Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times

Urban air chemistry is characterized by measurements of gas and aerosol composition. These measurements are interpreted from a long history for laboratory and theoretical studies integrating chemical processes with reactant (or emissions) sources, meteorology and air surface interaction. The knowled...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: George M. Hidy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/2/327
_version_ 1797482803532660736
author George M. Hidy
author_facet George M. Hidy
author_sort George M. Hidy
collection DOAJ
description Urban air chemistry is characterized by measurements of gas and aerosol composition. These measurements are interpreted from a long history for laboratory and theoretical studies integrating chemical processes with reactant (or emissions) sources, meteorology and air surface interaction. The knowledge of these latter elements and their changes have enabled chemists to quantitatively account for the averages and variability of chemical indicators. To date, the changes are consistent with dominating energy-related emissions for more than 50 years of gas phase photochemistry and associated reactions forming and evolving aerosols. Future changes are expected to continue focusing on energy resources and transportation in most cities. Extreme meteorological conditions combined with urban surface exchange are also likely to become increasingly important factors affecting atmospheric composition, accounting for the past leads to projecting future conditions. The potential evolution of urban air chemistry can be followed with three approaches using observations and chemical transport modeling. The first approach projects future changes using long term indicator data compared with the emission estimates. The second approach applies advanced measurement analysis of the ambient data. Examples include statistical modeling or evaluation derived from chemical mechanisms. The third method, verified with observations, employs a comparison of the deterministic models of chemistry, emission futures, urban meteorology and urban infrastructure changes for future insight.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T22:37:43Z
format Article
id doaj.art-61f9b2d317264d1799bf21d26f172eb7
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2073-4433
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T22:37:43Z
publishDate 2022-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Atmosphere
spelling doaj.art-61f9b2d317264d1799bf21d26f172eb72023-11-23T18:45:54ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332022-02-0113232710.3390/atmos13020327Urban Air Chemistry in Changing TimesGeorge M. Hidy0Envair/Aerochem, Placitas, NM 87043, USAUrban air chemistry is characterized by measurements of gas and aerosol composition. These measurements are interpreted from a long history for laboratory and theoretical studies integrating chemical processes with reactant (or emissions) sources, meteorology and air surface interaction. The knowledge of these latter elements and their changes have enabled chemists to quantitatively account for the averages and variability of chemical indicators. To date, the changes are consistent with dominating energy-related emissions for more than 50 years of gas phase photochemistry and associated reactions forming and evolving aerosols. Future changes are expected to continue focusing on energy resources and transportation in most cities. Extreme meteorological conditions combined with urban surface exchange are also likely to become increasingly important factors affecting atmospheric composition, accounting for the past leads to projecting future conditions. The potential evolution of urban air chemistry can be followed with three approaches using observations and chemical transport modeling. The first approach projects future changes using long term indicator data compared with the emission estimates. The second approach applies advanced measurement analysis of the ambient data. Examples include statistical modeling or evaluation derived from chemical mechanisms. The third method, verified with observations, employs a comparison of the deterministic models of chemistry, emission futures, urban meteorology and urban infrastructure changes for future insight.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/2/327air chemistry changesphotochemistryaerosolsenergy source projections
spellingShingle George M. Hidy
Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
Atmosphere
air chemistry changes
photochemistry
aerosols
energy source projections
title Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
title_full Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
title_fullStr Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
title_full_unstemmed Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
title_short Urban Air Chemistry in Changing Times
title_sort urban air chemistry in changing times
topic air chemistry changes
photochemistry
aerosols
energy source projections
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/2/327
work_keys_str_mv AT georgemhidy urbanairchemistryinchangingtimes