Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > Ambient measurements of monoterpenes near Canna...

Electronic data

  • ATMENV-S-20-00224-2

    Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Atmospheric Environment. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Atmospheric Environment, 232, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117510

    Accepted author manuscript, 3.43 MB, PDF document

    Available under license: CC BY-NC-ND

Links

Text available via DOI:

View graph of relations

Ambient measurements of monoterpenes near Cannabis cultivation facilities in Denver, Colorado

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • C.-T. Wang
  • K. Ashworth
  • C. Wiedinmyer
  • J. Ortega
  • P.C. Harley
  • Q.Z. Rasool
  • W. Vizuete
Close
Article number117510
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/07/2020
<mark>Journal</mark>Atmospheric Environment
Volume232
Number of pages10
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date23/04/20
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Colorado was one of the first US states to legalize the industrial-scale cultivation of Cannabis spp. for recreational purposes. In March 2018, there were 609 indoor Cannabis cultivation facilities (CCFs) in operation in Denver County with a recorded 550,000 mature plants (higher than 8 inches) under cultivation at any given time. It is known that cultivation of Cannabis spp. produces emissions of a group of highly reactive hydrocarbons, monoterpenes. There have been limited studies that have quantified mixing ratios of emitted monoterpenes in air outside CCFs. A field campaign was conducted in August 2016 in Denver County focused on six different CCF clusters near the intersection of interstate highways I-25 and I-70 during which a total of 150 ambient air samples were collected. Monoterpene mixing ratios near CCFs were ~408 ± 203 pptv; 4–8 times higher than samples collected from a “background” site located at the Denver City Park (75 ± 25 pptv). The composition of samples taken near CCFs were dominated by d-limonene (30%), β-myrcene (20%), and α-pinene (15%), which is similar to previously reported emission factors for Cannabis spp. Since β-myrcene was only detected in leaf enclosure studies, indoor CCF observations and ambient samples near CCFs and not detected at a background site, this particular compound could be used as a tracer for the Denver Cannabis production industry. The monoterpene speciation in ambient measurements varied across Denver suggesting differences in emissions between different Cannabis spp., or different growth stages. Given the observed variabilities in both composition and emission rates, it is critical for the accuracy of emissions inventories to develop strain-specific emission factors. This information, coupled with detailed information on each CCF, would greatly reduce the uncertainties currently present in monoterpene emission estimates for the Cannabis industry and their potential impact on air quality. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Bibliographic note

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Atmospheric Environment. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Atmospheric Environment, 232, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117510