Seasonal dynamics and geographic influences on the total ozone column in the Maceió region

This study analyzes the Total Ozone Column (TCO) over six cities in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating their spatial and temporal homogeneity and identifying seasonal and annual patterns over the period from 2008 to 2016. OCT is an important indicator for monitoring the ozone layer and its implications for public health, due to the role of ozone in filtering ultraviolet radiation. For the analysis, OCT data provided by satellite measurements were used, and the homogeneity of the variances was verified by means of the Bartlett test with a significance level of 95%. In addition, descriptive statistical analyses were performed to characterize the distribution of TCO values over time, and probability density functions (PDFs) were applied to identify the distribution that best fits the data. The results showed a significant homogeneity in the annual and seasonal concentrations of TCO, with an annual average of 263.24 ± 9.91 DU. The results indicated that the seasonal cycle of TCO is dominated by a biannual cycle, with two maximums and two minimums throughout the year, reflecting the influence of the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the photochemistry of ozone in the stratosphere. The highest seasonal average TCO was observed during the spring, while the lowest values occurred in the fall. The Normal distribution was identified as the one that best represents the data over the analyzed period. These patterns reflect the influence of the Brewer-Dobson Circulation, which contributes to the uniform distribution of ozone in the stratosphere, minimizing the impacts of atmospheric phenomena such as the Antarctic Polar Vortex. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of TCO variability in six cities in Alagoas, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring to understand atmospheric dynamics and their implications for health and the environment. The limitations of the work, such as the sensitivity of the statistical tests and the restricted geographic coverage, indicate the need for future studies to deepen the understanding of the factors that affect the distribution of ozone in the region.