Acetone, methanol, and other partially oxidized volatile organic emissionsfrom dead plant matter by abiological processes: Significance for atmospheric HOx chemistry

In this paper, attention is called to the significance of abiological produ ction of partially oxidized volatile organic carbons (POVOCs) from the deca y of dead plant material. Measured relative emission of acetone and methano l can be at least 10(-4) and 3 - 5 x 10(-4) g g(-1) of decaying dry plant m atter, respectively. if these results may be extrapolated, global annual em issions of 6-8 Tg of acetone and 18 - 40 Tg of methanol would result, addin g strongly to the estimated total emissions of these compounds to the atmos phere. Because acetone and methanol, through OH and HO2 formation, play sig nificant roles in the chemistry of the atmosphere, further research is stro ngly needed to quantify the emissions of acetone, methanol, and other POVOC s.