The ozone formation reactivity of ethanol has been studied using chamber experiments and model simulations. The computer simulations are based on the MCM v3.1 mechanism with chamber-dependent auxiliary reactions. Results show that the MCM mechanism can well simulate C 2 H 5 OH-NO x chamber experiments in our experimental conditions, especially on ozone formation. C 2 H 5 OH-NO x irradiations are less sensitive to relative humidity than alkane species under our experimental conditions. In order to well simulate the experiments under high relative humidity conditions, inclusion of N 2 O 5 +H 2 O=2HNO 3 in the MCM mechanism is necessary. Under C 2 H 5 OH-limited conditions, the C 2 H 5 OH/NO x ratio shows a positive effect on d(O 3 -NO)/dt and RO 2 +HO 2 . High C 2 H 5 OH/NO x ratios enhance the production of organoperoxide radical and HO 2 radical concentrations, which leads to a much quicker accumulation of ozone. By using ozone isopleths under typical scenarios conditions, the actual ozone formation ability of ethanol is predicted to be 2.3-3.5 part per billion (ppb) in normal cities, 3.5-146 ppb in cities where ethanol gas are widely used, and 0.2-3.2 ppb in remote areas. And maximum ozone formation potential from ethanol is predicted to be 4.0-5.8 ppb in normal cities, 5.8-305 ppb in cities using ethanol gas, and 0.2-3.8 ppb in remote areas.
