The Role of Biogenic Hydrocarbons in Urban Photochemical Smog: Atlanta as a Case Study

Abstract

The effects of natural hydrocarbons must be considered in order to develop a reliable plan for reducing ozone in the urban atmosphere. Trees can emit significant quantities of hydrocarbons to metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, and model calculations indicate that these natural emissions can significantly affect urban ozone levels. By neglecting these compounds, previous investigators may have overestimated the effectiveness of an ozone abatement strategy based on reducing anthropogenic hydrocarbons.