THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTREME NITROGEN-OXIDE (NOX) CONCENTRATIONS IN DUBLIN ATMOSPHERE AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of meteorological c onditions on atmospheric Nitrogen Oxide (NOx (Nitrogen Oxide and Nitro gen Dioxide)) concentrations at a site in Dublin. Data used in the stu dy (meteorological conditions and hourly NOx concentrations) were comp iled from hourly records for the years 1988-1992. The research identif ied wind speed, air pressure and wind direction as the most important meteorological parameters for understanding the behaviour of extreme N Ox concentrations in Dublin's air. Daily, weekly and seasonal variatio n in NOx concentrations were observed. This work also highlighted the importance of the role played by general synoptic weather conditions o ver local climatic effects in extreme events.