United States
                     Environmental Protection
                     Agency	
Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
                     Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-92/157 October 1992
i@r EPA        Project  Summary
                     Atlanta  Ozone  Precursor
                     Monitoring  Study  Data  Report
                     Larry J. Purdue, James A. Reagan, William A. Lonneman, Thomas C.
                     Lawless, Ronald J. Drago, George M. Zalaquet, Michael W. Holdren,
                     Deborah L. Smith, Alan D. Pate, Bruce E. Buxton, and Chester W. Spicer
                       Monitoring was conducted during the
                     summer of 1990 to address the mea-
                     surement of ozone (O3) and ozone pre-
                     cursors in Atlanta, Georgia. Data were
                     collected using automated gas chro-
                     matography. Resolved individual spe-
                     cies were detected via a flame ioniza-
                     tion detector (FID) and an electron cap-
                     ture detector (ECD). The study area in-
                     cluded six continuous and six enhance-
                     ment sites  located in and around the
                     greater metropolitan Atlanta area.
                       The collected data provide an infor-
                     mation base to support the develop-
                     ment and implementation of improved
                     strategies to reduce O3 in metropolitan
                     areas. This data base contains more
                     than 300,000 hourly measurements of
                     the  various parameters and  species
                     identified for the study.
                       This Project Summary was developed
                     by EPA's Atmospheric Research and
                     Exposure Assessment Laboratory, Re-
                     search Triangle Park, NC, to announce
                     key findings of the research project
                     that is fully documented in a separate
                     report of the same  title (see Project
                     Report ordering information at back).

                     Introduction
                       During the summer of  1990,  the U.S.
                     Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA)
                     conducted  a major monitoring  study in
                     Atlanta, Georgia, to address the measure-
                     ment of ozone  (O3) and O3 precursors.
                     This project was undertaken to obtain an
                     information base to support the  develop-
                     ment and  implementation  of improved
                     strategies for reducing O, in cities that are
                     not in compliance with EPA's National Am-
                     bient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
                       The  study was sponsored jointly by
                     EPA's Atmospheric Research and Expo-
                     sure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL) and
Office of Air Quality Planning and Stan-
dards (OAQPS), located in Research Tri-
angle Park (RTP), North Carolina. It was
conducted with contractual assistance from
the Atmospheric Science  and Applied
Technology Department of Battelle Me-
morial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, and
with operational assistance from EPA Re-
gion  IV and the  Georgia Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) in Atlanta, Geor-
gia.
  Six primary field sites and six enhance-
ment sites were identified and made ready
for use. Approximately 1000 hourly mea-
surements were taken for the parameters
and species listed in Tables 1 and 2. The
resulting data set contains more  than
300,000 hourly measurements of the 60
parameters addressed.  In addition, ap-
proximately 20,000 measurements resulted
from  analyzing 375 canister samples for
hydrocarbon species, and approximately
750 measurements resulted from analyz-
ing the 250 cartridge samples for formal-
dehyde.
  The hourly measurements from the six
primary sites  and the periodic carbonyl
measurements are available for assess-
ment and  interpretation on a 3.5-in disk.
The  measurements resulting from the
analysis of the 375 canister samples also
are available on a separate disk.  These
disks, along with the full data report, may
be obtained from  EPA.  The back of this
Project Summary provides the necessary
ordering information.

