The seasonal cycle of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in the European Arctic

Measurements of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) over a 3-yr period at the Zeppel in mountain near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard show a distinct annual cycle with a s pring maximum of about 400 pmol mol(-1), and a summer minimum of 80 pmol mo l (-1). In this paper the measurement technique is shown together with a de tailed error discussion. PAN at this high latitude location is co-transport ed with ozone. Thermal decomposition of PAN in the high Arctic troposphere may occur mostly during summer. During spring it is too small for PAN to ha ve a sizeable local effect on the observed spring time ozone maximum. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.