Abstract

Ozone is a pollutant that causes crop damage, adverse health effects, and is a contributor to global climate change. Ozone concentrations are predicted to rise over the next half-century along with global temperature. Ozone production is controlled by the chemistry between biogenic volatile organic compounds and NOx (NO + NO2), and therefore, a greater understanding of NOx + BVOC chemistry along with their sources and sinks is needed. One large uncertainty in understanding NOx + BVOC chemistry is the production of organic nitrates (RONO2), which act as a radical termination step in the production of O3. In this work, we present two modified instruments built to better understand the sources of NO x and BVOCs. The result of one field campaign to identify the source of early morning NOx plumes is presented. The development of a novel sampling system for a GCxGC system is presented, along with data obtained by the instrument during a field campaign. Finally, a 0-D chemical model is used to identify the BVOC precursors most important to the formation of organic nitrates.

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

Committee Chair

Paul B. Shepson

Date of Award

Spring 2015

First Advisor

Paul B. Shepson

Committee Member 1

Mary J. Wirth

Committee Member 2

Garth J. Simpson

Committee Member 3

Peter Kissinger

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