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Molly May University of Michigan SARP 2010
Molly May University of Michigan SARP 2010
University of Michigan
SARP 2010
Outline
Objective
Studied Areas
Studied Compounds
Sample Collection and Analysis
Boundary Layer Determination
Palmdale/Oceanic Comparisons
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Objec,ve
Consider the concentrations C2Cl4, C2HCl3,
n‐Pentane, and Toluene
Determine concentrations in “clean” air
over oceanic locations
Study how these gases are enhanced over
a large city, Palmdale
Consider the variations above and below
the boundary layer
Studied
Areas
Palmdale, CA
Large urban city
Estimated population of 152,622
Oceanic Locations
“Clean” air
Monterey ‐ population 30,641
Santa Barbara ‐ population 89,456
PaciUic Coastline
Studied
Areas
Monterey
Coastline
Palmdale
Santa Barbara
Studied
Compounds
Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4)
A colorless liquid used for dry cleaning fabrics
Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3)
Commonly used as an industrial solvent for
paints and adhesives
n‐Pentane (C5H12)
A liquid present in gasoline, solvents, and the
process of making plastic foams
Toluene (C7H8)
Used to create benzene and xylenes and as an
industrial solvent
Studied
Compounds
All four compounds
are indicative of
urbanized areas
Expect concentrations
to substantially
increase over Palmdale
Concentrations over
coastline should be
lowest
Top: http://www.lbarnv.com/el‐mirage‐15.htm
Bottom: Photograph by Jane Peterson
Health
Effects
C2Cl4 and C2HCl3
Chlorinated hydrocarbons act as depressants to the central
nervous system
Short term effects:
dizziness‚ headache‚ sleepiness‚ nausea‚ difUiculty in speaking
and walking
Long term effects: considered a carcinogen‚ may contribute to
kidney and liver cancer
n‐Pentane
Short term effects: drowsiness and irritation of respiratory
passages
Long term effects: excessive exposure may affect the
brain‚ lungs‚ skin‚ and stomach
Toluene
Short term effects: fatigue‚ confusion‚ headache‚ and dizziness.
Very high concentrations may result in unconsciousness or
death.
Long term effects: anemia‚ decreased blood cell count‚ bone
marrow hypoplasia‚ liver and kidney damage
Sample
Collec,on
and
Analysis
Whole air sampler
Used on the DC‐8
Ulying laboratory
Collected 2 liter air
samples throughout
the Ulights at 2‐5
minute intervals
Cans transported
back to the lab in
Irvine for analysis
Photograph by Jane Peterson
Gas
Chromatography
Used to separate and
analyze compounds
Gases transported through
a narrow column by a
carrier gas
Each compound Ulows
through at a unique rate
Separated compounds exit
the column at different times
Upon exit, compounds are
identiUied electronically
The “Big System”
Gas
Chromatography
n‐Pentane
10.556
Isoprene
10.643
Area under curve is proportional to mixing ratio
Mixing ratio describes the amount by volume of
the compound
Sample
Collec,on
and
Analysis
Electron Capture Flame Ionization
Detector (ECD) Detector (FID)
Used to determine C2Cl4 Used to determine Toluene
and C2HCl3 concentrations and n‐Pentane concentrations
Dr. Melissa Yang’s Brother!!!
