Paper Title
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SURFACE OZONE DYNAMICS: INSIGHTS FROM CROP ZONE AND TREE ZONE MONITORING STATIONS OF DELHI

Abstract
This study presents a comparative analysis of surface ozone dynamics at two contrasting monitoring stations in Delhi: the tree-dominated Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (DKS) and the crop-dominated Najafgarh (NAJ), over the period 2022–2023. Utilizing ground-level ozone and meteorological data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the research investigates seasonal, monthly, and diurnal ozone variations, and explores the influence of vegetation type and meteorological parameters on ozone formation. Results reveal consistently higher ozone concentrations at the tree-dominated DKS site, particularly during pre-monsoon seasons, attributed to enhanced biogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and reduced NOx titration. Correlation analysis indicates that solar radiation and temperature are positively associated with ozone levels, whereas relative humidity shows a strong negative correlation. The findings highlight the role of local vegetation, land use, and meteorological variability in shaping ozone pollution patterns in Delhi, highlighting the need for site-specific air quality management strategies. Keywords - Surface ozone, Biogenic VOCs, NOx titration, seasonal variation, urban air quality, vegetation influence, ozone dynamics, Delhi-NCR.