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Determination of the stable carbon isotopic compositions of 2‐methyltetrols in ambient aerosols from the Changbai Mountains
Author(s) -
Li Li,
Deng Shihuai,
Wang Wu,
Li Huaijian,
Zhang Xiaohong,
Sheng Guoying,
Fu Jiamo,
Bi Xinhui,
Sun Baiye
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.4540
Subject(s) - isoprene , chemistry , atmosphere (unit) , aerosol , environmental chemistry , isotopes of carbon , mass spectrometry , carbon fibers , troposphere , isotope ratio mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , total organic carbon , atmospheric sciences , organic chemistry , chromatography , meteorology , physics , materials science , composite number , copolymer , composite material , geology , polymer
Isoprene is one of the most important non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in the troposphere: it is a significant precursor of O 3 and it affects the oxidative state of the atmosphere. The diastereoisomeric 2‐methyltetrols, 2‐methylthreitol and 2‐methylerythritol, are marker compounds of the photooxidation products of atmospheric isoprene. In order to obtain valuable information on the δ 13 C value of isoprene in the atmosphere, the stable carbon isotopic compositions of the 2‐methyltetrols in ambient aerosols were investigated. The 2‐methyltetrols were extracted from filter samples and derivatized with methylboronic acid, and the δ 13 C values of the methylboronate derivatives were determined by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). The δ 13 C values of the 2‐methyltetrols were then calculated through a simple mass balance equation between the 2‐methyltetrols, methylboronic acid and the methylboronates. The δ 13 C values of the 2‐methyltetrols in aerosol samples collected at the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserves in eastern China were found to be −24.66 ± 0.90‰ and −24.53 ± 1.08‰ for 2‐methylerythritol and 2‐methylthreitol, respectively. Based on the measured isotopic composition of the 2‐methyltetrols, the average δ 13 C value of atmospheric isoprene is inferred to be close to or slightly heavier than −24.66‰ at the collection site during the sampling period. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.