A Spatially and Temporally Explicit Life Cycle Inventory of Air Pollutants from Gasoline and Ethanol in the United States

Tessum, CW; Marshall, JD; Hill, JD

HERO ID

1729938

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22906224

HERO ID 1729938
In Press No
Year 2012
Title A Spatially and Temporally Explicit Life Cycle Inventory of Air Pollutants from Gasoline and Ethanol in the United States
Authors Tessum, CW; Marshall, JD; Hill, JD
Journal Environmental Science & Technology
Volume 46
Issue 20
Page Numbers 11408-11417
Abstract The environmental health impacts of transportation depend in part on where and when emissions occur during fuel production and combustion. Here we describe spatially and temporally explicit life cycle inventories (LCI) of air pollutants from gasoline, ethanol derived from corn grain, and ethanol from corn stover. Previous modeling for the U.S. by Argonne National Laboratory (GREET: Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation) suggested that life cycle emissions are generally higher for ethanol from corn grain or corn stover than for gasoline. Our results show that for ethanol, emissions are concentrated in the Midwestern "Corn Belt". We find that life cycle emissions from ethanol exhibit different temporal patterns than from gasoline, reflecting seasonal aspects of farming activities. Enhanced chemical speciation beyond current GREET model capabilities is also described. Life cycle fine particulate matter emissions are higher for ethanol from corn grain than for ethanol from corn stover; for black carbon, the reverse holds. Overall, our results add to existing state-of-the-science transportation fuel LCI by providing spatial and temporal disaggregation and enhanced chemical speciation, thereby offering greater understanding of the impacts of transportation fuels on human health and opening the door to advanced air dispersion modeling of fuel life cycles.
Doi 10.1021/es3010514
Pmid 22906224
Wosid WOS:000309805000072
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000309805000072
Is Public Yes
Language Text English