The Characterization of Ozone Data for Sites Located in Forested Areas of the Eastern United States

Abstract

Six years (1978-1983) of ozone monitoring data from sites located within six forested areas were examined. Areas that experienced the lowest to the highest ozone exposures were located in (1) northern New England/New York and upper Great Lakes, (2) New York/Pennsylvania/Maryland, (3) southeastern/southern, and (4) New Jersey pinelands. In general, higher ozone concentrations were observed in 1978, 1980 and 1983 as compared to the other three years examined. Ozone concentrations varied considerably within the areas. Recommendations for additional ozone monitoring sites are made. A concentrated effort should be made to examine ozone monitoring data from subsequent years (1984, 1985, and 1986) to explore whether the 6-year period 1978 through 1983 is representative of the annual variability of ozone concentrations over eastern forested areas. To better understand the relationship between ozone exposure and possible forest effects, we recommend that the temporal distributions of elevated ozone concentrations over a growing season be examined. The occurrence of elevated ozone levels during specific growth periods during a season may be an important aspect that biologists may wish to explore.