Background and Rationale
  The high number of O3 nonattainment
areas across the country indicates a need
to develop new,  improved strategies for
O3 control. Extensive reviews of past and
current O3 control strategies, generated
over the last several years in conjunction
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over the last several years in conjunction
with agencywide planning, have identified
promising  directions for action.  For ex-
ample, more complete  nonmethane or-
ganic compound  (NMOC) emissions in-
ventories would allow EPA and other agen-
cies  to predict  and address appropriate
reductions for bringing nonattainment ar-
eas into compliance with the O. standard.
  The control strategies for photochemi-
cal O3 that have  been implemented in
recent years involve reducing NMOC com-
pounds and/or NO. The Empirical Kinetic
Modeling Approach (EKMA), as well as
airshed models, often have been used to
determine necessary nonmethane organic
compounds (NMOC) or oxides of nitrogen
(NO,) controls. These models relate NMOC
and  NO, to maximum O3 concentrations
typically observed during afternoons at
sites located downwind of an urban area.
They predict the NMOC and NOX control
requirements needed to attain NAAQS for
°3-
  Although  measurement requirements
are somewhat different for the EKMA and
airshed models, both require source-emis-
sions data and ambient-air data for NMOC
and NO,. With this information, states and
local control agencies can develop control
approaches  aimed at  bringing their
nonattainment areas into compliance with
the O3 NAAQS. Measurements of O3 pre-
cursor concentrations will be useful in car-
rying  out the necessary modeling exer-
cises. Interpretations of  NMOC species
data collected at various times  of day will
help determine  not only whether certain
control measures have been implemented
but also whether they are effective.
  Within the next two to three years, EPA
and other agencies will pursue O3 control
strategies  that  require  more monitoring
data. Unfortunately, historical data bases
of concurrent NMOC species and NOX are
limited, and they do not provide sufficient
Information for design and tracking func-
tions. They provide little information, for
example, that can be used to design the
ambient monitoring networks and  special
monitoring projects needed to support fu-
ture, intensified  O3 control strategies. Nor
do they allow for tracking the  effective-
ness  of ongoing control programs. As a
result of recent developments and improve-
ments in  NMOC  and  NMOC-speciation
methodology, however,  it is possible to
obtain sufficiently  accurate and precise
monitoring data for these O3 precursors.
  The above discussion describes part of
the context for  the present study, which
was conducted to accomplish three goals:
  1. To evaluate new measurement tech-
nology.
  2. To demonstrate its feasibility and ap-
plicability to emerging needs.
  3. To  provide the information on the
spatial/temporal variability of  NMOC, its
component species, and  NOX to  develop
the needed monitoring guidance.

Objectives
  The primary objective of this project was
to develop a comprehensive, quality-as-
sured data base for NMOC species, NOX,
O3, carbonyls, and meteorological variables
with high-time  resolution, at sites distrib-
uted across the Atlanta urban area.  This
data  base may be used to  address a
number of questions relating to:
• spatial  and temporal variations in the
  concentrations of O3 precursors
• specific pollutants  (for example, toxic
  air pollutants) and pollutant ratios
• the  adequacy of precursor data require-
  ments for air-quality models
• the  accuracy of emissions data used in
  air-quality models.
  Examples of specific question:; that may
be addressed with  the aid of  the Atlanta
data base are:
  1. Spatial variability—
     a. How do pollutant concentrations
        and precursor ratios vary from
        site to site across an urban area?
     b. To what extent and under what
        conditions can pollutant  concen-
        trations and precursor ratios mea-
        sured at one site be extrapolated
        to other parts of the urban area?
     c. How do meteorological conditions
        influence spatial pollutant variabil-
        ity?
  2. Temporal variability—
     a. How do pollutant concentrations
        and precursor ratios vary during
        the day?
     b. How representative of short-term
        concentrations are time integrated
        samples?
     c. Does temporal  variability  vary
        from site to site?
     d. How do meteorological conditions
        influence temporal variability?
  3. Nature and distribution of emissions
sources—
     a. What sources contribute to urban
        air-pollutant concentrations?
     b. Do ambient  measurements of
        NMOC species substantiate ex-
        isting emissions inventories?
     c. What  is the relative  importance
        of anthropogenic and  biogenic
        emissions?
  4. Photochemical models
     a  How well do photochemical mod-
        els predict O3 levels downwind of
        the urban area?
     b. How do spatial  and temporal
        variations in precursor ratios and
        levels  influence model  predic-
        tions?
     c. Are the default reactivity assign-
        ments used in models adequate?

