Title: Improved Land Cover and Emission Factor Inputs for Estimating Biogenic Isoprene and Monoterpene Emissions for Texas Air Quality Simulations
Institution(s) Represented: Environ - Greg Yarwood
Lead PI: Greg Yarwood
AQRP Project Manager: Elena McDonald-Buller
TCEQ Project Liaison: Mark Estes
Awarded Amount: $271,911.00
Abstract
Improved Land Cover and Emission Factor Inputs for Estimating Biogenic Isoprene and Monoterpene Emissions for Texas Air Quality Simulations
The exchange of gases and aerosols between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere is an important factor in determining atmospheric composition and regional air quality. Accurate quantification of emission fluxes is a necessary step in developing air pollution control strategies. In some cases emissions can be directly measured (e.g., point sources with continuous emission monitors) or can be estimated with reasonable confidence (e.g., point sources that have well-defined operating parameters). In contrast, large uncertainties are associated with area sources including emissions from vegetation, and in particular, emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Vegetation is the largest source of VOC emissions to the global atmosphere. The oxidation of BVOCs in the atmosphere affects ozone, aerosol and acid deposition. Current BVOC emission estimates are based on measurements for individual plants that must be scaled up to represent landscapes and adjusted for environmental conditions. There is a critical need for independent BVOC emission inputs for air quality models.
AQRP Project 14-016 will use aircraft observations from the 2013 Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) and the 2006 Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS) to assess and reduce uncertainties associated with a widely-used BVOC emissions model, namely the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosol from Nature version (MEGAN). The eddy covariance technique will be used to directly quantify BVOC emission fluxes for all suitable aircraft observations from the SAS study. Using the relationship between BVOC fluxes and concentrations derived from this subset of SAS aircraft data, BVOC emission fluxes will be estimated for 2013 SAS and 2006 TexAQS flights in the southeastern U.S. and Texas, respectively. In addition, the investigators will improve the land cover and emission factor input data sets that are considered the major uncertainties associated with BVOC emission estimates. The overall benefit of this project will be more accurate BVOC emission estimates that can be used in Texas air quality simulations that are critical for scientific understanding and the development of effective regulatory control strategies that will enhance efforts to improve and maintain clean air.
Executive Summary: projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 Executive Summary.pdf
Work Plan: projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 Scope.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR May 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Jun 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Jul 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Aug 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Sep 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Oct 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Nov 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Dec 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Jan 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Feb 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Mar 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Apr 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR May 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 MTR Jul 2015.pdf
QAPP: projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 QAPP.pdf
Final Report: projectinfoFY14_15\14-016\14-016 Final Report.zip
