Neighborhood-Level Nitrogen Dioxide Inequalities Contribute to Surface Ozone Variability in Houston, Texas

In Houston, Texas, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution disproportionately affects Black, Latinx, and Asian communities, and high ozone (O3) days are frequent. There is limited knowledge of how NO2 inequalities vary in urban air quality contexts, in part from the lack of time-varying neighborhood-level NO2 measurements. First, we demonstrate that daily TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) NO2 tropospheric vertical column densities (TVCDs) resolve a major portion of census tract-scale NO2 inequalities in Houston, comparing NO2 inequalities based on TROPOMI TVCDs and spatiotemporally coincident airborne remote sensing (250 m × 560 m) from the NASA TRacking Aerosol Convection ExpeRiment-Air Quality (TRACER-AQ). We further evaluate the application of daily TROPOMI TVCDs to census tract-scale NO2 inequalities (May 2018-November 2022). This includes explaining differences between mean daily NO2 inequalities and those based on TVCDs oversampled to 0.01° × 0.01° and showing daily NO2 column-surface relationships weaken as a function of observation separation distance. Second, census tract-scale NO2 inequalities, city-wide high O3, and mesoscale airflows are found to covary using principal component and cluster analysis. A generalized additive model of O3 mixing ratios versus NO2 inequalities reproduces established nonlinear relationships between O3 production and NO2 concentrations, providing observational evidence that neighborhood-level NO2 inequalities and O3 are coupled. Consequently, emissions controls specifically in Black, Latinx, and Asian communities will have co-benefits, reducing both NO2 disparities and high O3 days city wide.

An Alternative Calibration Method for Measuring N2O5 with an Iodide-Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer and Influencing Factors

In this work, we developed an alternative calibration method for measuring N2O5 with an iodide adduct mass spectrometer (I-CIMS). In this calibration method, N2O5 is heated and then quantified based on the decrease in the amount of NO due to its reaction with the pyrolysis product (NO3). This alternative calibration method was compared with the commonly used method utilizing NOx analyzers equipped with a photolytic converter, which gauge NO2 reduction as a result of its reaction with O3 to quantify N2O5. It is notable that the two methodologies demonstrate favorable consistency in terms of calibrating N2O5, with a variance of less than 10 %. The alternative calibration method is a more reliable way to quantify N2O5 with CIMS, considering the instability of the NO2 conversion efficiency of photolytic converters in NOx analyzers and the loss of N2O5 in the sampling line. The effects of O3 and relative humidity (RH) on the sensitivity toward N2O5 were further examined. There was minimal perturbation of N2O5 quantification upon exposure to O3 even at high concentrations. The N2O5 sensitivity exhibited a nonlinear dependence on RH as it initially rose and then fell. Besides I(N2O5)-, the collisional interaction between I(H2O)- and N2O5 also forms I(HNO3)-, which may interfere with the accurate quantification of HNO3. As a consequence of the pronounced dependence on humidity, it is advisable to implement humidity correction procedures when conducting measurements of N2O5.

A novel photochemical conversion technique for reliable calibration of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) analyzers

Photochemical synthesis of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) through irradiating air mixtures of NO and acetone is prevailingly adopted for calibrating PAN analyzers, but few users of PAN analyzers provide evidence to certify the calibration reliability. Here we report a nonnegligible variation (up to ~50 %) of PAN synthesized in the calibration unit of a commercial PAN analyzer, whereas PAN synthesized in the two custom-made reactors could achieve stable values with variations of <2.5 %. Compared with a straight quartz tube flow reactor (SQTFR), PAN synthesized by a coiled quartz tube flow reactor (CQTFR) could achieve more stable (relative standard deviation: <0.66 % versus 2.49 %) and larger (PAN_CQTFR/PAN_SQTFR: 1.04-1.10) values. The residence time and reaction temperature of photochemical mixtures in CQTFR were found to be the key factors affecting PAN synthesis, with their optimal values of 30-60 s and 30-35 °C for achieving the highest PAN levels. The photochemical conversion efficiencies of NO to PAN in CQTFR under the optimal conditions were successfully measured to be 98.5 ± 0.5 % based on the alkaline-absorption method. Therefore, CQTFR is suggested to be adopted for calibrating PAN analyzers to reduce calibration uncertainties.

Atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen to a deciduous forest in the southern Appalachian Mountains

Assessing nutrient critical load exceedances requires complete and accurate atmospheric deposition budgets for reactive nitrogen (Nr). The exceedance is the total amount of Nr deposited to the ecosystem in excess of the critical load, which is the amount of Nr input below which harmful effects do not occur. Total deposition includes all forms of Nr (i.e., organic and inorganic) deposited to the ecosystem by wet and dry pathways. Here we present results from the Southern Appalachian Nitrogen Deposition Study (SANDS), in which a combination of measurements and field-scale modeling was used to develop a complete annual Nr deposition budget for a deciduous forest at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory. Wet deposition of ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and bulk organic N were measured directly. The dry deposited Nr fraction was estimated using a bidirectional resistance-based model driven with speciated measurements of Nr air concentrations (e.g., ammonia, ammonium aerosol, nitric acid, nitrate aerosol, bulk organic N in aerosol, total alkyl nitrates, and total peroxy nitrates), micrometeorology, canopy structure, and biogeochemistry. Total annual deposition was ~6.7 kg N ha-1 yr-1, which is on the upper end of Nr critical load estimates recently developed for similar ecosystems in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of the total (wet + dry) budget, 51.1% was contributed by reduced forms of NrNH x = ammonia + ammonium ) , with oxidized and organic forms contributing ~41.3% and 7.6%, respectively. Our results indicate that reductions inNH x deposition would be needed to achieve the lowest estimates (~3.0 kg N ha-1 yr-1) of Nr critical loads in southern Appalachian forests.

HONO Measurement by Catalytic Conversion to NO on Nafion Surfaces

A selective catalytic converter has been developed to quantify nitrous acid (HONO), a photochemical precursor to NO and OH radicals that drives the formation of ozone and other pollutants in the troposphere. The converter is made from a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer (Nafion) that was found to convert HONO to NO with unity yield under specific conditions. When coupled to a commercially available NO_x (=NO + NO₂) chemiluminescence (CL) analyzer, the system measures HONO with a limit of detection as low as 64 parts-per-trillion (ppt) (1 min average) in addition to NO_x. The converter is selective for HONO when tested against other common gas-phase reactive nitrogen species, although loss of O₃ on Nafion is a potential interference. The sensitivity and selectivity of this method allow for accurate measurement of atmospherically relevant concentrations of HONO. This was demonstrated by good agreement between HONO measurements made with the Nafion-CL method and those made with chemical ionization mass spectrometry in a simulation chamber and in indoor air. The observed reactivity of HONO on Nafion also has significant implications for the accuracy of CL NO_x analyzers that use Nafion to remove water from sampling lines.

Traffic, transport, and vegetation drive VOC concentrations in a major urban area in Texas

The population of Texas has increased rapidly in the past decade. The San Antonio Field Study (SAFS) was designed to investigate ozone (O₃) production and precursors in this rapidly changing, sprawling metropolitan area. There are still many questions regarding the sources and chemistry of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas like San Antonio which are affected by a complex mixture of industry, traffic, biogenic sources and transported pollutants. The goal of the SAFS campaign in May 2017 was to measure inorganic trace gases, VOCs, methane (CH₄), and ethane (C₂H₆). The SAFS field design included two sites to better assess air quality across the metro area: an urban site (Traveler's World; TW) and a downwind/suburban site (University of Texas at San Antonio; UTSA). The results indicated that acetone (2.52 ± 1.17 and 2.39 ± 1.27 ppbv), acetaldehyde (1.45 ± 1.02 and 0.93 ± 0.45 ppbv) and isoprene (0.64 ± 0.49 and 1.21 ± 0.85 ppbv; TW and UTSA, respectively) were the VOCs with the highest concentrations. Additionally, positive matrix factorization showed three dominant factors of VOC emissions: biogenic, aged urban mixed source, and acetone. Methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein (MVK + MACR) exhibited contributions from both secondary photooxidation of isoprene and direct emissions from traffic. The C₂H₆:CH₄ demonstrated potential influence of oil and gas activities in San Antonio. Moreover, the high O₃ days during the campaign were in the NO_x-limited O₃ formation regime and were preceded by evening peaks in select VOCs, NO_x and CO. Overall, quantification of the concentration and trends of VOCs and trace gases in a major city in Texas offers vital information for general air quality management and supports strategies for reducing O₃ pollution. The SAFS campaign VOC results will also add to the growing body of literature on urban sources and concentrations of VOCs in major urban areas.