Methodology
  Air monitoring was conducted during the
summer of 1990 for O3 and its precursors
at 12 sites spatially distributed across the
Atlanta metropolitan area.  Hourly mea-
surements of O3, carbon monoxide (CO),
NOX,  meteorological  parameters, total
NMOC, and NMOC species were collected
on a continuous basis using automated
sampling and analysis techniques.  Supple-
mentary integrated measurements for to-
tal NMOC and NMOC species (canisters)
and carbonyls (cartridges) were made pe-
riodically  on predetermined schedules
throughout the  study. A schematic dia-
gram of the field station  is shown in Fig-
ure 1.
  In addition, several ancillary experiments
were conducted, including:
  •  operation of a long-path analyzer at
    Site 2
  •  operation of continuous PM10  moni-
    tors at Sites 2 and 3
  •  limited operation of a continuous form-
    aldehyde analyzer at Site 6
  •  collection of  integrated  samples for
    volatile organic C14 determinations for
    estimating the contribution of biogenic
    sources               ;
  •  collection of  several  samples  for
    source signature determinations
  Monitoring was conducted primarily at
six  fixed-sampling  locations distributed
across the Atlanta urban area. These sites
were selected to satisfy the following cri-
teria:
  1. Must provide broad  spatial coverage
of the Atlanta area not dominated  by local
sources.
  2. Three sites  must be located  along
the northwest direction of prevailing winds
for Atlanta in the O3 season.
  3. Three sites  must be located  along
the  southwest direction  perpendicular to
prevailing  winds.
  4. One  site must be upwind to supply
background measurements.
  5. One  site must be located downwind
in an expected high-O3 area.
  The  locations  of the six primary sites
are shown in Figure 2.  These sites are
identified  by the numbers 1 -6 and appear
as circles. To increase the spatial resolu-
tion of the NMOC species portion of the
data set, additional samples were collected
for NMOC analysis during certain  periods.
 These additional samples were collected

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                                                                        /f^
                                                                Sample  /(
                                                                 Inlet / \
                                                                                                      WD
                                                                                     Solenoid Valve
                                                                                     Control Relays
                                                                                                           Vent
Figure 1. Station layout.
       • Continuous Site  • Enhancement Site
       1.
       2.
       3.
       4.
       5.
       6.
Mars Hill
Georgia Tech
MLK
Ft. McPherson
Tucker
So. DeKalb
7. Fire Station #8
8. Health Dept.
9. Baptist Church
10. Flat Shoals Rd.
11. Momingside Park
12. Georgia Dept. of
   Natural Resources
                                              I-85
Figure 2. Location of sites in the Atlanta, Georgia, Metropolitan Area.

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  The names and general characteristics
of the six main sites are listed below:
  1. Mars Hill is located approximately 35
km NW of the Atlanta beltway (I-285). The
site is in a rural, residential neighborhood
with no industry and is in the predomi-
nantly upwind direction from the Atlanta
metropolitan area during the O3 season.
Mars Hill serves as a background site to
measure concentrations of pollutants trans-
ported into the Atlanta area.
  2. The Georgia Institute of Technology
is located in downtown Atlanta. There are
several  industries  located from 4-5  km
NE, NW, and  W of the site.  The site is
representative of the downtown area and
is located  approximately 4 km NW of the
Martin Luther King  (MLK)  site, identified
below.
  3. MLK is located on the fringe of down-
town Atlanta. The site is  located in an
area with several  localized sources, in-
cluding  a reclamation  operation,  scrap-
metal operation, two small incinerators,
and a  Metro  Atlanta Rapid Transit
(MARTA) substation. The site also is af-
fected by  the I-75/85 downtown connec-
tor. MLK is approximately 4 km SE of the
Georgia Tech site  and 11  km NW of the
Dekalb Junior College  site, identified be-
low. MLK has been used  in the past  to
collect NMOC and NO/NOX  samples  to
evaluate the EKMA model.
  4. Fort McPherson is located on a mili-
tary base and is approximately 8 km SW
of MLK. This site is approximately 1 km
north of Highway  166 and 2 km  west of
the I-75/85 and 166 interchange. The site
lies in the SW direction and is perpendicu-
lar to prevailing winds from downtown At-
lanta during the O3 season.
  5. Tucker is located  on the grounds of
an inactive hospital, approximately 22 km
NE of the MLK site and 23  km NNE of the
Dekalb Junior College site.  The  site  is
located in a residential area affected by I-
285, approximately 2 km west, and by the
I-285/I-85 interchange, approximately 5 km
NW. In addition, a tank farm  is located 7
km NNW,  and a manufacturing plant is 7
km NW of the site.
  6. The  Dekalb  Junior College  site  is
located on the campus approximately 1
km SE of I-285. The site is in a predomi-
nantly residential  and commercial urban
fringe area, and it is located 12 km SE of
downtown Atlanta  in the prevailing wind
direction during the O3 season. The site
traditionally measures the highest O3 lev-
els  and, of all the sites in the existing
Atlanta O, monitoring network, most often
exceeds NAAQS. The site was used  to
collect NMOC samples for  the  Atlanta
 EKMA study.
Target Chemicals
  The target pollutants and meteorologi-
cal  parameters for continuous monitoring
at the six field sites are listed in Table 1.
The hydrocarbons, halocarbons, and car-
bonyls initially selected for measurement
at the six sites are shown in Table 2. To
aid  comparisons between  target chemi-
cals and those actually reported, Table 3
lists the resolved organic species.

