부산대학교 도서관

The Marcellus Shale is the largest natural gas deposit in the U.S. and rapid development of this resource has raised concerns about regional air pollution. A field campaign was conducted in the southwestern Pennsylvania Methane region of the Marcellus Shale to investigate the impact of unconventional natural (ppmv) gas (UNG ) production operations on regional air quality. Whole air samples were collected throughout an 8050 km2 grid surrounding Pittsburgh and analyzed for methane, carbon dioxide, and C1- C 10 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Elevated mixing ratios o f m eth an e and C2-C8 alkanes were observed in areas with the highest density of UNG wells. Source apportionment was used to identify characteristic emission ratios for UNG sources, and results indicated th at UNG emissions were responsible for the majority of mixing ratios of C2-C8 alkanes, but accounted for a small proportion of alkene and aromatic compounds. The VOC emissions from UNG operations accounted for 17 ± 19% of the regional kinetic hydroxyl radical reactivity of nonbiogenic VOCs suggesting that natural gas emissions may affect compliance with federal ozone standards. A first approximation of methane emissions from the study area of 10.0 ± 5.2 kg s-1 provides a baseline for determining the efficacy of regulatory emission control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]