Understanding Sources Contributing to Photochemical Ozone Formation in NYC Metro Using Low-Cost Sensor Data and PAMS VOC Data

JAMES NIMO, Md. Aynul Bari, Lucille Borlaza-Lacoste, Scott Miller, Cheng-Hsuan Lu, Philip K. Hopke, University at Albany, State University of New York

     Abstract Number: 575
     Working Group: Source Apportionment

Abstract
Tropospheric ozone is a pervasive urban air pollutant that poses significant health risks, particularly in densely populated regions like the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area. Although efforts to reduce emissions of ozone precursors e.g., nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been implemented, ozone exceedances remain frequent, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of precursor sources and their dynamic contributions. Traditional air quality monitoring networks often lack the spatial coverage and temporal resolution needed to capture fine-scale variability in complex urban environments. This study addresses these challenges by integrating high-resolution, low-cost sensor measurements (O3, NO, NO2, CO, PM2.5) with Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) VOC data and applying receptor modeling techniques e.g., weighted non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) to identify and quantify the contributions of diverse sources to ozone formation in the NYC metropolitan area. Low-cost sensors deployed throughout the NYC during 2023-2024 provide granular, continuous data on criteria air pollutants, enhancing detection of localized emission hotspots and temporal fluctuations. Receptor models leveraged these datasets along with PAMS VOC to disentangle the influence of mobile sources, industrial activities, fugitive emissions, and biogenic emissions on ozone chemistry. By refining source profiles and incorporating updated, localized data, this integrated approach offers critical insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of ozone formation in NYC. The results will assist in developing appropriate policy and management initiatives to reduce O3 pollution in NYC metro.