Photochemical aspects of air pollution. Review

Altshuller, A. P.; Bufalini, Joseph J.

doi:10.1021/es60048a001

Cited by 140 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(68 reference statements)

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“…As a natural trace gas, it is transported from the stratosphere in the tropics and extratropics into the free troposphere. As an air pollutant, ozone is generally produced by photochemical reactions from precursor molecules in the boundary layer (Güsten 1986;Altshuller and Bufalini 1972). Detailed knowledge of its photochemical production, trends, and control is therefore required (Güsten 1986).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 10-year study of background surface ozone concentrations on the island of Gozo in the Central Mediterranean

et al. 2008

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A 10-year study of surface ozone mixing ratios in the Central Mediterranean was conducted based on continuous ozone measurements from 1997 to 2006 by a background regional Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) station on the island of Gozo. The mean annual maximum mixing ratio is of the order of 66 ppbv in April-May with a broad secondary maximum of 64 ppbv in July-September. No long-term increase or decrease in the background level of surface ozone could be observed over the last 10 years. This is contrary to observations made in the Eastern Mediterranean, where a slow decrease in the background ozone mixing ratio was observed over the past 7 years. Despite the very high average annual ozone mixing ratio exceeding 50 ppbv-in fact, the highest average background ozone mixing ratio ever measured in Europe-, the diurnal O 3 max /O 3 min index of <1.40 indicates that the island of Gozo is a good site for measuring background surface ozone. However, frequent photosmog events from June to September during the past 10 years with ozone mixing ratios exceeding 90 ppbv indicate that the Central Mediterranean is prone to long-range transport of air pollutants from Europe by northerly winds. This was particularly evident during the so-called "August heatwave" of the year 2003 when the overall ozone mixing ratio was 4.6 ppbv higher than the average of all other 9 months of August since 1997. Air mass back-trajectory analysis of the August 2003 photosmog episodes on Gozo confirmed that ozone pollution originated from the European continent. Regression analysis was used to analyse the 10-year data set in order to model the behaviour of the ozone mixing ratio in terms of the meteorological parameters of wind speed, relative humidity, global radiation, temperature, month of year, wind sector,

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 10-year study of background surface ozone concentrations on the island of Gozo in the Central Mediterranean

et al. 2008

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“…However, not all hydrocarbons manifest themselves equally in the smog symptoms such as eye irritation, plant damage, visibility reduction, and oxidant formation. The literature suggests that several of these symptoms of reactivity must be considered when planning control strategies (1)(2)(3). However, for the present, oxidant/ozone is the only photochemical product for which there is an Air Quality Standard.…”

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confidence: 99%

Ozone formation potential of organic compounds

Bufalini¹,

Walter²,

Bufalini³

1976

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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1 A reactivity scale for organic compounds based on ozone production is developed. It is based on the concept that ozone can be considered as the intermediate ( B ) of two consecutive reactions, A -B -C. The organic compound, A, is assumed to react only with OH radicals that are present in the atmosphere. It is also assumed that the organic compound is completely oxidized to either COz and/or formic acid. A reactivity scale based on these premises heavily weighs the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms present in the compound. The scale, developed only on theoretical grounds, predicts that all hydrocarbons lead to ozone formation and that the larger molecules lead to larger quantities of ozone. The reactivity scale predicts that high concentrations of ozone would be expected in rural downwind areas away from high emissions sources. This is in agreement with recent findings of high ozone levels in rural areas.Organic matter including hydrocarbons is essential for the formation of photochemical smog. However, not all hydrocarbons manifest themselves equally in the smog symptoms such as eye irritation, plant damage, visibility reduction, and oxidant formation. The literature suggests that several of these symptoms of reactivity must be considered when planning control strategies (1-3). However, for the present, oxidant/ozone is the only photochemical product for which there is an Air Quality Standard. Achievement of the oxidant standard is based on control of organic emissions.The role of the oxidant precursors, Le., the hydrocarbons, has been extensively studied in many laboratories over the past several years. Various parameters such as types of hydrocarbons, HC/NO, ratios, light intensity, water vapor, and temperature have all been investigated for possible effects on oxidant formation (1). From these studies, definitions of reactive organics such as those given in Rule 66 ( 4 ) have been developed by the Los Angeles County. The Rule 66 approach is to limit the emissions of hydrocarbons that are relatively high in reactivity with the expectation that this will result in a decrease in the amount of oxidant produced in the atmosphere of Los Angeles County.Appendix B in the Federal Register (August 1971) tends to overlook the relative reactivities of different hydrocarbons and puts forth the concept that all but a few hydrocarbons should be controlled. This approach severely limits emissions of all but the most unreactive hydrocarbons.More recently, a linear summation model for the control of hydrocarbons has been proposed ( 5 ) . With this model, hydrocarbons are classified according to five reactivity classes. Any combination of these five classes could be emitted into the atmosphere as long as the linear summation does not exceed the reactivity of the class of least reactive hydrocarbons.Some recent findings in the Midwest by EPA (6), as well as recent investigations ( 7 , 8 ) of high oxidant in rural areas, have led us to look into the formation of high oxidant concentrations from the so-called unreactive hydroca...

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“…25 The atmospheric photooxidation of trichloroethylene has been reported to cause a higher eye irritation level than observed from ethylene or propylene in the presence of nitrogen oxide. 30 Subsequent measurements of the reaction products of photooxidation in the presence of nitrogen oxide indicated dichloroacetyl chloride was a major product with smaller yields of formic acid and phosgene. 31 Dichloroacetyl chloride is reported to be an eye irritant.…”

Section: Relating Parameters Of Eye Irritation To Ambient Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Contribution of Chemical Species to The Eye Irritation Potential of Photochemical Smog

Altshuller¹

1978

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association

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Photochemical aspects of air pollution. Review

Cited by 140 publications

References 54 publications

A 10-year study of background surface ozone concentrations on the island of Gozo in the Central Mediterranean

A 10-year study of background surface ozone concentrations on the island of Gozo in the Central Mediterranean

Ozone formation potential of organic compounds

Assessment of the Contribution of Chemical Species to The Eye Irritation Potential of Photochemical Smog

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