Title: Analysis and interpretation of the monitoring data for C₂–C₁₁ hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of a rural Portuguese site

Authors: Celia Alves, Paulo Gomes, Casimiro Pio

Addresses: Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Aveiro, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Campus de Santiago, 3010-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Sondarlab, Centro Empresarial da Gafanha da Nazare, R. de Goa, 2 – bloco C – E – 20, 3830-702 Gafanha da Nazare – Ilhavo, Portugal ' Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Aveiro, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Campus de Santiago, 3010-193 Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: This paper focuses the application of a measurement technique for determining atmospheric C₂–C₆ hydrocarbons after canister sampling and analysis by gas chromatography/flame ionisation detection (GC/FID), as well of an adsorption-sampling technique for C₆–C₁₁ compounds and GC/FID analysis after thermal desorption and cryogenic concentration. Tens of samples collected at Giesta, a rural area located 20 km to the SE of the coastal Portuguese city of Aveiro, were analysed. The characterisation of C₂ C₁₁ hydrocarbons is presented, considering seasonal variations, diurnal cycles, the influence of air masses and different photochemical conditions. Ratios between hydrocarbons and principal components analysis were applied to differentiate between biogenic and anthropogenic sources.

Keywords: volatile organic compounds; VOC; cold trap injection; gas chromatography; flame ionisation detection; FID; seasonal variation; diurnal cycles; principal component analysis; PCA; Portugal; atmospheric hydrocarbons; air pollution; measurement; monitoring.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.017916

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.32 No.3, pp.341 - 361

Published online: 23 Apr 2008 *

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