scholarly journals Sources of long-lived atmospheric VOCs at the rural boreal forest site, SMEAR II

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (23) ◽  
pp. 13413-13432 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Patokoski ◽  
T. M. Ruuskanen ◽  
M. K. Kajos ◽  
R. Taipale ◽  
P. Rantala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. In this study a long-term volatile organic compound (VOCs) concentration data set, measured at the SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations) boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, Finland during the years 2006–2011, was analyzed in order to identify source areas and profiles of the observed VOCs. VOC mixing ratios were measured using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Four-day HYSPLIT 4 (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) backward trajectories and the Unmix 6.0 receptor model were used for source area and source composition analysis. Two major forest fire events in Russia took place during the measurement period. The effect of these fires was clearly visible in the trajectory analysis, lending confidence to the method employed with this data set. Elevated volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of non-biogenic VOCs related to forest fires, e.g. acetonitrile and aromatic VOCs, were observed. Ten major source areas for long-lived VOCs (methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and toluene) observed at the SMEAR II site were identified. The main source areas for all the targeted VOCs were western Russia, northern Poland, Kaliningrad, and the Baltic countries. Industrial areas in northern continental Europe were also found to be source areas for certain VOCs. Both trajectory and receptor analysis showed that air masses from northern Fennoscandia were less polluted with respect to both the VOCs studied and other trace gases (CO, SO2 and NOx), compared to areas of eastern and western continental Europe, western Russia, and southern Fennoscandia.

scholarly journals Sources of long-lived atmospheric VOCs at the rural boreal forest site, SMEAR II

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 14593-14641
Author(s):  
J. Patokoski ◽  
T. M. Ruuskanen ◽  
M. K. Kajos ◽  
R. Taipale ◽  
P. Rantala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Baltic Countries

Abstract. In this study a long-term volatile organic compounds (VOCs) data set, measured at the SMEAR II (Station for measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations) boreal forest site at Hyytiälä, Finland during the years 2006–2011, was investigated. VOC mixing ratios were measured using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Four-day backward trajectories and the Unmix 6.0 receptor model were used for source area and source composition analysis. Two major forest fire events, one in Eastern Europe and one in Russia, took place during the measurement period. The effect of these fires was clearly visible in the trajectory analysis, lending confidence to the method employed with this data set. Elevated volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of non-biogenic VOCs, e.g. acetonitrile and aromatic VOCs, related to forest fires were observed. Ten major source areas for long-lived VOCs (methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene and toluene) were identified at the SMEAR II site. The main source areas for all the targeted VOCs were Western Russia, Northern Poland, Kaliningrad and Baltic countries. Industrial areas in Northern Continental Europe were also found to be source areas for certain VOCs. Both trajectory and receptor analysis showed that air masses from Northern Fennoscandia were less polluted with both the VOCs studied and with other trace gases (CO, SO2 and NOx) than areas of Eastern and Western Continental Europe, Western Russia and Southern Fennoscandia.

scholarly journals Ambient measurements of aromatic and oxidized VOCs by PTR-MS and GC-MS: intercomparison between four instruments in a boreal forest in Finland

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4453-4473 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Kajos ◽  
P. Rantala ◽  
M. Hill ◽  
H. Hellén ◽  
J. Aalto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Systematic Difference ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Measurement Protocol ◽  
R Value

Abstract. Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry GC-MS) are commonly used methods for automated in situ measurements of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. In order to investigate the reliability of such measurements, we operated four automated analyzers using their normal field measurement protocol side by side at a boreal forest site. We measured methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene and toluene by two PTR-MS and two GC-MS instruments. The measurements were conducted in southern Finland between 13 April and 14 May 2012. This paper presents correlations and biases between the concentrations measured using the four instruments. A very good correlation was found for benzene and acetone measurements between all instruments (the mean R value was 0.88 for both compounds), while for acetaldehyde and toluene the correlation was weaker (with a mean R value of 0.50 and 0.62, respectively). For some compounds, notably for methanol, there were considerable systematic differences in the mixing ratios measured by the different instruments, despite the very good correlation between the instruments (mean R = 0.90). The systematic difference manifests as a difference in the linear regression slope between measurements conducted between instruments, rather than as an offset. This mismatch indicates that the systematic uncertainty in the sensitivity of a given instrument can lead to an uncertainty of 50–100 % in the methanol emissions measured by commonly used methods.

