Surface ozone over Moscow during the COVID-19 pandemic
E.V. Stepanov1, V.V. Andreev2, L.V. Konovaltseva2, S.G. Kasoev1
1Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
2Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
Keywords: atmosphere, air, surface ozone, maximum permissible concentration, surface air layer, troposphere, ozone precursor, pandemic, COVID-19, lockdown
Abstract
The results of surface ozone monitoring in the atmosphere of Moscow in 2020 and 2021 under lockdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are presented. These two years significantly differed in meteorological conditions and the level of anthropogenic impact on the environment. A relatively low for metropolis concentrations of surface O3 were observed in Moscow in 2020. The annual average value was 28 mg/m3, and the annual maximum was 185 mg/m3. That was due to a combination of relatively cool weather with low levels of pollutants in the air. Several intense heat waves were observed in the metropolis under conditions of a blocking anticyclone during summer 2021, daytime temperatures rose to 35 °C. Along with higher air pollution, that resulted in unusually high O3 concentrations. The annual average value was 48 mg/m3, and the annual maximum was 482 mg/m3.
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