Observations of Integral Formaldehyde Content in the Lower Troposphere in Urban Agglomerations of Moscow and Tomsk Using the Method of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

Regular measurements of the integral formaldehyde content (IFC) in the lower troposphere have been carried out in the impact area of the Moscow urban agglomeration (Zvenigorod Scientific Station, ZSS) and in the southeastern part of Tomsk (Siberian Lidar Station, SLS) since 2009. The paper briefly describes the instrumentation and measurement techniques used and presents the first results of the measurements. The average level of the formaldehyde content at ZSS is shown to exceed that in Tomsk. The most probable cause of increased formaldehyde content during the easterly winds at ZSS is due to the arrival of polluted Moscow air. The observations in Tomsk suggest that the possible influence of polluted urban air on the formaldehyde content begins to show up at temperatures above 25°С. The positive IFC dependence on the air temperature was revealed at both stations.