Seasonality of Formic Acid (HCOOH) in London during the ClearfLo Campaign

Bannan, Thomas J.; Booth, A. Murray; Le Breton, Michael; Bacak, Asan; Muller, Jennifer B. A.; Leather, Kimberley E.; Khan, M. Anwar H.; Lee, James D.; Dunmore, Rachel E.; Hopkins, James R.; Fleming, Zoe L.; Sheps, Leonid; Taatjes, Craig A.; Shallcross, Dudley E.; Percival, Carl J.

Abstract

Following measurements in the winter of 2012, formic acid (HCOOH) and nitric acid (HNO3) were measured using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) during the Summer Clean Air for London (ClearfLo) campaign in London, 2012. Consequently, the seasonal dependence of formic acid sources could be better understood. A mean formic acid concentration of 1.3ppb and a maximum of 12.7ppb was measured which is significantly greater than that measured during the winter campaign (0.63ppb and 6.7ppb, respectively). Daily calibrations of formic acid during the summer campaign gave sensitivities of 1.2ion countss(-1)parts per trillion (ppt) by volume(-1) and a limit of detection of 34ppt. During the summer campaign, there was no correlation between formic acid and anthropogenic emissions such as NOx and CO or peaks associated with the rush hour as was identified in the winter. Rather, peaks in formic acid were observed that correlated with solar irradiance. Analysis using a photochemical trajectory model has been conducted to determine the source of this formic acid. The contribution of formic acid formation through ozonolysis of alkenes is important but the secondary production from biogenic VOCs could be the most dominant source of formic acid at this measurement site during the summer.

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Título según WOS: ID WOS:000418084500026 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
Volumen: 122
Número: 22
Editorial: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
Fecha de publicación: 2017
Página de inicio: 12488
Página final: 12498
DOI:

10.1002/2017JD027064

Notas: ISI