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Rural O3 Levels in the Middle Ebro Basin During the Plant Growing Season

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Abstract

Ground-level dynamics of O3, NO x and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes were characterised at rural sites in the medium Ebro River Basin (Northern Spain) from April to September (2003–2007) and by means of automated and passive monitoring. The study registered high O3 levels within the area, which were influenced by traffic emissions, and a monthly evolution of these levels consistent with the occurrence of a broad summer maximum, typical of polluted areas. The mean ozone concentration registered in the studied area by means of passive sampling was 87 ± 12 μg m−3. The 2008/50/EC objective value for the protection of vegetation was widely exceeded during this study (AOT40 = 57,147 ± 14,114 μg m−3 h), suggesting that current ambient levels may pose a risk for crops and vegetation in this important agroindustrial region.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Government of Navarre for funding this project and providing valuable data. During this study, Laura González and María Asunción Parra were recipients of research grants from the Government of Navarre and the Asociación de Amigos de la Universidad de Navarra respectively, which are kindly acknowledged.

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  1. LICA, Departamento de Química y Edafología, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008, Pamplona, Spain

    Laura González, Raúl Bermejo, María Asunción Parra, David Elustondo, Jordi Garrigó & Jesús Miguel Santamaría

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  1. Laura González
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  2. Raúl Bermejo
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  3. María Asunción Parra
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Correspondence to Raúl Bermejo.

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González, L., Bermejo, R., Parra, M.A. et al. Rural O3 Levels in the Middle Ebro Basin During the Plant Growing Season. Water Air Soil Pollut 206, 23–34 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0082-0

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