The 2013 Southeast Nexus (SENEX) study is a NOAA field study in the southeastern United States utilizing the NOAA WP-3D aircraft. This study focuses on characterizing interactions between natural and anthropogenic emissions to determine the impacts on regional air quality and implications for climate change. Whole air samples were collected using canisters which provide a chemical snapshot of volatile organic compounds (VOCS) within the air. Volatile organic compounds are released through many primary emission sources leading to the formation of ozone and particles. The volatile organic compounds within the air sample are analyzed post-flight using a custom built Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-Mass Spec). The data is validated through comparison with a complimentary measurement, the PTRMS which measures volatile organic compounds, while on the plane. The VOC measurements from the 2013 will be compared to a previous campaign conducted in 1999, which also utilized the P-3 aircraft as well as a whole air sampling system with canisters. This analysis will investigate the changes in emissions over time in Atlanta, Georgia as well as the sounding areas. This will examine the improvement that has been made in air quality over time.

Volatile organic compound emissions in the Southeastern United States

247th National Meeting (2014)

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