Preparation of Experiments: Addition and In Situ Production of Trace Gases and Oxidants in the Gas Phase

Abstract Preparation of the air mixture used in chamber experiments requires typically the injection of trace gases into a bath gas. In this chapter, recommendations and standard protocols are given to achieve quantitative injections of gaseous, liquid or solid species. Various methods to produce ozone, nitrate radicals and hydroxyl radicals are discussed. Short-lived oxidants need to be produced during the experiment inside the chamber from pre-cursor species. Because highly reactive oxidants like hydroxyl radicals are challenging to detect an alternative method for the quantification of radical concentrations using trace molecules is described.