Ozone measurements made using Schonbein's method during the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries have been examined and converted to modern u
nits using a method originally developed by Linvill et al. (1980). Monthly
Weather Review 108, 1880-1891 and Anfossi et al. (1991). Journal of Geophys
ical Research 96, 17,349-17,352. New data are presented here from sites in
Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. The values obtained lie
in the range 5-15 ppb for all sites. A negative correlation between ozone
and humidity is observed, which may be consistent with photochemical loss o
f ozone in the presence of water vapour. However, uncertainties in the humi
dity correction to the Schonbein reading will lead to considerable inaccura
cies in the seasonal cycle established by this method. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.