Monitoring of greenhouse gases and pollutants across an urban area using a light-rail public transit platform
Advanced Search
Select up to three search categories and corresponding keywords using the fields to the right. Refer to the Help section for more detailed instructions.

Search our Collections & Repository

For very narrow results

When looking for a specific result

Best used for discovery & interchangable words

Recommended to be used in conjunction with other fields

Dates

to

Document Data
Library
People
Clear All
Clear All

For additional assistance using the Custom Query please check out our Help Page

The NOAA IR serves as an archival repository of NOAA-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other information authored or co-authored by NOAA or funded partners. As a repository, the NOAA IR retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.
i

Monitoring of greenhouse gases and pollutants across an urban area using a light-rail public transit platform

Filetype[PDF-7.27 MB]


Select the Download button to view the document
This document is over 5mb in size and cannot be previewed

Details:

  • Journal Title:
    Atmospheric Environment
  • Personal Author:
  • NOAA Program & Office:
  • Description:
    Anthropogenic emissions within urban environments are characterized by spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability that present challenges for measuring urban greenhouse gases and air pollutants. To address these challenges, we mounted instruments on public transit light-rail train cars that traverse the metropolitan Salt Lake Valley (SLV) in Utah, USA to observe the temporal and spatial variability of atmospheric species including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Utilizing electrified light-rail public transit as an observational platform enables real-time measurements with low operating costs while avoiding self-contamination from vehicle exhaust. We examine temporal averages and case studies of each species that reveal gradients, intermittent point sources, seasonal and diel changes, and complex relationships resulting from emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and meteorological conditions. CO2 and NO2 are related through the combustion of fossil fuel and we observed a broad spatial gradient across the city as well distinct plumes at traffic intersections and, for NO2, a large plume adjacent to a locomotive rail yard. Distributions of O3 were strongly correlated with NO2 due to atmospheric photochemical and titration processes. Episodes of high PM2.5 had distinct spatial patterns depending on meteorological conditions during wintertime persistent cold-air pool episodes. The spatial pattern of CH4 was characterized by distinct plumes associated with industrial and commercial facilities, some of which followed temporal patterns indicative of daytime working hours; other plumes were persistent throughout the whole day, suggestive of leak-related fugitive emissions. The ongoing multi-year record of spatial and temporal air quality observations provides a valuable data set for future air quality exposure studies. Our results suggest pollution and greenhouse gas emission monitoring and exposure assessment could be greatly enhanced by deploying instruments on public transit systems in urban centers worldwide.
  • Keywords:
  • Source:
    Atmospheric Environment 187: 9-23
  • DOI:
  • Document Type:
  • Funding:
  • Place as Subject:
  • Rights Information:
    Accepted manuscript
  • Rights Statement:
    The NOAA IR provides access to this content under the authority of the government's retained license to distribute publications and data resulting from federal funding. While users may legally access this content, the copyright owners retain rights that govern the reproduction, redistribution, and re-use of this work. The user is solely responsible for complying with applicable copyright law.
  • Compliance:
    Submitted
  • Main Document Checksum:
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:

Supporting Files

More +

You May Also Like

Checkout today's featured content at repository.library.noaa.gov

Version 3.27.1