LAUSR

Abstract The feasibility of using adsorbent tubes to collect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been demonstrated since the 1990's and standardized as Compendium Method TO-17 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S EPA). This paper investigates sampling and analytical variables on concentrations of 57 ozone (O 3 ) precursors (C 2 -C 12 aliphatic and aromatic VOCs) specified for the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS). Laboratory and field tests examined multi-bed adsorbent tubes containing a sorbate combination of Tenax TA, Carbograph 1 TD, and Carboxen 1003. Analyte stabilities were influenced by both collection tube temperature and ambient O 3 concentrations. Analytes degraded during storage, while blank levels were elevated by passive adsorption. Adsorbent tube storage under cold temperatures (− 10 °C) in a preservation container filled with solid silica gel and anhydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO 4 ) ensured sample integrity. A high efficiency (> 99%) O 3 scrubber (i.e., copper coil tube filled with saturated potassium iodide [KI]) removed O 3 (i.e., R 2  > 0.995) was achieved for individual analyte calibrations (with the exception of acetylene) for mixing ratios of 0.08–1.96 ppbv. The method detection limits (MDLs) were below 0.055 ppbv for a 3 L sample volume. Replicate analyses showed relative standard deviations (RSDs) of