VOC characteristics and sources at nine photochemical assessment monitoring stations in western Taiwan. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Yu Shan; Hsieh, Chu Chin
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 240(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: BTEX ratio -- Positive matrix factorization -- Potential source contribution function -- Secondary organic aerosol potential -- Ozone formation potential; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: Using 2017 data, 54 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Taiwan's atmospheric environment from nine photochemical assessment monitoring stations (PAMSs) were collected and their characteristics and sources were analyzed. High VOC concentration spots were exposed in urban and industrial areas (Wanhua, Tucheng, Chungming, Tainan, Qiaotou, and Xiaogang). The major categories of VOC were alkanes and aromatics. Among them, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m, p-xylene (BTEX) predominated and contributed to ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation (SOAF). T/B and X/E ratios showed that VOCs in urban and industrial areas originated from fresh, mixed sources of local emissions. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis indicated that industrial emissions (solvent usage, industry, and petrochemical plant) were the primary contributors, followed secondarily by traffic emissions (vehicular emission and vehicular fuel evaporation), and aged air-mass. Analysis by potential source contribution function (PSCF) was conducted to confirm the effects of aged air-mass sources. The estimated VOC sources OFP and SOAF indicated that industrial emissions were the greatest contributors to OFP and SOAF. Results from this study imply that VOC control measures should prioritize control of industrial emissions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: BTEX was the major VOC species, especially toluene, which was the dominant potential contributor to ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation (SOAF). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and potential source contribution function (PSCF) are used for tracking regional aged air-mass transport pathways which confirm the results of PMF approach. The analysis of backward trajectories by PSCF showed that the contribution of aged air-masses affects VOC distribution mainly in the northeast to southwest Taiwan.