Abstract
The quantitative knowledge of N $O_{\gamma}$ (＝N $O_{x}$ ＋HN $O_3$＋/PAN＋N $O_3$ ＋$N_2$ $O_{5}$ ＋HN $O_2$＋N $O_3$$^{-10}$ ＋organic nitrates＋......)distribution is essential in tropospheric chemistry, especially, especially that related to understanding the processes leading to ozone production. Ambient concentrations of NO, N $O_2$, HN $O_3$ and PAN as well as total N $O_{\gamma}$ were measured during June and early July 1992 at a rural site(Candor, NC), in the central Piedmont region of NC. The measurements of N $O_{\gamma}$ species were made in an effort to provide a comprehensive understanding of nitrogen chemistry and to investigate the total nitrogen budget at the site. N $O_{\gamma}$, N $O_2$, and NO showed diurnal variations with maxima in the morning. The maximum N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration reached was 14.5 ppbv, and the maximum concentrations of NO and N $O_2$ were 5.4 and 7.8 PPbv, respectively. The mean N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration as found to be 2.88$\pm$1.58 ppbv(n=743). The mean concentrations of NO and N $O_2$, were found to be 0.15 $\pm$ 0.29 ppbv(n＝785) and 1.31 $\pm$ 0.99 ppbv(n＝769). Products of photochemical oxidants, (N <$O_{\gamma}$-N $O_{x}$ ), such as HN $O_3$ and PAN, as well as ozone showed diurnal variation with maxima in the afternoon and minima at night The fractions of individual reactive nitrogen species to total N $O_{\gamma}$ were investigated and contrasted to the results from remote marine site and rural continental sites. N $O_{x}$ was the major species to total N $O_{\gamma}$(45%). NO concentrations appeared to be nearly constant whether the Prevailing winds were from continental areas or from oceanic areas. Linear regression of $O_3$ with (N $O_{\gamma}$- N $O_{x}$ )/N $O_{\gamma}$ (i.e. percent N $O_{x}$ converted to the photochemical products of N $O_{\gamma}$) yielded ( $O_3$) ＝25.8 〔 N $O_{\gamma}$-N $O_{x}$ 〕/(N $O_{\gamma}$) ＋27, ( $r^{2}$＝0.58). The regression intercept is interpreted as the ozone back ground (intercept=27ppbv) and the slope suggests that 8.6 molecules of ozone are formed per molecule of N $O_{x}$ oxidized products (when the average N $O_{\gamma}$ concentration, about 3 ppbv at the site, is used). The N $O_{x}$ N $O_{\gamma}$ ratio was used as an indicator of the chemical age of airmasses and the ratio showed strong positive correlations with HN $O_3$( $r^{2}$=0.58), PAN ( $r^{2}$=0.46) and $O_3$( $r^{2}$=0.62). Larger N $O_{\gamma}$ and N $O_{x}$ N $O_{\gamma}$ ratio were found when winds came from continental sides. It may suggest that synoptic meteorological conditions and transport of N $O_{x}$ are important in the distribution of N $O_{\gamma}$ and its relationship with photochemical oxidants at the site.