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13C isotope evidence for photochemical production of atmospheric formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone pollutants in Guangzhou

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Abstract

Ambient formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone are harmful air pollutants with potential carcinogenic effects on human health. They are considered as important photochemical products from photo-oxidation of atmospheric hydrocarbons. However, little is known on the effet of photodegradation of air pollutants on δ13C values. Here, we report the first 13C isotope evidence for the photochemical production of ambient formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone. Air samples were collected each day during early morning, noon, early afternoon, and late afternoon on 17–19 September 2008 in Guangzhou by drawing air through 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-coated cartridges. The samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography for concentration analysis and then using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry for δ13C analysis. Our results show that ambient formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were enriched by 1–5 ‰ in 13C in the early afternoon relative to other sampling durations, and they also exhibited the highest concentrations in the early afternoon. Measured δ13C values of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were in the range from −37.15 to −29.01 ‰. The observed enrichment in 13C implied important photochemical production together with the highest concentrations in the early afternoon. Especially, measured δ13C range from −37.15 to −29.01 ‰ was in accordance with forecasted δ13C range from −43 to −28 ‰ based on the mass balance in 13C between the carbonyls and its major hydrocarbon precursors, providing important 13C isotope evidence for the photochemical production of ambient formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by funds of (1) National Natural Scientific Foundation of China (No. 41163008) and (2) Scientific Research Foundations of Guangxi University (No. XBZ111202) and Yongjiang University (No. 201205). We acknowledge the contribution of all the staff who has participated in air sampling.

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  1. School of Environment, Guangxi University, Nanning, China

    Songjun Guo

  2. Technical College, Yongjiang University, Nanning, China

    Mei Chen

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  1. Songjun Guo
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  2. Mei Chen
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Correspondence to Mei Chen.

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Guo, S., Chen, M. 13C isotope evidence for photochemical production of atmospheric formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone pollutants in Guangzhou. Environ Chem Lett 11, 77–82 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-012-0382-2

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