Human Breathable Air in a Mediterranean Forest: Characterization of Monoterpene Concentrations under the Canopy

作者：Albert Bach, Ana María Yáñez‐Serrano, Joan Llusià, Iolanda Filella, Roser Maneja, Josep Peñuelas · 发表于：International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.3390/ijerph17124391 · 被引用次数：35 · 研究领域：Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols、Plant responses to elevated CO2、Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

Monoterpenes have been identified as potential determinants of the human health effects induced by forest exposure. The present study characterizes the total monoterpene concentrations at nose height in a Mediterranean Holm oak forest located in North-East Iberian Peninsula during the annual emission peak (summer and autumn: June to November) using a Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS). Results show a strong variability of the total monoterpene concentrations in season and daytime. The concentration peak appears during July and August. These two months displayed two average maxima in their diel cycles: One during early morning (from 6:00 to 8:00, 0.30 ppbv for July and 0.41 ppbv for August) and another one at early afternoon (from 13:00 to 15:00, 0.27 ppbv during July and 0.32 ppbv during August). Monoterpene concentrations were strongly related with the temperature (exponentially) and solar radiation (rectangular hyperbolic relationship). The concentrations registered here are similar or higher than in previous ex situ studies showcasing the effects of forests on human health. These findings provide relevant data for the scientific and healthcare community by improving the understanding of monoterpene dynamics at nose height and suggesting further research on the effects of forests on human health, particularly in the Mediterranean region.