Continuous Monitoring
Instruments
  Automated analyzers approved by EPA
under the Ambient Air Monitoring Refer-
ence and Equivalent Methods Regulations
(40 CFR  Part 53) were used for continu-
ous measurements of O,, CO, and NOX.
The instruments were calibrated in accor-
dance with approved calibration proce-
dures using dynamically generated  gas
mixtures.

Automated Gas
Chromatography
  An automated gas chromatographic sys-
tem was used to obtain the hourly NMOC
species measurements. This system  was
developed and manufactured in Bilthoven,
The Netherlands, and is marketed in the
United States  by Chrompack, Inc.,  of
Raritan, New Jersey. It is equipped with a
three-phase    adsorbent   trap   to
preconcentrate the individual species. The
trap  materials  were Carbotrap  C,
Carbotrap, and Carbosieve S-llll. The trap
was held at -35°C during the collection of
a 30-min sample at a flow rate of approxi-
mately 20 cc/min.
  The collected  species were thermally
desorbed from the preconcentration  trap
at 250 °C. A second trap  was used to
refocus the  desorbed  compounds.  This
trap consisted of deactivated fused silica,
30-cm by 0.53-mm ID, filled with 3-in glass-
wool plugs. The trap was held at -186 °C
during sample transfer from the primary
trap and then was heated  rapidly to 200
°C to  direct components onto the analyti-
cal  column. A CP-Sil-5 50-m by 0.32-mm
ID fused silica column with 5-u. film thick-
ness  was used  to resolve the species,
which ranged in  carbon number from C2
through  C10. The critical GC parameter
settings were as  follows:
  1. Oven initial temp. = -20 °C
  2. Oven final temp. = 210 °C
  3. Oven ramp temp. = 8 °C/min
  4. Oven initial time = 3 min
  5. Oven final time = 10 min
  6. Detector temperature = 300 °C
  7. Injector temperature = 200 °C

  The resolved  individual  species were
detected using an FID and an ECD con-
nected in parallel to the analytical column.
From the resulting chromatograms, 54 hy-
drocarbon species and total NMOC,  plus
five  halocarbon species,  were identified
and named on the basis of their retention-
time characteristics. Based on an NIST-
certified,  benzene-standard  response,  a
per-carbon response  factor  was  deter-
mined for the FID detector for the hydro-
carbon species.  The targeted hydrocar-
bon species were quantified using the per-
carbon response factor and were reported
in units of ppb C.  The unidentified hydro-
carbon species were quantified using the
same per-carbon  factor. An  estimate of
the total NMOC was determined by sum-
ming the Identified  and unknown hydro-
carbon species. Individual compound re-
sponse factors for each of the halocarbon
species were determined for the  ECD
based  on responses from a  known  mix-
ture of the species. The targeted halocar-
bon  species were reported as ppb com-
pound.                   ;

