The EPA has classified Baton Rouge as a non-attainment area for ozone pollution for many years. Since then Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) and other ozone monitoring stations around the metropolitan area have monitored for ozone, NOx, and more than 50 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are considered precursors to ozone pollution. Traditionally, automobile engines and industrial plants and refineries have been blamed as major point sources for VOC emissions and the ozone pollution they cause. This research focuses on another possible point source for failing ozone levels at one of the ozone monitoring stations located on the campus of Louisiana State University. Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer analyses of newly poured asphalt surfaces near the monitoring station revealed a silicone marker compound that can be used to trace highly reactive VOCs that react almost instantly when exposed to sunlight. This marker and several species of alkenes boil out of new asphalt when heated to construction temperatures and in harsh environmental conditions. Enough of these chemicals are released to perhaps significantly effect the production of ozone in the lower atmosphere.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-07112005-221802 |
| Date | 14 July 2005 |
| Creators | Kice, Sean Jason |
| Contributors | Vincent L. Wilson, Edward B. Overton, Ralph Portier |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07112005-221802/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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