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Frost et al. 2006
Frost, G.J., McKeen, S.A., Trainer, M., Ryerson, T.B., Neuman, J.A., Roberts, J.M., Swanson, A., Holloway, J.S., Sueper, D.T., Fortin, T., Parrish, D.D., Fehsenfeld, F.C., Flocke, F., Peckham, S.E., Grell, G.A., Kowal, D., Cartwright, J., Auerbach, N. and Habermann, T. (2006). Effects of changing power plant NOx emissions on ozone in the eastern United States: Proof of concept. Journal of Geophysical Research 111: doi: 10.1029/2005JD006354. issn: 0148-0227.

Recent decreases in nitrogen oxide (NOx = NO + NO2) emissions from eastern U.S. power plants and their effects on regional ozone are studied. Using the EPA 1999 National Emission Inventory as a reference emission data set, NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates at selected power plants are updated to their summer 2003 levels using Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) measurements. The validity of the CEMS data is established by comparison to observations made on the NOAA WP-3 aircraft as part of the 2004 New England Air Quality Study. The impacts of power plant NOx emission decreases on O3 are investigated using the WRF-Chem regional chemical forecast model. Summertime NOx emission rates decreased by approximately 50% between 1999 and 2003 at the subset of power plants studied. The impact of NOx emission reductions on ozone was moderate during summer 2004 because of relatively cool temperatures and frequent synoptic disturbances. Effects in individual plant plumes vary depending on the plant's NOx emission strength, the proximity of other NOx sources, and the availability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sunlight. This study provides insight into the ozone changes that can be anticipated as power plant NOx emission reductions continue to be implemented throughout the United States.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Constituent sources and sinks, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Pollution, urban and regional (0305, 0478, 4251), Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Troposphere, composition and chemistry, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Troposphere, constituent transport and chemistry
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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