Ozone Photochemistry in Houston urban and industrial plumes as reflected by ambient measurements of carbonyls and organic nitrates

Comprehensive airborne measurements of ozone and its precursors, as well as other secondary photochemical products were made during the Texas Air Quality study in the late summer and early fall of 2006 on board the NOAA WP3 aircraft. The oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of nitrogen oxides leads to the formation of ozone. Besides ozone, other secondary species such as carbonyls and organic nitrates are formed that are characteristic of the parent VOC species. The ambient measurements of secondary species reflect the integrated effect of emissions, photochemical production and loss, as well as removal processes. The formation of the secondary trace gases during progressive transects of plumes from the urban and industrial emission regions of Houston will be examined to elucidate the contribution of precursor emissions on the rate and efficiency of the formation of ozone.