Tremp, J., McDow, S. R., Leuenberger, C., Czuczwa, J., & Giger, W. (1988). TEIL V: Organische Spurenstoffe. Mitteilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Luzern, 30, 111-133. https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-523462
Starting with the characterization of major organic constituents in biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, some important transformation processes of organic chemicals in the atmospheric gaseous phase are discussed. Important compound-specific physicochemical parameters which have a major impact on the scavenging of organic trace compounds are introduced. Based on the results of field studies at mount Rigi in the winter season 1986/87, scavenging processes for four organic compound classes are discussed. The results indicate that in-cloud scavenging is probably the most important process for the uptake of particle-associated PAHs in wet precipitation. The analyses of air-samples show that up to 80% to over 90% of particulate organic compounds in atmospheric air in a cloud-layer can be removed by wet precipitation. Below the cloud, removal is much smaller. Gaseous organic compounds can be washed out of the atmosphere either scarcely or relatively efficiently by gas scavenging, depending on their physicochemical properties. The meteorological situation during a precipitation event has a significant impact on the removal of organic trace compounds by wet deposition.