Development of multi-channel whole-air sampling equipment onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle for investigating volatile organic compounds' vertical distribution in the planetary boundary layer

Abstract. To achieve near-continuous vertical observations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), multi-channel whole-air sampling equipment onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform was developed this study. The consists a multi-position solenoid valve and specially designed lightweight quartz canisters. canisters have little adsorption loss VOCs good inter-canister reproducibility. 7 d recovery test shows that most VOC species (97 %) had 1-week decay within 20 %. Online instruments for measuring O3, NO2, CO, SO2, meteorological parameters are also integrated into UAV platform. During one take-off landing, can reach 800 m above ground 40 min take samples at six heights. Vertical profiles trace gases during evolution PBL south-western China successfully obtained by deploying newly system.