Abstract
Introduction
The change in light intensity that takes place when an ambient air sample is drawn into the detection chamber of a chemiluminescence monitor generates changes in the concentrations of several species, such as NO2, NO and O3. Although this phenomenon has been known for several decades, there is still no commonly accepted approach on when or how to correct for it in NO2 and O3 readings.
Discussion
In this work, we have assessed the expanded uncertainty of two chemiluminescence NO x analysers commercially available according to EN 14211:2005, with the aim of establishing the maximum allowable standard uncertainty due to the reaction between NO and O3 in the sampling system.
Conclusion
Although this maximum allowable uncertainty cannot be a universal value—as it will depend on the performance of each analyser—our results have led us to propose the conservative value of 2%. We have also proposed a methodology for improving data quality which could be easily implemented by those responsible for air quality data validation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson R, Baulch DL, Cox RA, Crowley JN, Hampson RF, Hynes RG, Jenkin ME, Rossi MJ, Troe J (2004) Evaluated kinetic and photochemical data for atmospheric chemistry: volume I—gas phase reactions of O x , HO x , NO x and SO x species. Atmos Chem Phys 4:1461–1738
Butcher SS, Ruff RE (1971) Effect of inlet residence time on analysis of atmospheric nitrogen oxides and ozone. Anal Chem 43:1890–1892
CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) (1999) Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. ENV 13005
CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) (2005) Air quality—standard method for the measurement of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide by chemiluminescence. EN 14211
CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) (2010) Air quality—standard method for the measurement of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide by chemiluminescence. PrEN 14211
Clough PN, Thrush BA (1967) Mechanism of chemiluminescent reaction between nitric oxide and ozone. Trans Faraday Soc 63:915–925
EC Directive (2008) Council Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air and cleaner air for Europe. Official Journal of the European Communities L151:1–44
Gerboles M, Lagler F, Rembges D, Brun C (2003) Assessment of uncertainty of NO2 measurements by the chemiluminescence method and discussion of the quality objective of the NO2 European Directive. J Environ Monit 5:529–540
Glover JH (1975) Chemiluminescence in gas analysis and flame-emission spectrometry. Analyst 100:449–464
Gómez-García MA, Pitchon V, Kiennemann A (2005) Pollution by nitrogen oxides: an approach to NO x abatement by using sorbing catalytic materials. Environ Int 31:445–467
McClenny WA, Luecken DJ (2000) Correction to point monitor readings of O3, NO and NO2 due to the reaction of NO and O3 during transport of ambient air to the point of measurement. In: McClenny WA (ed) Recommended methods for ambient air monitoring of NO, NO2, NOy and individual NOz species. USEPA, North Carolina, pp 44–45
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the Agencia Regional de Ciencia y Tecnología–Fundación Séneca de Murcia for its support in this study (project 05705/PI/07) and for giving a pre- and post-doctoral grant to M. Doval Miñarro (01210/FPI/03 and 12400/PD/09). We would also like to thank the Consejería de Agricultura y Agua of the Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia for its financial support and for the facilities to carry out this work.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible editor: Euripides Stephanou
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miñarro, M.D., Ferradás, E.G., Rico, J.B. et al. Study of the uncertainty in NO2 chemiluminescence measurements due to the NO–O3 reaction in sampling lines. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 436–445 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0386-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0386-z