Collection Method for Isotopic Analysis of Gaseous Nitrous Acid

Jiajue Chai, Meredith G. Hastings

Index: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03561

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Abstract

The sources and chemistry of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) in the environment are of great interest. HONO is a major source of atmospheric hydroxyl radical (OH), which impacts air quality and climate. HONO is also a major indoor pollutant that threatens human health. However, the large uncertainty of HONO sources and chemistry hinders an accurate prediction of the OH budget. Isotopic analysis of HONO may provide a tool for tracking the sources and chemistry of HONO. In this study, a modified annular denuder system (ADS) was developed to quantitatively capture HONO for offline nitrogen and oxygen isotopic analysis (δ15N and δ18O) using the denitrifier method. The ADS method was tested using laboratory generated HONO (400 ppbv to 1 ppmv) and validated by parallel HONO collection with a standard, basic impinger (BI) method. The ADS system shows complete capture of HONO without isotopic fractionation. The uncertainty (1σ) based on repeated measurements across the entire analytical procedure is 0.6‰ for δ15N and 0.5‰ for δ18O. The ADS method was also tested in roadside collections of ambient HONO (0.4–1.3 ppbv) for isotopic analysis and was found to be robust for low concentration collections over 3 and 12 h collection times. In order to ensure ability to use this method in the laboratory and in the field, storage conditions for the collected HONO samples were tested and samples can be stored with consistent δ15N and δ18O for 60 days. This method enables future work to utilize the isotopic composition of HONO for studying HONO chemical formation pathways, as well as atmospheric sources and chemistry.