Abstract
Abstract. Monoterpenes play an important role in atmospheric chemistry due to their large anthropogenic and biogenic emission sources and high chemical reactivity. As a consequence, measurements are required to assess how changes in emissions of monoterpenes impact air quality. Accurate and comparable measurements of monoterpenes in indoor and outdoor environments require gaseous primary reference materials (PRMs) that are traceable to the international system of units (SI). PRMs of monoterpenes are challenging to produce due to the high chemical reactivity and low vapour pressures of monoterpenes and also their propensity to convert into other compounds, including other terpenes. In this paper, the long-term stability of gravimetrically prepared static monoterpene PRMs produced in differently passivated cylinders, including sampling canisters, was assessed. We demonstrate that static PRMs of multiple monoterpenes can be prepared and used as a suitable long-term standard. For the first time the effect of cylinder pressure and decanting from one cylinder to another on the chemical composition and amount fraction of monoterpenes was also studied. Gravimetrically prepared PRMs of limonene in high pressure cylinders were compared to a novel portable dynamic reference gas generator based on dilution of pure limonene vapour emitted from a permeation tube.
Highlights
Terpenes are a large and diverse family of naturally occurring organic compounds that are a major biosynthetic building block (de Meijere et al, 1998; Nicklaus et al, 2013)
In this paper we have investigated the short-term and longterm stability of monoterpenes in differently internally passivated cylinders
We have demonstrated that Experis treated cylinders are the most appropriate for containing low amount fraction monoterpene primary reference materials (PRMs) and that the amount fraction is not influenced by pressure between 30 and 120 bar
Summary
Terpenes are a large and diverse family of naturally occurring organic compounds that are a major biosynthetic building block (de Meijere et al, 1998; Nicklaus et al, 2013). 171 Global Long-Term Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), new data quality objectives were created for priority VOC compounds including monoterpenes. These data quality objectives stipulated 20 % accuracy and 15 % precision for monoterpene measurements reported by GAW stations. There is a requirement for performing reliable sampling or dynamic calibration methods for the in situ calibration of instruments during field campaigns or at long-term atmospheric monitoring stations and for independent verification of the gaseous PRMs. PRMs containing monoterpenes are challenging because monoterpenes are highly reactive compounds and can isomerise, tautomerise or react to form a wide range of other compounds including other terpenes (Allahverdiev et al, 1998; Findik and Gunduz, 1997; Foletto et al, 2002). A portion of a monoterpene PRM was decanted into SilcoNert 2000® (Silcotek) treated sampling canisters to study their stability and suitability for short-term storage after field sampling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
