SO2 and NO(X) conversion rates in the Kuwait oil fire smoke plume

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Geophysical Research

OSTI ID:61553

Smyth, S B; Peters, L K; Berkowitz, C M; Daum, P H; Rodgers, M O ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA (United States)

Aircraft measurements of the Kuwait oil fire smoke plumes during August 1991 are examined to estimate the conversion rates SO2 and NO(X) (NO+NO2) to sulfate and nitrate, respectively. A method based on evaluating a Lagrangian mass conservation equation for the ratios of SO2 and NO(X) to CO2 is used to estimate plume dilution and conversion rates. The loss process is expressed as first and second order, and NO(X) concentration serves as a surrogate for the oxidizing species in the second-order reaction. Continuous measurements of SO2 and NO(X) within the smoke plume indicate that SO2 and NO(X) conversion rates were approximately 1%/h and 2%/h, respectively, 100 km from the sources; further downwind, both conversion rates decreased. A box model is used to simulate the chemistry in the plume; SO2 and NO(X) conversion rates predicted by the box model were less than or equal to 1%/h and 2% to 30%/h, respectively, depending on time of day and distance from the source. The dependence of the modeled conversion rate on the time of day suggests that the conversion of SO2 and NO(X) calculated from the field data may be the average conversion rate associated with nighttime and early-morning chemistry.

• OSTI ID: 61553
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: D8 Vol. 99; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
BIOMASS
CARBON 13
COMBUSTION
FUEL OILS
KUWAIT
METHANE