Analysis and concentration variability of carbonyl compounds in Qingdao atmosphere.

Air samples were collected at six urban sites in Qingdao during December 1997~July 1998. The concentrations of 11 carbonyl compounds of aldehydes and ketones were determined in different season and time. The average concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and the total carbonyls were 3.64, 4.18, 2.50 and 13.9mg/m3 in winter and 9.95, 7.00, 5.75 and 26.9mg/m3 in summer, respectively, showing markedly higher in summer than in winter. Formaldehyde in the urban atmosphere accounted for 26.2%~37% of the total carbonyl compound concentrations; acetaldehyde and acetone accounted for 26.0%~30.1% and 18.0%~21.4%, respectively and the sum of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone accounted for 74.3%~84.3%. Relativity of formaldehyde to acetaldehyde was weaker in winter and summer (R2=0.43), while that of acetaldehyde to acetone was stronger in summer (R2=0.7399).