Source characterization of volatile organic compounds at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A study identifies oil and gas (O&G) production activities as the major contributors to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, exceeding ground-level ozone limits. Using positive matrix factorization analysis of speciated VOCs during the 2019 Carlsbad Caverns Air Quality Study (CarCavAQS), researchers attributed three factors to O&G operations, with associated residence time analyses indicating increased contributions during transport from the Permian Basin. These O&G-related VOCs accounted for 62% of VOC reactivity with hydroxyl radicals, enhancing local ozone formation. Additionally, photochemically generated secondary VOCs suggested long-range transport of ozone from upwind shale formations like Eagle Ford and Barnett. The findings underscore the critical role of O&G emissions in regional air quality and emphasize the need for targeted emission reductions to mitigate elevated ozone levels.

Pan, D., Pollack, I. B., Sive, B. C., Marsavin, A., Naimie, L. E., Benedict, K. B., Zhou, Y., Sullivan, A. P., Prenni, A. J., Cope, E. J., Juncosa Calahorrano, J. F., Fischer, E. V., Schichtel, B. A., & Collett, J. L. (2023). Source characterization of volatile organic compounds at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 73(12), 914–929. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2023.2266696