Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Validation and Applications Protocol for Source Apportionment of Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) Ambient Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Data
EPA Grant Number: R826237Title: Validation and Applications Protocol for Source Apportionment of Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) Ambient Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Data
Investigators: Fujita, Eric M. , Campbell, David E.
Institution: Desert Research Institute
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1999
Project Amount: $134,200
RFA: Ambient Air Quality (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air
Objective:
The objectives of this research project were to: (1) review the applicability of the chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor modeling and available source composition profiles for estimating source contributions to ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using data from the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) networks; and (2) develop a protocol for validation of ambient and source composition input data and for evaluation and interpretation of model outputs.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
This document provides a protocol for applying the CMB receptor model to VOC data from the PAMS networks and for evaluating and interpreting model outputs. The protocol provides recommended procedures for validating ambient VOC data, assigning uncertainties to ambient and source measurements, selecting and evaluating source composition profiles and fitting species, evaluating and validating model outputs, and analyzing and interpreting the CMB source contribution estimates and associated uncertainties. The CMB applications and validation protocol developed by Watson, et al. (1998a) was adapted here for application to PAMS and similar VOC data.
The guidance includes a current library of available source VOC composition profiles in CMB8-ready format and sample CMB Version 8 VOC source and ambient input data files. The profiles are contained in the file CMBProfilesLibrary.xls. This library is a compilation of source profiles that have been used by the Desert Research Institute in prior VOC source apportionment studies. Included in the file are profiles that were newly developed for specific studies, the literature, and from the California Air Resources Boards Modeling Emissions Data System. Studies for which profiles were newly developed include the 1993 Coast Oxidant Assessment for Southeast Texas (Fujita, et al., 1995), 1995 Boston and Los Angeles VOC Source Apportionment Study (Fujita, et al., 1997a), 1995/96 Washington Ozone Transport Study (Fujita, et al., 1997c), 1996 El Paso/Juarez Ozone Study (Fujita, 2001; Seila, et al., 2001), and 1998 Central Texas On-Road Hydrocarbon Study (1999a), 1999 VOC Source Signatures in Houston, (Fujita, et al., 1999b), apportionment of 1994-1997 South Coast Air Basin PAMS VOC data (Fujita and Campbell, 2003b), and the 2000 Weekend Ozone Observations in the South Coast Air Basin (Fujita, et al., 2002; Fujita, et al., 2003a). The document and supporting files are intended to facilitate and encourage the application of the CMB receptor model to PAMS VOC data by state and local air pollution agencies as an evaluation of emissions inventories.
The profiles are expressed as weight fractions and are normalized to the sum of the 55 PAMS target hydrocarbons. The PAMS species typically account for about 80 percent of the total ambient hydrocarbons in urban locations, and their sum is more reproducible among different laboratories than total nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC) or nonmethane organic compounds (NMOC). Compounds other than the 55 PAMS target NMHCs, which are individually identified, are grouped in a category named "other." Compounds reported as "unknowns" are grouped in a category named "UNID." The profiles also include total NMHC (i.e., the sum of PAMS species + other + UNID) normalized to the sum of PAMS species. Although not measured in the PAMS program, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is included in the profiles because it is a major component in reformulated gasoline (RFG) and in the exhaust of vehicles using RFG. By including MTBE in the profile, its ambient concentration can be predicted by CMB.
To assist with the selection of profiles, several sort fields are included such as category (source type), location, and year. The list of profiles can be filtered by selecting values from any or all of these fields using the pull down menus on each heading. Up to four profiles can be compared graphically in a set of three column plots. Two of the plots contain the 55 PAMS species and all other organic species, respectively, for the selected profiles. A third plot shows a detailed comparison of the typical major species for the first two profiles selected. Running a macro in the source profile data file automatically generates the source profile, source-selection, and species-selection files.
Procedures for evaluating the validity of the application of CMB to PAMS VOC data include: (1) determination of model applicability; (2) review of initial source-contribution estimates; (3) examination of model outputs and performance measures; (4) identification of deviations from model assumptions; (5) identification and correction of model input errors; (6) verification of the consistency and stability of source-contribution estimates; and (7) evaluation of the results of the CMB analysis with respect to other source-assessment methods.
