Standardizing GC-FID Measurement of Nonmethane Hydrocarbons in Air for International Intercomparison Using Retention Index and Effective Carbon Number Concept

Accurate measurements of ozone precursors are required to understand the process and extent of ozone formation in rural and urban areas. Nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) have been identified as important ozone precursors. Identification and quantification of NMHCs are difficult because of the large number present and the wide molecular weight range encountered in typical air samples. A major plan of the research team of the Climate and Air Quality Taiwan Station (CATs) was the measurement of atmospheric nonmethane hydrocarbons. An analytical method has been development for the analysis of the individual nonmethane hydrocarbons in ambient air at ppb (v) and subppb(v) levels. The whole ambient air samples were collected in canisters and analyzed by GC-FID with $Al_2O_3$/KCl PLOT column. Our targeted for quantitative analysis 43 compounds that may be substantial contributors to ozone formation. The retention indices and molar response factors of some commercially available $C_2{\sim}C_{10}$ hydrocarbons were determined and used to identify and quantify air samples. A quality assurance program was instituted to ensure that good measurements were made by participating in the International Nonmethane Hydrocarbon Intercomparison Experiments (NOMHICE).