Potential interferences in photolytic nitrogen dioxide converters for ambient air monitoring: Evaluation of a prototype

Mixing ratios of the criteria air contaminant nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are commonly quantified by reduction to nitric oxide (NO) using a photolytic converter followed by NO-O₃ chemiluminescence (CL). In this work, the performance of a photolytic NO₂ converter prototype originally designed for continuous emission monitoring and emitting light at 395 nm was evaluated. Mixing ratios of NO₂ and NO_x (= NO + NO₂) entering and exiting the converter were monitored by blue diode laser cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). The NO₂ photolysis frequency was determined by measuring the rate of conversion to NO as a function of converter residence time and found to be 4.2 s^-1. A maximum 96% conversion of NO₂ to NO over a large dynamic range was achieved at a residence time of (1.5 ± 0.3) s, independent of relative humidity. Interferences from odd nitrogen (NO_y) species such as peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN; RC(O)O₂NO₂), alkyl nitrates (AN; RONO₂), nitrous acid (HONO), and nitric acid (HNO₃) were evaluated by operating the prototype converter outside its optimum operating range (i.e., at higher pressure and longer residence time) for easier quantification of interferences. Four mechanisms that generate artifacts and interferences were identified as follows: direct photolysis, foremost of HONO at a rate constant of 6% that of NO₂; thermal decomposition, primarily of PAN; surface promoted photochemistry; and secondary chemistry in the connecting tubing. These interferences are likely present to a certain degree in all photolytic converters currently in use but are rarely evaluated or reported. Recommendations for improved performance of photolytic converters include operating at lower cell pressure and higher flow rates, thermal management that ideally results in a match of photolysis cell temperature with ambient conditions, and minimization of connecting tubing length. When properly implemented, these interferences can be made negligibly small when measuring NO₂ in ambient air.

IMPLICATIONS

A new near-UV photolytic converter for measurement of the criteria pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in ambient air by NO-O3 chemiluminescence (CL) was characterized. Four mechanisms that generate interferences were identified and investigated experimentally: direct photolysis of nitrous acid, which occurred at a rate constant 6% that of NO2, thermal decomposition of PAN and N2O5, surface promoted chemistry involving nitric acid, and secondary chemistry involving NO in the tubing connecting the converter and CL analyzer. These interferences are predicted to occur in all NO2 P-CL systems but can be avoided by appropriate thermal management and operating at high flow rates.

Effects of halogens on European air-quality

Halogens (Cl, Br) have a profound influence on stratospheric ozone (O₃). They (Cl, Br and I) have recently also been shown to impact the troposphere, notably by reducing the mixing ratios of O₃ and OH. Their potential for impacting regional air-quality is less well understood. We explore the impact of halogens on regional pollutants (focussing on O₃) with the European grid of the GEOS-Chem model (0.25° × 0.3125°). It has recently been updated to include a representation of halogen chemistry. We focus on the summer of 2015 during the ICOZA campaign at the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory on the North Sea coast of the UK. Comparisons between these observations together with those from the UK air-quality network show that the model has some skill in representing the mixing ratios/concentration of pollutants during this period. Although the model has some success in simulating the Weybourne ClNO₂ observations, it significantly underestimates ClNO₂ observations reported at inland locations. It also underestimates mixing ratios of IO, OIO, I₂ and BrO, but this may reflect the coastal nature of these observations. Model simulations, with and without halogens, highlight the processes by which halogens can impact O₃. Throughout the domain O₃ mixing ratios are reduced by halogens. In northern Europe this is due to a change in the background O₃ advected into the region, whereas in southern Europe this is due to local chemistry driven by Mediterranean emissions. The proportion of hourly O₃ above 50 nmol mol^-1 in Europe is reduced from 46% to 18% by halogens. ClNO₂ from N₂O₅ uptake onto sea-salt leads to increases in O₃ mixing ratio, but these are smaller than the decreases caused by the bromine and iodine. 12% of ethane and 16% of acetone within the boundary layer is oxidised by Cl. Aerosol response to halogens is complex with small (∼10%) reductions in PM_2.5 in most locations. A lack of observational constraints coupled to large uncertainties in emissions and chemical processing of halogens make these conclusions tentative at best. However, the results here point to the potential for halogen chemistry to influence air quality policy in Europe and other parts of the world.

