Title: Emission Source region contributions to a high surface ozone episode during DISCOVER-AQ
Institution(s) Represented: University of Maryland - Christopher Lougner, Morgan State University - Melanie Follette-Cook
Lead PI: Christopher Loughner
AQRP Project Manager: Gary McGaughey
TCEQ Project Liaison: Doug Boyer
Awarded Amount: $109,111.00
Abstract
Emission Source region contributions to a high surface ozone
episode during DISCOVER-AQ
The highest ozone air pollution episode in the Houston, TX region in 2013 occurred September 24-26, which coincided with the DISCOVER-AQ (Deriving Information on Surface Conditions and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality) field campaign. The maximum 8-hour average ozone peaked on September 25 at LaPorte Sylvan Beach reaching 124 ppbv. We propose to analyze this air pollution episode to quantify how emissions from various source regions (i.e., Houston, Dallas, Beaumont/Port Arthur, Lake Charles, LA, Oklahoma, etc.) contributed to Houston's poor air quality. This work will examine the importance of regional emissions and transport on local air quality.
The investigators will use a combination of model simulations and space-, aircraft-, and ground-based observations to investigate the roles of both regional transport and local emissions on air quality in Houston, TX for this event. This work will improve understanding of ozone formation and accumulation by examining the spatial patterns of emissions within and outside of Texas and the transport processes that contributed to high ozone in Houston.
The investigators will use Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and Community Multi-scale Air quality (CMAQ) model output along with ground- and aircraft-based observations obtained during the DISCOVER-AQ field campaign to identify plumes that entered the Houston metropolitan area and contributed to high surface ozone concentrations. The investigators will identify the origins of plumes by calculating back trajectories from the WRF simulation. CMAQ simulations performed with source apportionment will be analyzed to determine the contributions of various source regions on surface ozone concentrations in the Houston metropolitan area. In addition, satellite observations (Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) tropospheric nitrogen dioxide, OMI ozone profiles, Measurement Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) carbon monoxide, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aerosol optical depth) will be analyzed to determine if they were able to detect the regional transport of air pollution and subsequent buildup in the Houston metropolitan area.
Executive Summary: projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 Executive Summary.pdf
Work Plan: projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 Scope.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Jul 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Aug 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Sep 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Oct 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Nov 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Dec 2014.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Jan 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Feb 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Mar 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Apr 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR May 2015.pdf
Technical Report(s): projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 MTR Jun 2015.pdf
QAPP: projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 QAPP.pdf
Final Report: projectinfoFY14_15\14-004\14-004 Final Report.pdf
