Date of Award
Spring 2009
Abstract
Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has been shown to be a reliable and efficient method for determining atmospheric mixing ratios of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As a part of AIRMAP, two PTR-MS instruments were used in field and laboratory studies. A high sensitivity instrument showed improved limits of detection by 3-5 times when compared to a standard sensitivity instrument. Agreement for quantification of VOCs by PTR-MS to other methods was good. Average atmospheric mixing ratios, diurnal profiles, and deposition velocities of methanol, acetone, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, isoprene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, methylethyl ketone, methylvinyl ketone and methacrolein were determined at two locations in New England. Laboratory studies utilizing an environmental chamber and PTR-MS were used to identify and quantify products from the chlorine initiated oxidation of alpha- and beta-pinene. Products observed in the oxidation of alpha-pinene included pinonaldehyde (8%) and acetone (10%), and acetone (10%) for the beta-pinene case.
First Advisor
Howard R Mayne
Department or Program
Chemistry
Degree Name
Master of Science
Recommended Citation
Nielsen, Leif Carsten, "The measurement of volatile organic compounds during ICARTT 2004 and experimental studies of chlorine atom reactions with alpha- and beta-pinene" (2009). Master's Theses and Capstones. 453.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/453