Variation of the urban NO2 concentration during a ground inversion situation

In February 1985 the NO2 concentration over Goeteborg, a major Swedish city, was monitored during two inversion situations. The differential absorption technique was employed and the results show the build-up of the concentration. In this experiment the laser beam was scanned horizontally over Goeteborg. The results were presented as maps over the NO2 concentration distribution. For security reasons the beam was not parallel to the ground, which gives a height gradient in some measurements. During the measurement period the NO2 concentration variation build-up from the morning to the afternoon was monitored. Great concentration variations were seen. Later the mixing below the inversion layer, resulting in a more uniform, high concentration was seen. The breakdown of the inversion when stronger winds start was also seen. Comparisons with a traditional point-measuring chemiluminiscence instrument and an optical method DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy), were made. The results are discussed. Strong spatial concentration variations are shown by the lidar measurements. For a point-measuring system, the instrument must be very carefully placed since its location will strongly influence the values it gives.