Abstract
A technique has been developed which can measure low-molecular-weight (C2−C5) oxygenated hydrocarbons down to concentrations of less than 10 parts per trillion (10-12) in the atmosphere. The method uses cryogenic trapping of trace gases from the air, and two-dimensional gas chromatography (2DGC) with flame ionization and photo-ionization detectors to analyze the samples. The method has been used to make extensive measurements in the field, and it is capable of measuring all of the C2−C5 carbonyl compounds in clean tropospheric air. The 2DGC analytical system also makes it possible to prepare accurate, reproducible standards of the low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbons at trace levels.
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Pierotti, D. Analysis of trace oxygenated hydrocarbons in the environment. J Atmos Chem 10, 373–382 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00115780
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00115780