Preconcentration and analysis of atmospheric isoprene and monoterpenes System automation

As part of a study on terpene hydrocarbons in the biosphere-atmosphere exchange processes, an entirely automatic device has been elaborated for sampling, preconcentration and analysis of isoprene and the principal atmospheric monoterpenes. This device comprises mainly a gas chromatograph for analysis and a programmable controller for the management of the operations. It permits measurement of the concentration and flux rate of terpenes. Automatic and continuous cycles (sampling-analysis) were carried out over several days. They were characterized by a reproducibility lower than 1%; their analytical characteristics were quite acceptable.