24 h diffusive sampling of toxic VOCs in air onto Carbopack X solid adsorbent followed by thermal desorption/GC/MS analysis-laboratory studies

Diffusive sampling of a mixture of 42 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in humidified, purified air onto the solid adsorbent Carbopack X was evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. The evaluation included variations in sample air temperature, relative humidity and ozone concentration. Linearity of samples with loading was examined both for a constant concentration with time varied up to 24 h and for different concentrations over 24 h. Reverse diffusion and its increase with accumulation of sample were determined for all compounds. Tubes were examined for blank levels, change of blanks with storage time, and variability of blanks. Method detection limits were determined based on seven replicate samples. Based on this evaluation, 27 VOCs were selected for quantitative monitoring in the concentration range from approximately 0.1 to 4 ppbv. Comparison results of active and diffusive samples taken over 24 h and under the same simulated ambient conditions at a constant 2 ppbv were interpreted to estimate the effective diffusive sampling rates (ml min(-1)) and their uncertainties and to calculate the corresponding diffusive uptake rates (ng ppmv(-1) min(-1)).     

Long-term measurement of volatile organic compounds in ambient air by canister-based one-week sampling method

A canister-based 1 week sampling method using a mechanical flow controller and a 6 L fused-silica-lined canister was evaluated for the long-term measurement of 47 VOCs in ambient air at pptv (volume/volume) to ppbv levels by use of a three-stage preconcentation method followed by GC-MS analysis. The GC conditions were initially optimized for complete separations of several pptv-level VOCs (e.g. vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile, 1,2-dichloroethane and chloroform) in ambient air because the selected ions are easily interfered with by coexisting C4-, C5-hydrocarbons and analytes presented at ppbv levels. Thirty-four VOCs determined by the 1 week and 24 h sampling method in December 16-22 (2002) had concentrations of 6.0-15000 pptv per compound. Concentrations of 28 VOCs (including polar VOCs (e.g. methyl isobutyl ketone and butyl acetate)) obtained by the method were approximately equal to the mean values calculated from 24 h sampling (< +/- 10% deviation). Six VOCs that had low concentrations of 6.0-43 pptv showed more than +/- 10% deviation. Thirteen VOCs were not detected during the entire sampling period. The effect of relative humidity or ozone for the specific VOCs (e.g. MIBK, butyl acetate, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene and styrene) was negligible.     

A comparison of sampling and analysis methods for low-ppbC levels of volatile organic compounds in ambient air

A carefully designed study was conducted during the summer of 1998 to collect samples of ambient air by canisters and compare the analysis results to direct sorbent preconcentration results taken at the time of sample collection. Thirty-two 1 h sample sets were taken, each composed of a "near-real-time" sample analyzed by an autoGC-MS XonTech 930/Varian Saturn 2000 system, and Summa and Silco canisters. Hourly total non-methane organic carbon (TNMOC), ozone, and meteorological measurements were also made. Each canister was analyzed on the autoGC-MS system for a target list of 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and on a manual cryosampling GC-FID system. Comparisons were made between the collection and analysis methods. Because of the low sample loading (150-250 ppbC TNMOC), these comparisons were a stringent test of sample collection and analysis capabilities. The following specific conclusions may be drawn from this study. Reasonable precision (within 15% mean difference of duplicate analyses from the same canister) can be obtained for analyses of target VOCs at low-ppbC concentrations. Relative accuracy between the GC-MS and GC-FID analysis methods is excellent, as demonstrated by comparisons of analyses of the same canisters, if measurements are sufficiently above the detection limits. This is especially significant as the GC-MS and GC-FID were independently calibrated. While statistically significant differences may be observed between the results from canister and near-real-time samples, the differences were generally small and there were clear correlations between the canister results and the near-real-time results. Canister cleanliness limits detection below the EPA Method TO-14 acceptance standard of 0.2 ppbv (0.2-2 ppbC for target analytes).     

