2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Location

Schindler Education Center, University of Northern Iowa

Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Document Type

poster

Abstract

Ground-level ozone (O₃) is a secondary pollutant formed through photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sunlight. This study combines satellite observations from NASA OMI with surface monitoring data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to evaluate long-term changes in NO₂ and ozone between 2005 and 2025. Global NO₂ distributions, Houston monitoring stations, and hourly pollutant concentrations were analyzed to investigate temporal and seasonal variations. Results indicate declining NO₂ concentrations over many developed regions, while ozone continues to exhibit strong photochemical and seasonal behavior.

Start Date

31-7-2026 11:00 AM

End Date

31-7-2026 1:30 PM

Event Host

Summer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Northern Iowa

Faculty Advisor

Cindy X. Shen

Department

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Department

Department of Science Education

Comments

High school participant in UNI's Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

1.07 MB

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Jul 31st, 11:00 AM Jul 31st, 1:30 PM

Long-Term Changes in Ground-Level Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide

Schindler Education Center, University of Northern Iowa

Ground-level ozone (O₃) is a secondary pollutant formed through photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sunlight. This study combines satellite observations from NASA OMI with surface monitoring data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to evaluate long-term changes in NO₂ and ozone between 2005 and 2025. Global NO₂ distributions, Houston monitoring stations, and hourly pollutant concentrations were analyzed to investigate temporal and seasonal variations. Results indicate declining NO₂ concentrations over many developed regions, while ozone continues to exhibit strong photochemical and seasonal behavior.