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AN ASSESSMENT OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS AMONG CONTRASTING URBAN DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS IN POPULATED AREAS

Abstract

In response to public concern regarding the sustainability and energy efficiency of urban development, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration was measured for contrasting patterns of populated areas including urban centers and suburbs of medium to high population density. This study aims to determine if there exists a significant difference in CO2 concentration between such differing patterns of development. Air samples are collected in five liter sealed tedlar bags from five sites in urban centers and eight sites in suburbs from each of four metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, GA MSA, Macon, GA MSA, Tallahassee, FL MSA, and Jacksonville, FL, MSA for a total of planned fifty-two locations (Atlanta and Tallahassee samples have been collected). The air samples are analyzed at Valdosta State University using an LGR CCIA-36EP carbon dioxide isotope analyzer to determine each sample's CO2 concentration in parts per million. Diurnal cycles in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration were recorded by collecting and analyzing hourly air samples in a single location over a thirteen hour period (from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM) to ensure that analyses pertaining to urban centers and suburbs can be corrected when necessary. Results from Atlanta and Tallahassee so far ranged from about 410 to 440 ppm and seemed to show greatest CO2 concentration in suburban areas where population density exceeded 2500 people per square mile. On the other hand, the lowest concentrations are found in urban centers (in which all locations showed a population density greater than 5000 people per square mile) and in suburban areas where population density exceeded 1000 people per square mile. These results may suggest that the characteristics of high density suburbs, such as high automobile traffic volume, lead to greater carbon dioxide emissions than do those of urban centers and medium density suburbs.

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