Characteristics and ozone formation potentials of volatile organic compounds in a heavy industrial urban agglomeration of Northeast China

Understanding the pollution levels, potential sources, and chemical reactivity of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the key precursors of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is important for emission control and air pollution abatement. This study presents a systematic VOCs analysis in a less studied heavy industrial urban agglomeration located in Northeast China. Using a cruising platform, we conducted real-time monitoring of VOC concentrations and components at Changchun (CC), Jilin (JL), Siping (SP), and Liaoyuan (LY) in Jilin Province. During the observation period, the average VOC concentrations at CC, JL, SP, and LY were 63.38 ± 127.03, 260.39 ± 855.76, 18.06 ± 17.17, and 10.12 ± 17.48 µg/m3, respectively. Halocarbons were predominant with a high percentage of contribution (22.4–31.1