Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
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10.5194/acpd-9-24193-2009
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/24193/2009/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/24193/2009/acpd-9-24193-2009.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/24193/2009/acpd-9-24193-2009.pdf
24193
24223
2009-11-12
Formaldehyde and its relation to CO, PAN, and SO<sub>2</sub> in the Houston-Galveston airshed
B. Rappenglück
brappenglueck@uh.edu
P. K. Dasgupta
M. Leuchner
Q. Li
W. Luke
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
NOAA-ARL, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
now at: Fachgebiet für Ökoklimatologie, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
The Houston-Galveston Airshed (HGA) is one of the major metropolitan
areas in the US that is classified as a nonattainment area of Federal
ozone standards. Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a key species in understanding
ozone related air pollution; some of the highest HCHO concentrations
in North America have been reported for the HGA. We report on HCHO
measurements in the HGA from summer 2006. Among several sites, maximum
HCHO mixing ratios were observed in the Houston Ship Channel (HSC),
a region with a very high density of industrial/petrochemical
operations.
<br><br>
HCHO levels at the Moody Tower (MT) site close to downtown were
dependent on the wind direction: southerly maritime winds brought in
background levels (0.5–1 ppbv) while trajectories originating
in the HSC resulted in high HCH (up to
31.5 ppbv). Based on the best multiparametric linear
regression model fit, the HCHO levels at the MT site can be
accounted for as follows: 38.5±12.3% from primary vehicular
emissions (using CO as an index of vehicular emission), 24.1±17.7% formed photochemically (using peroxyacetic nitric anhydride
(PAN) as an index of photochemical activity) and 8.9±11.2%
from industrial emissions (using SO<sub>2</sub> as an index of industrial
emissions). The balance 28.5±12.7% constituted the residual
which cannot be easily ascribed to the above categories and/or which
is transported into the HGA. The CO related HCHO fraction is
dominant during the morning rush hour (06:00–09:00 h, all
times are given in CDT); on a carbon basis, HCHO emissions are
up to 0.7% of the CO emissions. The SO<sub>2</sub> related HCHO
fraction is significant between 09:00–12:00 h. After
12:00 h HCHO is largely formed through secondary
processes. The HCHO/PAN ratios are dependent on the SO<sub>2</sub>
levels. The SO<sub>2</sub> related HCHO fraction at the downtown
site originates in the ship channel. Aside from traffic-related
primary HCHO emissions, HCHO of industrial origin serves
as an appreciable source for OH in the morning.
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