AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Editors' Highlight

Nitrogen oxide pollutants have declined over the eastern United States since 1999

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emitted by fossil fuel combustion play a crucial role in producing ground-level ozone, a pollutant hazardous to human health that contributes to smog over urban areas. In 1999, coal-burning power plants represented about 25% of U.S. anthropogenic (NO_x) emissions. Noting that recent pollution control measures by utility companies have sought to reduce (NO_x) emissions, Kim et al. (2006) analyzed satellite data and air quality model simulations to document regional trends in emissions. They found a declining regional trend in (NO_x) emissions in the eastern United States. Over the Ohio River Valley, where power plants dominate (NO_x) emissions, (NO_x) pollution has decreased by 40% since 1999. This decrease is larger than that seen in the northeast urban corridor. Their model simulations predict lower ground-level ozone concentrations as a result of these (NO_x) emission reductions. They suggested that further substantive reductions in eastern U.S. (NO_x) levels will require decreases in mobile sources of (NO_x) emissions, such as car exhaust.

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