scholarly journals Ambient measurements of aromatic and oxidized VOCs by PTR-MS and GC-MS: intercomparison between four instruments in a boreal forest in Finland

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 3753-3802 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Kajos ◽  
P. Rantala ◽  
M. Hill ◽  
H. Hellén ◽  
J. Aalto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Systematic Difference ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
R Value ◽  
Ambient Measurements

Abstract. Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry GC-MS) allow real-time measurements of various atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOC). By taking parallel measurements in ambient conditions, two PTR-MSs and two GC-MSs were studied for their ability to measure methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene and toluene. The measurements were conducted at a rural boreal forest site in southern Finland between 13 April and 14 May 2012. This paper presents correlations and possible biases between the concentrations measured using the four instruments. This paper presents correlations and possible biases between the concentrations measured using the four instruments. A very good correlation was found for benzene and acetone measurements between all instruments (the mean R value was 0.88 for both compounds), while for acetaldehyde and toluene the correlation was weaker (with a mean R value of 0.50 and 0.62, respectively). For some compounds, notably for methane, there were considerable systematic differences in the mixing ratios measured by the different instruments, despite the very good correlation between the instruments (mean R = 0.90). The systematic difference arises as a difference in the linear regression slope between measurements conducted between instruments, rather than as an offset. This mismatch indicates that the systematic uncertainty in the sensitivity of a given instrument can lead to an uncertainty of 50–100% in the methanol emissions measured by commonly used methods.

scholarly journals Atmospheric bromoform at Cape Point, South Africa: an initial fixed-point data set on the African continent

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 5785-5797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Kuyper ◽  
Carl J. Palmer ◽  
Casper Labuschagne ◽  
Chris J. C. Reason
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trajectory Analysis ◽  
Gas Chromatograph ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Point Data ◽  
St Helena ◽  
Marine Air

Abstract. Bromoform mixing ratios in marine air were measured at Cape Point Global Atmospheric Watch Station, South Africa. This represents the first such bromoform data set recorded at this location. Manual daily measurements were made during a month-long field campaign (austral spring 2011) using a gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) with a custom-built front end thermal desorption trap. The measured concentrations ranged between 4.4 and 64.6 (± 22.2 %) ppt with a mean of 24.8 ± 14.8 ppt. The highest mixing ratios recorded here occurred at, or shortly after, low tide. The diurnal cycle exhibited a morning and evening maximum with lower concentrations throughout the rest of the day. Initial analysis of the data presented indicates that the local kelp beds were the dominant source of the bromoform reported. A concentration-weighted trajectory analysis of the bromoform measurements suggests that two offshore source areas may exist. These source areas appear to be centred on the Agulhas retroflection and extend from St Helena Bay to the southwest.

scholarly journals Long-term study of VOCs measured with PTR-MS at a rural site in New Hampshire with urban influences

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4251-4299
Author(s):  
C. Jordan ◽  
E. Fitz ◽  
T. Hagan ◽  
B. Sive ◽  
E. Frinak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dimethyl Sulfide ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Urban Rural

Abstract. A long-term, high time-resolution volatile organic compound (VOC) data set from a ground site that experiences urban, rural, and marine influences in the northeastern United States is presented. A proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) was used to quantify 15 VOCs: a marine tracer dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a biomass burning tracer acetonitrile, biogenic compounds (monoterpenes, isoprene), oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs: methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) plus methacrolein (MACR), methanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetaldehyde, and acetic acid), and aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, C8 and C9 aromatics). Time series, overall and seasonal medians, with 10th and 90th percentiles, seasonal mean diurnal profiles, and inter-annual comparisons of mean summer and winter diurnal profiles are shown. Methanol and acetone exhibit the highest overall median mixing ratios 1.44 and 1.02 ppbv, respectively. Comparing the mean diurnal profiles of less well understood compounds (e.g., MEK) with better known compounds (e.g., isoprene, monoterpenes, and MVK+MACR) that undergo various controls on their atmospheric mixing ratios provides insight into possible sources of the lesser known compounds. The constant diurnal value of ≈0.7 for the toluene:benzene ratio in winter, may possibly indicate the influence of wood-based heating systems in this region. Methanol exhibits an initial early morning release in summer unlike any other OVOC (or isoprene) and a dramatic late afternoon mixing ratio increase in spring. Although several of the OVOCs appear to have biogenic sources, differences in features observed between isoprene, methanol, acetone, acetaldehyde, and MEK suggest they are produced or emitted in unique ways.

