CE558 (2023)

Assignment II
B20323 - Hruday Kumar Talla

Question - 1:

When comparing the emission data for vehicles using blended biofuel
(E85) with those using gasoline, the following trends can be observed:

1. Total VOCs: +30%

2. Methane: +40%
3. Acetaldehyde: +1300%
4. CO: -40%
5. NOx: -60%

Urban Areas:

● Tropospheric O3 Formation:
The increase in Total VOCs (+30%) and Methane (+40%) emissions
contributes to tropospheric O3 formation through complex
photochemical reactions, involving reactions with nitrogen oxides
(NOx) and sunlight.
Relevant Reaction:

VOC+ NO2 + sunlight → 03 + NO

NO + 03 → NO2 + O2

● Photochemical Smog:
The substantial increase in Acetaldehyde (+1300%) emissions
intensifies the potential for photochemical smog through reactions
involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NOx, and sunlight.
Relevant Reaction:

VOC+ NOx + sunlight → 03 + other secondary pollutants

03+ VOCs → Photochemical Smog
Rural/Remote Areas:

● Tropospheric O3 Formation:
In rural/remote areas, the increase in Total VOCs and Methane
emissions similarly contributes to tropospheric O3 formation,
although the overall impact may be less pronounced compared to
urban areas.

● Photochemical Smog:
The notable increase in Acetaldehyde emissions remains a concern for
photochemical smog formation in rural/remote areas, albeit to a lesser
extent than in urban areas.

Overall Assessment:

The decrease in CO (-40%) and NOx (-60%) emissions is beneficial and

reduces the formation of ozone and smog precursors, leading to
cleaner air in urban areas.

However, the substantial increase in Total VOCs, Methane, and

Acetaldehyde emissions suggests a potential offset to the positive
impact, as these compounds contribute to tropospheric O3 formation
and photochemical smog, particularly in urban areas.

A comprehensive understanding of these chemical reactions

highlights the intricate interplay between emissions from biofuels and
atmospheric chemistry, emphasizing the need for sustainable fuel
alternatives that minimize overall environmental impact.

Source:

R. Subramanian, "Impact of vehicular fuel composition on exhaust

emissions: A comparative assessment using blended ethanol."
Atmospheric Environment, 2019.
Question - 2:

Arctic Haze:

Arctic Haze refers to a phenomenon observed in the Arctic region

characterized by the presence of a persistent aerosol layer, leading to
reduced visibility and alterations in the Arctic atmosphere's radiative
balance. This haze is most prevalent during winter and spring, and its
formation is linked to a combination of anthropogenic and natural
sources.

Causes of Arctic Haze:

➔ Combustion Emissions:

Anthropogenic activities, such as industrial processes and biomass

burning, release pollutants into the atmosphere. In the Arctic,
long-range transport of pollutants from mid-latitudes contributes to
the haze. Specific pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen
oxides (NOx).
SO2 + 03 → SO3
SO3 + H2O → H2SO4

➔ Arctic Tropospheric Chemistry:

During the polar night, when temperatures are extremely low, stable
atmospheric conditions prevail. This leads to the accumulation of
pollutants, facilitating the formation of secondary aerosols through
complex photochemical reactions.

NO2 + 03 → NO3 + 02
NO3 + H2O → HNO3

➔ Sulfate Aerosol Formation:

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) produced through the oxidation of SO2
combines with water vapor to form sulfate aerosols. These aerosols
act as cloud condensation nuclei, influencing cloud properties and
radiative forcing.
H2SO4 + H2O→ H2SO4. H2O

Why is such a haze not observed in the Antarctic?

1. Lower Anthropogenic Influence:

Unlike the Arctic, the Antarctic has minimal anthropogenic influence

due to the absence of significant human populations. Consequently,
there is a reduced input of pollutants from industrial activities and
biomass burning.

2. Isolation from Major Emission Sources:

The Antarctic is geographically isolated from major emission sources.

The Southern Ocean's vast expanse acts as a natural barrier, limiting
the transport of pollutants from distant regions.

3. Stronger Polar Vortex:

The Antarctic experiences a stronger and more stable polar vortex

compared to the Arctic. This vortex prevents the intrusion of
mid-latitude air masses into the polar region, minimizing the
transport of pollutants from distant sources.

