How are emission sources distributed in Weld County Colorado? - HOT TOPIC during the DISCOVER-AQ/FRAPPE campaigns

Natural gas and oil wells have appeared more rapidly across Colorado in the past few years, particularly in Weld County, which is one area where the DISCOVER-AQ/FRAPPE aircrafts have been flying this past month. The C-130 aircraft, run by NCAR/NSF, detected possible well signatures in the area between Platteville and Greeley (see figure below) on July 26th, where there is a heavy population of oil and gas wells (not shown).     

The first area circled in red between Greeley and Kersey (C-130 measurements below) appears to have gas emissions from both agricultural and oil & gas sources. The C-130 measured elevated concentrations of ethane and benzene in this region, typically oil & gas signatures, but ammonium (bi-product of ammonia) also has elevated concentrations. Based on EIA's database of oil and gas wells and google imagery of farms and well pads, we discovered this area does have both sources. 

Further to the south near Gilcrest, the C-130 measured (preliminary data above) hot spot of benzene, but unlike the first area, there was no elevated ammonium just west of the town. EIA's well database places multiple wells in this area as well as a natural gas power plant, indicating a local source. On the figures above, another area to point out is just southeast of Platteville and northeast of Fort Lupton.  Elevated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), benzene, ethane were measured by the C-130 and are most likely being emitted by oil and gas wells situated south of Platteville and multiple natural gas power plants just northeast of Fort Lupton (based on EIA's database).  

Ground measurements from NATIVE at DISCOVER-AQ Platteville site (above) between 25th-28th of July show enhanced CO, CH4, SO2 (sulfur dioxide), and NO2 on the same day (morning of), most likely from a common local source (ie. wells and power plants to the southeast).  This appears to be a common occurrence as the next morning CH4 and NO2 are again elevated and could be emissions from the operation of a nearby gas well.  The figure below is a satellite view of the Platteville site and indicates the proximity of this site to oil and gas well pads as well as the pictures below (taken by Ryan Stauffer) of a well constructed just southwest during the Gator Team's time there.   

This blog post was the combined effort of Zachary Fasnacht and Debra Kollonige.