Measurements of Acylperoxynitrates (PANs) in Biomass Burning Plumes over the Arctic in Spring 2008

Acylperoxynitrates [RC(O)OONO2] (PANs) were measured by chemical ionization mass spectrometry aboard the NOAA WP-3D aircraft during the Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARPAC) study. Elevated levels of PANs were observed during the sampling of biomass burning (BB) plumes, as indicated by elevated levels of acetonitrile and carbon monoxide, and PANs comprised the largest fraction of total odd-nitrogen (NOy) during those time periods. Long-range transport of PANs from biomass burning sources is an important contributor to the odd-nitrogen budget in this environment and can promote photochemical ozone production in the remote troposphere through the release of NOx (NO + NO2). APAN (acrylylperoxynitrate) was observed in these BB plumes and appears to be a marker compound for this source. The relative contribution of PAN compounds will be examined with respect to plume transport times and BB source chemistry.