CUP Undergraduate Research
Date of Award
Spring 4-1-2018
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts & Sciences
Department
Math & Science
Degree Name
Chemistry, BA
First Advisor
Matthew Wise, Ph.D.
Abstract
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are gas phase precursors that can lead to excess tropospheric ozone (O3). These pollutants are detrimental to human health at concentrations in ambient air. Measurement of these pollutants is generally performed by active sampling. However, this leaves for costly procedures and sparse monitoring networks. Passive sampling is a cost-efficient technique that allows for greater dispersion of sampling networks. In this study, a passive sampling technique developed by Ogawa & CO., USA, Inc. is utilized to study levels of NOx on the Concordia University campus in an undergraduate laboratory setting. The same technique is also employed in a field study in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Hermiston, OR is a rural town in the Columbia River Gorge that has experienced elevated O3 precursor levels, such as NOx, in previous years. The undergraduate laboratory resulted in a better understanding of critical elements of chemistry vital to the major itself. The field experiment results indicated concentrated NOx due to complicated emissions, topographical, and meteorological patterns. This thesis demonstrates the viability of monitoring NOx in ambient air in a research setting, as well as an educational setting.