Identification of close relationship between atmospheric oxidation and ozone formation regimes in a photochemically active region

Understanding ozone(O_(3))formation regime is a prerequisite in formulating an effective O_(3)pollution control strategy.Photochemical indicator is a simple and direct method in identifying O_(3)formation regimes.Most used indicators are derived from observations,whereas the role of atmospheric oxidation is not in consideration,which is the core driver of O_(3)formation.Thus,it may impact accuracy in signaling O_(3)formation regimes.In this study,an advanced three-dimensional numerical modeling system was used to investigate the relationship between atmospheric oxidation and O_(3)formation regimes during a long-lasting O_(3)exceedance event in September 2017 over the Pearl River Delta(PRD)of China.We discovered a clear relationship between atmospheric oxidative capacity and O_(3)formation regime.Over eastern PRD,O_(3)formation was mainly in a NO x-limited regime when HO_(2)/OH ratio was higher than 11,while in a VOC-limited regime when the ratio was lower than 9.5.Over central and western PRD,an HO_(2)/OH ratio higher than 5 and lower than 2 was indicative of NO x-limited and VOC-limited regime,respectively.Physical contribution,including horizontal transport and vertical transport,may pose uncertainties on the indication of O_(3)formation regime by HO_(2)/OH ratio.In comparison with other commonly used photochemical indicators,HO_(2)/OH ratio had the best performance in differentiating O_(3)formation regimes.This study highlighted the necessities in using an atmospheric oxidative capacity-based indicator to infer O_(3)formation regime,and underscored the importance of characterizing behaviors of radicals to gain insight in atmospheric processes leading to O_(3)pollution over a photochemically active region.