Non-methane hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of Sydney, Australia

The results of a sampling program for atmospheric hydrocarbons in Sydney, a city of 3.2 million people with large emissions of hydrocarbons and a significant photochemical smog problem, are presented. The methods developed for the sampling and analysis of atmospheric hydrocarbons are described, and their accuracy and precision are demonstrated. The detailed C₂-C₁₀ composition of Sydney's air is reported, and a comparison is made with other cities. The composition of Sydney's air is, in general, similar to that in cities in the United States. The diurnal behavior of hydrocarbon concentrations is demonstrated to be dominated by the early-morning increase in traffic density and by meteorology.