Grantee Research Project Results
Secondary and Regional Contributions to Organic PM: A Mechanistic Investigation of Organic PM in the Eastern and Southern United States
EPA Grant Number: R831073Title: Secondary and Regional Contributions to Organic PM: A Mechanistic Investigation of Organic PM in the Eastern and Southern United States
Investigators: Turpin, Barbara , Lim, Ho-Jin , Seitzinger, Sybil
Institution: Rutgers
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2006 (Extended to August 31, 2007)
Project Amount: $446,061
RFA: Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis Methods for Airborne Carbonaceous Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Particulate Matter
Objective:
Atmospheric (secondary) formation and regional transport are responsible for a large portion of PM2.5 mass in the eastern United States, even in urban areas. In addition, there is growing evidence suggesting that, as for sulfate, organic PM can be formed not only by homogeneous gas phase reactions, but also by heterogeneous (including aqueous-phase) reactions. We hypothesize that atmospheric chemistry and transport models underestimate secondary OC and the regional contribution to OC in the eastern and southern United States because substantial organic PM is formed through heterogeneous processes (i.e., cloud processing) during regional transport. We propose to provide a better understanding of fundamental atmospheric (i.e. aqueous/heterogeneous) processes needed to predict organic (OC) particulate matter (PM) concentration, organic species composition, and effects from emissions of particles and precursor species (i.e. improve predictive models). Further, we will examine evidence indicating the importance of these secondary processes in the eastern US using Supersite data and samples. We expect that this initial work will lead to the identification of secondary 'source tracers' or 'process indicators' that can be used in data analysis efforts and receptor modeling to identify the importance of primary vs. secondary, local vs. transport, and/or homogeneous vs. heterogeneous processes. Additionally, this work will improve predictive models and therefore lead to the development of more effective air pollution control strategies.
Approach:
The specific aims are:
- Conduct controlled laboratory experiments investigating the secondary formation of organic particulate matter through cloud/fog processing.
- Analyze samples from the Pittsburgh Supersite for products identified in #1, and examine eastern Supersite data for evidence of heterogeneous formation and to identify conditions conducive to secondary formation through cloud processing.
- Examine the suitability of tracers/process indicators suggested above for estimation of primary vs. secondary, local vs. regional and/or heterogeneous vs. homogeneous contributions to ambient organic PM.
- 2004 Progress Report
- 2005 Progress Report
- 2006 Progress Report
- Final Report
Expected Results:
This work will provide a better understanding of the contribution of regional transport and secondary formation to ambient organic PM concentrations. It will provide critical scientific knowledge that is needed to accurately predict PM2.5 concentrations and identify effective air quality management strategies. This, and other research of this type, enables air quality management decisions that maximize public health protection and minimize cost.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 32 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 9 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
secondary aerosol, carbonaceous PM2.5, PM sources,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Air Quality, particulate matter, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Air Pollution Effects, Monitoring/Modeling, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, organic pollutants, carbon aerosols, air quality modeling, particle size, atmospheric particulate matter, health effects, particulate organic carbon, atmospheric dispersion models, aerosol particles, atmospheric particles, chemical characteristics, PM 2.5, air modeling, air quality models, airborne particulate matter, air sampling, carbon particles, air quality model, emissions, particulate matter mass, ultrafine particulate matter, transport modeling, modeling studies, particle dispersion, aerosol analyzers, measurement methods, chemical speciation sampling, particle size measurementProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.