Vertical profiles and receptor modeling of volatile organic compounds over Southeastern Mexico City

Abstract. Ambient samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured between 2000 and 2007 in Southeastern Mexico City, quantifying 13 species (ethane, propane, propylene, butane, acetylene, pentane, hexane, heptane, benzene, octane, toluene, nonane, o-xylene). These time series were analyzed for long-term trends, using linear regression models. A main finding was that the concentrations for several VOC species were decreasing during this period. A receptor model was applied to identify possible VOC sources, as well as temporal patterns in their respective contributions. Domestic use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and vehicle exhaust are suggested to be the principal emission sources, contributing together between 70% and 80% to the total of quantified species. Both diurnal and seasonal patterns, as well as a weekend effect were recognized in the modelled source contributions. Furthermore, decreasing trends over time were found for LPG and hot soak (−7.8% and −12.7% per year, respectively, p < 0.01), whereas for vehicle exhaust no significant trend was found.

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Measurements and receptor modeling of volatile organic compounds in south-eastern Mexico City, 2000–2007

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-10-3319-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 3319-3346 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H. Wöhrnschimmel ◽

M. Magaña ◽

W. A. Stahel ◽

S. Blanco ◽

S. Acuña ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Mexico City ◽

Weekend Effect ◽

Receptor Modeling ◽

Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Vehicle Exhaust ◽

South Eastern ◽

Volatile Organic

Abstract. Ambient samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured between 2000 and 2007 in south-eastern Mexico City, quantifying 13 species (ethane, propane, propylene, butane, acetylene, pentane, hexane, heptane, benzene, octane, toluene, nonane, o-xylene). These time series were analyzed for long-term trends, using linear regression models. A main finding was that the concentrations for several of the quantified VOC species were decreasing during this period. A receptor model was applied to identify possible VOC sources, as well as temporal patterns in their respective activities. Domestic use of liquefied petroleum gas and vehicle exhaust are suggested to be the principal emission sources, contributing together between 70% and 80% to total VOC. Both diurnal and seasonal patterns, as well as a weekend effect were recognized in the modelled source activities. Furthermore, vehicle exhaust emissions showed a decreasing trend over time, with a reduction of about 8% per year.

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Emissions of volatile organic compounds inferred from airborne flux measurements over a megacity

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-8-14273-2008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 14273-14309 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. Karl ◽

E. Apel ◽

A. Hodzic ◽

D. Riemer ◽

D. Blake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Eddy Covariance ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Mexico City ◽

Biomass Burning ◽

Minor Role ◽

Industrial Emissions ◽

Tertiary Butyl ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Flux Measurements

Abstract. Toluene and benzene are used for assessing the ability to measure disjunct eddy covariance (DEC) fluxes of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) using Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) on aircraft. Statistically significant correlation between vertical wind speed and mixing ratios suggests that airborne VOC eddy covariance (EC) flux measurements using PTR-MS are feasible. City-average midday toluene and benzene fluxes are calculated to be on the order of 15.5±4.0 mg/m2/h and 4.7±2.3 mg/m2/h respectively. These values argue for an underestimation of toluene and benzene emissions in current inventories used for the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). Wavelet analysis of instantaneous toluene and benzene measurements during city overpasses is tested as a tool to assess surface emission heterogeneity. High toluene to benzene flux ratios above an industrial district (e.g. 10–15) including the International airport (e.g. 3–5) and a mean flux (concentration) ratio of 3.2±0.5 (3.9±0.3) across Mexico City indicate that evaporative fuel and industrial emissions play an important role for the prevalence of aromatic compounds. Based on a tracer model, which was constrained by BTEX (Benzene/Toluene/Ethylbenzene/m,p,o-Xylenes) compound concentration ratios, the fuel marker methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) and the biomass burning marker acetonitrile (CH3CN), we show that a combination of industrial, evaporative fuel, and exhaust emissions account for >90% of all BTEX sources. Our observations suggest that biomass burning emissions play a minor role for the abundance of BTEX compounds (0–10%) in the MCMA.

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Evaporative volatile organic compounds from gasoline in Mexico City: Characterization and atmospheric reactivity

Energy Reports ◽

10.1016/j.egyr.2019.11.010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 825-830 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Mugica-Alvarez ◽

C.A. Martínez-Reyes ◽

N.M. Santiago-Tello ◽

I. Martínez-Rodríguez ◽

M. Gutiérrez-Arzaluz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Mexico City ◽

Atmospheric Reactivity ◽

Volatile Organic

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Airborne Toxic Elements and Organic Substances (Ateos) Project: Overview

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/074823379000600504 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 53-65

Author(s):

Paul J. Lioy

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Alkylating Agents ◽

Receptor Modeling ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Future Design ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Particulate Mass

The approach and conclusions of the ATEOS project will be examined with an emphasis on future design considerations and strategies to address and reduce exposures. The ATEOS was a five year project that conducted field sampling in the summer and winter for the years 1981 through 1983. Eighty-five outdoor air pollutants were measured including the composition of inhalable particulate mass, and volatile organic compounds. The particulate mass components measured were the non-polar through polar organic fractions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, SO-24, trace elements and alkylating agents. From the numerous volatile organic compounds present in the atmosphere measurements were made of 10 chlorinated compounds, the automobile by products, e.g., benzene, o and p xylene, and 13 solvents. Other measurements included local meteorology. Besides the wealth of variables an important component of the study was the selection of the outdoor sites. The approach was to choose specific types of population — industrial-commercial locales with increasing (or decreasing) complexity. The sites were located in the New Jersey urban centers of Newark, Elizabeth and Camden, and a rural setting in Ringwood, N. J. The Newark site was the most complex industrial-commercial-residential interface followed in decreasing order by Elizabeth, Camden and Ring-wood. The manuscript will emphasize the characteristics of the measured variables in relation to the differences in the neighborhoods surrounding each site. Summary information on source — receptor modeling, pollution accumulation processes, episode analyses, and exposure assessment studies will be presented. These will be all evaluated with respect to future study design questions, including monitoring frequency, epidemiological exposure assessments and indoor air pollution.

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