Biogenic volatile organic compounds emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental implications: a review

Biogenic volatile organic compounds are emitted by plants and influence human and environmental health. They contribute to the formation of pollutants such as ozone and secondary organic aerosols, thereby influencing air quality and climate. Here we review biogenic volatile organic compounds with focus on biosynthesis, release to the atmosphere, distribution at various scales, tropospheric chemical processes, and secondary organic aerosols. Biogenic volatile organic compounds are emitted primarily through enzymatic pathways in response to environmental factors, varying across plant species and ecosystems. These emissions exhibit heterogeneity at multiple scales, influenced by meteorological conditions and plant structure.