Issuances of Automotive Vehicles and the Impacts on Air Quality in the Largest City in the Brazilian Amazon

Elizabeth Cartaxo,Vladimiro Miranda,Ilsa Valois,Marcia Costa

doi:10.3390/su10114091

Abstract

Manaus, a city of more than two million people, suffers problems arising from strong sunlight and aggravated by several factors, such as traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by evaporation and burning of fuel. The present study examined Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions in an urban area of the city using different methodologies. CO and NO2 were measured using automated and passive analyzers, respectively. Meanwhile, direct monitoring of these pollutants was performed in vehicular sources in the vicinity of sampling locations. Results showed that levels of carbon monoxide vary over time, being higher during peak movement of vehicles. NO2 values have exceeded the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and monitoring at source showed high levels of CO and NO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Highlights

The study of chemical interactions occurring in the atmosphere is very complex
This is why studies on the chemical reactions occurring in the atmosphere and their consequences are growing, despite the difficulties they present [1]
In addition to natural components, any portion of atmospheric air contains primary pollutants emitted by pollution sources and as a result of reactions occurring among these, from chemical reactions among them, a relative amount of secondary pollutants

Summary

Introduction

The study of chemical interactions occurring in the atmosphere is very complex. The atmosphere is similar to a natural laboratory. There are many studies concerning the consequences of population increases for environmental imbalance, considering that the process of expansion of cities has supported itself through the availability of abundant and cheap energy sources. As in other cities in Brazil, the process of development occurred unsustainably, when considering the increase in population and the growing number of motor vehicles.

Results

Conclusion