scholarly journals Simple proxies for estimating the concentrations of monoterpenes and their oxidation products at a boreal forest site

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kontkanen ◽  
Pauli Paasonen ◽  
Juho Aalto ◽  
Jaana Bäck ◽  
Pekka Rantala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Transfer Reaction ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Oxidation Processes ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Boreal Environment

Abstract. The oxidation products of monoterpenes likely have a crucial role in the formation and growth of aerosol particles in boreal forests. However, the continuous measurements of monoterpene concentrations are usually not available in decadal time scales, and the direct measurements of the concentrations of monoterpene oxidation product are so far scarce. In this study we developed proxies for the concentrations of monoterpenes and their oxidation products at a boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, southern Finland. For deriving the proxies we used the monoterpene concentration measured with a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) during 2006–2013. Our proxies for the monoterpene concentration take into account the temperature-controlled emissions from the forest ecosystem, the dilution caused by the mixing within the boundary layer, and different oxidation processes. All the versions of our proxies captured the seasonal variation of the monoterpene concentration, the typical proxy-to-measurements ratios being between 0.8 and 1.3 in summer and between 0.6 and 2.6 in winter. In addition, the proxies were able to describe the diurnal variation of the monoterpene concentration rather well, especially in summer months. By utilizing one of the proxies, we calculated the concentration of oxidation products of monoterpenes by considering their production in the oxidation and their loss due to condensation on aerosol particles. The concentration of oxidation products was found to have a clear seasonal cycle with the maximum in summer and the minimum in winter. The concentration of oxidation products was lowest in the morning or around noon and highest in the evening. In the future, our proxies for the monoterpene concentration and their oxidation products can be used, for example, in the analysis of new particle formation and growth in boreal environment.

scholarly journals ACE-FTS observations of pyrogenic trace species in boreal biomass burning plumes during BORTAS

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 31629-31661 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Tereszchuk ◽  
G. González Abad ◽  
C. Clerbaux ◽  
J. Hadji-Lazaro ◽  
D. Hurtmans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Satellite Measurement ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Trace Species ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. To further our understanding of the effects of biomass burning emissions on atmospheric composition, the Quantifying the impact of BOReal forest fires on Tropospheric oxidants over the Atlantic using Aircraft and Satellites (BORTAS) campaign was conducted on 12 July to 3 August 2011 during the Boreal forest fire season in Canada. The simultaneous aerial, ground and satellite measurement campaign sought to record instances of Boreal biomass burning to measure the tropospheric volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of short- and long-lived trace molecular species from biomass burning emissions. The goal was to investigate the connection between the composition and the distribution of these pyrogenic outflows and their resulting perturbation to atmospheric chemistry, with particular focus on oxidant species to determine the overall impact on the oxidizing capacity of the free troposphere. Measurements of pyrogenic trace species in Boreal biomass burning plumes were made by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) onboard the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) SCISAT-1 satellite during the BORTAS campaign. Even though most biomass burning smoke is typically confined to the boundary layer, emissions are often injected directly into the upper troposphere via fire-related convective processes, thus allowing space-borne instruments to measure these pyrogenic outflows. An extensive set of 15 molecules, CH3OH, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, C3H6O, CO, HCN, HCOOH, HNO3, H2CO, NO, NO2, OCS, O3 and PAN have been analyzed. Included in this analysis is the calculation of age-dependent sets of enhancement ratios for each of the species.

scholarly journals Increased Northern Hemispheric carbon monoxide burden in the troposphere in 2002 and 2003 detected from the ground and from space

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 4999-5017 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. N. Yurganov ◽  
P. Duchatelet ◽  
A. V. Dzhola ◽  
D. P. Edwards ◽  
F. Hase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Northern Hemispheric ◽  
Co Emission ◽  
Total Column

