This thesis examines the temporal characteristics and climatology of wintertime carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in central Phoenix (AZ). Variations in CO concentrations on several temporal scales are explored to determine the relationship between atmospheric conditions, CO concentrations, and motor vehicle traffic levels as well as to spotlight the timing of high CO concentrations. Typical surface atmospheric conditions that are related to high and low CO mornings are revealed through compositing. Finally, a set of CO forecasting models are developed that predict 3 AM 8 hour average CO concentrations. Important results are as follows. The first three weeks of December have the most CO exceedance days. High CO concentrations are associated with anticyclonic conditions while low CO concentrations are linked to the passage of a cold front or trough. Final models had little systematic mean squared error and predictions that were within 1 ppm of the observed CO concentration.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/291965 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Diem, Jeremy Everett, 1972- |
| Contributors | Comrie, Andrew C. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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