A laser induced fluorescence-based instrument for in-situ measurements of atmospheric formaldehyde

John R Hottle; Andrew J Huisman; Joshua P DiGangi; Aster Kammrath; Melissa M Galloway; Katherine L Coens; Frank N Keutsch

doi:10.1021/es801621f

A laser induced fluorescence-based instrument for in-situ measurements of atmospheric formaldehyde

Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Feb 1;43(3):790-5. doi: 10.1021/es801621f.

Authors

John R Hottle¹, Andrew J Huisman, Joshua P DiGangi, Aster Kammrath, Melissa M Galloway, Katherine L Coens, Frank N Keutsch

Affiliation

¹ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.

PMID: 19245018
DOI: 10.1021/es801621f

Abstract

Direct, in situ detection of gas phase formaldehyde (HCHO) via laser induced fluorescence in a White-type multipass cell is demonstrated with a (3sigma) limit of detection of approximately 0.051 parts per billion by volume in a 1 s sampling time. Calibration is performed in two ways: using permeation tubes and with air bubbled through an aqueous solution of HCHO. The concentration of HCHO output from the bubbler is measured by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Measurement of ambient HCHO is carried out at the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a period of several days.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants / analysis*
Atmosphere*
Formaldehyde / analysis*
Lasers
Sensitivity and Specificity
Uncertainty

Substances

Air Pollutants
Formaldehyde