Uncertainty Associated with the Analysis of Secondary Organic Aerosol Compounds Formed in Smog Chambers by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Oscar Pindado Jiménez,Rosa Mª Pérez Pastor

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2013.07.0250

Abstract

This work assesses the main sources of uncertainty of the determination of several secondary organic aerosol (SOA) components. The evaluation of the uncertainty associated with analytical methods is essential in order to demonstrate that the results obtained in routine analysis are reliable. The current work has thoroughly evaluated the sources of uncertainties associated with the analytical method employed to quantify the SOA produced from photo-oxidation of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in smog chambers. Measurement uncertainties were calculated by applying a bottom-up approach. The combined uncertainty of the analytical method ranged from 8% for glyoxal to 29% for methyl benzoquinone. The results clearly show that the determination of some SOA compounds is associated with a high level of uncertainty, and thus the quantification process for these at lower levels remains challenging.

Highlights

The current work has thoroughly evaluated the sources of uncertainties associated with the analytical method employed to quantify the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced from photo-oxidation of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in smog chambers
The results clearly show that the determination of some SOA compounds is associated with a high level of uncertainty, and the quantification process for these at lower levels remains challenging
Experiments performed in smog chambers offer a framework to reproduce chemical reactions under controlled conditions, and they are a useful tool to investigate reactions and mechanisms involved in the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation

Summary

Introduction

Experiments performed in smog chambers offer a framework to reproduce chemical reactions under controlled conditions, and they are a useful tool to investigate reactions and mechanisms involved in the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. The number of papers related to smog chambers has risen considerably during last years (Coeur-Tourneur et al, 2009; Kleindienst et al, 2009; Ortiz et al, 2009; Vivanco et al, 2011; Zhang et al, 2011; Zhou et al, 2011; Borrás and TortajadaGenaro, 2012a, b; Santiago et al, 2012). There are some techniques to analyze SOA produced from smog chamber experiments. Installing a filter system below the chamber to collect those species is one of most employed.

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Conclusion