Formaldehyde column density measurements as a suitable pathway to estimate near-surface ozone tendencies from space

In Maryland, biogenic VOCs were responsible for similar to 28% of CH2O formation within the boundary layer column, causing CH2O to, in general, increase monotonically throughout the day. In Houston, persistent anthropogenic emissions dominated the local hydrocarbon environment, and no discernable diurnal trend in CH2O was observed. Box model simulations suggested that ambient CH2O mixing ratios have a weak diurnal trend (+/- 20% throughout the day) due to photochemical effects, and that larger diurnal trends are associated with changes in hydrocarbon precursors.

Finally, mathematical relationships were developed from first principles and were able to replicate the different behaviors seen in Maryland and Houston. While studies would be necessary to validate these results and determine the regional applicability of the O-3-CH2O relationship, the results presented here provide compelling insight into the ability of future satellite missions to aid in monitoring near-surface air quality.