Seminar

Abstract

Since the pioneering work of Haagen-Smit, ozone has been widely recognized as an important air pollutant which is produced through photochemical reaction of precursor compounds. In 2005 the Pinedale Middle School Science project of Tracy McCarty identified the phenomenon of wintertime ground level ozone. Here we present the results of two independent projects; the Upper Green River Basin Ozone Investigation (O3i) and the Pinedale Anticline Spatial Air Quality Assessment (PASQUA). The first project started in 2009 was initially designed to define the scope of wintertime ozone episodes. The second project set-up in late 2010 considered spatial and temporal variations of key ozone precursor compounds in the vicinity of the Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA) and Jonah developments in Sublette County, Wyoming. We present temporal VOC data, from our background air sampling location Boulder South Road that is located 4 miles from the edge of PAPA. The UW case study site is in a location that is considered as both rural and remote, despite proximity to oil and natural gas developments. Our linked spatial assessments using canister and passive sampling methods show variations that indicate the importance of different emission sources for oxides of nitrogen and VOC. For VOC we indicate two areas with relatively high VOC concentrations. We identify some important emission processes with relatively different compositions. We highlight emission pathways that have greater proportions of reactive VOC that have relatively high ozone creation potentials. Effective policy decisions require an understanding of the relationship between air quality measurements and meteorology with emission inventories and modeling. We discuss the problem of gaining clear focus on a problem that has ever changing conditions. We outline our current understanding and possible future research assessments.