SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} conversion rates in the Kuwait oil fire smoke plume

Journal Article · Sat Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94JD00669· OSTI ID:98855

Smyth, S B; Berkowitz, C M ^[1]; Peters, L K ^[2]; Daum, P H ^[3]; Rodgers, M O ^[4]

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
2. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)
3. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
4. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)

Aircraft measurements of the Kuwait oil fire smoke plumes during August 1991 are examined to estimate the conversion rates of SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} (NO+NO{sub 2}) to sulfate and nitrate, respectively. A method based on evaluating a Lagrangian mass conservation equation for the ratio of SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} to CO{sub 2} is used to estimate plume dilution and conversion rates. The loss process is expressed as first and second order, and NO{sub x} concentration serves as a surrogate for the oxidizing species in the second-order reaction. Continuous measurements of SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} within the smoke plume indicate that SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} conversion rates were approximately 1% h{sup {minus}1} and 2% h{sup {minus}2}, respectively, 100 km from the sources; further downwind, both conversion rates decreased. A box model is used to simulate the chemistry in the plume; SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} conversion rates predicted by the box model were {le}1% h{sup {minus}1} and 2% to 30% h{sup {minus}1}, 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 SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} calculated from the field data may be the average conversion rate associated with nighttime and early-morning chemistry. 29 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 98855
• 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

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
KUWAIT
NITROUS OXIDE
OIL SPILLS
PLUMES
POLLUTANTS
SMOKES
SULFUR DIOXIDE