Author: Wu, Yinying
Title: A study of the photochemical characteristics in coastal Hong Kong with a box model
Degree: M.Phil.
Year: 2000
Subject: Coasts -- China -- Hong Kong -- Environmental aspects
Atmospheric chemistry
Ozone
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations
Department: Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Pages: vi, 163 p. : ill. ; 30 cm
Language: English
Abstract: A zero-dimensional time dependent photochemical box model was developed to study the photochemical characteristics in coastal Hong Kong. The model adopts the modified Carbon Bond IV photochemical mechanism and uses the observed data to constrain the model simulation. The performance of different modified Carbon-bond IV mechanisms have been evaluated for the conditions typical of background of land and marine environments. The results of intercomparison suggest that updating O3 and H2O2 photolysis rates, adding the reactions of HO2 +XO2 and HO2+OH, and explicit treatment of methane chemistry will improve the performance of original Carbon Bond IV mechanism for background atmosphere simulation. The modified Carbon-Bond IV mechanism (VHTM41), which includes all the modifications, has the best performance for background atmosphere simulation. The comparison of observation data in coastal Hong Kong with another regional background station in Taiwan indicates that concentrations of NO, CO, and O3 for the autumn cases can be regarded as regional concentrations. For the summer cases, while the concentrations of CO and O3 represent the regional background values, the NO levels may be influenced by local sources, causing higher NO at the measurement site. Based on the observed concentrations, the net ozone production rates are 31.9 ppbv/day in summer and 22.9 ppbv/day in autumn. These results suggest that ozone chemistry in coastal Hong Kong is characterized by net photochemical ozone production. The photochemical ozone production rate is dominated by HO2+NO in both seasons. The photochemical ozone loss rate is dominated by NO2+OH for summer because of the high NO concentration. The photochemical ozone loss rate is dominated by O1D+H2O for autumn season. The higher concentrations of odd hydrogen are predicted in autumn cases as compared to those in summer case due to the higher NO concentrations in summer case. The results from the uncertainty analysis indicate that photochemical ozone production rates have a 1o uncertainty of +-21% for clear sky, photochemical loss rates have a 1o uncertainty of +-9%, and net photochemical ozone production rates have a 1o uncertainty of +-23%. Net photochemical ozone production depends on the uncertainties associated with measurements of NO and to a lesser degree the measurements of NMHCs, CO, and ozone.
Rights: All rights reserved
Access: open access

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
b15030131.pdfFor All Users5.61 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show full item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4616