Higher Molecular Weight Terpenoids as Indicators of Organic Emissions from Terrestrial Vegetation

Abstract

Higher molecular weight terpenoids (C 15 to C 40 carbon units) are naturally occurring compounds that are introduced into the atmosphere from terrestrial vegetation. These compounds are released by a variety of mechanisms such as: (1) direct volatilization due to plant metabolic activities; (2) steam distillation or steam stripping that occurs during large-scale (biomass burning, natural wildfires) and small scale (camp fires, fireplaces) combustion of biofuels; and (3) mechanical processes which include abrasion and disintegration of plant leaf surface waxes and structural materials. Mechanism (2) is illustrated with an example. The C 15 to C 40 terpenoids encompass a broad range of chemical compositions which makes this class of plant organic matter a diverse category of source material that may be exploited in environmental applications (e.g., the atmosphere). Reviews of the biochemical and phytochemical literature indeed show that many terpenoids in this molecular weight range are specific for major vegetation taxa and in some cases, are exclusive to certain subspecies of vegetation. Consequently, C 15 to C 40 terpenoid compounds provide a variety of important molecular probes that can be used in biogeochemical studies of atmosphere -biosphere interactions.Emissions from terrestrial biota to the atmosphere and the effects of these emissions on atmospheric clarity have been known for over 500 years. Leonardo da Vinci described the phenomenon of decreased visibility in his scientific journals of the early sixteenth century (1-2). As an artist who painted the lush Tuscan countryside, da Vinci observed the presence of bluish hazes in the atmosphere. He attributed the hazes to exhalations by the surrounding vegetation and suggested these emissions consisted of moisture given off by plants. Since about the 17th century, the paintings of other landscape artists such as Albert Cuyp, Turner, and Monet, also have documented the presence of such atmospheric bluish hazes (2).

Variability of n‐Alkanes and Nonacosan‐10‐ol in Natural Populations of Picea omorika

“…The carbon preference index (CPI) of the total odd-numbered and even-numbered LNAs (CPI total ) was calculated using the equation of Mazurek and Simoneit [50] ( Table 3). The average chain length (ACL) of the total odd-numbered and even-numbered LNAs (ACL total ) was calculated by using the equation of Poynter and Eglington [52].…”

Recent advances in understanding resin acid biodegradation: microbial diversity and metabolism

“…The wide ecological distribution of resin-acid-degrading microorganisms may be attributed to the ubiquitous nature of these compounds. Resin acids are released from terrestrial vegetation into the atmosphere or into water bodies from watershed runoffs, and are dispersed to every corner of the earth (Mazurek and Simoneit 1997). While resin-acid-degrading microorganisms are present in many environments, in most cases they are probably found at low abundance.…”

Exploratory Studies of PM10Receptor and Source Profiling by GC/MS and Principal Component Analysis of Temporally and Spatially Resolved Ambient Samples

“…Several standardized solvent extraction methods which use inexpensive equipment are available, are applicable to many organic as well as several inorganic compound classes, have relatively few matrix effects, and are readily compatible with conventional, high-resolution GC/MS techniques. Extensive source characterization studies of a broad range of organic chemical PM markers in the western U.S. air district have been reported by Rogge [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and others [10][11][12][13][14] by means of solvent-extraction-based GC/MS techniques.…”