Open AccessAnalysis of the isoprene chemistry observed during the New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS) 2002 intensive experiment
Author(s) -
Roberts James M.,
Marchewka Mathew,
Bertman Steven B.,
Goldan Paul,
Kuster William,
de Gouw Joost,
Warneke Carsten,
Williams Eric,
Lerner Brian,
Murphy Paul,
Apel Eric,
Fehsenfeld Fred C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2006jd007570
Subject(s) - isoprene , methacrolein , methyl vinyl ketone , chemistry , acetaldehyde , atmospheric chemistry , ozone , environmental chemistry , aldehyde , photochemistry , air quality index , nox , organic chemistry , meteorology , catalysis , physics , copolymer , polymer , monomer , ethanol , combustion , methacrylic acid
Isoprene and its first and second generation photochemical products, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), methacrolein (MACR), and peroxymethacrylic nitric anhydride (MPAN), were measured off the coast of New England during the 2002 New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS) on board the NOAA Research Vessel Ronald H. Brown . The results of these measurements were analyzed using a simple sequential reaction model that has been used previously to examine regional oxidant chemistry. The highest isoprene impact was observed in air masses that had passed over an area of high isoprene emission WSW of Boston. The relative concentrations of isoprene and its first generation products show that the photochemistry is consistently “older” than the isoprene photochemistry observed at continental sites. The sequential reaction model was also applied to the aldehyde‐PANs (Peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydride) system, and the resulting PPN (peroxypropionic nitric anhydride)/propanal and PAN (peroxyacetic nitric anhydride)/acetaldehyde relationships were consistent with additional sources of PAN in this environment, e.g., isoprene photochemistry. This isoprene source was estimated to result in approximately 1.6 to 4 times more PAN in this environment relative to that produced from anthropogenic VOCs (volatile organic compounds) alone.