Characterization of organic nitrogen in aerosols at a forest site in the southern Appalachian Mountains

This study investigates the composition of organic particulate matter in PM2.5 in a remote montane forest in the southeastern US, focusing on the role of organic nitrogen (N) in sulfur-containing secondary organic aerosol (nitrooxy-organosulfates) and aerosols associated with biomass burning (nitro-aromatics). Bulk water-soluble organic N (WSON) represented ~ 14% w/w of water-soluble total N (WSTN) in PM2.5 on average across seasonal measurement campaigns conducted in the spring, summer, and fall of 2015. The largest contributions of WSON to WSTN were observed in spring (~ 18% w/w) and the lowest in the fall (~ 10% w/w). On average, identified nitro-aromatic and nitrooxy-organosulfate compounds accounted for a small fraction of WSON, ranging from ~ 1% in spring to ~ 4% in fall, though were observed to contribute as much as 28% w/w of WSON in individual samples that were impacted by local biomass burning. The highest concentrations of oxidized organic N species occurred during summer (average of 0.65 ng N m-3) along with a greater relative abundance of higher-generation oxygenated terpenoic acids, indicating an association with more aged aerosol. The highest concentrations of nitro-aromatics (e.g., nitrocatechol and methyl-nitrocatechol), levoglucosan, and aged SOA tracers were observed during fall, associated with aged biomass burning plumes. Nighttime nitrate radical chemistry is the most likely formation pathway for nitrooxy-organosulfates observed at this low NO x site (generally < 1 ppb). Isoprene-derived organosulfate (MW216, 2-methyltetrol derived), which is formed from isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) under low NO x conditions, was the most abundant individual organosulfate. Concentration-weighted average WSON / WSOC ratios for nitro-aromatics + organosulfates + terpenoic acids were 1 order of magnitude lower than the overall aerosol WSON / WSOC ratio, indicating the presence of other uncharacterized higher-N-content species. Although nitrooxy-organosulfates and nitro-aromatics contributed a small fraction of WSON, our results provide new insight into the atmospheric formation processes and sources of these largely uncharacterized components of atmospheric organic N, which also helps to advance the atmospheric models to better understand the chemistry and deposition of reactive N.

Impact of Front Range sources on reactive nitrogen concentrations and deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park

Human influenced atmospheric reactive nitrogen (RN) is impacting ecosystems in Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). Due to ROMO's protected status as a Class 1 area, these changes are concerning, and improving our understanding of the contributions of different types of RN and their sources is important for reducing impacts in ROMO. In July-August 2014 the most comprehensive measurements (to date) of RN were made in ROMO during the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Éxperiment (FRAPPÉ). Measurements included peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), C1-C5 alkyl nitrates, and high-time resolution NOx, NOy, and ammonia. A limited set of measurements was extended through October. Co-located measurements of a suite of volatile organic compounds provide information on source types impacting ROMO. Specifically, we use ethane as a tracer of oil and gas operations and tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4) as an urban tracer to investigate their relationship with RN species and transport patterns. Results of this analysis suggest elevated RN concentrations are associated with emissions from oil and gas operations, which are frequently co-located with agricultural production and livestock feeding areas in the region, and from urban areas. There also are periods where RN at ROMO is impacted by long-range transport. We present an atmospheric RN budget and a nitrogen deposition budget with dry and wet components. Total deposition for the period (7/1-9/30) was estimated at 1.58 kg N/ha, with 87% from wet deposition during this period of above average precipitation. Ammonium wet deposition was the dominant contributor to total nitrogen deposition followed by nitrate wet deposition and total dry deposition. Ammonia was estimated to be the largest contributor to dry deposition followed by nitric acid and PAN (other species included alkyl nitrates, ammonium and nitrate). All three species are challenging to measure routinely, especially at high time resolution.

Smog chamber study of the role of NH3 in new particle formation from photo-oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons

Ammonia (NH₃) is a major contributor to secondary aerosol in the atmosphere and can alter the kinetics of their formation. However, systematic studies related to the role of NH₃ in aerosol nucleation processes and further particle size growth under complex scenarios are lacking. In this study, we conducted 16 experiments in the CSIRO smog chamber under dry conditions using aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, o-/m-/p-xylene) and different concentrations of NH₃. The presence of NH₃ did not change the gas-phase chemistry or nucleation onset time, but slowed the nucleation rate (5%-94%) once it began. From the response of nitrogen oxides (NOx) measurement and mechanism modeling results, we hypothesised that the surface reaction between NH₃ and nitric acid played a central role in aerosol nucleation and further growth. After nucleation, the subsequently formed ammonium nitrate and organic condensation vapours may partition together into the initial growth process of new particles, thus increasing the aerosol initial growth rate (8%-90%) and size growth potentials (7%-108%), and leading to high aerosol mass formation. Further investigation implied that the initial growth and further growth rate determine the aerosol mass concentration, rather than the nucleation rate. We conclude that both the initial NOx concentration and volatile organic compound (VOC)/NOx ratio are crucial for the initial and further growth, and aerosol mass of new particles, when NH₃ levels are high. Our results provide crucial insights into the complex chemistry of VOC/NOx/NH₃ in the atmosphere, and highlight the importance of NH₃ reduction for particulate matter control.

