Chapter 8: Ground-Level Ozone Profile and the Role of Plants as Sources and Sinks

Tropospheric ozone (O₃) is nowadays recognized as the most important widespread air pollutant, deteriorating materials and causing adverse effects to living organisms. It occurs at levels potentially phytotoxic, thus influencing cultivated plants and natural ecosystems. In this chapter, we describe the mechanisms of O₃ formation in the stratosphere and the troposphere, its spatial (longitudinal and latitudinal) distribution, its trends, as well as the diurnal and seasonal patterns of its concentrations. Furthermore, the role of plants as indirect “sources” (through the biogenic volatile organic compounds emissions) and “sinks” (through wet and dry deposition) are discussed.