Comparison of Ozone Temporal Scales for Large Urban, Small Urban, and Rural Areas in Georgia

Abstract

Ground‐level ozone (O₃) time series are characterized by the sum of several distinct temporal scales: long‐term, seasonal, synoptic, diurnal (daily), and intraday variation. In this study, the authors use a Kolmorogov‐Zurbenko filter to separate the 1981–2001 O₃ time‐series from many sites in and around Georgia into these various components. The authors compare the temporal components to examine differences between small and large metropolitan areas and between urban and rural areas. They then focus on the synoptic component to define a predominant transport region or airshed for each site.