Atmospheric carbonyl compounds in Chinese background area: A remote mountain of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

The ambient concentrations of carbonyl compounds were measured in Waliguan (WLG) Observatory at the east edge of Qinghai-Tibetan in August-September and December, 2005. The average concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and 2-butenal were 4.16 ± 1.89, 4.25 ± 3.32, 2.02 ± 0.86, and 1.93 ± 1.59 ppbv (n = 42), respectively, in August-September and 1.48 ± 0.42, 3.91 ± 0.81, 1.88 ± 0.69, and 0.69 ± 0.16 ppbv (n = 12), respectively, in December. Biomass used as fuel for cooking by local residents was considered as the dominant source for 2-butenal. Photooxidation of VOC (especially biogenic emission of isoprene) was one source for formaldehyde and methyl vinyl ketone in August-September. Animal excrement was probably an additional source for formaldehyde and acetone. Back trajectory analysis indicated that long-distance transportation from polluted air might be one important source for formaldehyde, acetone, and acetaldehyde in WLG. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.