The anthropogenic contribution to isoprene concentrations in a rural atmosphere

Atmospheric hydrocarbons are continuously monitored at the rural site of Taenikon, Switzerland. As expected for a rural area, highest isoprene concentrations are found in summer. However, elevated concentrations are also measured on some occasions in winter, in particular during events with long-lasting surface inversions, temperatures constantly below 0 degrees C and snow covering the vegetation. During such events, concentrations of isoprene are strongly correlated with those of 1,3-butadiene, a substance that is mainly due to human activities. For these periods, a molar ratio between the concentrations of isoprene and those of 1,3-butadiene of 0.42 is observed. This value, together with the concentrations of 1,3-butadiene, is used to estimate the anthropogenic fraction of the atmospheric isoprene for the whole of 1997. It is found that the fraction is close to 100% in January-February and again in November-December. On the other hand, as early as March, a considerable amount of the observed isoprene appears to be of biogenic origin, although isoprene emissions by trees are negligible. The relative anthropogenic contribution is minimal in midsummer, when biogenic emissions are highest. For this time of the year, the anthropogenic contribution is largest during the early morning hours, in agreement with the traffic peak on nearby country roads. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.