Influence of Relative Humidity and Ozone on the Sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds on Carbotrap/Carbosieve Adsorbents

By using a dynamic dilution system, the atmospheric measurement of 11 selected toxics VOCs (ethylene, acetylene, propene, 1-butene, 1,3-butadiene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m+p-xylene) from the list WHO of 1996 and TO-14 method of US EPA by preconcentration by thermal desorption (TD), analysis by gas chromatography (GC), identification and quantification with a flame ionisation detector (FID) was developed and validated in term of metrology, especially the techniques of sampling of these VOCs with adsorbents cartridges "Air Toxics" when used with an "UMEG sampler" equipped in the inlet with a nafion membrane. In particular the influence of climatic conditions (temperature and relative humidity) and the influence of chemical factors like ozone, on the representativity of sampling were studied. Experiments made with various humidities showed that the addition of a nafion membrane in the inlet of the sampling system was required. Without this membrane, losses of compounds were observed for RH >50%. With this membrane, storage for 2 weeks in a refrigerator, as for canisters, did not induce a loss of compounds. No significative decrease of concentrations of the studied VOCs after 14 days storage, which are known to react with ozone, were observed with an ozone concentrations of 55 ppb. One explanation is that nafion membrane, placed in the inlet of the sampler, will neutralize ozone before entering the sampling tubes. This observation is in accordance with literature which states that the sampling of VOCs on Carbotrap cartridges without ozone scrubber induce a loss of compounds.     

苏玛罐采样-GC-FID/MS同时测定环境空气中多种VOCs

采用苏玛罐采样-大气预浓缩仪结合气相冷柱箱与Deans Switch中心切割技术,将C2～C3组分切割至HP-PLOT/Q+PT柱,用FID检测器分析,其余组分通过DB-1柱子分离后进入质谱分析,实现1次进样同时测定环境空气中57种PAMS和65种TO-15.结果表明:108种VOCs在0.15 nmol/mol～8....     

Performance evaluation of a sorbent tube sampling method using short path thermal desorption for volatile organic compounds

Air sampling, using sorbents, thermal desorption and gas chromatography, is a versatile method for identifying and quantifying trace levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Thermal desorption can provide high sensitivity, appropropriate choices of sorbents and method parameters can accommodate a wide range of compounds and high humidity, and automated short-path systems can minimize artifacts, losses and carry-over effects. This study evaluates the performance of a short-path thermal desorption method for 77 VOCs using laboratory and field tests and a dual sorbent system (Tenax GR, Carbosieve SIII). Laboratory tests showed that the method requirements for ambient air sampling were easily achieved for most compounds, e.g., using the average and standard deviation across target compounds, blank emissions were < or = 0.3 ng per sorbent tube for all target compounds except benzene, toluene and phenol; the method detection limit was 0.05 +/- 0.08 ppb, reproducibility was 12 +/- 6%, linearity, as the relative standard deviation of relative response factors, was 16 +/- 9%, desorption efficiency was 99 +/- 28%, samples stored for 1-6 weeks had recoveries of 87 +/- 9%, and high humidity samples had recoveries of 102 +/- 12%. Due to sorbent, column and detector characteristics, performance was somewhat poorer for phenol groups, ketones, and nitrogen containing compounds. The laboratory results were confirmed in an analysis of replicate samples collected in two field studies that sampled ambient air along roadways and indoor air in a large office building. Replicates collected under field conditions demonstrated good agreement except for very low concentrations or large (> 41 volume) samples of high humidity air. Overall, the method provides excellent performance and satisfactory throughput for many applications.     

Characteristics of surface ozone at an urban site of Xi'an in Northwest China

Surface ozone concentrations in Xi'an, China were monitored from March 23, 2008 to January 12, 2009 using the Model ML/EC9810 ozone analyzer. The daily average O(3) ranged from <1 ppb to 64.2 ppbv with an annual average of 16.0 ppbv. The seasonal average of O(3) in summer (32.5 ppbv) was more than 10 times higher than that in winter (3.0 ppbv). A significant positive correlation was found between ozone concentration and ambient temperature, indicating that the intensity of solar radiation was one of the several major factors controlling surface ozone production. Using the NOAA HYSPLIT 4 trajectory model, the three longest O(3) pollution episodes were found to be associated with the high biogenic volatile organic carbon (BVOC) emissions from the vegetation of Qinling Mountains. No significant weekday and weekend difference in O(3) levels was detected due to the non-significant change in NO(x) emissions. O(3) depletion by NO emission directly emitted from vehicles, low oxygenated VOC concentrations, and low-level solar radiation caused by high aerosol loading all contributed to the low levels of O(3) found in Xi'an compared to other cities and rural areas.     

