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Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations in Santiago de Chile associated with traffic emissions

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Abstract

CO/CO2 ratios have been measured in different locations of Santiago de Chile city. Measurements were carried out in a tunnel (prevailing emissions from cars with catalytic converter) and close to heavy traffic streets. Concentrations measured along the city traffic tunnel or temporal profiles of concentrations measured near heavy traffic streets allow an estimation of CO/CO2 ratios emitted from mobile sources. Values obtained range from 0.0045 ± 0.0006 to 0.0100 ± 0.0004 and depend on the prevailing type of mobile sources. In particular, lowest values were found close to a street with heavy traffic dominated by diesel-powered public transportation, while the highest values were found at the city tunnel. Places located near streets of mixed mobile sources (public buses and cars) showed intermediate values. Average CO/CO2 ratios are compatible with emission factors proposed for Santiago’s main mobile sources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40, C.33, Santiago, Chile

    María A. Rubio, Elizabeth Salinas & Eduardo Lissi

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Escuela de Química, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile

    Irene Fuenzalida

  3. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany

    Ralf Kurtenbach & Peter Wiesen

Authors
  1. María A. Rubio
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  2. Irene Fuenzalida
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  3. Elizabeth Salinas
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  4. Eduardo Lissi
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  5. Ralf Kurtenbach
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  6. Peter Wiesen
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Correspondence to María A. Rubio.

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Rubio, M.A., Fuenzalida, I., Salinas, E. et al. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations in Santiago de Chile associated with traffic emissions. Environ Monit Assess 162, 209–217 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0789-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0789-9

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