Influence of Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds on Ozone Production in Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area
- 1 NSF CREST Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
- 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
- 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
Abstract
Secondary pollutant ozone (O 3 ) formation in a particular area is often influenced by various factors. Source of emissions is one of the factors. In south east Texas, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) is a marginal non-attainment area for ozone (O 3 ). A summer episode of May 28 to July 2, 2006 is simulated using Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx). During this period O 3 concentration in HGB often exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 0.075 ppm of average 8 hour O 3 concentration. HGB area has numerous point sources. Various studies found that some specific volatile organic compounds are very reactive in atmosphere. The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of volatile organic compounds present in point source emissions on the air quality of HGB area. For this purpose ozone sensitivity for HGB area is analyzed by the ratio of hydrogen peroxides (H 2 O 2 ) to nitric acid (HNO 3 ). HGB area is found NOx limited but reactive VOCs are found to be influential too. From (1-4 June, 2006) maximum O 3 concentration was found on weekend, June 3. VOCs such as Acetaldehyde (ALD 2 ), Formaldehyde (FORM) and Alkane (ETHA) showed good correlation with O 3 concentrations on that day. In addition, Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) formation was found correlated to higher ozone production. Criteria pollutant Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) was found to influence the ALD 2 and ETHA concentrations, and thus indirectly influenced O 3 production.
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