Authors: Steinbacher, M.¹; Dommen, J.¹; Ordonez, C.¹; Reimann, S.²; GrÜebler, F.³; Staehelin, J.³; Andreani-Aksoyoglu, S.¹; Prevot, A.⁴

Source: Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, Volume 51, Number 3, July 2005 , pp. 293-315(23)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were performed in the Po Basin, northern Italy in early summer 1998, summer 2002, and autumn 2003. During the three campaigns, trace gases and meteorological parameters were measured at a semi-rural station, around 35 km north of the city center of Milan. Bimodal diurnal cycles of isoprene with highest concentrations in the morning and evening were found and could be explained by the interaction of emissions, chemical reactions, and vertical mixing. The diurnal cycle could be qualitatively reproduced by a three-dimensional Eulerian model. The nighttime decay of isoprene could be attributed mostly to reactions with NO₃, while the decay of the isoprene oxidation products could not be explained with the considered chemical reactions. Methanol reached very high mixing ratios, up to 150 ppb. High concentrations with considerable variability occurred during nights with high relative humidities and low wind speeds. The origin of these nighttime methanol concentrations is most likely local and biogenic but the specific source could not be identified.

Keywords: isoprene; methanol; nighttime chemistry; oxidation products

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10874-005-3577-0

Affiliations: 1: Paul Scherrer Institut, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, CH - 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland, 2: Swiss Federal Institute for Material Testing and Research (EMPA), Laboratory for Air Pollution/Environmental Technology, CH - 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland, 3: wiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, CH - 8093, Zurich, Switzerland, 4: Paul Scherrer Institut, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, CH - 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland, Email: andre.prevot@psi.ch

Publication date: 2005-07-01

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