Experimental testing of an annular denuder and filter system to measure gas–particle partitioning of semivolatile bifunctional carbonyls in the atmosphere

An annular denuder and filter-pack system was tested in combination with the use of the in-tube and on-fiber O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA)-derivatization technique to simultaneously sample and measure gaseous and particulate concentrations of semivolatile bifunctional carbonyl compounds in the atmosphere. Ozone was denuded from the sampling air to avoid oxidation and PFBHA was used as the sorbent by coating the sampling denuders and impregnating the filters. The collection efficiency of the system was evaluated under different conditions in photochemical smog chamber experiments and in field samplings of urban and suburban atmospheres. The effects of concentration level, temperature, and humidity on the collection efficiency were assessed. The system showed average collection efficiencies in one denuder from 81% for pyruvic acid and 82% for glyoxylic acid to 87% for hydroxyacetone and dihydroxyacetone. The capacity of the filters to collect the gaseous fraction that cannot be collected in the denuders was also evaluated, and the system allows a correction for this artifact. The application of this method to chamber experiments and field samplings offers an easy-to-apply technique with good results that can be used to evaluate the partition mechanisms of these compounds in the atmosphere.