Investigating atmospheric photochemistry in the Johannesburg-Pretoria megacity using a box model
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Date
2016Author
Lourens, Alexander S.M.
Beukes, J. Paul
Van Zyl, Pieter G.
Butler, Tim M.
Fourie, Gerhard D.
Lawrence, Mark G.
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Urban air pollution has become a major concern over the past decades. One of the largest conurbations in
Sub-Saharan Africa is developed around the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria (Jhb-Pta megacity). In this
study, a photochemical box model with a detailed representation of ozone (O3) formation chemistry was
used to investigate the state of current air quality and photochemical processes in the Jhb-Pta megacity,
as well as scenarios that could possibly mitigate air pollution. Results indicated that the Jhb-Pta megacity
is within a VOC-limited (or NOx-saturated) regime. Major sources of NOx include transport from the
Mpumalanga Highveld and local traffic emissions. O3 levels in the Jhb-Pta megacity will be more effectively
reduced if VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions are decreased. A reduction of NOx emissions leads
to an increase in O3 because of a decrease in titration through the reaction with NO. The same effect was
observed in various cities worldwide where O3 levels increased when NOx emissions were reduced during
emission control strategies. The effect of reducing vehicular emissions in the Jhb-Pta megacity on the
production of O3 was also investigated. A significant increase of approximately 23 ppb O3 was observed
when emissions of VOCs, NOx and CO were reduced by changing from Euro-0 to Euro-3 vehicles. It is
therefore recommended that VOC emissions are decreased together with the implementation of Euro-3 and
cleaner vehicles in the future
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10394/16946https://doi.org/10.17159/10.17159/sajs.2016/2015-0169
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4158