Project Number: 16-011

Research

Title: A Next Generation Modelling System for Estimating Texas Biogenic VOC Emissions

Institution(s) Represented: Ramboll Environ US Corporation - Sue Kemball-Cook

Lead PI: Sue Kemball-Cook

AQRP Project Manager: Elena McDonald-Buller

TCEQ Project Liaison: Doug Boyer

Awarded Amount: $158,134.00

Abstract

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. Emissions of reactive gases from the earth's surface drive the production of ozone and aerosol and other atmospheric constituents relevant for regional air quality. Emissions of some compounds, including biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), are highly variable and can vary more than an order of magnitude over spatial scales of a few kilometers and time scales of less than a day. This makes estimation of these emissions especially challenging and yet accurate quantification and simulation of these fluxes is a necessary step towards developing air pollution control strategies and for attributing observed atmospheric composition changes to their causes.

The overall goal of Project 16-011 is to improve numerical model predictions of regional ozone and aerosol distributions in Texas by reducing uncertainties associated with quantitative estimates of BVOC emissions from Texas and the surrounding region. Although there have been significant advancements in the procedures used to simulate BVOC emissions, there are still major uncertainties that affect the reliability of Texas air quality simulations. This includes significant gaps in our understanding of BVOC emissions and their implementation in numerical models including 1) isoprene emission factors, 2) missing compounds, and 3) and unrepresented processes including canopy heterogeneity and stress induced emissions. In this project, we will develop new emission factors and incorporate missing BVOC compounds and unrepresented BVOC emission processes into the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) framework. To accomplish this, we will develop a transparent and comprehensive approach to assigning isoprene and monoterpene emission factors and will update MEGAN to include additional BVOC and processes including stress induced emissions and canopy heterogeneity. We will evaluate MEGAN BVOC emission inventories for Texas and surrounding regions using surface and aircraft observations and a photochemical model.

The overall benefit of this project will be more accurate VOC emission estimates for the Texas air quality simulations that are critical for scientific understanding and the development of regulatory control strategies that will enhance efforts to improve and maintain clean air.

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Research

Research

FY 2016 - 2017

Project Number: 16-011