IMPACT OF AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC EMISSIONS ON OZONE FORMATION AT THE RIO DE JANEIRO URBAN AREA

Abstract

Data for speciated volatile organic compounds (VOC) evaluated in Santos-Dumont Airport and Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are reported. VOC were evaluated by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC – FID) and mass spectrometry (GC – MS), following the U.S. EPA TO – 15 methodology. At Santos-Dumont Airport were quantified 1376 µg m-3 of VOCs 10 m from runway, 408 µg m-3 inside the airport building, and 116 µg m-3 outside the airport area. At the taxiway area of the International Airport a total of 190 µg m-3 of VOC were quantified. Toluene, the most abundant compound near the Santos-Dumont Airport runway, was obtained in a non-significative concentration outside the airport area. This fact suggests that this area is not noticeably impacted by air traffic. A computational model was developed using the OZIPR program and the SAPRC mechanism. Calculated ozone concentrations are higher than values for downtown area of Rio de Janeiro city. Simulated results show that, for the runway in Santos-Dumont Airport, olefins and aromatics contribute in 57% and 15%, respectively, to ozone formation, toluene being the major contributor. Cis-2-butene is the most reactive species regarding OH reaction.