Deployment of a GC/MS System to Measure C2 to C5 Carbonyls,
Methanol and Ethanol Aboard Aircraft
Eric C. Apel - NCAR/ACD
Daniel D. Riemer - UM/RSMAS
We will deploy a gas chromatograph/mass
spectrometer (GC/MS) instrument to measure £ C5 carbonyl
compounds, methanol and ethanol on the NASA DC-8 aircraft. The
time response for the measurement of these compounds will be 5
minutes yielding 12 measurements per hour. The system is based
on a Hewlett-Packard 5973 Mass Spectrometer. Air samples will be
drawn into the introduction system where preconcentration occurs.
Helium carrier gas will rapidly transfer the preconcentrated compounds
to a gas chromatograph fitted with a HP-624 column. The carbonyl
and alcohol compounds of interest will elute rapidly from the column
and into the mass spectrometer operating in the single ion mode.
This method provides unambiguous identification because the compounds
are chromatographically separated and mass selected. The sensitivity
is estimated to be between 2 and 10 pptv depending on the compound.
It is well known that these trace
gases are extensively involved in atmospheric photooxidation processes,
but they also represent classes of compounds that are not routinely
measured. As a result of photodecomposition processes and reactions
with OH, carbonyl compounds generate substantial amounts of HO2,
RO2, and RC(O)O2 radicals in the atmosphere.
These radicals react with NO to produce NO2 with the
subsequent formation of O3. The RC(O)O2 radicals
can react with NO2 to form the reservoir PAN and PAN
type compounds which can be transported over large distances in
the troposphere. Thus, the carbonyl compounds are important participants
in the tropospheric ozone formation and the HOx cycle.
Recent experiments have shown
a discrepancy between measured formaldehyde and modeled formaldehyde
in continentally influenced air masses. Under these conditions,
measurements tend to be higher (by as much as a factor of 2 (Alan
Fried, personal communication)) than modeled results indicating
a source of formaldehyde which is not included in the models. Unmeasured
compounds, such as methanol and carbonyl compounds are potential
candidates for the missing source.
There is still much uncertainty
in our understanding of tropospheric ozone formation and the HOx
cycle. A large contributor to this uncertainty is likely the unmeasured
carbonyl and alcohol species. Additional uncertainty may be attributed
to measurement techniques that have not been well characterized.
In summary,
1. We will measure £ C5 carbonyl
compounds, methanol and ethanol aboard the DC-8 aircraft with a
time response of 5 minutes.
2. We will investigate
the direct emissions of these compounds from the Asian continent.
3. We will investigate the extent to which photochemical evolution
is important to the formation of carbonyl compounds in air transported from the
Asian continent.
4. We will compare our technique for measuring £ C5 carbonyls
and methanol and ethanol to other available techniques involved in TRACE-P.
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