BIOMASP: biogenic VOCs in the metropolitan area of São Paulo

Abstract

The vehicular emissions have been recognized as São Paulo megacity (MASP) main air pollution source, with more than 8 million vehicles burning mixing fossils and biofuels. The analysis of the trends in the three-year 8 h moving means in MASP showed that the maximum ozone concentrations have remained relatively constant over the last 15 years, with no decrease trend. It raises the question of the role of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as one of its major precursors, especially in a VOC-limited photochemical regime urban area like MASP. The VOC data compared with the results from different studies also suggest a decrease of anthropogenic VOCs in MASP, especially, since the flex-fuel vehicle shift started. Strategies to reduce ozone pollution require knowledge of the local chemistry and consideration of other pollutants. Both anthropogenic and biogenic VOCs are important for the ozone photochemical production. Biogenic emissions of VOC like isoprene and monoterpenes (BVOCs) are important on air quality as they contribute to tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation and have indirect effects on climate change. The objective of the BiOMASP project is to characterize the (I) emissions and (II) ambient distribution of biogenic VOCs from the tropical Atlantic forest trees under anthropogenic influences. This will provide the scientific basis and input data to air quality modelers to estimate BVOC impact on ozone and secondary organic aerosol production. (AU)