Determination of low molecular weight monocarboxylic acid gases in the atmosphere by parallel plate diffusion scrubber-ion chromatography

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of the concentration of low molecular weight monocarboxylic acid gases in the atmosphere. The method involves quantitative collection of analyte gases using a parallel plate diffusion scrubber and subsequent ion analysis by ion chromatography. Among the gases are formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, and n-valeric acid. Method detection limits are on the order of sub to low parts-per-trillion by volume. The method has been successfully applied to ambient air analysis.