Extended Abstract (812K)1.5
Analysis of primary vs. secondary fraction of formaldehyde in the Houston area during TexAQS-II
Bernhard Rappenglueck, University of Houston, Houston, TX; and S. Alvarez, M. Buhr, D. Byun, V. Coarfa, B. Czader, P. Dasgupta, M. Estes, L. Kauffman, S. Kim, M. Leuchner, W. Luke, M. Shauck, and G. Zanin
Formaldehyde is considered to play a significant role in summertime photochemistry in the Houston area, in particular it is considered an important source for radicals. Secondary formation seems to be the most important fraction of ambient HCHO. Enhanced nighttime values may indicate primary sources. Potential sources may include mobile sources such as traffic exhaust, in particular not well maintained Diesel engines. Other possible sources may include point sources such as coffee roasting and flares from refineries. In this study we focused on the TexAQS-II continuous in-situ formaldehyde data set based on Hantzsch reaction which was obtained in the Ship Channel area (HRM3 and Lynchburg Ferry site) and at the Moody Tower for several weeks. We also include in-situ HCHO measurements obtained with the same technique aboard the Baylor aircraft during TexAQS-II flight missions. Formaldehyde data was compared to several trace gases that are supposed to be coemitted including CO (traffic), ethylene (flares), and SO2 (industry). In order to keep photochemical processes at a minimum special focus was on nighttime data. Case studies will be discussed where meteorological conditions including recirculation and boundary layer developments seem to play a major role in the redistribution of HCHO. Observations will be compared to CMAQ model studies.
Session 1, Texas AQ2006 Field and Modeling Studies-I
Monday, 21 January 2008, 9:00 AM-10:15 AM, 230
Previous paper