The application of analytical techniques to the understanding of chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere†

Abstract

The science of atmospheric chemistry has expanded enormously over the last decade. In the stratosphere it has become apparent that small traces of a number of gases can perturb the earth's ozone layer. In the troposphere it is now realised that a general oxidation process is occurring which involves several free radicals and a large number of stable gaseous molecules containing the elements H, C, N, O, S, P, F, Cl, Br and I. In areas close to centres of large population this leads to the phenomenon of photochemical smog and in more remote areas it leads to excess acidity in rainwater.In order to gain information on these problems and understand the underlying causes, many new analytical techniques have been developed. These are based mostly on chemiluminescence, laser spectroscopy, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Some examples of the application of these techniques will be given with emphasis placed on the role of GC/MS (gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry).

Atmospheric chemistry of carbon disulphide

“…A more direct approach is to consider the atmospheric concentrations of a range of sulphur gases in combination with their chemical behaviour (Sze and Ko, 1980). Building up the sulphur budget from a study of its gaseous precursors has proved possible because of the development of specific methods of analysis (Penkett, 1981) and improved knowledge of the chemistry involved. This has shown that the two most abundant sulphur gases are carbonyl sulphide and sulphur dioxide, which are distributed at relatively constant concentrations throughout the whole of the remote troposphere .…”

Atmospheric Chemistry

“…A review article describing the progress in this field has recently been published (37). A review article describing the progress in this field has recently been published (37).…”

“…For example, the expanding field of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) employs hydrophobic reverse bonded-phase microparticulate column substrates that allow direct equilibrium measurements for modeling lipidwater partition coefficients of sparingly soluble molecules (37). For example, the expanding field of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) employs hydrophobic reverse bonded-phase microparticulate column substrates that allow direct equilibrium measurements for modeling lipidwater partition coefficients of sparingly soluble molecules (37).…”

“…Accumulation of ice, high, 121,124,131,188 Acid,dimethyl arsenic,210,global,nitric,6,12,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][32][33][34][35][36][37][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53]104,128,132,286,296,303,305,[365][366][367][368][369]135,154,192,221,sulfuric,6,…”