Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emission profiles from native Atlantic Forest trees: Seasonal variation and atmospheric implications in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Plants produce diverse biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) that contribute to ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. To minimize the negative impacts of urban greening on air quality, selecting species with low BVOC emission and reduced potential for O3 and SOA formation is essential. We evaluated BVOC emissions from eight tree species in an urban Atlantic Forest in São Paulo, Brazil, across wet and dry seasons, using a dynamic enclosure system and the ATD-GC-MS technique. Ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol potential (SOAP) were estimated based on the quantification of 41 compounds, maximum incremental reactivity, and fraction aerosol coefficient. Our results indicated the presence of non-isoprene emitters. Ocotea odorifera and Byrsonima ligustrifolia were the lowest BVOC emissions during the wet season, with no detectable emissions. Conversely, Didymopanax angustissimus and Byrsonima ligustrifolia exhibited the highest emissions during the dry season (0.246 and 0.230 µg gdw⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively). Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the species based on their BVOC emission patterns. Sesquiterpenes (SQTs) dominated emissions in both seasons, while monoterpenes (MTs) were emitted by all species only during the dry season. Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) emissions were higher in the wet season. Species such as Matayba elaeagnoides, Nectandra oppositifolia, and Alchornea triplinervia exhibited the highest OFP and SOAP during the wet season. In contrast, Ocotea odorifera and Cordia sellowiana contributed minimally to secondary pollutant formation in both seasons, highlighting their suitability for urban greening initiatives aimed at air pollution mitigation plans.