Seasonal variations of volatile and PM2.5 bounded n-alkanes in a central plain city, China: Abundance, sources, and atmospheric behaviour

The alkane series is a valuable tracer to elucidate the origins and atmospheric behaviour of organic compounds. Volatile n-alkanes (C2–C11) and PM2.5-bounded n-alkanes (C8–C40) were measured simultaneously at an urban site in a central plain city, China from April 2019 to January 2020. The seasonal variations in characteristics and atmospheric processes of n-alkanes during the haze and non-haze days were discussed. n-Alkanes were most abundant in winter, and 75% of the winter sampling days were classified as haze days (PM2.5 level >75 μg m−3). The diagnostic ratios suggested the dominant effect of vehicular emissions on volatile organic compounds in four seasons; solvent usage made a noticeable contribution in summer and autumn. The liquefied petroleum gas-related sources jointly affected light volatile n-alkanes (