Determination of Multiple Atmospheric Diffusion Coefficients Using the Carbon Hollow Tube Gas Chromatography Method

Abstract

Gaseous organic species were collected by carbon hollow tube pairs. Diffusion coefficients (D_a) of anhydrous and hydrated organic species were then determined by measuring the ratio of each component that adsorbed in the collection tubes. In controlled experiments, the precision and accuracy of D_a determinations were 12 percent and 9.1 percent respectively. Ternary mixtures of airborne compounds were separated and quantified using gas chromatography. Observed D_as for each component of these mixtures were similar to those obtained for individual components. This method was applied to volatile organic species in marine air, soil air, and cigarette effluents.