High-resolution multi-pollutant mapping in Denver, Colorado

Atmospheric Environment X
By: , and 

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Abstract

Characterizing traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs), which significantly impact health, and greenhouse gases (GHGs) can be challenging in urban environments. Mobile monitoring has the potential to capture the spatial distribution of these pollutants. We present results from a campaign using the Denver Mobile Monitoring Laboratory (DMML) in the summer of 2023 when we measured ultrafine particles (UFPs), black carbon (BC), ozone (O3), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in Denver, CO. Despite our campaign being brief, we obtained several interesting results. We observed elevated UFP and BC concentrations on major roads. In contrast, O3 concentrations were higher on neighborhood streets and roads and in the industrial neighborhood of Commerce City. We consistently observed elevated CH4 concentrations (>2.5 ppm) on highway I-70, suggesting the presence of a previously unknown major source of CH4. The CH4 concentrations measured in our campaign did not align with those from an overlapping aerial campaign, suggesting that mobile monitoring is crucial to capture important, potentially intermittent CH4 hotspots in cities. We evaluated if trees mitigated pollution concentrations, as planting trees is a key policy initiative of the city of Denver. We observed significant negative associations between tree canopy coverage and UFPs, BC, and CH4, and a positive association with O3 when using linear mixed-effects regression models. Our work highlights the importance of investigating the role of tree canopy coverage to mitigate TRAPs.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title High-resolution multi-pollutant mapping in Denver, Colorado
Series title Atmospheric Environment X
DOI 10.1016/j.aeaoa.2025.100364
Volume 27
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Description 100364, 10 p.
Country United States
State Colorado
City Denver
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