The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) announced it built a foundation for investigating causative substances in ozone formation by ecosystem by observing BVOC emitted from forests.
NIER plans to set up a 42-meter-high steel tower in Taehwasan Mt. (600M) in Gyeonggi-do and check ozone causative substances including BVOC in forests in real time for the first time in Korea. Checking vertical wind and wind velocity by height at the same time, the interrelation between BVOC, forests and the air can be assessed.
※ BVOC (Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds) is mainly emitted by the natural ecosystem and forms ozone through a photochemical reaction in the air. BVOC emitted by the natural ecosystem is 10 times more than that emitted artificially.
In addition, NIER will conduct a joint research using an ecological tower with the National Center for Atmosphere Research of the U.S. to obtain advanced measurement technology as well as information on ozone formation in forests. NIER will also investigate, from 2011 to 2015, ozone-related substances of 14 kinds including VOCs and nitrogen oxide from forests, photosynthesis of trees and absorption of CO2.
Ozone is beneficial in the stratosphere, blocking ultraviolet radiation but mucous membrane can be damaged if it is exposed to high levels of ozone on the ground. Thus, the government issues forecast of or warning against high levels of ozone during the summer season.
As ozone is formed by reaction of nitrogen oxide from human activities and VOCs with sunlight, it is important to reduce artificial pollution sources. In Korea, where mountains account for 64% of territory, research on BVOC in forests is necessary to exactly measure ozone formed by artificial pollution sources.
NIER expects the result from the ecological tower research can be utilized for making ozone reduction policies and climate change adaptation measures.
Source: Apec-vc
