UC Irvine

Biogenic emission of sesquiterpene (SQT) and oxygenated SQT (OSQT) were measured from the dominant vegetation in a desert shrubland and urban area (Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.), and at temperate forest sites at Niwot Ridge, Colorado, U.S.A., Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan and Tumbarumba, New South Wales, Australia. Additional measurements were conducted using greenhouse grown plants. The sampling technique, based on solid adsorbent preconcentration and liquid extraction, is suitable for measuring high molecular weight and low volatility compounds such as OSQTs. Fourteen SQT and OSQT (10 SQT and 4 OSQT) were identified in the field experiments. Total emission rates of SQTs and OSQTs varied from the detection limit to 7.6 μgC g-1h-1 (average: 0.74) and 3.7 μgC g-1h-1 (average: 0.31), respectively, and varied with plant species and location. Environmental conditions, including temperature and precipitation, appeared to influence emission rates. Canopy level emission of SQT and OSQT in Tomakomai were also estimated using an emission model. The emission rate of SQT and OSQT ranged from 72 to 710 μgC m-2h-1 (average, 460 in daytime) and from 38 to 370 μgC m-2h-1 (average, 240 in daytime), respectively. Their contributions can be very high in specific regions and seasons. Given the relatively high reactivity and secondary organic aerosol yields of SQTs and OSQTs, it is likely that these compounds influence atmospheric constituents in at least some areas. Copyright © 2009 by The Geochemical Society of Japan.