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Project 4: The Indirect Global Warming Potential of NOx Emissions

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Although direct greenhouse gases (GHGs) have been researched and modeled extensively, indirect species, which influence climate by altering levels of direct species, have received relatively little attention. In this work, we estimate the CO2 equivalent impact of one of the most important, complex, and poorly understood indirect GHG, oxides of nitrogen (NOx). These results are of great interest to policy makers, as human activities (energy and fuel use) are a significant source of NOx emissions.

The Indirect Global Warming Potential of NOx Emissions

The goal of this project is to investigate the overall climate impact of NOx emissions in terms of CO2-equivalence factors and to incorporate these variables into the Lifecycle Emission Model (LEM).  The effect of NOx emissions on direct climate species is modeled based on results derived from primary chemical/climate literature.  The net climate forcing is the sum of numerous atmospheric and surface effects. Positive climate forcing effects include increased tropospheric ozone levels (O3) due to reaction with VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and increased N2O levels from soil nitrogen fixing. Negative climate forcing effects are decreased CO2, decreased methane levels and increased ambient lifetimes, and increased particulate nitrate levels. Finally the LEM will be used to calculate the net climate forcing resulting from NOx emission pulses in various regions, based on regional NOx emission inventories.  The overall expected effect is a slightly negative climate forcing and sensitivity to emissions is uncertain.

Research Faculty: Mark A. Delucchi
Graduate Student Researcher: Brent Riffel 
Funding: Nissan and Hydrogen Pathways Program

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