[Study on atmospheric VOCs in Gongga Mountain base station].

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play important roles in the atmosphere as precursors of secondary air pollutants. The regional background concentrations and variation characteristics of VOCs in the atmosphere of southwestern China were studied. Meanwhile, a receptor model based on principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the major sources of VOCs. Weekly samples were collected in 2007 in the Gongga Mountain base station and analyzed with a three-stage preconcentration method coupled with GC-MS. The annual mean concentration of TVOCs and NMHCs were 9.40 x 10(-9) +/- 4.55 x 10(-9) and 7.73 x 10(-9) +/- 4.43 x 10(-9), respectively. Aromatic hydrocarbons provided the largest contribution to TVOCs (37.3%), follow by alkanes (30.0%) and halogenated hydrocarbons (19.8%), the smallest contribution was from alkenes (12.9%). Three major sources were resolved by the receptor model, traffic sources, biogenic sources and combustion sources. The seasonal variation of TVOCs in this area was obviously, and the order was autumn > winter > spring > summer. TVOCs concentration in autumn was very significantly higher than that in summer (P < 0.01). The seasonal variation of the four types of VOCs showed different characteristics due to the differences in photochemical properties. Isoprene emissions were from biogenic sources. Regression analysis revealed a good exponential relationship between the isoprene concentration and temperature. High temperatures increased the isoprene concentrations. However, the isoprene concentration remained constant when the ambient air temperature was below 20 degrees C. The TVOCs in Gongga Mountain were at a medium level comparing with the results of other regions, and there was a clear background station emission characteristic.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Weekly air samples collected in 2007 at the Gongga Mountain base station were analyzed by three-stage preconcentration GC-MS. Annual mean concentrations were 9.40×10^-9 ± 4.55×10^-9 for TVOCs and 7.73×10^-9 ± 4.43×10^-9 for NMHCs; aromatics contributed the largest share of TVOCs (37.3%). PCA receptor modeling resolved three major VOC sources (traffic, biogenic, combustion), and TVOCs showed seasonal variation (autumn > winter > spring > summer) with autumn significantly higher than summer (P<0.01); isoprene was linked to biogenic sources and increased with temperature above 20°C.

Outcomes measured

• Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations (TVOCs, NMHCs)
• VOC composition by chemical class (aromatics, alkanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, alkenes)
• Source apportionment of VOCs via PCA receptor model
• Seasonal variation of VOCs
• Relationship between isoprene concentration and temperature

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Weekly samples collected in 2007"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations (TVOCs, NMHCs)",
        "VOC composition by chemical class (aromatics, alkanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, alkenes)",
        "Source apportionment of VOCs via PCA receptor model",
        "Seasonal variation of VOCs",
        "Relationship between isoprene concentration and temperature"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Weekly air samples collected in 2007 at the Gongga Mountain base station were analyzed by three-stage preconcentration GC-MS. Annual mean concentrations were 9.40×10^-9 ± 4.55×10^-9 for TVOCs and 7.73×10^-9 ± 4.43×10^-9 for NMHCs; aromatics contributed the largest share of TVOCs (37.3%). PCA receptor modeling resolved three major VOC sources (traffic, biogenic, combustion), and TVOCs showed seasonal variation (autumn > winter > spring > summer) with autumn significantly higher than summer (P<0.01); isoprene was linked to biogenic sources and increased with temperature above 20°C.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "volatile organic compounds",
        "TVOCs",
        "NMHCs",
        "GC-MS",
        "principal component analysis",
        "receptor model",
        "source apportionment",
        "seasonal variation",
        "isoprene",
        "temperature",
        "Gongga Mountain",
        "background station"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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