Stabilities of 58 volatile organic compounds in fused-silica-lined and SUMMA polished canisters under various humidified conditions

Fused-silica-lined (FSL) canisters and SUMMA polished (SUMMA) canisters were compared for the recoveries and the stabilities of 58 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low ppbv (volume/volume) levels under various humidified conditions using a three-stage preconcentration method followed by GC-MS analysis. The target VOCs included non-polar VOCs (e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons) and polar VOCs (e.g. alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, nitriles and thiols). The three-stage preconcentration method was initially optimized for simultaneous analysis of non-polar and polar VOCs because determination of canister stability is dependent on the accuracy of analytical measurements. The method showed good linearity over the concentration range from 1 to 25 ppbv for all target analytes, and the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.9974. The method detection limits ranged from 0.023 to 0.39 ppbv. The test mixtures loaded in both type of canisters (n = 3) had concentrations of 1.7-2.5 ppbv per compound at ambient pressure under various humidified conditions (%RH = 1.6, 8.0, 27, 39, 53 and >99% with excess water present). All canister samples were initially analyzed on day 0 (after 6-12 h). The effect of competitive adsorption of water vapor and polar VOCs on active sites of interior surface was remarkably observed for SUMMA canisters. Polar VOCs had a greater requirement for water vapor to be present. The RH percentages that ensured good recovery on day 0 were RH > 8% for non-polar VOCs and RH > 27% for polar VOCs (except alcohols under the condition of RH > 99%). All thiols were not recovered from SUMMA canisters under all conditions. FSL canisters showed good recoveries of more than 86% for all VOCs under all conditions on day 0 (except alcohols under the condition of RH > 99%). The recoveries of alcohols in both canisters under the condition of RH > 99% displayed relatively low recoveries in the range 25-76% because of the partitioning effect into condensed water. The canister samples under the conditions of RH 8.0, 27, 53 and > 99% were analyzed for the stability test on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 after loading. All non-polar VOCs were reasonably stable in the FSL canisters under all examined conditions over 28 days. However, several polar VOCs that have relatively lower vapor pressure, e.g. MIBK, butyl acetate and alcohols except ethanol, showed unstable characteristics under relatively dry conditions (RH 8 and 27%) during 28 days. RH > 53% was needed to ensure good stabilities of all analytes except thiols with the recoveries of > 80% over 28 days for both canisters. Although the FSL canister showed good recoveries of more than 86% for thiols on day 0, drastic degradations were observed after day 3 and they were not detected after day 14.     

Design and field application of an automated cartridge sampler for VOC concentration and flux measurements

One of the major limitations in advancing the understanding of tropospheric ozone and aerosol generation and developing strategies for their control is the technical ability to accurately measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paper describes the design of a constant flow VOC sampler. The versatile sampler can be used for fully automated concentration and flux measurements of VOCs. The sampler incorporates a microprocessor control unit and provides highly accurate mass flow control and significant ease of operation. Sampling sequences can be programmed directly or by remote control through a PC. All important operational parameters necessary for a complete sampling audit trail are logged. Compact weatherproof housings and low power consumption allow operation at remote sites and locations which are sensitive to disturbances or have restricted access. Inner wetted surfaces of the sampler are constructed from non-contaminating materials that do not sorb or emit VOC, and thus permit the collection of representative samples even in environments with very low VOC concentrations. The cartridge magazine provides a maximum of 20 sequential cartridge samples, which allows for long-term air quality assessments. In the dual channel mode, two samples can be collected simultaneously through two independent sample loops, providing ten sequential sample pairs. This design allows the parallel collection of (a) quality assurance backup samples, (b) samples on two different types of cartridges/sorbents to allow a variety of analyses, or (c) differential samples for flux measurements using enclosure, aerodynamic profile, or relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) methods. Field applications including airplane profile measurements above a tropical rainforest area, as well as gradient and REA measurements over a mid-latitude mixed forest stand are described, and demonstrate the validity and flexibility of the system. In particular, the application of the VOC sampler as an integrated part of a REA system is emphasized.     

Airborne chemical compounds on dairy farms

The chemical environment that dairy farmers are exposed to during milking was investigated. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed and identified, and the levels of formaldehyde, ammonia and carbon dioxide were measured in eight farms in northern Sweden. Both stationary and personal samples were taken. A total of 70 VOCs were identified from the adsorbent samples, with p-cresol, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, alpha-pinene and delta 3-carene occurring at the highest levels. All monitored levels were significantly lower for compounds having a stated highest occupational exposure level (OEL). Using multivariate techniques some differences in the composition of the workplace air between and within the farms were found. No difference was found between personal exposure and the surrounding environment in the cowshed.     

