Atmospheric Organic Gases from Fossil Fuel Extraction Activities: Analysis and Modeling

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere by a wide variety of anthropogenic and natural sources. Oil and natural gas extraction and distribution activities are a significant source of hydrocarbons, particularly of methane and alkanes, where they can impact atmospheric chemistry and air quality. This analysis will focus on four airborne data sets, namely INTEX-NA (2004), DC3 (2012), SEAC4RS (2013), and FRAPPÉ - C-130 (2014), as well as three ground-based data sets (Katzenstein et al., 2003, our global background monitoring data and FRAPPÉ - Ground). A broad suite of hydrocarbons were measured by UC-Irvine for all of these field campaigns. The NCAR Trace Organic Gas Analyzer (TOGA) also measured VOCs during DC-3 and FRAPPÉ. Oil and gas source signatures, identified by their characteristic emission ratios, were encountered during each of the US-based campaigns, especially over Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma. The results from the campaigns and long-term trends will be compared to global model (CAM-chem) simulations with a view to improving emissions inventories for the oil and gas category.