The composition and vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds in southwestern Germany, eastern France and northern Switzerland during the TRACT campaign in September 1992

Abstract Measurements of 28 volatile organic compounds (VOC's) during the TRACT campaign are used to estimate the background composition of VOC species. On average, the concentration of the VOC species in the lower 500 m above ground level (agl) exhibit an anticorrelation with their OH rate constants. Additionally, vertical profiles of VOC concentration are calculated for some species with low OH rate constant. The comparison of the decrease of the concentrations with height for the individual species gives a qualitative estimate of the different life times of the species. The background VOC concentrations can be used as initial values for numerical simulations of chemical reactions in the lower troposphere.