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Disentangling vehicular emission impact on urban air pollution using ethanol as a tracer
- Source :
- Scientific Reports, Vol 8, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2018)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Nature Portfolio, 2018.
-
Abstract
- Abstract The Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area is a unique case worldwide due to the extensive use of biofuel, particularly ethanol, by its large fleet of nearly 8 million cars. Based on source apportionment analysis of Organic Aerosols in downtown Sao Paulo, and using ethanol as tracer of passenger vehicles, we have identified primary emissions from light-duty-vehicles (LDV) and heavy-duty-vehicles (HDV), as well as secondary process component. Each of those factors mirror a relevant primary source or secondary process in this densely occupied area. Using those factors as predictors in a multiple linear regression analysis of a wide range of pollutants, we have quantified the role of primary LDV or HDV emissions, as well as atmospheric secondary processes, on air quality degradation. Results show a significant contribution of HDV emissions, despite contributing only about 5% of vehicles number in the region. The latter is responsible, for example, of 40% and 47% of benzene and black carbon atmospheric concentration, respectively. This work describes an innovative use of biofuel as a tracer of passenger vehicle emissions, allowing to better understand the role of vehicular sources on air quality degradation in one of most populated megacities worldwide.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20452322
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Scientific Reports
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.3b054c80042a43228f374ba16ecd198a
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29138-7