Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands)
Measurements of concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>) were collected over a period of thirteen years (2011–2023). The data were collected at Giordan Lighthouse atmospheric monitoring and research station on the Island of Gozo, forming part of the Maltese Archipelago, in the...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Martin Saliba Alfred Micallef |
| author_facet | Martin Saliba Alfred Micallef |
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| description | Measurements of concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>) were collected over a period of thirteen years (2011–2023). The data were collected at Giordan Lighthouse atmospheric monitoring and research station on the Island of Gozo, forming part of the Maltese Archipelago, in the Central Mediterranean. Trend analysis shows that NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations are decreasing at an annual rate of 0.15 ppbv per year. This is in comparison to what has been recorded across Europe due to stricter regulations and improvements in vehicle technologies. Significant reductions were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of lockdowns and restrictions on mobility. NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations also exhibit an amplitude seasonal variability of 35% with a maximum in October and a minimum in December, while the nitric oxide (NO) component of NO<sub>x</sub> presents a broad maximum in May/June and a minimum in February. NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations also show a strong diurnal variability with a maximum in the morning and a minimum in the afternoon. The diurnal amplitude of NO<sub>x</sub> and NO is 44% and 148%, respectively. With respect to wind direction, the NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations exhibit a maximum when the prevailing wind is from the South-East sector and a minimum when the wind is blowing from the West sector. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e169d88dd0f242349eb62cd7cd5838bd |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e169d88dd0f242349eb62cd7cd5838bd2025-08-20T03:44:04ZengMDPI AGSci2413-41552025-03-01713410.3390/sci7010034Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands)Martin Saliba0Alfred Micallef1Department of Geosciences & Geosciences Observatory (Gozo), Faculty of Science, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaDepartment of Geosciences & Geosciences Observatory (Gozo), Faculty of Science, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaMeasurements of concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>) were collected over a period of thirteen years (2011–2023). The data were collected at Giordan Lighthouse atmospheric monitoring and research station on the Island of Gozo, forming part of the Maltese Archipelago, in the Central Mediterranean. Trend analysis shows that NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations are decreasing at an annual rate of 0.15 ppbv per year. This is in comparison to what has been recorded across Europe due to stricter regulations and improvements in vehicle technologies. Significant reductions were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of lockdowns and restrictions on mobility. NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations also exhibit an amplitude seasonal variability of 35% with a maximum in October and a minimum in December, while the nitric oxide (NO) component of NO<sub>x</sub> presents a broad maximum in May/June and a minimum in February. NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations also show a strong diurnal variability with a maximum in the morning and a minimum in the afternoon. The diurnal amplitude of NO<sub>x</sub> and NO is 44% and 148%, respectively. With respect to wind direction, the NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations exhibit a maximum when the prevailing wind is from the South-East sector and a minimum when the wind is blowing from the West sector.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/7/1/34nitric oxidenitrogen dioxidenitrogen oxidesclimate changecentral mediterranean |
| spellingShingle | Martin Saliba Alfred Micallef Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) Sci nitric oxide nitrogen dioxide nitrogen oxides climate change central mediterranean |
| title | Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) |
| title_full | Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) |
| title_fullStr | Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) |
| title_short | Analysis and Observations Concerning Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides at the Giordan Lighthouse Atmospheric Observatory, Gozo (Maltese Islands) |
| title_sort | analysis and observations concerning concentrations of nitrogen oxides at the giordan lighthouse atmospheric observatory gozo maltese islands |
| topic | nitric oxide nitrogen dioxide nitrogen oxides climate change central mediterranean |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/7/1/34 |
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