Measurements of peroxy radicals on the Kleiner Feldberg, Germany

Peroxy radicals are formed in the atmosphere from VOC and typically react with NO to form NO2 and thus cause higher oxidant concentrations. They constitute a primary link between VOC, NOx and increased oxidant levels, as observed during summer smog episodes in Europe. Measurements were made during August and September 1995 on the Kleiner Feldberg, a hill of 825 m in the Taunus Range which lies near Frankfurt on the edge of the Rhein-Main Basin, a heavily populated area with a large amount of industry. The anthropogenic emissions of VOC and NOx, combined with biogenic emissions from the nearby pine forests make it a relatively highly polluted environment in which to make measurements.