Observations of Aromatic Oxidation Products in Southeast Asia
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Arterburn, Linda Anne
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Abstract
This study investigates the formation and atmospheric behavior of acyl peroxynitrates (PANs), particularly benzoyl peroxynitrate (PBzN) and the newly identified aromatic 8-carbon PAN (C₈-PAN). PANs are formed through the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx). PBzN, a key compound in this research, is primarily produced through the oxidation of benzaldehyde, which can originate from direct emission or from oxidation of species such as toluene and styrene. The study predicts PBzN concentrations based on precursor emissions, photochemical processes, and highlights the significant role of aromatic hydrocarbons in the formation of secondary pollutants like PANs and VOCs. The study also presents the first atmospheric detection of C₈-PAN, attributed to the oxidation of ethylbenzene and xylene isomers, indicating the importance of aromatic The prediction of PBzN applying campaign measurements while holding the benzyl radical and PBzN in steady state was performed. The R² values indicate stronger correlations in Taiwan compared to Thailand and the Philippines for both measured and modeled PBzN data, with Taiwan showing the highest values (0.72), while Thailand had the weakest correlations (0.06) for the total campaign data.
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2025-07-23
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