A brief review of the use of environmental chambers for gas phase studies of kinetics, chemical mechanisms and characterisation of field instruments

This introductory review considers the role of environmental chambers in atmospheric chemistry, emphasising the importance of being able to carry out studies in controlled conditions. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of chambers are discussed and compared. Examples of the use of chambers for kinetic and mechanistic studies are presented. The final section of this brief review considers the use of chambers in providing a well defined environment for calibrating and investigating the performance of field instruments.