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Acid vapors in a mixed urban/rural/biomass burning environment measured by iodide adduct CIMS
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Acid vapors in a mixed urban/rural/biomass burning environment measured by iodide adduct CIMS

Brigitte Marie Weesner
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001387
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Weesner_Brigitte_20201.88 MBDownloadView

Abstract

Organic acids
Gas-phase organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, valeric acid, pyruvic acid, hydrogen cyanide, and isocyanic acid) were measured using iodide adduct chemical ionization mass spectrometry in Meridian, ID, from August 13th - August 30th as part of the FIREX 2019 field study. The site was located next to a highway, and wind patterns allowed for the sampling of freshly emitted pollutants from vehicular sources, traffic emissions that have undergone 1-3 hours of photochemistry, and rural air masses. Diurnal trends suggest a mix of primary and secondary sources for acetic, propionic, valeric, and isocyanic acid. The diurnal trend of pyruvic acid is similar to that of nitric acid, which is formed photochemically, and the diurnal trend of hydrogen cyanide is similar to that of NOy, which is a primary pollutant. So far there have been few datasets published of these organic acids. This dataset contributes to the understanding of the sources and sinks of the organic acids studied, which will provide a better understanding of one piece of the overall mechanism of VOC oxidation in the atmosphere.

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