某市城区典型时段VOCs污染特征及其与O3的相关性

通过研究某市城区4—9月臭氧污染较严重时间段71种挥发性有机物的手工监测数据和臭氧浓度自动监测数据,分析了该市挥发性有机物在典型时段的污染特征及其与臭氧浓度变化的相关性。为该市通过控制挥发性有机物排放来精准防控臭氧污染提供参考。研究结果显示：该市挥发性有机物浓度水平与活性水平变化趋势总体一致,污染物种类在不同时间段的浓度和活性有差异,从浓度和活性角度分析得到的关键物种在不同时间段有差异,挥发性有机物的污染变化与臭氧浓度变化的相关性有时显著,有时不显著。     

吹扫捕集气相色谱质谱法测定土壤中挥发性有机物

建立了吹扫捕集气相色谱质谱法同时测定土壤中卤代烃类、苯系物类、氯代苯类等二十多种挥发性有机物.使用模拟土壤和实际土壤样品优化了吹扫时间、吹扫温度等参数;采用内标法绘制了校正曲线,各目标化合物5个浓度水平的响应因子的相对标准偏差均小于20%,相关系数均大于0.999;测定了方法检出限,采用2g土壤,各目标化合物方法检出限界于0.02～1.00μg/kg;对两种总有机碳含量的实际土壤样品进行了加标回收实验,回收率范围64%～123%.     

广州市臭氧及其前体物监测系统研究与应用

通过利用近地面在线监测、塔基点式梯度在线监测、地基雷达遥感在线监测等技术方法构建臭氧浓度立体在线监测系统,并将其应用于对臭氧浓度分布、传输及变化的分析研究。结合臭氧前体物挥发性有机物（VOCs）监测现状,研究开展VOCs离线监测,完善VOCs在线监测体系,并将其应用于对广州市VOCs组分的分区分时段监测。上述监测系统业务化应用于广州市臭氧污染分布的长期监测,可为开展臭氧来源解析提供基础性的监测平台。     

嘉善夏季典型时段大气VOCs的臭氧生成潜势及来源解析

2016年8—9月对长三角南部区域嘉善的大气中挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)变化特征、臭氧生成潜势、臭氧生成控制敏感性和来源进行了研究。结果表明,观测期间VOCs总平均值为27.3×10-9,表现为烷烃卤代烃含氧有机物芳香烃烯烃炔烃;VOCs浓度变化较大,早晚出现峰值,与风速呈负相关的关系,与温度没有明显相关性。VOCs的臭氧生成潜势表现为芳香烃烯烃烷烃含氧有机物卤代烃炔烃。甲苯等10种物质对臭氧生成潜势的贡献达到63%。夏季典型时段臭氧生成对VOCs较敏感,属于VOCs控制区。观测期间测得对VOCs浓度贡献较大的物种来源于溶剂涂料和工业排放。     

欧洲大气挥发性有机物大尺度监测进展及启示

开展大气臭氧前体物挥发性有机物(VOCs)的大尺度监测对于臭氧污染的联防联控有重要意义。欧洲早在20世纪90年代初就开展VOCs大尺度监测,而中国自2018年才开始建设全国性的VOCs监测网络,目前处于起步发展阶段。通过总结欧洲VOCs大尺度监测的发展历程、监测指标、质量保证及监测结果等,对中国VOCs监测提出建议:开展VOCs监测的顶层设计,对全国VOCs监测进行统一科学规划,保持VOCs监测的稳定性和持续性;通过科学方法筛选优化VOCs监测指标体系,构建统一的监测技术体系和质量管理体系,优先确保监测结果的准确性和可比性;将VOCs监测与现有的大气常规六参数常规监测网、颗粒物组分监测网等其他大气监测网有机融合,形成一个综合而丰富的大气环境监测网络,同时满足业务和科研需求。     

基于SOA和O3生成潜势的上海市VOCs优控物种研究

为评估上海市挥发性有机物(VOCs)对二次有机气溶胶(SOA)和臭氧生成潜势的贡献,采用SUMMA罐采样实验室GC-FID/MS分析方法开展了环境空气104种臭氧前体物和TO-15组分分析,采用DNPH吸附管采样实验室HPLC高效液相色谱法开展了环境空气13种醛酮类组分分析。结果表明:2018年8-11月上海市代表点位VOCs摩尔分数均值范围为20. 61~50. 38 nmol/mol,臭氧生成潜势(OFP)均值范围为60. 55~184. 12μg/m^3,二次有机气溶胶生成潜势(AFP)为21. 63~61. 72μg/m^3。醛酮类和芳香烃类是OFP的主要贡献因子,贡献占比分别为31. 5%~55. 2%和21. 6%~37. 8%。芳香烃类对AFP贡献超过90%。从主要组分构成来看,城区人口密集区点位乙烷、丙烷浓度最高,其他点位甲醛浓度最高;甲醛对OFP贡献最大;间/对二甲苯在浦东书院点位AFP贡献最大,其他点位为甲苯。OFP和AFP双控物种各点位均有4~5个主要物种,以芳香烃类为主。     

