Abstract
Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere by plants and include isoprene, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxygenated derivatives. These BVOCs are among the principal factors influencing the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere in forested regions. BVOC emission rates are often measured by collecting samples onto adsorptive cartridges in the field and then transporting these samples to the laboratory for chromatographic analysis. One of the most commonly used detectors in chromatographic analysis is the flame ionization detector (FID). For quantitative analysis with an FID, relative response factors may be estimated using the effective carbon number (ECN) concept. The purpose of this study was to determine the ECN for a variety of terpenoid compounds to enable improved quantification of BVOC measurements. A dynamic dilution system was developed to make quantitative gas standards of VOCs with mixing ratios from 20–55 ppb. For each experiment using this system, one terpene standard was co-injected with an internal reference, n-octane, and analyzed via an automated cryofocusing system interfaced to a gas chromatograph flame ionization detector and mass spectrometer (GC/MS/FID). The ECNs of 16 compounds (14 BVOCs) were evaluated with this approach, with each test compound analyzed at least three times. The difference between the actual carbon number and measured ECN ranged from −24% to −2%. The difference between theoretical ECN and measured ECN ranged from −22% to 9%. Measured ECN values were within 10% of theoretical ECN values for most terpenoid compounds.
Highlights
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere by vegetation in what is thought to be primarily a plant defense response (Lerdau et al, 1994; Kesselmeier and Staudt, 1999; Engelberth et al, 2004)
The objective of this study was to calculate the effective carbon number (ECN) of a variety of representative BVOC compounds with an automated cryotrapping and analytical system used for BVOC analysis
The main flow path of the dilution system was assembled from 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) outside diameter (OD) stainless steel (SS) tube and Swagelok fittings with graphite ferrules
Summary
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere by vegetation in what is thought to be primarily a plant defense response (Lerdau et al, 1994; Kesselmeier and Staudt, 1999; Engelberth et al, 2004). In the United States, emissions of VOCs from plants have been estimated to be approximately 1.5 times greater than the total from anthropogenic sources (Lamb et al, 1987, 1993). A terpene is defined by its molecular structure and chemical formation process They have molecular structures that include carbon atoms in multiples of five; for example, 5-carbon, 10-carbon, and 15-carbon terpenes are called hemiterpenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, respectively. This structural pattern occurs naturally because terpenes are formed biochemically from combinations of the 5-carbon compound isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), the only true hemiterpene
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