Abstract. Carbon monoxide total column amounts in the atmosphere have been measured in the High Northern Hemisphere (30°–90° N, HNH) between January 2002 and December 2003, based on the analysis of infrared solar spectra recorded with spectrometers of high and moderate resolution. They are compared to ground-level CO mixing ratios and to total column amounts measured from space by the Terra/MOPITT instrument. In comparison to the unperturbed 2000–2001 period, all these databases reveal increased CO abundances in 2002–2003 summer-autumn times, with maximum anomalies observed in September 2002 and August 2003. Using a simple two-box model, the corresponding annual CO emission anomalies have been found equal to 98 Tg in 2002 and 142 Tg in 2003, thus close to those for 1996 and 1998. It is most likely that strong boreal forest fires in the HNH induced the increased CO burdens.

scholarly journals Long-term study of VOCs measured with PTR-MS at a rural site in New Hampshire with urban influences

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (14) ◽  
pp. 4677-4697 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Jordan ◽  
E. Fitz ◽  
T. Hagan ◽  
B. Sive ◽  
E. Frinak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dimethyl Sulfide ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Urban Rural

Abstract. A long-term, high time-resolution volatile organic compound (VOC) data set from a ground site that experiences urban, rural, and marine influences in the Northeastern United States is presented. A proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) was used to quantify 15 VOCs: a marine tracer dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a biomass burning tracer acetonitrile, biogenic compounds (monoterpenes, isoprene), oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs: methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) plus methacrolein (MACR), methanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetaldehyde, and acetic acid), and aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, C8 and C9 aromatics). Time series, overall and seasonal medians, with 10th and 90th percentiles, seasonal mean diurnal profiles, and inter-annual comparisons of mean summer and winter diurnal profiles are shown. Methanol and acetone exhibit the highest overall median mixing ratios 1.44 and 1.02 ppbv, respectively. Comparing the mean diurnal profiles of less well understood compounds (e.g., MEK) with better known compounds (e.g., isoprene, monoterpenes, and MVK + MACR) that undergo various controls on their atmospheric mixing ratios provides insight into possible sources of the lesser known compounds. The constant diurnal value of ~0.7 for the toluene:benzene ratio in winter, may possibly indicate the influence of wood-based heating systems in this region. Methanol exhibits an initial early morning release in summer unlike any other OVOC (or isoprene) and a dramatic late afternoon mixing ratio increase in spring. Although several of the OVOCs appear to have biogenic sources, differences in features observed between isoprene, methanol, acetone, acetaldehyde, and MEK suggest they are produced or emitted in unique ways.

scholarly journals Simple proxies for estimating the concentrations of monoterpenes and their oxidation products at a boreal forest site

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 13291-13307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kontkanen ◽  
Pauli Paasonen ◽  
Juho Aalto ◽  
Jaana Bäck ◽  
Pekka Rantala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Transfer Reaction ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Proton Transfer Reaction ◽  
Reaction Mass ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Oxidation Processes ◽  
Direct Measurements

Abstract. The oxidation products of monoterpenes likely have a crucial role in the formation and growth of aerosol particles in boreal forests. However, the continuous measurements of monoterpene concentrations are usually not available on decadal timescales, and the direct measurements of the concentrations of monoterpene oxidation product have so far been scarce. In this study we developed proxies for the concentrations of monoterpenes and their oxidation products at a boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, southern Finland. For deriving the proxies we used the monoterpene concentration measured with a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) during 2006–2013. Our proxies for the monoterpene concentration take into account the temperature-controlled emissions from the forest ecosystem, the dilution caused by the mixing within the boundary layer and different oxidation processes. All the versions of our proxies captured the seasonal variation of the monoterpene concentration, the typical proxy-to-measurements ratios being between 0.8 and 1.3 in summer and between 0.6 and 2.6 in winter. In addition, the proxies were able to describe the diurnal variation of the monoterpene concentration rather well, especially in summer months. By utilizing one of the proxies, we calculated the concentration of oxidation products of monoterpenes by considering their production in the oxidation and their loss due to condensation on aerosol particles. The concentration of oxidation products was found to have a clear seasonal cycle, with a maximum in summer and a minimum in winter. The concentration of oxidation products was lowest in the morning or around noon and highest in the evening. In the future, our proxies for the monoterpene concentration and their oxidation products can be used, for example, in the analysis of new particle formation and growth in boreal environments.

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