References:
Fujita EM, Watson JG, Chow JC, Lu Z. Validation of the chemical mass balance receptor model applied to hydrocarbon source apportionment in the Southern California Air Quality Study. Environmental Science and Technology 1994;28(9):1633-1649.
Fujita EM, Watson JG, Chow JC, Magliano KL. Receptor model and emissions inventory source apportionments of nonmethane organic gases in California’s San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. Atmospheric Environment 1995;29(21):3019-3035.
Fujita EM, Lu Z, Sagebiel J, Harshfield G, Zielinska B. Validation and evaluation of the coast oxidant assessment for Southeast Texas (COAST) volatile compound data. Prepared for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, August 1995.
Fujita EM, Lu Z, Sagebiel J, Robinson NF, Watson JG. VOC source apportionment for the coast oxidant assessment for Southeast Texas. Prepared for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, August 1995.
Lawson DR, Diaz S, Fujita EM, Wardenburg SL, Keislar RE, Lu Z, Schorran DE. Program for the use of remote sensing devices to detect high-emitting vehicles. Prepared for the Technology Advancement Office, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, CA, April 16, 1996.
Fujita EM, Lu Z, Sheetz L, Harshfield G, Zielinska B. Determination of mobile source emission source fraction using ambient field measurements. Final Report. Prepared for the Coordinating Research Council, Atlanta, GA, July 1997a.
Fujita EM, Lu Z, Harshfield G, Zielinska B. NARSTO-Northeast: hydrocarbon and carbonyl measurement audits for the 1995 field study. Prepared for the Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, July 1997b.
Fujita EM, Lu Z, Sheetz L, Harshfield G, Hayes T, Zielinska B. Hydrocarbon source apportionment in western Washington. Prepared for the State of Washington Department of Ecology, Lacy, WA, September 1997c.
Journal Articles on this Report : 6 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 28 publications | 14 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Fujita EM, Campbell DE, Zielinska B, Sagebiel JC, Bowen JL, Goliff WS, Stockwell WR, Lawson DR. Diurnal and weekday variations in the source contributions of ozone precursors in California's South Coast Air Basin. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 2003;53(7):844-863. |
R826237 (Final) |
|
|
Fujita EM. Hydrocarbon source apportionment for the 1996 Paso del Norte Ozone Study. Science of the Total Environment 2001;276(1-3):171-184. |
R826237 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
|
Fujita EM, Harshfield G, Sheetz L. Performance audits and laboratory comparisons for SCOS97-NARSTO measurements of speciated volatile organic compounds. Atmospheric Environment 2003;37(Suppl 2):135-147. |
R826237 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
McDonald JD, Zielinska B, Fujita EM, Sagebiel JC, Chow JC, Watson JG. Fine particle and gaseous emission rates from residential wood combustion. Environmental Science & Technology 2000;34(11):2080-2091. |
R826237 (Final) |
Exit |
|
McDonald JD, Zielinska B, Fujita EM, Sagebiel JC, Chow JC, Watson JG. Emissions from charbroiling and grilling of chicken and beef. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 2003;53(2):185-194. |
R826237 (Final) |
|
|
Watson JG, Chow JC, Fujita EM. Review of volatile organic compound source apportionment by chemical mass balance. Atmospheric Environment 2001;35(9):1567-1584. |
R826237 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
chemical mass balance, receptor model, source apportionment, source attribution, source composition profiles, volatile organic compounds, VOC, photochemical assessment monitoring stations, PAMS, ambient air, receptor modeling, air toxics, air pollutants, air quality models, ambient air quality, ambient monitoring, atmospheric, hazardous air pollutants, modeling, monitoring, pollutants., Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Environmental Chemistry, air toxics, VOCs, Atmospheric Sciences, ambient air quality, atmospheric, monitoring, receptor modeling, source apportionment, air quality models, ambient air, hazardous air pollutants, ambient monitoring, modeling, photochemical assessment monitoring stations, chemical mass balance, pollutants, PAMS, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), PAMS sitesRelevant Websites:
Desert Research Institute ExitProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.