大连市夏季近地面臭氧污染数值模拟和控制对策研究

通过区域空气质量模型CAMx对大连市2015年8月近地面臭氧(O_3)污染进行模拟,探讨了O_3及其生成前体物(NOx和VOCs)的来源,O_3生成控制区,并根据敏感性分析结果对前体物排放的控制效果进行了定量评估。结果表明:本地NOx排放对大连地区的NOx浓度贡献占90%以上,本地VOCs排放对大连地区的VOCs浓度贡献占80%以上,而本地NOx和VOCs排放对大连地区O_3浓度贡献仅占29%;大连市整体上为VOCs控制区,控制VOCs能有效降低O_3污染,还能有效削减O_3的峰值浓度;通过敏感性分析结果计算得出,削减大连本地工业源VOCs和民用源VOCs能够有效降低大连地区O_3浓度,削减10%的工业源VOCs能使市区O_3平均浓度降低2%左右,削减10%的民用源VOCs能使大连市区平均O_3浓度降低1%左右。建议NOx与VOCs削减比例为1∶2,对大连市O_3和PM2.5污染进行协同控制。     

上海化学工业区污水处理厂废气中挥发性有机物主要成分的测定

建立了使用活性炭管采集臭气中的挥发性有机物,经二硫化碳解吸,用GC-MS仪Scan扫描方式确定挥发性有机物的组分后优化GC-MS条件定性定量分析上海化学工业区污水处理厂臭气中主要挥发性有机物的方法。结果表明,从臭气中检测出11种VOCs,线性相关系数R2均大于0.99,相对标准偏差为3.0%～4.7%,除了苯乙烯、α-甲基苯乙烯和4-甲基苯乙烯的解吸效率依次分别为72%、74%和66%,其他挥发性有机物的解吸效率均为91%～100%。本方法操作简便,能够有效分离和准确测定臭气中挥发性有机物,具有较低的检出限和较好的精确度,适合臭气中挥发性有机物的检测分析,可为臭气控制提供可靠的数据。     

Feasibility of detection and quantification of gas-phase carbonyls in indoor environments using PFBHA derivatization and solid-phase microextraction (SPME)

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was evaluated for the detection and quantification of the gas-phase carbonyls: citronellal, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and beta-ionone. Prepared air samples containing the carbonyl compounds were collected at a flow rate of 2.8 L min(-1) in an impinger containing a 25% reagent water/75% methanol collection liquid. The aqueous samples were then derivatized with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA), extracted with a PDMS/DVB coated SPME fiber, and analyzed by GC-MS. Detection limits with a sample air volume of 76 L were calculated to be 0.03 ppbv, 0.34 ppbv, 0.12 ppbv, and 0.28 ppbv for citronellal, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and beta-ionone, respectively.     

大连市秋冬季环境空气中VOCs特征及臭氧生成潜势分析

对大连市2015年秋冬季环境空气中VOCs进行采样分析,获得其组成、含量、昼夜和季节变化规律,分析不同类别VOCs的来源,并计算不同VOCs物种的臭氧生成潜势（OFP）。结果表明：大连市环境空气中秋季VOCs平均体积浓度（55.81×10^-9）略高于冬季（42.66×10^-9）;秋季VOCs以羰基化合物和烷烃为主,而冬季VOCs以烷烃和烯炔烃为主。大连环境空气中光化学反应的主要VOCs类别为羰基化合物、烯炔烃和芳香烃,主要物种为丙烷、乙烷、正丁烷和乙烯。羰基化合物含量高与机动车尾气及医院大量试剂的使用有关,烷烃主要来源于汽油车与液化石油气（LPG）燃烧排放,芳香烃主要由机动车排放贡献。各类别VOCs的组分含量与其OFP并不一致,大连市环境空气中各类VOCs的OFP由高到低依次为羰基化合物>芳香烃>烯炔烃>烷烃。