Examining the Role of Anthropogenic Emissions in Combination with Biogenic Emissions on Air Quality in Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and Dallas-Fort worth Areas

摘要

Both HGB and DFW areas are urban areas with transportation emissions being a common concern. Emissions of NO_x and CO are extensive in both areas. NO and NO2 ambient concentrations are more in HGB area than DFW area. In HGB area, Houston is a metropolitan area surrounded by counties with abundance of vegetation leading to ample BVOCs. From CAMx output, ISOP concentration was found to be reasonably high in HGB than DFW. CO ambient concentrations were close for both areas and SO_2 ambient concentration was higher in HGB compared to DFW. The combination of biogenic and on-road emission sources was expected to produce maximum ozone concentrations. Even though NO_x and ISOP concentrations were higher in HGB area, DFW showed higher ozone concentration on June 3, 2006. So, there is not enough evidence to clearly characterize anthropogenic emissions in presence of biogenic emissions. More analyses and studies are needed to address this concern.