Gaseswhere

Gaseswhere is a term used in some discussions of atmospheric science and physical chemistry to describe a hypothetical class of gases defined by their location-specific presence within a system. The term is not widely adopted in peer-reviewed literature and is largely used in thought experiments, modeling, or early-stage studies to illustrate spatially localized gas behavior. The name combines gas with where, signaling a focus on where a gas resides rather than its overall abundance.

Concept and characteristics: Gaseswhere emphasizes spatial heterogeneity. Gases in this category would exhibit concentration gradients, confinement within pores, urban canyons, or within microfluidic chambers, and may show different reactivity or spectral signatures depending on location. This is distinct from uniform background gases or homogeneous tracer gases commonly used in experiments. In models, gaswhere terms can help describe transport barriers, sorption, or phase exchange that create region-specific gas populations.

Detection and applications: To study gaseswhere, researchers would use spatially resolved techniques such as imaging mass spectrometry, infrared or Raman mapping, laser-induced fluorescence, or micro-sampling coupled with chromatography. Applications include understanding pollutant fate in porous media, indoor air quality mapping, or sensor networks that require localization of gas sources or sinks.

Limitations and terminology: Because gaseswhere is not an established category, definitions vary and the term can cause confusion if not clearly defined in context. In formal work, authors typically specify the spatial domain, time, and physical processes that define a given instance of gaseswhere. See also: trace gas, diffusion, adsorption, atmospheric chemistry.