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Sensitivity of Ambient Atmospheric Formaldehyde to VOC and NOx Emissions: Implications for Predicting Multi-pollutant Benefits of Emission Reductions
Citation:
Luecken, D. AND S. Napelenok. Sensitivity of Ambient Atmospheric Formaldehyde to VOC and NOx Emissions: Implications for Predicting Multi-pollutant Benefits of Emission Reductions. Chapter 4, Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham (ZG), Switzerland, , 23-28, (2020).
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to better understand the predominant source types and individual VOCs that contribute the most to ambient formaldehyde concentrations, so that more effective, multi-pollutant strategies to reduce these concentrations maybe be developed. These results indicate thatstrategies that are developed to reduce O3 may not be optimum for reducing ambient HCHO concentrations.
Description:
This study uses a photochemical Air Quality Model applied across the continental US to identify source categories and chemical species (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides) that have the largest impact on concentrations of ambient formaldehyde. We contrast the sensitivities of formaldehyde to those of ozone. Although reactions of organic radicals with nitrogen oxide can produce high yields of formaldehyde, the concentrations are more sensitive to hydrocarbons. Biogenic sources of hydrocarbons contribute the most to formaldehyde sensitivity in July, with contributions from isoprene, other alkenes and direct emissions. These results indicate that different strategies may be needed to reduce ambient ozone and formaldehyde concentrations.
