Use of UV-DOAS for determination of NOx to HNO3/NO3- and SO2 to H2SO4/SO42- transformation rates

This research employs UV-DOAS to log ambient atmospheric measurements of criteria pollutants and to gather data specifically for determining transformation rates. Species of concern include oxides of nitrogen (NO + NO,= NO.) and sulfur dioxide (SO.). Combustion sources such as coal fired power plants continuously emit NO, and SO,, which enter the atmosphere and become dispersed and transformed, resulting in the formation of HNO3/NO3- and H2SO4/SO42-. The goal of this research is to determine the transformation rates from power plant plumes for NO, to HNO3/NO3- and SO2 to H,SO,/SO42- in a coastal environment. Continuous emission rates are known and ambient primary pollutant concentrations are continuously monitored with UV-DOAS. Secondary pollutant concentration levels are estimated from integrated annular denuder system measurements. The results of this research will be used to estimate the impacts of the nitrogen emissions from local power plants on the atmospheric nutrient loading to Tampa Bay and to assess the validity of current SO2 to H,SO4/SO42- modeled transformation rates in the Tampa environment.