An atmospheric chemistry model that reproduces observed wintertime sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium particulate concentrations over the eastern United States suggests that as SO2 and NOx emissions decrease, the efficiency of conversion of these precursors into sulfate and nitrate during wintertime increases, thereby offsetting the effects of emissions reduction on sulfate and nitrate levels and suggesting that improving wintertime air quality might require accelerated emissions reductions compared with the present rate.
Article #18-03295: "Chemical feedbacks weaken the wintertime response of particulate sulfate and nitrate to emissions reductions over the eastern United States," by Viral Shah et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Viral Shah, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; tel: 412-736-0062; e-mail: <vshah@uw.edu>
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