Data Analysis and Model Comparison of Atmospheric Ozone above Lake Michigan

Abstract

Stable atmospheric conditions trap ozone precursors found in smog in a layer above the surface of Lake Michigan. In 2008-2010, hourly measurements of ozone concentration were taken by an ozone analyzer onboard the Lake Express Ferry that traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconin, to Muskegon, Michigan. Although ozone concentration in the atmosphere around Lake Michigan is monitored at sites on land, these data are the first measurements taken over the lake where ozone is predicted to be high. The purpose of this study was to analyze the observed atmospheric ozone data to look for trends, which will be compared to a national model for the purpose of evaluating the accuracy of the model for the region.