The TOAR Database of Global Surface Ozone Observations

Abstract:

We constructed a comprehensive database of long-term global surface ozone observations for use in the Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) analyses. Currently, the database contains more than 7000 data records primarily from open access archives, but we are increasingly receiving additional data from various national or state networks or individual researchers which have never before been included in global compilations. Time resolution of ozone data in the archive is hourly. The data are accompanied by detailed metadata with harmonized content. A modern web interface allows easy access and visualisation of the data. Standardized quality control plots are available for each dataset and we are combining fragmented data to allow for longer-term analyses where this is applicable. We are in close contact with the data providers in order to ensure correctness and robustness of th edata and metadata and to keep the database up-to-date. An extensive set of metrics for analysis of health or vegetation impacts and for evaluation of regional and global atmospheric chemistry models will be made available soon. The TOAR database and web interface at Juelich form an essential part of the TOAR initiative and prompts further investigation of the statistical robustness of ozone metrics.