Hydrocarbons in the Non-Urban Atmosphere: Analysis, Ambient Concentrations and Impact on the Chemistry of the Atmosphere

摘要

The role of hydrocarbons for the chemistry of the atmosphere outside of heavily polluted urban or industrial areas is not yet fully understood. One of the reasons is the rather limited data base for hydrocarbon mixing ratios in rural and semi-rural areas. This is-at least partly-due to analytical problems. The mixing ratios of hydrocarbons-except methane-in remote and semi-remote areas are very low, a few ppb or even less. In addition, the hydrocarbon pattern is-especially in semi-rural areas-extremely complex, a potpourri of engine exhaust, refinary emissions, natural gas leakage, biogenic emissions from plants, decaying leaves etc.