Canister Samples
  Approximately 375  whole-air canister
samples  were collected throughout the
study and analyzed for total  NMOC and
NMOC species. These samples were col-
lected for the following purposes:
  1.  To compare measurements of the
automated-GC system with measurements
obtained with established GC procedures.
  2.  To confirm the qualitative identifica-
tion  of selected  species  and to  identify
persistent unknown compounds.
  3.  To enhance  the  spatial  representa-
tiveness of the six primary sites by collect-
ing canister samples at six additional sites.
  4.  To  establish source signatures at
known significant emission sources.
  Approximately 185 routine samples were
collected in Summa  polished canisters for
comparison  with established  GC proce-
dures to confirm compound identifications
and to evaluate the adequacy of the auto-
mated-GC system. An automated canister
collection system  (Anderson*, Model 87-
100) was used to  collect the samples.
The collection system filled the evacuated
canister (initial pressure less than 0.1  torr)
with sample air at a flow rate of 400 cm3/
min'1, resulting in  a  final pressure of ap-
proximately  15 psig. Samples were  col-
lected  every  other day at every primary
site for 30-min periods  concurrent with the
sampling interval  of the  automated  GC
system. Sample  collection , was  rotated
through the following periods: 8:00 a.m.,
10:00 a.m.,  12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00
p.m., and 12:00 midnight.
                                                                                  'Mention of trade names or commercial products does
                                                                                   not constitute endorsement or recommendation for
                                                                                   use.

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  Table 1. Continuous Measurements Performed During the Atlanta Field Study

         Target Pollutants            Meteorological Measurements
               NO
               NOX

               CO
 Wind speed

 Wind direction
 Sigma theta

 Temperature

 Relative humidity
 Solar radiation
Table 2.  Target Species Selected for Measurement by the Automated Gas Chromatograph During the Atlanta Study
    Hydrocarbons
           1.    ethylene
           2.    acetylene
           3.    ethane
           4.   propene
           5.    propane
           6.    isobutane
           7.    1 -butene
           8.    n-butane
           9.    lrans-2-butene
          10.   c\s-2-butene
          11.   3-methyl-1-butene
          12.   isopentane
          13.   1-pentene
          14.   n-pentane
          15.   a-pinene
          16.   b-pinene
          17.   isoprene
          18.   tcans-2-pentene
    Halocarbons
          1.  chloroform
          2.  1,1,1-trichloromethane
         3.   carbon tetrachloride
         4.   trichloroethytene
         5.   perchloroethylene

    Carbonyls
          1.  formaldehyde
          2. acetaldehyde
         3.  acetone
19.    c\s-2-pentene
20.    2-methyl-2-butene
21.    2,2-dimethylbutane
22.    cyclopentene
23.    4-methyl-1-pentene
24.    cyclopentane
25.    2,3-dimethylbutane
26.    2-methylpentane
27.    3-methylpentane
28.    2-methyl-1-pentene
29.    n-hexane
30.    \rans-2-hexene
31.    c\s-2-hexene
32.    methylcyclopentane
33.    2,4-dimethylpentane
34.    benzene
35.    cyclohexane
36.    2-methylhexane
37.    2,3-dimethylpentane
38.   3-methylhexane
39.   2,2,4-trimethylpentane
40.   n-heptane
41.   methylcyclohexane
42.   2,3,4-trimethylpentane
43.   toluene
44.   2-methylheptane
45.   3-methylheptane
46.   n-octane
47.   ethylbenzene
48.   m/p-xylene
49.   styrene
50.   o-xylene
51.   n-nonane
52.   isopropylbenzene
53.   n-propylbenzene
54.   1,3,5-trimethylbenzene
55.   1,2,4-trimethlybenzene
56.   Total NMOC

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   Table 3.  Resolved Organic Species"
Hydrocarbons
1. ethylene
2. acetylene
3. ethane
4. propene
5. propane
6. isobutane
7. 1-butene
8. n-butane
9. trans-2-butene
10 . cis-2-butene
1 1. 3-methyl- 1 -butane
12. Isopentane
13. 1-pentene
14. n-pentane
15. isoprene
16. trans-2-pentene
17. cls-2-pentene
18. 2-methyl-2-butene

19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.

2,2-dimethytbutane
cyclopentene &
4-methyl-1-pentene
cyclopentane &
2,3-dimethylbutane
2-methylpentane
3-methylpentane
2-methyl- 1-pentene
n-hexane
trans-2-hexene
c\s-2-hexene
methylcyclopentane &
2,4-dimethylpentane
benzene
cyclohexane &
2-methylhexane
2,3-dimethylpentane
3-methylhexane

38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.

