Research Reveals Petrochemical Sector's Role in Winter Ozone Pollution
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New Delhi, Jan 12 (NationPress) Severe winter ozone (O3) pollution may be attributed to alkene emissions from nearby petrochemical industries, as highlighted by a recent study.
Researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University concentrated on the issue of wintertime O3 pollution in Lanzhou, China.
Typically linked to warmer climates and robust solar radiation, O3 levels surpassed 100 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) during frigid January days in 2018, with a peak reaching an alarming 121 ppbv.
In their paper, published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, the researchers noted that O3 concentrations in Lanzhou were exceptionally high during winter. This finding is contrary to the prevailing belief that O3 pollution primarily occurs in warmer conditions with strong sunlight,” the team stated.
Utilizing an advanced photochemical box model, which simulates photochemical smog at an urban scale, the researchers identified alkene ozonolysis as the primary factor driving O3 formation, moving away from the traditional radical sources initiated by photolysis.
This chemical reaction occurs independently of sunlight and produces Criegee intermediates that quickly generate reactive radicals (hydroxide (OH), hydroperoxyl radical (HO2), and organic peroxy radical (RO2)), which subsequently accelerate O3 production. Ultimately, alkenes contributed to nearly 90 percent of O3 during these events.
The study highlights key alkene species — trans/cis-2-butene and propene — as significant contributors to this atypical pollution. Notably, the research suggests actionable mitigation strategies: reducing alkene levels by 28.6 percent or nitrogen oxides by 27.7 percent during early afternoon hours could dramatically lower O3 levels.
“This study enhances our understanding of O3 pollution, indicating that intense O3 formation can occur in cold, low-light conditions,” stated authors Jin Yang and Yangzong Zeren.
They advocated for targeted actions in industrial zones.
Long-term exposure to ozone pollution can harm respiratory tract tissues, leading to inflammation and irritation. It may also result in coughing, chest tightness, and exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