Boundary
Layer
Determina,on
Considered isoprene
concentrations as a
function of altitude
Isoprene
Lifetime ~1 hr
Not present above the
boundary layer
Data shows a boundary
layer height of 5,000 ft http://www.ec.gc.ca/air/Winter_Smog‐WSAFF4D58F‐1_En.htm
Boundary
Layer
Determina,on
Isoprene Concentrations at Various Altitudes
18000
16000
14000
12000
Altitude (ft)
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Isoprene Concentrations (ppt)
Compound
Life,mes
Compound Lifetime
C2Cl4 3‐5 months
C2HCl3 4‐15 days
n‐Pentane ~5 days
Toluene ~5 days
All four compounds have lifetimes long enough to
reach the free troposphere
Palmdale
Gas
Concentra,ons
(ppt)
Latitude
Longitude
Altitude (ft)
C2Cl4 C2HCl3
nPentane
Toluene
34.49
‐118.05
8289
9.73
9.7
1.21
31.05
31
70.18
70
34.50
‐117.85
5830
8.25
8.3
1.02
24.30
24
60.82
61
Concentrations increase at lower altitudes‐
within the boundary layer
In the free troposphere, gas concentrations
decrease
Gas
Composi,on
by
Sample
Loca,on
(ppt)
Area C Cl C2HCl3 nPentane Toluene
Area C2Cl4 C22HCl4 3 nPentane Toluene
Palmdale, Boundary Layer (PBL) 9.0 1.12 28 66
Palmdale (P) 15.32 1.51 50.31 100.59
Palmdale, Free Troposphere (PFT) 19.5 1.78 65 124
Monterey (M) 3.79 0.20 7.13 11.70
Monterey (M) 3.5 0.13 5 3
Santa Barbara (SB) 4.00 0.29 5.03 14.10
Santa Barbara (SB) 4.0 0.29 5 14
Coastline (C) 3.58 0.13 3.50 2.72
Coastline (C) 3.6 0.13 3 3
Palmdale has highest concentrations of all gases
Monterey and Santa Barbara have similar gas
concentrations
PaciUic coastline has lowest gas concentrations
Ra,os
of
Gas
Concentra,ons
Ratio C2Cl4 C2HCl3 nPentane Toluene
PBL/PFT 2.2 1.6 2.4 1.9
PBL/M 5.6 13.8 13.9 36.5
PBL/SB 4.9 6.1 13.0 8.8
PBL/C 5.5 13.7 18.7 45.7
In Palmdale, gas concentrations are ~2 times
larger in the boundary layer
Overall, Palmdale has gas concentrations at least
~5 times higher than any other location
Highest ratios between the boundary layer at
Palmdale and the PaciUic coastline
C2HCl3
Concentra,ons
C2Cl4
Concentra,ons
Created using GPS Visualizer
Toluene
Concentra,ons
n‐Pentane
Concentra,ons
Created using GPS Visualizer
Conclusion
Boundary layer in Palmdale at 5,000 ft
C2Cl4, C2HCl3, n‐Pentane, and Toluene gas
concentrations
Lowest in “clean” air over the coastline
Higher in Palmdale free troposphere
Highest in Palmdale boundary layer
Boundary layer concentrations are ~2 times
higher than free troposphere concentrations
References
1. Simpson et al. 29 April 2004. Long‐term decrease in the global atmospheric burden of
tetrachloroethene.
2. Rowland‐Blake Group, Analytical Systems Descriptions.
3. Rudolph, J. 20 July 1988. Two‐Dimensional Distribution of Light Hydrocarbons.
4. Rasmussen, R. A. and M. A. K. Khalil. Atmospheric benzene and toluene. American
Geophysical Union.
5. California Air Resources Board and Department of Health Services. Proposed IdentiUication
of Tricholoroethylene as a Toxic Air Contaminant. August 1990.
6. The Environmental Protection Agency Health Effects Notebook
Acknowledgements
Donald Blake, Ph.D.
Matthew Gartner, Graduate Student Researcher
The Rowland‐Blake Group
NSERC
NASA Airborne Science Program
Rafe Day
SARP Air Group
Go Blue!!
Backup
Slides
Palmdale:
Air
Mass
Back
Trajectories
Air
Mass
Al,tude
(P)
0‐3000
3000‐5600
5600‐9000
Created using NOAA HYSPLIT Trajectory Model
Palmdale:
Air
Mass
Back
Trajectories
Air masses below 5,600 ft traveled over
land before reaching Palmdale
Passed over cities such as Fresno, BakersUield,
and Stockton
Air masses above 5,600 ft originated over
the ocean
Explains higher gas concentrations at
lower altitudes
Coastal:
Air
Mass
Back
Trajectories
Created using NOAA HYSPLIT Trajectory Model
Coastal:
Air
Mass
Back
Trajectories
Air masses originate
over the ocean
Independent of
altitude
Explains lower gas
concentrations in
these samples
Photograph by Jane Peterson
Good representation
of “clean” air
Santa
Barbara
vs.
Monterey
Gas concentrations in Santa Barbara are
slightly higher than Monterey
Back trajectory models show that air
masses for both locations originate over
the ocean
Both cities have higher gas concentrations
than the coastline
Santa
Barbara
vs.
Monterey
Santa Barbara is a larger city than Monterey
Monterey population: 30, 641
Santa Barbara population: 89,456
Larger gas concentrations in Santa Barbara
can be explained by the larger population
Concentra,ons
vs.
Popula,on
120
100
Gas Concentration (ppt)
80
C2Cl4
60
C2HCl3
40 Toluene
n‐Pentane
20
0
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000
Population