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Formaldehyde column density measurements as a suitable pathway to estimate near‐surface ozone tendencies from space
Author(s) -
Schroeder Jason R.,
Crawford James H.,
Fried Alan,
Walega James,
Weinheimer Andrew,
Wisthaler Armin,
Müller Markus,
Mikoviny Tomas,
Chen Gao,
Shook Michael,
Blake Donald R.,
Diskin Glenn,
Estes Mark,
Thompson Anne M.,
Lefer Barry L.,
Long Russell,
Mattson Eric
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8996
pISSN - 2169-897X
DOI - 10.1002/2016jd025419
Subject(s) - air quality index , ozone , environmental science , formaldehyde , replicate , trace gas , column (typography) , atmospheric sciences , boundary layer , satellite , daytime , meteorology , volatile organic compound , chemistry , geology , geography , computer science , mathematics , statistics , organic chemistry , telecommunications , frame (networking) , aerospace engineering , engineering , thermodynamics , physics
In support of future satellite missions that aim to address the current shortcomings in measuring air quality from space, NASA's Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER‐AQ) field campaign was designed to enable exploration of relationships between column measurements of trace species relevant to air quality at high spatial and temporal resolution. In the DISCOVER‐AQ data set, a modest correlation ( r 2 = 0.45) between ozone (O 3 ) and formaldehyde (CH 2 O) column densities was observed. Further analysis revealed regional variability in the O 3 ‐CH 2 O relationship, with Maryland having a strong relationship when data were viewed temporally and Houston having a strong relationship when data were viewed spatially. These differences in regional behavior are attributed to differences in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In Maryland, biogenic VOCs were responsible for ~28% of CH 2 O formation within the boundary layer column, causing CH 2 O to, in general, increase monotonically throughout the day. In Houston, persistent anthropogenic emissions dominated the local hydrocarbon environment, and no discernable diurnal trend in CH 2 O was observed. Box model simulations suggested that ambient CH 2 O mixing ratios have a weak diurnal trend (±20% throughout the day) due to photochemical effects, and that larger diurnal trends are associated with changes in hydrocarbon precursors. Finally, mathematical relationships were developed from first principles and were able to replicate the different behaviors seen in Maryland and Houston. While studies would be necessary to validate these results and determine the regional applicability of the O 3 ‐CH 2 O relationship, the results presented here provide compelling insight into the ability of future satellite missions to aid in monitoring near‐surface air quality.