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Mapping Troposphere Ozone Levels Over Time

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Abstract

Ozone in the stratosphere protects the earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, when ozone occurs in the troposphere, i.e., the air that we breathe, it is harmful to health. In this project you can use data from EPA monitoring stations to analyze the weather/climate conditions that can lead to harmful ozone levels.

Summary

Areas of Science
Environmental Science
Big Data
Difficulty
Method
Scientific Method
Time Required
Long (2-4 weeks)
Prerequisites

Proficiency with web browsing software and interpreting maps.

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost
Very Low (under $20)
Safety

No issues

Credits
Andrew Olson, PhD, Science Buddies Alumni
Michelle Maranowski, PhD, Science Buddies
Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators. Learn more about our process and how we use AI.

Objective

The goal of this project is to investigate ozone levels over time using archived data for the United States from the AIRNow website.

Introduction

Ozone (chemical formula: O3) occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere). It absorbs potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun that would otherwise reach the earth's surface. Ozone in the stratosphere thus serves a protective function for life on earth.

In the lower atmosphere (troposphere) ozone is produced by chemical reactions from nitrogen oxides (NOx, chemical compounds with various ratios of nitrogen and oxygen) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A compound is said to be "volatile" if it evaporates readily at normal outside temperatures. Both heat and sunlight are also required for the chemical reactions that produce ozone. Nitrogen oxides are produced in exhaust from factories, power plants, cars, and trucks. Chemical solvents and gasoline vapors are major sources for volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere (AIRNow, 2007a).

Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen. The oxygen that we use for respiration (chemical formula: O2) is less reactive. Ozone can more readily form compounds with an unpaired electron in the outermost shell. These compounds, called free radicals, can cause chain reactions that cause indiscriminate damage to molecules in cells. Virtually any large molecule in the cell—proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA—can be damaged by free radicals. Enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutases, and glutathione peroxidases) and anti-oxidant molecules from the diet (e.g., vitamins C and E) act as free radical scavengers, and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Since ozone formation in the troposphere requires heat and sunlight, ozone levels are more likely to rise when the temperature is high. However, other conditions, such as an increase in the pollutants from which ozone is formed, can also lead to ozone elevation. In this project, you can use map data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies (AIRNow, 2007c) to track ozone levels in your area under different seasonal conditions to find out when ozone levels are most likely to be elevated.

Terms and Concepts

To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:

Questions

Bibliography

The AIRNow website has a page with flash animations that discuss how ozone is formed, how ozone acts as a protectant high in the atmosphere but as a pollutant at ground level, and the sources and dangers of particle pollutants. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main

A map of the current Air Quality Index for the continental U.S. can be found at the following website along with links to state and local regions.

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). AirNow. Retrieved December 3,2010, from www.airnow.gov/

For information on the effects of ozone on people, animals, and plants, see:

For information on how atmoshperic ozone is monitored, see:


Materials and Equipment

To do this experiment you will need the following materials and equipment:

Experimental Procedure

Download PDF of Procedure
This project follows the Scientific Method. Review the steps before you begin.
icon scientific method

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Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Variations

  • Are there seasonal variations in ozone concentrations? For example, you could compare ozone levels in winter months vs. summer months.
  • Sometimes the local climate can vary markedly within a small geographic area. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area (see the map, above) there are dozens of local microclimates. You have the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay, and coastal mountain ranges all in close proximity. The air tends to be cooler near the ocean and the bay, and rises rapidly in summer months as you move inland. What effect(s) do you see in your area that may be attributable to local variations in elevation and/or bodies of water?
  • Do research on the sources of pollutants that form tropospheric ozone: nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds. Are ozone precursors produced in higher amounts on weekdays vs. weekends? Compare weekend data with weekday data to see if you can find consistent differences in ozone levels.

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Cite This Page

General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Olson, Andrew, and Michelle Maranowski. "Mapping Troposphere Ozone Levels Over Time." Science Buddies, 15 June 2026, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p019/environmental-science/mapping-troposphere-ozone-levels. Accessed 16 June 2026.

APA Style

Olson, A., & Maranowski, M. (2026, June 15). Mapping Troposphere Ozone Levels Over Time. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p019/environmental-science/mapping-troposphere-ozone-levels


Last edit date: 2026-06-15

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