Chemistry of carbonyl compounds in Po Valley fog water

The importance of carbonyl compounds in Po Valley fog water chemistry is discussed. High concentrations of formaldehyde (HCHO) were detected in fog water (from 16 to 567 μM; average, 130 μM). The oxidant-limiting conditions during the fog season (fall-winter months) favour the presence of a large fraction of HCHO in the form of adducts with hydroxymethansulfonate: 85% of the total HCHO on average. Other carbonyl compounds were detected in the fog water: acetaldehyde, acrolein and acetone, but typically in much lower concentrations than formaldehyde. These other carbonyl compounds do not appear to be present in a bound form.