Volatile organic compound emissions from urban trees in Shenyang, China

Biogenic emissions of the volatile organic compounds isoprene and monoterpene (BVOCs) contribute to tropospheric ozone and secondary particle formation and have indirect effects on global climate change. However, little research has focused on BVOC emissions from urban trees. In this study, the monoterpene emissions of Chinese Pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) have been measured by GC/MS. The emission rates of a-pinene, P-pinene, camphene and limonene reached their maximum 78.55, 0.67, 0.82 and 0.31 mu g g(-1) dw h(-1) (p < 0.05), respectively, in August. For Delta 3-carene, the highest emission rate, about 0.51 mu g g(-1) dw h(-1), was observed in June. The dominant monoterpene emitted was a-pinene. In August and September, this monoterpene accounted for more than 97% of the emissions. Correlation analyses revealed significant correlations among emission rates of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, and limonene (p < 0.01). This may imply that the biosynthesis of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, and limonene were controlled by some common metabolic routes.