Meteorologische Zeitschrift (Jul 1994)
Quasi-continuous measurements of hydrocarbon immissions
Abstract
Within the framework of the research programme titled "Air pollution and human health" the Lehrstuhl für Bioklimatologie und Immissionsforschung (LfBIM) is responsible for the subproject "Measurements of various hydrocarbons being precursors for photooxidants of human-bioclimatological relevance" (KOVOX). Priority is given to the measurements of aromatics of anthropogenic origin such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-/p-/o-xylenes (BTEX) which play an important role in photochemical processes. In addition some of these species are regarded to be hazardous to human health. The investigations are carried out on a quasi-continuous basis by two different gas-chromatographic systems that make it possible to obtain on-line 30-minute averages of the hydrocarbon concentrations in ambient air. One system is installed in a mobile laboratory which is used for campaign measurements at various places in southern Bavaria. The other gas-chromatograph is set up at a stationary measurement site in the vicinity of the institute and serves as a reference. At both measurement facilities additional air chemical (NOx, CO, SO2, ozone, PAN) and meteorological data is provided by other research programmes of the LfBIM. This enables comprehensive investigations of photochemical processes and their potential effects on human health. First results of two different measurement sites will be described in details.
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