[Secondary organic tracers in summer PM2.5 aerosols from Baima Spring Scenic Area, Yaan, Sichuan Province].

ABSTRACT

Integrated PM2.5 aerosol samples were collected at Baima Spring Scenic Area, a forest site of Yaan, Sichuan Province, during the summer of 2010. Organic speciation including isoprene oxidation products (2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene trols, 2-methylyceric acid), alpha-/beta-pinene oxidation products (norpinic acid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, 3-methy-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid), and small molecular carboxylic acid (malic acid, 2-hydroxyglutaric acid) were analyzed. The generation mechanisms of SOA as well as their influencing factors were particularly discussed. Results show that average concentrations of 2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, 2-methyglyceric acid, norpinic acid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid and 3-methy-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid are 63.3, 45.0, 4.4, 4.1, 5.0, 5.3 ng x m(-3) respectively, of 24-hour lapse samples. SOA compounds are consistent with higher concentrations in the day than during the night only except for norpinic acid. Relatively high level of biogenic SOA at the study area is concerned with many environmental factors, i. e. local abundant vegetations, warm and humid climate, sunken valley topography, the atmospheric pollution state, etc.