2,2,4-trimethylpentane
n-heptane
methylcyclohexane
2,3,4-trimethylpentane
toluene &
2-methylheptane
3-methylheptane
n-octane
ethylbenzene
m/p-xylene
styrene
o-xylene &
n-nonane
isopropylbenzene
n-propylbenzene
1,3,5-trimethylbenzene
1,2,4-trimethlybenzene
Total NMOC
    Halocarbons
              1.  chloroform
              2.  1,1,1-trichloromethane
              3.  carbon tetrachloride
              4.  trichloroethylene
              5.  perchloroethylene
    'Individual co-eluted species are indented following each ampersand.
  A set of 72 additional canister samples
was collected to enhance the spatial cov-
erage of the six primary sites. Two three-
day experiments  were conducted  at the
six  sites identified in Figure 2 as enhance-
ment sites. These sites were selected to
fill in the grid of primary sites and to pro-
vide spatial information at scales of less
than 10 km to more than 50 km. In each
three-day experiment two samples were
collected per day, one at 9:00 a.m. and
one at 3:00 p.m., for 30-min periods con-
current with the 30-min sampling time of
the automated-GC systems operated at
the six primary sites. Portable  collection
systems  consisting of a mass-flow con-
troller and canister were used at the six
enhancement sites. The collection system
filled the evacuated canisters (initial pres-
sure* less than 0.1 torr) at a flow rate of
120 cm'/mlrr1, resulting in a final pressure
of 500-550 torr.
  Another set of approximately 120 canis-
ter  samples was collected at sites  repre-
senting mobile sources, which are the pre-
dominant  component  of  Atlanta's
nonmethane hydrocarbon emission  inven-
tory. The sites included a roadway, a park-
ing lot, and the  Hatsfield International Air-
port. These samples were collected with a
portable  12-volt,  battery-operated  pump
(Metal Bellows, Model 158, Sharonville,
Massachusetts) and a throttle va,lve to con-
trol flow rate at  approximately 1.2 L/min'1.

Carbonyl Sampling
   During the study,  approximately 250
samples  were collected during the study
using silica gel  cartridges coated with 2,4
dinitrophenylhydrozine (DNPH). They were
analyzed for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde,
and acetone using Method TO-11. All of
the cartridges were shipped directly to RTP
for analysis, by AREAL personnel using
high-pressure  liquid  chromatography
(HPLC). Samples were collected at every
site  every other weekday at alternating
periods of 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon  (six
hr); 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. (8 hr); and
6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (12 hr) each week-
end at every site on alternating Saturdays
and Sundays.
  An automated  analyzer that,  was  ca-
pable of making  continuous, real-time mea-
surements of formaldehyde was operated
for a two-week period (August 8 to Au-
gust 15) at the Dekalb site.

Ancillary Experiments
   In addition to the spatial and temporal
variability  experiment, several ancillary
experiments were  conducted. One  in-
volved operating a differential optical ab-
sorption spectrometer (DOAS) at the Geor-
gia Tech site.  The DOAS is a long-path
analyzer manufactured by OPSIS, Inc., of
Lund, Sweden. Its operation is based on
the remote spectroscopic analysis of vis-
ible and ultraviolet light.    ;
  Transmitters  located on the Southern
Bell  Building, the  Coca-Cola Headquar-
ters Building, and a near-by campus dor-
mitory beamed  light to three receivers
located at the  Georgia Tech site, where
the light was spectroscopically analyzed
for O3 and several other species, includ-
ing benzene and  toluene.', The  primary
purpose for  operating the DOAS during
the study was to compare long-path mea-
surements with fixed-site  point measure-
ments and to determine the feasibility  of

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long-path measurements  for addressing
future regulatory and research monitoring
needs.
  Additional ancillary experiments included
limited  vertical-profile  measurements  of
winds, temperature, moisture, and O3; lim-
ited  acid aerosol  measurements at se-
lected sites; collecting samples for volatile
organic C14 determinations to estimate the
contribution of biogenic sources; limited
operation of a continuous formaldehyde
analyzer at one site; and operation of con-
tinuous  PM10 monitors at two sites.

