Human Breathable Air in a Mediterranean Forest

Characterization of Monoterpene Concentrations under the Canopy

Bibliographic Data

ID15480436
AuthorsAlbert Bach (0000-0002-9824-9765, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, corresponding author), Ana María Yáñez‐Serrano (0000-0001-6408-5961, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Joan Llusia (0000-0003-0164-2737, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Iolanda Filella (0000-0001-6262-5733, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Roser Maneja (0000-0001-8690-1114, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Josep Peñuelas (0000-0002-7215-0150, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue12
Pages4391-4391
Publication date2020-06-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17124391
PMID32570891
OpenAlexW3035770156
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited49

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

Atmospheric sciences · Biology · Botany · Canopy · Climatology · Diel vertical migration · Mediterranean Basin · Mediterranean climate · Monoterpene · Morning · Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols · Environmental Science · Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure · Plant responses to elevated CO2 · Ecology · Geology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access