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Seasonal variations of C1-C4alkyl nitrates at a coastal site in Hong Kong: Influence of photochemical formation and oceanic emissions

  • Junwei Song
  • , Yingyi Zhang
  • , Yu Huang
  • , Kin Fai Ho
  • , Zibing Yuan
  • , Zhenhao Ling
  • , Xiaojun Niu
  • , Yuan Gao
  • , Long Cui
  • , Peter K.K. Louie
  • , Shuncheng Lee
  • , Senchao Lai

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Five C 1-C 4 alkyl nitrates (RONO 2) were measured at a coastal site in Hong Kong in four selected months of 2011 and 2012. The total mixing ratios of C 1-C 4 RONO 25RONO 2) ranged from 15.4 to 143.7 pptv with an average of 65.9 ± 33.0 pptv. C 3-C 4 RONO 2 (2-butyl nitrate and 2-propyl nitrate) were the most abundant RONO 2 during the entire sampling period. The mixing ratios of C 3-C 4 RONO 2 were higher in winter than those in summer, while the ones of methyl nitrate (MeONO 2) were higher in summer than those in winter. Source analysis suggests that C 2-C 4 RONO 2 were mainly derived from photochemical formation along with biomass burning (58.3–71.6%), while ocean was a major contributor to MeONO 2 (53.8%) during the whole sampling period. The photochemical evolution of C 2-C 4 RONO 2 was investigated, and found to be dominantly produced by the parent hydrocarbon oxidation. The notable enrichment of MeONO 2 over C 3-C 4 RONO 2 was observed in a summer episode when the air masses originating from the South China Sea (SCS) and MeONO 2 was dominantly derived from oceanic emissions. In order to improve the accuracy of ozone (O 3) prediction in coastal environment, the relative contribution of RONO 2 from oceanic emissions versus photochemical formation and their coupling effects on O 3 production should be taken into account in future studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-284
Number of pages10
JournalChemosphere
Volume194
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2018

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    SDG 14 Life Below Water

Keywords

  • Alkyl nitrates
  • Marine emissions
  • Ozone
  • Photochemical production
  • Seasonality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

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