Photoacoustic Trace Gas Detection in Plant Biology

When talking about trace gas detection the usual association is that of monitoring environmental pollution, either as emission (from stack, car exhaust etc.) or immission control (ambient concentrations). A different field, but of growing importance, is the analysis of trace gas emissions from living organisms, either plants, animals or humans. These organisms synthesise different volatile compounds as part of their metabolism, in connection with developmental processes or as a reaction of the organism to external influence. Monitoring the emitted compounds in the air may thus yield important information about the organism and its interaction with the environment in a non-invasive way.