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Importance of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds to Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs) Production in the Southeastern U.S. during SOAS 2013

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

Gas-phase atmospheric concentrations of PAN, PPN, and MPAN were measured at the ground using GC-ECD during the SOAS 2013 campaign (1 June to 15 July 2013) in Centerville, Alabama in order to study biosphere-atmosphere interactions. Average levels of PAN, PPN and MPAN were 169, 5, and 9 pptv respectively, and the sum accounts for an average of 15 % of NO y during the daytime (10 am to 4 pm local time). Higher concentrations were seen on average in air that came to the site from the urban NO x sources to the north. PAN levels were the lowest observed in ground measurements over the past two decades in the Southeastern U.S. Analysis of PAN/NO x indicates PAN production in this region was sensitive to NO x . A multiple regression analysis indicates that biogenic VOCs account for 66 % of PAN formation in this region of the Southeastern U.S. Comparison of this value with a 0-D model simulation of peroxyacetyl radical production indicates that at least 50 % of PAN formation is due to isoprene oxidation. MPAN has a statistical correlation with isoprene hydroxynitrates (IN) with an average MPAN ppb /IN ppb ratio of 0.3. Organic aerosol mass increases with gas-phase MPAN and IN concentrations, but the mass of organic nitrates in particles is largely insensitive to MPAN. Isoprene and PAN play a significant role in the atmospheric chemistry in the Southeastern United States.

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