Investigating ozone ambient levels: Case study of the fahaheel urban area, state of Kuwait

Continuously monitored ambient concentrations of ozone (O3), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for the years 2004-2005 and 2014-2015 are used to understand the relationships and photochemical rections between ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOX ≈ NO+NO2) in one of Kuwait's major urban areas (Fahaheel). The objective of the study is to investigate the fate of O3 as a secondary pollutant and to determine the chemical coupling and mixing ratio of NO2 to O3. The variation of total atmopsheric oxides (OX = O3+NO2) concentrations with NO2 is also assessed to gain an insight into the atmospheric sources of OX. In addition, the diurnal variations of NO, NO2, NOX, O3, and OX along with variation of regional and local Ox are examined. The daytime and night-time relationships between O3 and NOX and the ozone weekend effect in Fahaheel area are also reported in this communication. This study creates a historical baseline for urban areas subjected to heavy industrial emissions that can significantly improve our understanding of the impacts of future changes in O3 concentrations.