A measurement of total reactive nitrogen, NOy, together with NO₂, NO, and O₃ via cavity ring-down spectroscopy

We present a sensitive, compact detector that measures total reactive nitrogen (NOy), as well as NO2, NO, and O3. In all channels, NO2 is directly detected by laser diode based cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) at 405 nm. Ambient O3 is converted to NO2 in excess NO for the O3 measurement channel. Likewise, ambient NO is converted to NO2 in excess O3. Ambient NOy is thermally dissociated at ∼700 °C to form NO2 or NO in a heated quartz inlet. Any NO present in ambient air or formed from thermal dissociation of other reactive nitrogen compounds is converted to NO2 in excess O3 after the thermal converter. We measured thermal dissociation profiles for six of the major NOy components and compared ambient measurements with other instruments during field campaigns in Utah and Alabama. Alabama measurements were made in a rural location with high biogenic emissions, and Utah measurements were made in the wintertime in unusual conditions that form high ozone levels from emissions related to oil and gas production. The NOy comparison in Alabama, to an accepted standard measurement method (a molybdenum catalytic converter/chemiluminescence instrument), agreed to within 12%, which we define as an upper limit to the accuracy of the NOy channel. The 1σ precision is <30 pptv at 1 s and <4 pptv at 1 min time resolution for all measurement channels. The accuracy is 3% for the NO2 and O3 channels and 5% for the NO channel. The precision and accuracy of this instrument make it a versatile alternative to standard chemiluminescence-based NOy instruments.

Direct measurement system of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere using a blue light-emitting diode induced fluorescence technique

An instrument for measuring atmospheric nitrogen dioxide has been developed by a light-emitting diode induced fluorescence (LED-IF) technique. Air was introduced into a fluorescence detection cell. A pulsed blue light LED with a peak wavelength of 430 nm was irradiated to excite NO2 molecules in this cell. Fluorescence emitted from excited NO2 molecules was detected by a dynode-gated photomultiplier tube. The current detection limit of the LED-IF instrument was estimated to be 7.0 and 0.91 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) at 1-min and 1-h integration times, respectively, with a signal to noise ratio of 2. This result indicates that this LED-IF instrument can measure sufficiently precise 1-h values of NO2 concentrations in the urban atmosphere. An NO2 test observation and an intercomparison of the LED-IF instrument with an NO2 measurement system based on a photolytic converter/NO-O3 chemiluminescence method were performed in the urban atmosphere. Concentration differences between the two methods were within ±25% for about 90% of the data. It has been demonstrated by these observations that NO2 concentrations can be observed in the urban areas using the LED-IF instrument.

Aerosol species concentrations and source apportionment of ammonia at Rocky Mountain National Park

Changes in ecosystem function at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) are occurring because of emissions of nitrogen and sulfate species along the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, as well as sources farther east and west. The nitrogen compounds include both oxidized and reduced nitrogen. A year-long monitoring program of various oxidized and reduced nitrogen species was initiated to better understand their origins as well as the complex chemistry occurring during transport from source to receptor. Specifically the goals of the study were to characterize the atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen species in gaseous, particulate, and aqueous phases (precipitation and clouds) along the east and west sides of the Continental Divide; identify the relative contributions to atmospheric nitrogen species in RMNP from within and outside of the state of Colorado; identify the relative contributions to atmospheric nitrogen species in RMNP from emission sources along the Colorado Front Range versus other areas within Colorado; and identify the relative contributions to atmospheric nitrogen species from mobile sources, agricultural activities, and large and small point sources within the state of Colorado. Measured ammonia concentrations are combined with modeled releases of conservative tracers from ammonia source regions around the United States to apportion ammonia to its respective sources, using receptor modeling tools.

Development of an ambient pressure laser-induced fluorescence instrument for nitrogen dioxide

Concerns about the health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and its role in forming deleterious atmospheric species have made it desirable to have low-cost, sensitive ambient measurements of NO2. We have developed a continuous-wave laser-diode laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) system for NO2 that operates at ambient pressure, thereby eliminating the need for an expensive pumping system. The current prototype system has achieved sensitivity several orders of magnitude beyond previous efforts at ambient pressure (limit of detection of 2 ppb, 60 s averaging time). Ambient measurements of NO2 were made in Portland, Oregon using both the standard NO2 chemiluminescence method and the LIF instrument and showed good agreement (r2 = 0.92).