Nonmethane hydrocarbon measurements at a suburban site in Changsha City, China Original Research Article

The concentration, composition, and variability of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) were characterized in a suburban region of south-central China. Weekly samples were collected in 2007 in the Changsha suburban area and analyzed with a three-stage preconcentration method coupled with GC–MS. A time series of NMHC measurements showed seasonal variation, with a higher level occurring in winter and a lower level in summer. Toluene was the most abundant species with an average concentration of 2.51 ± 1.87 ppbv, followed by benzene (2.04 ± 1.30 pptv). According to the level of identified NMHCs, vehicular exhaust appears to be the main source of NMHCs in Changsha. Among alkanes, the highest level is propane with a concentration of 1.31 ± 0.71 ppbv, it indicated an extensive use and leakage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Changsha. The concentrations of NMHCs were influenced by the wind direction; a high level of NMHCs was carried by winds from southern China. Significant biogenic isoprene emissions were observed, with good correlation between isoprene level and temperature. Finally, when the typical individual NMHC species and CO in the morning and afternoon were compared, the shorter lifetime of NMHC species relative to CO could explain the poorer correlation observed in the afternoon.