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A portable and inexpensive method for quantifying ambient intermediate volatility organic compounds
Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and intermediate volatility VOCs (IVOCs) are gas-phase organic compounds which may participate in chemical reactions affecting air quality and climate. The development of an inexpensive, field-portable quantification method for higher molecular weight VOCs and IVOCs utilizing commercially available components could be used as a tool to survey aerosol precursors or identify and monitor air quality in various communities. We characterized the performance characteristics for the HayeSep-Q adsorbent with a representative selection of anthropogenic and biogenic VOC standards and optimized experimental conditions and procedures for field collections followed by laboratory analysis. All VOCs were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Precision (average 22%) and accuracy were reasonable and the limit of detection ranged from 10 to 80 pmol/mol (ppt) for the studied compounds. The method was employed at the Los Angeles site during the CalNex campaign in summer 2010 and ambient mixing ratios agreed well (slope 0.69–1.06, R 2 0.67–0.71) with measurements made using an in-situ GC–MS – a distinctly different sampling and quantification method. This new technique can be applied to quantify ambient biogenic and anthropogenic C8–C15 VOCs and IVOCs.
Highlights Characterized HayeSep-Q adsorbent method performance for ambient air measurements. New method for quantifying C8–C15 VOCs and IVOCs in ambient air. Low detection limits and good agreement with in-situ measurements during field trial. Easily employed to monitor air toxins and/or precursors to SOA formation and growth.
A portable and inexpensive method for quantifying ambient intermediate volatility organic compounds
Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and intermediate volatility VOCs (IVOCs) are gas-phase organic compounds which may participate in chemical reactions affecting air quality and climate. The development of an inexpensive, field-portable quantification method for higher molecular weight VOCs and IVOCs utilizing commercially available components could be used as a tool to survey aerosol precursors or identify and monitor air quality in various communities. We characterized the performance characteristics for the HayeSep-Q adsorbent with a representative selection of anthropogenic and biogenic VOC standards and optimized experimental conditions and procedures for field collections followed by laboratory analysis. All VOCs were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Precision (average 22%) and accuracy were reasonable and the limit of detection ranged from 10 to 80 pmol/mol (ppt) for the studied compounds. The method was employed at the Los Angeles site during the CalNex campaign in summer 2010 and ambient mixing ratios agreed well (slope 0.69–1.06, R 2 0.67–0.71) with measurements made using an in-situ GC–MS – a distinctly different sampling and quantification method. This new technique can be applied to quantify ambient biogenic and anthropogenic C8–C15 VOCs and IVOCs.
Highlights Characterized HayeSep-Q adsorbent method performance for ambient air measurements. New method for quantifying C8–C15 VOCs and IVOCs in ambient air. Low detection limits and good agreement with in-situ measurements during field trial. Easily employed to monitor air toxins and/or precursors to SOA formation and growth.
A portable and inexpensive method for quantifying ambient intermediate volatility organic compounds
Bouvier-Brown, Nicole C. (author) / Carrasco, Erica (author) / Karz, James (author) / Chang, Kylee (author) / Nguyen, Theodore (author) / Ruiz, Daniel (author) / Okonta, Vivian (author) / Gilman, Jessica B. (author) / Kuster, William C. (author) / de Gouw, Joost A. (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 94 ; 126-133
2014-05-02
8 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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