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Gas and Particle-phase Measurements in a Rural Oil and Gas Production Region with a Vocus PTR-ToF-MS
LEIF JAHN, Daniel C. Blomdahl, Nirvan Bhattacharyya, Catherine Masoud, Kristi McPherson, Pearl Abue, Kanan Patel, Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz, Pawel K. Misztal, University of Texas at Austin
Abstract Number: 678
Working Group: Remote and Regional Atmospheric Aerosol
Abstract
We deployed a Vocus proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer during spring 2021 to Karnes City, Texas, a rural region located in the Eagle Ford Shale that is impacted by emissions from nearby natural gas and oil extraction and processing facilities. The Vocus is sensitive to a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and we were able to identify a variety of VOCs associated with ambient background emissions as well as periodic pollution events. Pollution events typically lasted for several hours and were characterized by heightened concentrations of specific VOCs and were associated with several types of activities. These include pesticide spraying for agriculture, the emission of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons that are likely from natural gas flaring or other upstream fossil fuel processes, and the emission of styrene and other compounds from nearby industrial sources. Likely oxidation products from these emissions were also observed during some pollution events. Ambient particle composition was also analyzed with a Vocus Inlet for Aerosols (VIA) that was deployed during part of the field campaign, which utilizes an activated carbon scrubber and heated particle inlet to analyze condensed-phase molecules. Measurements with the VIA suggest the presence of oxidized aromatics and other OVOCs in the particle phase. These measurements provide important insight into VOC emissions and the potential for SOA formation and health impacts in this and similar regions that are impacted by upstream fossil fuel and industrial processes.