Measurements of peroxyacetyl nitrate at a remote site in the southwestern United States: tropospheric implications
Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) measurements were taken at a remote site in the southwestern United States from October 1987 through January 1989 by using an automated gas chromatograph with electron capture detection. The monthly mean PAN concentrations were found to correlate well with temperature, as PAN levels were higher in the colder periods, consistent with PAN's thermochemical stability. PAN values ranged from below detection limits of 0.030-1.91 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) during this period. During the same period ozone levels were 8-77 ppbv. Monthly mean PAN levels were observed to be inversely correlated with monthly mean ozone levels