SEASONAL TRENDS OF ISOPRENE, C-2-C-5 ALKANES, AND ACETYLENE AT A REMOTE BOREAL SITE IN CANADA

A weekly air sampling program at Fraserdale, Ontario (latitude 50 degr ees N, longitude 82 degrees W) has revealed distinct seasonal trends i n the isoprene, alkane, and acetylene concentrations over the period A pril 1990 to October 1992, Concentration of the biogenic hydrocarbon i soprene peaked in July to August (less than or equal to 5 parts per bi llion by volume (ppbv)), with concentrations above 0.1 ppbv from May t hrough September. In contrast, alkane and acetylene concentrations dis played a summer minimum (July to August) and a winter maximum (January to February). Back trajectory data showed that prevailing airflow to Fraserdale was from the northwest sector when samples were collected, and throughout most of the year Fraserdale received air originating fr om northern Canada. An analysis of changes in hydrocarbon concentratio n ratios over the period provided evidence that the seasonal trend of the C-2-C-4 hydrocarbons is dominated by seasonal changes in HO reacti on rates. In general, the amplitude of the seasonal oscillation for th e C-2-C-5 anthropogenic hydrocarbons increased with HO rate constant. Comparison with Toronto data indicates the long-range transport of ace tylene and C-2-C-5 alkanes of urban origin to this boreal site.