Characteristics of volatile organic compounds, NO2, and effects on ozone formation at a site with high ozone level in Chengdu

Chengdu is a megacity in the southwest of China with high ozone(O_3) mixing ratio.Observation of volatile organic compounds(VOCs), NO_2 and O_3 with high temporal resolution was conducted in Chengdu to investigate the chemical processes and causes of high O_3 levels. The hourly mixing ratios of VOCs, NO2, and O_3 were monitored by an online system from 28 August to 7 October, 2016. According to meteorological conditions,Chengdu, with relative warm weather and low wind speed, is favorable to O_3 formation.Part of the O_3 in Chengdu may be transported from the downtown area. In O_3 episodes,the average mixing ratios of NO_2 and O_3 were 20.20 ppbv and 47.95 ppbv, respectively. In non-O_3 episodes, the average mixing ratios of NO_2 and O_3 were 16.38 ppbv and 35.15 ppbv,respectively. The average mixing ratio of total VOCs(TVOCs) was 40.29 ppbv in non-O_3 episodes, which was lower than that in O_3 episodes(53.19 ppbv). Alkenes comprised51.7% of the total O_3 formation potential(OFP) in Chengdu, followed by aromatics which accounted for 24.2%. Ethylene, trans-pentene, propene, and BTEX(benzene, ethylbenzene,toluene, m/p-xylene, o-xylene) were also major contributors to the OFP in Chengdu. In O_3 episodes, intensive secondary formations were observed during the campaign. Oxygenated VOCs(OVOCs), such as acetone, Methylethylketone(MEK), and Methylvinylketone(MVK)were abundant. Isoprene rapidly converted to MVK and Methacrolein(MACR) during O_3 episodes. Acetone was mainly the oxidant of C3-C5 hydrocarbons.