UWEC CERCA 2025

Ozone is an important aspect of characterizing local air quality due to its effects as a respiratory irritant, causing inflammation of the respiratory system, coughing, exacerbation of asthma symptoms and can lead to respiratory infections over long term exposure. Formation of ozone in low altitude conditions comes as a byproduct of reactions between NOx emissions and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the presence of sunlight. This is of particular concern around heavy industrial areas as NOx emissions are a common byproduct of many industrial processes. The focus of the WiscoDISCO-22 field campaign was to characterize the local atmospheric conditions around the Lake Michigan shoreline in southeastern Wisconsin, with the specific focus of determining the lake breeze’s effect on local air mixing. Data was collected by flying unmanned aerial systems equipped with instruments to measure ozone concentration, and meteorological variables over both land and water. The current focus is on removing surface effects from the start of each flight and optimizing each data set to best showcase the vertical profile to be interpreted in continuing analysis of the different profiles seen between overland and overwater flights.