Aniket A. Sawant

Preliminary chemical characterization of particle-phase organic compounds in New Delhi, India

This work describes a pilot study for the investigation of the chemical composition of organic species present in PM10 collected at a residential site in New Delhi during December 2001–March 2002, and in TSP emissions from in-use two-stroke vehicles. Both ambient and emissions samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with an emphasis on quantification of non-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and marker compounds in ambient PM10. Preliminary findings suggest that vehicular emissions and biomass and/or refuse burning are significant contributors to the organic fraction of PM10 in the New Delhi atmosphere.

Greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. institutions of higher education.

Abstract Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission estimates from signatories of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) were compared across Carnegie institutional classifications. Average annual emissions from all institutional classifications are 52,434 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E), with emissions from purchased electricity, stationary combustion, and commuting accounting for approximately 88% of total emissions. Average annual emission intensity from all institutional classifications is 19.39 MTCO2E per 1000 gross square feet (GSF) and 7.67 MTCO2E per full-time equivalent (FTE) student. In 2005, U.S. institutions of higher education accounted for approximately 121 million MTCO2E, or nearly 2% of total annual U.S. GHG emissions. For reference, these emissions are comparable to approximately one-quarter of those from the state of California. Because ACUPCC signatories represent over 30% of U.S. higher education enrollment, their long-term commitments to carbon neutrality can result in a measurable reduction (∼0.6%) of total annual U.S. GHG emissions.