4. Lack of Sunlight during Polar Night:

The Antarctic experiences a prolonged polar night during winter,

reducing the availability of sunlight needed for photochemical
reactions that contribute to haze formation.

Mitigation Strategies:

International Cooperation:
Implement and strengthen international agreements to reduce
emissions from anthropogenic sources.

Alternative Energy Sources:

Promote the use of renewable energy sources to decrease dependence

on fossil fuels.

Emission Controls:
Implement and enforce stringent emission controls for industrial
facilities, transportation, and energy production.

References:

● Shaw, G. E. (1995). Arctic and Antarctic aerosols. Annual Review

of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 23, 205-241.
● Stone, R. S., Andrews, E., & Stamnes, K. (2008). The impact of
human activity on regional air quality in the Arctic: A study
using satellite remote sensing and models. Atmospheric
Environment, 42(12), 2873-2884.

Question - 3:

Wet scavenging refers to the process of removing aerosol particles

from the atmosphere by collision and absorption with falling
raindrops.
From the given data, it appears that the relevant key parameters
affecting wet scavenging are:

● Dp (raindrop diameter),
● U1 (falling velocity),
● Ke (mass transfer coefficient), and
● A (scavenging coefficient).

these parameters and their relationship contribute to our

understanding of the wet scavenging process.
 1. Dp (Raindrop Diameter) and U1 (Falling Velocity):
➔ There is an evident increase in raindrop falling velocity as
the raindrop diameter increases.
➔ Larger raindrops fall faster due to increased gravitational
force and less air resistance relative to their size, which is
consistent with the reality of raindrop physics.

2. Dp (Raindrop Diameter) and Ke (Mass Transfer Coefficient):

➔ The mass transfer coefficient decreases as the raindrop
diameter increases.
➔ This suggests that larger raindrops are less efficient in
transferring aerosol particles compared to smaller ones,
potentially due to their faster falling velocity and less
surface area relative to volume.

3. Dp (Raindrop Diameter) and A (Scavenging Coefficient):

➔ The scavenging coefficient decreases as raindrop diameter
increases.
➔ Smaller raindrops, despite falling more slowly, have greater
scavenging effectiveness (per unit mass) than larger drops.
➔ Interpretation can be that with smaller droplet sizes,
there's more droplet surface area exposed per unit mass,
allowing for greater interaction with the aerosols.

4. A (Scavenging Coefficient) and 1/A (Inverse of Scavenging

Coefficient):
➔ Physically this might represent a type of "response time."
➔ As the scavenging coefficient decreases (i.e., becomes less
effective on a per mass basis), the response time (1/A)
increases.

This interpretation allows us to infer that the wet scavenging process

is highly dependent on the physical properties of raindrops (size and
falling speed) and their capability to interact with and absorb the
aerosol particles.
Question - 4:

Plot the distributions with logarithmic x-scales

● Urban :
➔ Peak occurs at = 0.27 mm
dC/dLn D (μg m-3) = 6636.25

➔ Percentage of aerosol mass falling in the Greenfield gap

region (0.5-2 µm)
= (sum of dC/dLn D for the region)/ (sum of total range)
= 49291.05 / 1205997.72
= 4.08 %

● Rural :
➔ Peak occurs at = 0.242 mm
dC/dLn D (μg m-3) = 452.37

➔ Percentage of aerosol mass falling in the Greenfield gap

region (0.5-2 µm)
= (sum of dC/dLn D for the region)/ (sum of total range)
= 22362.72 / 116600.51
= 19.17 %
Potential factors that could contribute to differences in aerosol
size distribution. Some factors to consider include:
Sources of Aerosols:

● Urban areas often have more industrial activities, traffic,

and human-related emissions, while rural areas might have
different sources such as agriculture or natural sources.
Check for specific pollutants that are more prevalent in one
location than the other.

● Meteorological Conditions:
Differences in wind patterns, temperature, and atmospheric
stability can influence the dispersion and transformation of
aerosols.
Analyze meteorological data for both locations during the
sampling period.

● Land Use:
Differences in land use can impact the types and amounts of
aerosols produced.
Urban areas may have more impervious surfaces, leading to
different dust and particle generation compared to rural areas.