E-Book Overview
Every day, large quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere from both anthropogenic and natural sources. They are the 'fuel' that keeps atmospheric photochemistry running. Therefore, their sources, sinks and residence times are the subject of current research. In addition to influencing local, regional and even global photochemistry, several of these compounds have a potential impact on climate, both due to their properties as greenhouse gases and due to their ability to form aerosol particles on oxidation. The formation of gaseous and particulate secondary products caused by the oxidation of VOCs is one of the largest unknowns in the quantitative prediction of the earth's climate on a regional and global scale, and on the understanding of local air quality. To be able to model and control their impact, it is essential to understand the sources of VOC, their distribution in the atmosphere and the chemical transformations they undergo. Furthermore, organic trace gases can be used as tracer compounds to investigate reactions that are not directly accessible to current measurement techniques or as probes to 'visualise' transport processes in the atmosphere or across atmospheric boundaries.
E-Book Content
Volatile Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere
Volatile Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere Edited by Ralf Koppmann University of Wuppertal, Germany
Blackwell Publishing
© 2007 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Blackwell Publishing editorial offices: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1865 776868 Blackwell Publishing Professional, 2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA Tel: +1 515 292 0140 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd, 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia Tel: +61 (0)3 8359 1011 The right of the Author to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. First published 2007 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd ISBN: 978-1-4051-3115-5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere/edited by Ralf Koppmann. – 1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-3115-5 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Organic compounds–Environmental aspects. 2. Air quality management. I. Koppmann, Ralf. TD885.5.O74V66 2007 511.51 12–dc22 2006034260 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 10/12 pt Minion by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India Printed and bound in Singapore by Markono Print Media Pte Ltd The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable forestry policy, and which has been manufactured from pulp processed using acid-free and elementary chlorine-free practices. Furthermore, the publisher ensures that the text paper and cover board used have met acceptable environmental accreditation standards. For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website: www.blackwellpublishing.com
Contents
Preface
ix
List of Contributors
xi
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Volatile Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere: An Overview Jonathan Williams and Ralf Koppmann 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Sources 1.3 Sinks 1.4 Atmospheric distribution 1.5 Measurement tools 1.6 Modelling tools 1.7 How organic species affect the atmosphere 1.8 Open questions and future directions References
1 3 5 7 9 10 12 15 19
Anthropogenic