the availability of a huge amount of data – from forecasts by the different model systems and from observations. This allows for a thorough interpretation of the findings and assures the significance of the observed features. Data from more than 300 measurement stations for a 5-month period (May–September 1999) of the German monitoring networks have been used in this comparison. Different spatial and temporal statistical parameters were applied in the evaluation. Generally, it was found that the most comprehensive models gave the best results. However, the less comprehensive and computational cheaper models also produced good results. The extensive comparison made it possible to point out weak points in the different models and to describe the individual model behavior for a full summer period in a climatological sense. The comparison also gave valuable information for an assessment of individual measurement stations and complete monitoring networks in terms of the representativeness of the observation data.