Measurements of nonmethane hydrocarbons in Phoenix, Arizona
Nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) are precursors to oxidant formation. They are oxidized by hydroxyl radical (OH), forming a complex mixture of peroxy radicals that oxidize NO to NO{sub 2} without consuming ozone (O{sub 3}) and thus allow O{sub 3} to increase in the atmospheric boundary layer. The reactivities of the NMHCs that compose biogenic and anthropogenic emissions vary greatly. For example, isoprene, which is emitted by deciduous vegetation, has an atmospheric lifetime with respect to oxidation by OH of about 20 min in polluted air ([OH] = 10{sup 7} radicals cm{sup {minus}3}). The atmospheric lifetimes of 2-methylpropene, 2-methylbutane, and the xylenes, which are found in vehicle emissions, are approximately 30 min, 7 hr, and 1.5 hr, respectively. The authors made measurements of the NMHCs at a surface site and aloft aboard the Battelle Gulfstream (G-1) aircraft, as part of an air quality study in the Phoenix area during May 1998. Diurnal variations in the NMHC distributions and their propene-equivalent concentrations are used to examine origins and reactivities of the air masses that were sampled at the surface site.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 750534
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ET/CP-100179; TRN: AH200018%%187
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on Atmospheric Chemistry Issues in the 21st Century, Long Beach, CA (US), 01/09/2000--01/14/2000; Other Information: PBD: 12 Oct 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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