The researchers at Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (AIOFM), Hefei Institutes of Physical Science realized successful tracing of source of Formaldehyde (HCHO) and its relationship with emission control.

They conducted this study during 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, based on Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and the study results were published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics this March.

HCHO, a key aerosol precursor, plays a significant role in atmospheric photo-oxidation pathways. Studying the influences of control measures on HCHO is crucial for improving air quality.

The APEC summit provided an opportunity to study the relationship between environmental concentrations and pollutant emissions. Many studies have analyzed the effects of emission reduction measures during the APEC summit. However, most studies focused mainly on the effects of commonly measured gas pollutants, and aerosols, but not formaldehyde.

The study shows that the secondary sources of HCHO through photochemical reactions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) dominated the HCHO values during the APEC. The average values of HCHO VCDs were 38% and 30% lower than that during the pre-APEC and post-APEC periods, respectively. This phenomenon could be attributed to both the effects of strict control measures as well as prevailing northwest winds.

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 41530644, 41405033, and 41605013).

Link to the paper: Ground-based MAX-DOAS observations of tropospheric formaldehyde VCDs and comparisons with the CAMS model at a rural site near Beijing during APEC 2014

Contact:

ZHOU Shu

Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (http://english.hf.cas.cn/)

Email: zhous@hfcas.ac.cn