Abstract
This study uses a photochemical Air Quality Model applied across the continental US to identify source categories and chemical species (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides) that have the largest impact on concentrations of ambient formaldehyde. We contrast the sensitivities of formaldehyde to those of ozone. Although reactions of organic radicals with nitrogen oxide can produce high yields of formaldehyde, the concentrations are more sensitive to hydrocarbons. Biogenic sources of hydrocarbons contribute the most to formaldehyde sensitivity in July, with contributions from isoprene, other alkenes and direct emissions. These results indicate that different strategies may be needed to reduce ambient ozone and formaldehyde concentrations.
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Luecken, D., Napelenok, S. (2020). Sensitivity of Ambient Atmospheric Formaldehyde to VOC and NOx Emissions: Implications for Predicting Multi-pollutant Benefits of Emission Reductions. In: Mensink, C., Gong, W., Hakami, A. (eds) Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI. ITM 2018. Springer Proceedings in Complexity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_4
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