Characterizing BVOC emissions of common plant species in northern China using real world measurements: Towards strategic species selection to minimize ozone forming potential of urban greening

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by plants play a crucial role in ozone (O3) formation. Avoiding urban air quality trade-offs of urban greening involves selecting low-emission and O3 forming potential (OFP) plants. Using a dynamic enclosure system and the TD-GC-MS technique, we measured BVOC emissions from 47 common urban greening plant species in northern China. The potential to form O3 was estimated based on the emission quantification of 63 compounds and their maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) values. The results indicated that isoprene and most of monoterpene dominated BVOC emissions. Most of the broad-leaved trees were isoprene emitter, whereas needle-leaved and some broad-leaved trees emitted monoterpene and sesquiterpene. Alkene emissions, such as 1-hexene, were relatively low, while Phoebe zhennan exhibited higher aromatics such as m-ethyltoluene. Broad-leaved trees had a higher potential for O3 generation compared to needle-leaved trees. BVOC emission rates and OFP varied significantly among plant species, ranging from 0.08 to 112.23 μg/(g h) and 0.33–1130.75 μg/(g h), respectively. To minimize BVOC emissions and O3 pollution, we determined a list of preferred urban greening plants using hierarchical cluster analysis combined BVOC emission rates and OFPs. Based on our findings, we recommend incorporating plants with low BVOC emissions and OFPs, such as Eucommia ulmoides, Firmiana platanifolia, and Cercis chinensis, in future urban greening plans to prevent strengthening O3 pollution in northern China. [Display omitted] •BVOC emissions of 47 urban greening plant species were measured in northern China.•BVOC emissions and composition, and OFPs differed significantly among plant species.•OFP of a plant was determined by both BVOC emission level and compound composition.•Preferred urban greening plant species were selected by integrating emission and OFP.