STATUS AND PREDICTION OF OZONE CONCENTRATION IN THE AIR OF ISFAHAN, IRAN

Ozone (O3) is one of the seven criteria pollutants. These pollutants can be a serious threat for human health and welfare.
In the present study air quality analyses for ozone (O3) were conducted in Isfahan, Iran. The measurements were taken in three different locations to prepare average data in the city. The average concentrations were calculated for every 24 h, monthly and every season. Relations between the air pollutant and some meteorological parameters were calculated statistically using the daily average data. The wind data (velocity, direction), temperature, evaporation and rainfall are considered as independent variables.
Results showed that the highest concentration of ozone occurs generally in afternoon while the least concentration was found in the morning and midnight. Monthly concentrations of ozone showed the highest and least value in March and October, respectively. The seasonal concentrations showed the least amounts in autumn while the highest amounts in winter. The relationships between concentration of pollutant and meteorological parameters are expressed by multiple linear regression equations for both annual and seasonal conditions showing significant relationship. RMSE test showed that among different prediction models, stepwise model is the best option.
In the current research, air quality analyses for Isfahan, were conducted for ozone (O3). Among different prediction models using some meteorological parameters, stepwise model was the best option. Also, different variations in concentration during day, months, and seasons were observed.