An analysis of 30 years of surface ozone concentrations in Austria: temporal evolution, changes in precursor emissions and chemical regimes, temperature dependence, and lessons for the future

Despite substantial reductions in anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) in Austria over the 30 year time period 1990-2019, summertime surface ozone (O-3) concentrations still exceed frequently and over wide areas the ozone maximum 8 hour mean target value for the protection of human health. We present a detailed analysis of in situ observations of O-3 and NOx to (1) disentangle the main processes propelling O-3 formation such as precursor emissions and meteorology and (2) quantify the impact of NOx reductions and (3) estimate the effect of climate warming. The temperature sensitivity of surface O-3 production is assessed separately for NOx and VOC limited regimes. The temperature sensitivity of ozone increases with temperature in spring and summer. On average, the evaluated absolute values of the sensitivities are a factor of 2.5 larger in summer than in spring. The analysis of ambient O-3 burdens during hot summers indicates that rising temperatures in a warming climate might largely offset the benefit of future emission reductions. MAX-DOAS formaldehyde (HCHO) measurements in Vienna from 2017 to 2019 are used as a proxy for VOC emissions. The seasonal and the temperature dependence of the observed HCHO mixing ratios indicate that biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) are the dominant source of hydrocarbons in the urban setting during the ozone season. The result agrees well with VOC emission estimates that show BVOCs to be the dominant VOC source in Austria since the early 2000s. Accordingly, anthropogenic NOx emission reductions remain, outside of urban cores, the most effective instrument for policymakers to lower surface ozone concentrations in the short term.

Automated summary

Despite significant reductions in emissions, summer surface ozone concentrations in Austria still exceed health protection standards. The temperature sensitivity of ozone production increases in spring and summer, and rising temperatures may offset future emission reductions. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are the dominant source of hydrocarbons in urban areas during the ozone season. Decreasing anthropogenic nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions remains the most effective short-term measure to reduce surface ozone concentrations.