Seasonal behavior of carbonyls and source characterization of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air

K. H. Lui; Steven Sai Hang Ho; Peter K.K. Louie; C. S. Chan; S. C. Lee; Di HU; P. W. Chan; Jeffrey Chi Wai Lee; K. F. Ho

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004

Seasonal behavior of carbonyls and source characterization of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air

K. H. Lui, Steven Sai Hang Ho, Peter K.K. Louie, C. S. Chan, S. C. Lee, Di HU, P. W. Chan, Jeffrey Chi Wai Lee, K. F. Ho^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Chemistry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

86 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gas-phase formaldehyde (HCHO) is an intermediate and a sensitive indicator for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) oxidation, which drives tropospheric ozone production. Effective photochemical pollution control strategies demand a thorough understanding of photochemical oxidation precursors, making differentiation between sources of primary and secondary generated HCHO inevitable. Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne carbonyls based on two years of measurements (2012–2013), coupled with a correlation-based HCHO source apportionment analysis, were determined for three sampling locations in Hong Kong (denoted HT, TC, and YL). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the two most abundant compounds of the total quantified carbonyls. Pearson's correlation analysis (r > 0.7) implies that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde possibly share similar sources. The total carbonyl concentration trends (HT < TC < YL) reflect location characteristics (urban > rural). A regression analysis further quantifies the relative primary HCHO source contributions at HT (∼13%), TC (∼21%), and YL (∼40%), showing more direct vehicular emissions in urban than rural areas. Relative secondary source contributions at YL (∼36%) and TC (∼31%) resemble each other, implying similar urban source contributions. Relative background source contributions at TC could be due to a closed structure microenvironment that favors the trapping of HCHO. Comparable seasonal differences are observed at all stations. The results of this study will aid in the development of a new regional ozone (O₃) control policy, as ambient HCHO can enhance O₃ production and also be produced from atmospheric VOCs oxidation (secondary HCHO).

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	51-60
Number of pages	10
Journal	Atmospheric Environment
Volume	152
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2017

Scopus Subject Areas

Environmental Science(all)
Atmospheric Science

User-Defined Keywords

Ambient air
Carbonyl
Correlation analysis
Seasonal variation
Source apportionment analysis

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004

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title = "Seasonal behavior of carbonyls and source characterization of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air",

abstract = "Gas-phase formaldehyde (HCHO) is an intermediate and a sensitive indicator for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) oxidation, which drives tropospheric ozone production. Effective photochemical pollution control strategies demand a thorough understanding of photochemical oxidation precursors, making differentiation between sources of primary and secondary generated HCHO inevitable. Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne carbonyls based on two years of measurements (2012–2013), coupled with a correlation-based HCHO source apportionment analysis, were determined for three sampling locations in Hong Kong (denoted HT, TC, and YL). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the two most abundant compounds of the total quantified carbonyls. Pearson's correlation analysis (r > 0.7) implies that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde possibly share similar sources. The total carbonyl concentration trends (HT < TC < YL) reflect location characteristics (urban > rural). A regression analysis further quantifies the relative primary HCHO source contributions at HT (∼13%), TC (∼21%), and YL (∼40%), showing more direct vehicular emissions in urban than rural areas. Relative secondary source contributions at YL (∼36%) and TC (∼31%) resemble each other, implying similar urban source contributions. Relative background source contributions at TC could be due to a closed structure microenvironment that favors the trapping of HCHO. Comparable seasonal differences are observed at all stations. The results of this study will aid in the development of a new regional ozone (O3) control policy, as ambient HCHO can enhance O3 production and also be produced from atmospheric VOCs oxidation (secondary HCHO).",

keywords = "Ambient air, Carbonyl, Correlation analysis, Seasonal variation, Source apportionment analysis",

author = "Lui, {K. H.} and Ho, {Steven Sai Hang} and Louie, {Peter K.K.} and Chan, {C. S.} and Lee, {S. C.} and Di HU and Chan, {P. W.} and Lee, {Jeffrey Chi Wai} and Ho, {K. F.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier Ltd",

year = "2017",

month = mar,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004",

language = "English",

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pages = "51--60",

journal = "Atmospheric Environment",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Seasonal behavior of carbonyls and source characterization of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air

AU - Lui, K. H.

AU - Ho, Steven Sai Hang

AU - Louie, Peter K.K.

AU - Chan, C. S.

AU - Lee, S. C.

AU - HU, Di

AU - Chan, P. W.

AU - Lee, Jeffrey Chi Wai

AU - Ho, K. F.

PY - 2017/3/1

Y1 - 2017/3/1

N2 - Gas-phase formaldehyde (HCHO) is an intermediate and a sensitive indicator for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) oxidation, which drives tropospheric ozone production. Effective photochemical pollution control strategies demand a thorough understanding of photochemical oxidation precursors, making differentiation between sources of primary and secondary generated HCHO inevitable. Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne carbonyls based on two years of measurements (2012–2013), coupled with a correlation-based HCHO source apportionment analysis, were determined for three sampling locations in Hong Kong (denoted HT, TC, and YL). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the two most abundant compounds of the total quantified carbonyls. Pearson's correlation analysis (r > 0.7) implies that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde possibly share similar sources. The total carbonyl concentration trends (HT < TC < YL) reflect location characteristics (urban > rural). A regression analysis further quantifies the relative primary HCHO source contributions at HT (∼13%), TC (∼21%), and YL (∼40%), showing more direct vehicular emissions in urban than rural areas. Relative secondary source contributions at YL (∼36%) and TC (∼31%) resemble each other, implying similar urban source contributions. Relative background source contributions at TC could be due to a closed structure microenvironment that favors the trapping of HCHO. Comparable seasonal differences are observed at all stations. The results of this study will aid in the development of a new regional ozone (O3) control policy, as ambient HCHO can enhance O3 production and also be produced from atmospheric VOCs oxidation (secondary HCHO).

AB - Gas-phase formaldehyde (HCHO) is an intermediate and a sensitive indicator for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) oxidation, which drives tropospheric ozone production. Effective photochemical pollution control strategies demand a thorough understanding of photochemical oxidation precursors, making differentiation between sources of primary and secondary generated HCHO inevitable. Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne carbonyls based on two years of measurements (2012–2013), coupled with a correlation-based HCHO source apportionment analysis, were determined for three sampling locations in Hong Kong (denoted HT, TC, and YL). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the two most abundant compounds of the total quantified carbonyls. Pearson's correlation analysis (r > 0.7) implies that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde possibly share similar sources. The total carbonyl concentration trends (HT < TC < YL) reflect location characteristics (urban > rural). A regression analysis further quantifies the relative primary HCHO source contributions at HT (∼13%), TC (∼21%), and YL (∼40%), showing more direct vehicular emissions in urban than rural areas. Relative secondary source contributions at YL (∼36%) and TC (∼31%) resemble each other, implying similar urban source contributions. Relative background source contributions at TC could be due to a closed structure microenvironment that favors the trapping of HCHO. Comparable seasonal differences are observed at all stations. The results of this study will aid in the development of a new regional ozone (O3) control policy, as ambient HCHO can enhance O3 production and also be produced from atmospheric VOCs oxidation (secondary HCHO).

KW - Ambient air

KW - Carbonyl

KW - Correlation analysis

KW - Seasonal variation

KW - Source apportionment analysis

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U2 - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004

DO - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.004

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85006307086

SN - 1352-2310

VL - 152

SP - 51

EP - 60

JO - Atmospheric Environment

JF - Atmospheric Environment

ER -

Seasonal behavior of carbonyls and source characterization of formaldehyde (HCHO) in ambient air

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

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UN SDGs

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