Abstract
For the first time, volatile hydrocarbons were measured in Croatia, at Mali Lošinj in the period from autumn 2004 to autumn 2005. Mali Lošinj site is conveniently located as a gateway to Croatia for any potential pollution from either Po valley in Italy, or other locations in southern Europe or even Africa. The sampling was performed on multisorbent tubes and then analyzed by thermal desorption gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The aim was to determine and estimate the non-methane hydrocarbons in Mali Lošinj, a location with Mediterranean vegetation and species which emit large quantities of volatile organic compounds. Ozone volume fraction and meteorological parameters were also continuously measured, from April to October 2005. Ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, propene, n-pentane, n-hexane, benzene and toluene were identified in all air samples. Benzene and toluene have been found in ambient air and significant positive correlations between ethyne and ethane, propane and propene indicate emissions from transport.
Highlights
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the atmosphere could either have biogenic or anthropogenic origins, and together with nitrogen oxides NOx and sunlight, participate in reactions that lead to the formation of air pollution, tropospheric ozone and other secondary pollutants, especially secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and haze [1,2]
There is increasing evidence to suggest that biogenic VOCs play an important role in the adaptation of plants to the changing climate; having multiple roles in communication and protection of plants against several abiotic and biotic stresses [13,14,15,16]
Characterization of VOC mixing ratios and identification of the emission sources is essential for better evaluation of photochemical oxidants generation
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the atmosphere could either have biogenic or anthropogenic origins, and together with nitrogen oxides NOx and sunlight, participate in reactions that lead to the formation of air pollution, tropospheric ozone and other secondary pollutants, especially secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and haze [1,2]. Some of these VOCs play important roles in stratospheric ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect [3,4]. Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), a class of volatile organic compounds, are an important component of air pollution because of their
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