TROPOSPHERIC OZONE AT THE SLOVAK MOUNTAIN STATIONS IN 2003-2004

Abstract: The continuous surface ozone monitoring in Slovakia started in 1992 when the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI) established a real time air pollution monitoring system of the Slovak Republic. Data from seven mountain stations have been analysed. Five of them are located in the High Tatras region. The station altitudes are from 694 to 2635 m. Annual averages of ozone concentrations and other statistical characteristics have been calculated. The annual averages range from 33,3 to 56,9 ppb in 2003 and from 30,9 to 49 ppb in 2004. These values represent interannual decrease from 4,6 to 16,2 %. The highest yearly averages are in both cases at peak mountain station Lomnický štít, the lowest at background EMEP station Stará Lesná. The mean daily and annual courses of surface ozone concentrations at these stations are presented in this paper. The shape of course curves and occurrence of maxima and minima on individual stations are described in detail. Also vertical profiles of the daily ozone averages for individual years and months are presented in the paper. Profiles from eight 3-hour intervals during the day have been calculated too