Data Acquisition and
Processing
  The basic components of the data-ac-
quisition system (DAS) included hardware
and  software at the field monitoring sta-
tions, the Operations Center, and the re-
mote data-monitoring centers.  DAS  hard-
ware and software were  located in the
shelters  installed at each  of the six field
sites.
  The Odessa Data Logger was the  data-
acquisition and initial data processing de-
vice  for all the nonchromatographic sys-
tems. Data  were stored as hourly  aver-
ages and transmitted by an external mo-
dem that was attached to the data logger.
Via modem, the central computer polled
the data logger at  each  site on  a  daily
basis. To track instrument operation,  each
site also was polled from  a computer  at
RTF. The data were stored on removable
cartridges  installed  in the  data logger.
These cartridges were used to fill in areas
where .data were missing as a  result of
communication problems.
  The on-site personal computer (PC) was
responsible for data acquisition, initial data
processing, data display, and data trans-
mission for the automated gas chromato-
graphs. The data from the chromatographs
(raw signal files and  result files) were ac-
quired by the  PC and stored on the hard
drive. The data files were copied to floppy
disks each day, with  backups. One copy
was carried to the Operations Center for
archival,  and one copy was  stored at the
field site.

Data Quality Objectives
  Data quality objectives (DQOs) are re-
quired by  the  U.S.  EPA Quality Assur-
ance Management Staff for all data col-
lection activities. DQOs are statements of
the quality of data needed to support spe-
cific program objectives.  DQOs are de-
fined in  terms of the study objectives,
rather than equipment or analysis method
characteristics. Quality assurance objec-
tives for the measurement data  are also
required, however, and are  stated in the
Quality Assurance Plan for this study.
  The primary goal of this monitoring pro-
gram was  to  develop  a comprehensive
data base with which to address a  num-
ber of questions  concerning spatial  and
temporal variations in the  ambient con-
centrations of a variety of pollutants, in-
cluding O3 and  O3 precursors.  Specifi-
cally, the objective was to study these
spatial and temporal variations during one
or more episodes of high ambient O3 lev-
els.
  Assessing  temporal variations  statisti-
cally requires measurements with high time
resolution for the  complete period of a
high-O3 episode (i.e.,  one or more days).
For most of  the pollutants in this study,
the time resolution was one hour.
  Assessing  spatial variations statistically
requires measurements at a variety of lo-
cations that  adequately characterize the
entire urban area.  In addition, to account
for temporal  variations  when performing
the spatial analysis,  the  measurements
must be made simultaneously at all sam-
pling locations. For most of the pollutants
in this study, simultaneous measurements
were made at six  fixed locations across
the Atlanta area. This  basic spatial cover-
age  for  hydrocarbon  species  was  en-
hanced during certain  periods by sam-
pling at six additional sites.
  To meet the study objectives described
above, the program  DQO specified that
ambient-air samples must be collected and
analyzed with appropriate techniques to
ensure continuous detection at six sam-
pling locations of a target list of pollutants,
including O3 and O3 precursors, for every
sampling period covering at least one high-
O3 episode.
                                                                                      'U.S. Government Printing Office: 1992— 648-080/60146

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  7?7e EPA authors, Larry J. Purdue (also the EPA Project Officer), James A
    Reagan, William A. Lonneman, Thomas C. Lawless, and Ronald J. Drago are
    with the Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory, Re-
    search Triangle Park, NC 27711. George M. Zalaquet is with Mantech Environ-
    mental Technology, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, and Michael W. Holdren,
    Deborah L Smith, Alan D. Pate, Bruce E. Buxton, and Chester W. Spicerare with
    Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH 43201.
  The complete report, entitled "Atlanta  Ozone Precursor Monitoring Stud!/ Data
    Report," (Order No. PB92-220 656/AS; Cost: $26.00; subject to change) will be
    available from:
          National Technical Information Service
          5285 Port Royal Road
          Springfield, VA 22161
          Telephone: 703-487-4650
  For a copy of the report and the disks containing the collected data, contact Larry
    J. Purdue at:
          Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory
          U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
          Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Environmental Research Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268

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