Quantitative Assessment on Contributions of Foreign NOx and VOC Emission to Ozone Concentrations over Gwangyang Bay with CMAQ-HDDM Simulations

In this study, we examined the contribution of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted from China and Japan to ozone concentrations over Gwangyang-bay, South Korea. We used a chemical transport model, Community Multi-scale Air Quality model, and its instrumented sensitivity tool, High-order Decoupled Direct Method. Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment-Phase B 2006 for East Asia and Clean Air Policy Support System 2007 emissions inventories for South Korea were used for the ozone simulation. During the study period, May 2007, the modeled maximum daily 8-hr average ozone concentration among seven air quality monitors in Gwangyang-bay was 68.8 ppb. The contribution of NOx emissions from China was 19.5 ppb (28%). The highest modeled ozone concentrations and Chinese contributions appeared when air parcels were originated from Shanghai area. The observed 8-hr average ozone concentrations in Gwangyang Bay exceeded the national ambient air quality standard (60 ppb) 203 times by daytime and 56 times by nighttime during the period. It was noticed that many exeedances happened when contribution of Chinese emissions to ozone concentrations over the area increased. Sensitivity analysis shows that a reduction in Chinese NOx and VOC emissions by 15% could lessen the total exceedance hours by 24%. This result indicates that high ozone concentrations over Gwangyang-bay are strongly enhanced by Chinese emissions.