Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a collection of highly reactive trace gases with both biogenic and anthropogenic sources. These compounds are structurally diverse and feature a wide range of physiochemical properties. The literature uses numerous terms and acronyms to describe volatile organic compounds, with some slight differences in meaning: non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs from biogenic sources, often BVOC), anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs from anthropogenic sources, often AVOC), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs). Note that different papers may use different acronyms, or common acronyms for different things (e.g., SVOC could also be sulfur-containing volatile organic compounds).