Ambient tropospheric ozone in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains and Kiev region: Detection with passive samplers and bioindicator plants

Ambient concentrations of tropospheric ozone (O-3) were measured at four highland forest locations in the Ukrainian Carpathians and in two lowland locations in the Kiev region during two summer seasons, from August to September 1995 and July to September 1996 by using O-3 passive samplers. The ozone passive samplers were calibrated against a Thermo Environmental Model 49 ozone monitor located at the Central Botanical Garden in Kiev. The two-week long average concentrations at the Carpathian Mountains were higher in 1995 than 1996. Average ozone concentrations in Kiev were higher in 1995 than in 1996, and Kiev ozone concentrations were similar to the lowland forest concentrations. The lowest ozone concentrations in Kiev occurred in mid-morning and the highest concentrations in the afternoon. Ozone-sensitive Bel-W3 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants at the Botanical Garden in Kiev were injured from exposure to ambient concentration of ozone in both 1995 and 1996 summers. Ozone injury symptoms were found on morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) and native plants (e.g. Sambucus racemosa and Humulus lupulus) elsewhere in Kiev and at some of the study sites in the Carpathians. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.