Journal article
Evaluating oil and gas contributions to ambient nonmethane hydrocarbon mixing ratios and ozone-related metrics in the Colorado Front Range
Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.246, p.118113
02/01/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118113
Abstract
Recently, oil and natural gas (O&NG) production activities in the Denver-Julesburg Basin have expanded rapidly. Associated nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions contribute to photochemical formation of ground-level ozone and include benzene as well as other hazardous air pollutants. Using positive matrix factorization (PMF) and chemical mass balance (CMB) methods, we estimate how much O&NG activities and other sources contribute to morning NMHC mixing ratios measured from 2013 to mid-2016 at a site in Platteville, CO, in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, and at a contrasting site in downtown Denver. A novel adjoint sensitivity analysis method is then used to estimate corresponding contributions to ozone and ozone-linked mortality in the Denver region. Average 6–9 am NMHC mixing ratios in Platteville were seven times higher than those in Denver in 2013 but four times higher in 2016. CMB estimates that O&NG activities contributed to the Platteville (Denver) site an average of 96% (56%) of NMHC on a carbon basis while PMF indicated 92% (33%). Average vehicle-related contributions of NMHC are estimated as 41% by CMB and 53% by PMF in Denver. Estimates of the fractional contribution to potential ozone and ozone-linked mortality from O&NG activities are smaller while those from vehicles are larger than the NMHC contributions. CMB (PMF) indicate that greater than 78% (40%) of annual average benzene in Denver is attributable to vehicle emissions while greater than 75% (67%) of benzene in Platteville is attributable to O&NG activities.
•Oil & natural gas (O&NG) contributions to air pollution were less in 2015 than 2013.•Vehicular contributions were most substantial in Denver and changed less over time.•Estimated ozone-related mortality was greatest from O&NG and vehicular emissions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluating oil and gas contributions to ambient nonmethane hydrocarbon mixing ratios and ozone-related metrics in the Colorado Front Range
- Creators
- Congmeng Lyu - Drexel UniversityShannon L Capps - Drexel UniversityKent Kurashima - University of Colorado BoulderDaven K Henze - University of Colorado BoulderGordon Pierce - Department of PublicAmir Hakami - Carleton UniversityShunliu Zhao - Carleton UniversityJaroslav Resler - Czech Academy of SciencesGregory R Carmichael - University of IowaAdrian Sandu - Virginia TechArmistead G Russell - Georgia Institute of TechnologyTianfeng Chai - University of Maryland, College ParkJana Milford - University of Colorado Boulder
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.246, p.118113
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118113
- ISSN
- 1352-2310
- eISSN
- 1873-2844
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000001, name: National Science Foundation
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Nursing; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984185366402771
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