Estimator of surface ozone using formaldehyde and carbon monoxide concentrations over the Eastern United States in summer

Therefore, we use the CO-CH2O relationship to separate biogenic from anthropogenic contributions to CO. By combining these regressions, we can track the contributions to surface O3 by anthropogenic and biogenic factors and build a fast-response ozone estimator using near-surface CH2O and CO concentrations as inputs. We examine the quality of O3 estimator by increasing or decreasing anthropogenic emissions by up to 50%.

The estimated O3 distribution is in reasonably good agreement with the full-model simulations (R2 > 0.77 in the range of -30% to +50% of anthropogenic emissions). The analysis provides the basis for using high-quality geostationary satellites with UV, thermal infrared, or near-infrared instruments for observing CH2O and CO to improve surface O3 distribution monitoring. The estimation model can also be applied to derive observation-derived regional metrics to evaluate and improve full-fledged 3-D air quality models.