Concentration distribution of carbonyl compounds in an industrial shipbuilding complex

Abstract

In the present work, the distribution of carbonyl compounds in an industrial shipbuilding complex was monitored, with the characteristics of formation and disappearance behaviors of carbonyls estimated. The major carbonyls measured at all of the sampling sites were formaldehyde, acetone+acrolein and acetaldehyde. Several unique local characteristics of carbonyl compounds such as wide variations in concentrations, and higher formaldehyde to acetaldehyde (C-1/C-2) ratios, were clearly observed in the shipbuilding complex compared to the typical urban area. Wide temporal and spatial variations in the carbonyl concentrations were observed as a result of irregular changes to the work intensity due to shipbuilding. Higher carbonyl concentrations were measured during summer and autumn when the intensity of sunlight was high, even though the work intensity of shipbuilding was likely to be weak. These results demonstrate that the secondary formation of carbonyls from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) directly produced by painting works plays a significant role in the distribution of carbonyls in shipbuilding areas.