Airborne determination of the temporo-spatial distribution of benzene, toluene, nitrogen oxides and ozone in the boundary layer across Greater London, UK

TY - JOUR

T1 - Airborne determination of the temporo-spatial distribution of benzene, toluene, nitrogen oxides and ozone in the boundary layer across Greater London, UK

AU - Shaw, M. D.

AU - Lee, J. D.

AU - Davison, B.

AU - Vaughan, A.

AU - Purvis, R. M.

AU - Harvey, A.

AU - Lewis, A. C.

AU - Hewitt, C. N.

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Highly spatially resolved mixing ratios of benzene and toluene, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O-3) were measured in the atmospheric boundary layer above Greater London during the period 24 June to 9 July 2013 using a Dornier 228 aircraft. Toluene and benzene were determined in situ using a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS), NOx by dual-channel NOx chemiluminescence and O-3 mixing ratios by UV absorption. Average mixing ratios observed over inner London at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l. were 0.20 +/- 0.05, 0.28 +/- 0.07, 13.2 +/- 8.6, 21.0 +/- 7.3 and 34.3 +/- 15.2 ppbv for benzene, toluene, NO, NO2 and NOx respectively. Linear regression analysis between NO2, benzene and toluene mixing ratios yields a strong covariance, indicating that these compounds predominantly share the same or co-located sources within the city. Average mixing ratios measured at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l. over outer London were always lower than over inner London. Where traffic densities were highest, the toluene / benzene (T / B) concentration ratios were highest (average of 1.8 +/- 0.5 ppbv ppbv(-1)), indicative of strong local sources. Daytime maxima in NOx, benzene and toluene mixing ratios were observed in the morning (similar to 40 ppbv NOx, similar to 350 pptv toluene and similar to 200 pptv benzene) and in the mid-afternoon for ozone (similar to 40 ppbv O-3),similar to all at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l.

AB - Highly spatially resolved mixing ratios of benzene and toluene, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O-3) were measured in the atmospheric boundary layer above Greater London during the period 24 June to 9 July 2013 using a Dornier 228 aircraft. Toluene and benzene were determined in situ using a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS), NOx by dual-channel NOx chemiluminescence and O-3 mixing ratios by UV absorption. Average mixing ratios observed over inner London at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l. were 0.20 +/- 0.05, 0.28 +/- 0.07, 13.2 +/- 8.6, 21.0 +/- 7.3 and 34.3 +/- 15.2 ppbv for benzene, toluene, NO, NO2 and NOx respectively. Linear regression analysis between NO2, benzene and toluene mixing ratios yields a strong covariance, indicating that these compounds predominantly share the same or co-located sources within the city. Average mixing ratios measured at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l. over outer London were always lower than over inner London. Where traffic densities were highest, the toluene / benzene (T / B) concentration ratios were highest (average of 1.8 +/- 0.5 ppbv ppbv(-1)), indicative of strong local sources. Daytime maxima in NOx, benzene and toluene mixing ratios were observed in the morning (similar to 40 ppbv NOx, similar to 350 pptv toluene and similar to 200 pptv benzene) and in the mid-afternoon for ozone (similar to 40 ppbv O-3),similar to all at 360 +/- 10 ma.g.l.

U2 - 10.5194/acp-15-5083-2015

DO - 10.5194/acp-15-5083-2015

M3 - Article

SN - 1680-7316

VL - 15

SP - 5083

EP - 5097

JO - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

JF - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

IS - 9

ER -