An Investigation of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene; Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds; and Carbonyl Compounds in Chiang Mai’s Atmosphere and Estimation of Their Emission Sources During the Episode Period

Air pollution in Chiang Mai during the dry winter season is extremely severe. During this period, high levels of fine particles are primarily generated by open biomass burning in Thailand and neighboring countries. In this study, ambient VOC(Volatile Organic Compounds) samples were collected using an adsorbent tube from 13 March to 26 March 2024, with careful consideration of sampling uncertainties to ensure data reliability. Furthermore, while interannual variability exists, the findings reflect atmospheric conditions during this specific period, allowing for an in-depth VOC assessment. A comprehensive approach to VOCs was undertaken, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene (BTEX); biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs); and carbonyl compounds. Regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between isoprene concentrations and wind direction. The results showed a significant variation in isoprene levels, indicating their high concentrations due to biomass burning originating from northern areas of Chiang Mai. The emission sources of BTEX and carbonyl compounds were inferred through their ratio analysis. Additionally, correlation analyses between PM2.5, BTEX, and carbonyl compounds were conducted to identify common emission pathways. The ratio of BTEX among compounds suggested that long-range pollutant transport contributed more significantly than local traffic emissions. Carbonyl compounds were higher during the episode period, which was likely due to local photochemical reactions and biological contributions. Previous studies in Chiang Mai have primarily focused on PM2.5, whereas this study examined individual VOC species, their temporal trends, and their interrelationships to identify emission sources.