Nitrous Acid: Intercomparison of techniques and Implications of measurements for photochemistry
Abstract
Because of the importance of HONO as a radical reservoir, consistent and accurate measurements of its concentration are needed. As part of the SHARP (Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors), time series of HONO were obtained by six different measurement techniques on the roof of the Moody Tower (MT) at the University of Houston. Techniques used were long path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS), stripping coil- (UVVIS) absorption photometry (SC-AP), long-path absorption photometry (LOPAP), mist chamber/ ion chromatography (MC-IC), quantum cascade-tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectroscopy (QC-TILDAS) and ion drift -chemical ionization mass spectrometry (ID-CIMS). Various combinations of techniques were in operation during the period from 15 April through 31 May 2009. This study comparing methods is unique in that it compares several techniques entirely at ambient conditions in a polluted atmosphere. All instruments recorded a similar diurnal pattern of HONO concentrations with higher median and mean values during the night and lower values during the day throughout the entire measurement period. Highest values were observed in the final two weeks of the campaign. The MC-IC, SC-AP, and QC-TILDAS, and to a lesser extent the DOAS, tracked each other most closely. Largest differences between pairs of measurements were evident during the day for concentrations < ~100 ppt. Above ~ 200 ppt, concentrations from the SC-AP, MC-IC and QC-TILDAS converged to within about 20%, with slightly larger discrepancies when DOAS was considered. Relationships between HONO and other gas phase and aerosol species will also be considered.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.A34E..08P
- Keywords:
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- 0394 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Instruments and techniques;
- 0365 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Troposphere: composition and chemistry