Seasonal Characteristic of VOC Compositions and Source Apportionment

Abstract

Seasonal VOCs concentrations were characterized and the chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model was applied to the source apportionment of VOCs measured at Kanto area in Japan. Analyzed data set was obtained from five canister samples every season in field campaign that was carried out at five sites in 2004 and 2005. Sum of the VOCs concentrations in fall and winter were higher than that in spring and summer. The contribution of C4 - C5 aliphatic hydrocarbons to Total-VOC (sum of the analyzed VOC concentrations) increased in summer, while the < C3 hydrocarbons were major contributor in winter. The CMB analysis indicates that gasoline vehicle exhaust was major contributor to VOCs in warm seasons. The contribution of gasoline vapor increased in summer at several sites, while LP gas contribution increased in winter. The contribution of painting solvent and LP gas in Kanto area was larger than that in Kansai area in Japan. The reasons for these remarkable features were explained by the differences of LP gas supply and estimation of VOC emissions from paint solvent use in both areas. Comparison of source apportionment of VOCs in this study with that in previous studies using CMB indicated that the contribution of paint solvent use in Tokyo was lager than that in another cites.