Novel Method to Quantify Trace Amounts of Isoprene and Monoterpene Secondary Organic Aerosol-Markers in Antarctic Ice.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) through atmospheric oxidation. Previously detected SOA-markers in northern hemisphere ice cores from Alaska, Greenland, Russia, and Switzerland indicate the transportation of isoprene and monoterpene oxidation products from their forestry sources to these glacial regions. Antarctica is geographically further removed from the BVOC's source, indicating significantly lower SOA-marker concentrations are likely in southern hemisphere ice cores.