Sources and atmospheric processes determining airborne concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their degradation products

Completed

Not Energy Related
Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Coal, Coal combustion)
Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Oil and gas combustion)

Basic and strategic applied research

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Geography and Environmental Studies)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)

Professor R Harrison
Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
University of Birmingham

1

NERC

01 March 2008

28 February 2011

36 months

£313,816

Manufacturing

West Midlands

Professor R Harrison, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences, University of Birmingham

The main objectives of the research are to address the following questions: (1) What are the quantitative contributions of different source types to PAH in the atmosphere at a specific location? (2) What is the contribution of long-range transport relative to local source contributions of PAH? (3) What are the breakdown rates of PAH in the atmosphere? (4) What are the concentrations of PAH reacti on products in the atmosphere?

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of chemical substances present in the atmosphere which are known to be a cause of lung cancer. They are formed when carbon-containing fuels such as coal, oil or gas are burned, as well as being emitted from some industrial processes such as aluminium smelting. Whilst road vehicles and home heating are known to be significant sources, the relativeamounts coming from different sources are not well known and this research intends to use measurements of these compounds in the atmosphere to infer which sources are mainly responsible. It is also known that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are changed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere but the rates of these reactions are not well known and these are also to be studied. These reactionscause the formation of other chemicals known as PAH-derivatives for which measurement methods will be developed. The outcome will be a much improved understanding of the sources and processes affecting these compounds in the atmosphere leading ultimately to the possibility of more cost-effective control measures being taken.

24/10/08