Regional VOC characterization, source profile and impact by a new technology of quick mass spectrometry navigation

Abstract

The monitoring system used in this study can quickly display a volatile organic carbon (VOC) map of a given area and identify more than 100 gas components. In this study, mass spectrometry (MS) navigation technology was used to monitor VOCs in urban agglomerations in Central China. The proposed system could quickly monitor the total VOCs (TVOCs) in ambient air, and then the VOC compositions of pollution sources were further analysed. The experiment lasted for approximately 9 months, and it monitored of 33 regions and identified 286 VOC emission point sources. The average concentration of VOCs per monitored emission sites was 372 μg/m3, and the maximum peak value was approximately 10 mg/m3. We systematically analysed the pollution levels and components of VOCs in different regions of Central China and focused on the pollution emission characteristics of the four industrial regions. Aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) were the most important emission components in Central China. Hotspots with high concentrations were mainly located in industrial areas, traffic intersections, and construction sites. Different industries had characteristic VOC concentrations and components. The furniture and coating industries produced the heaviest regional pollution, and OVOCs and aromatic hydrocarbons were the main pollutants. In the region dominated by the machinery industry, the main pollutants were aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes. This study found that pollution in the Central Plains of China was higher in the north than the south. Therefore, the northern part of Central China has a greater impact on the neighbouring capital economic region.The bifurcation coefficient among background sites and emission sources further indicated that navigation monitoring technology can help researchers and managers quickly describe regional pollution distribution and discharge characteristics, identify key polluting industries and substances, determine regional contribution rates, and formulate targeted and precise governmental policies at the national and regional scale.