Particle size distribution and chemistry of late winter Arctic aerosols

Journal Article · Mon Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JD095iD09p13897· OSTI ID:5937456

Li, Shaomeng; Winchester, J W ^[1]

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1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (USA) Florida State Univ., Tallahassee (USA)

Mass size distributions of element concentrations in Arctic aerosols at Barrow, Alaska, were measured from March 16 to May 6, 1986, and their correlations were examined statistically by absolute principal component analysis. In eight particle size fractions from < 0.25 to > 16 {mu}m aerodynamic diameter ({mu}mad), from eight-stage cascade impactor sampling and proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) analysis, four types of aerosol components were resolved. One, resembling sea salt in composition, shows a maximum mass at 2-4 {mu}mad and not detected at <0.25 {mu}mad. Sulfur is enriched in fine particles 0.25-1 {mu}mad but not in coarse; chlorine is depleted in 0.5-1 {mu}mad particles, conforms to sea salt composition >8 {mu}mad, but is about 50% enriched in other fine and coarse fractions, suggesting gas-particle chemical interactions during aerosol aging. Dust components are found in all size fractions, with a maximum concentration at 1-2 {mu}mad and a rough symmetry about the maximum when sulfur is not included, suggesting eolian dust particles. Their compositions resemble average crust materials. On these dust particles, sulfur contents show a linear relationship with surface areas, suggesting uptake of gaseous sulfur compounds. Carbonaceous fuel combustion pollutants are indicated by the presence of Si, Cl, and several trace metals and the absence of Al. They are present in all size fractions, usually rich in sulfur with the highest concentration in ultrafine particles <0.25 {mu}mad, strongly suggesting a gas phase origin and consistent with condensation of chloride salt and SiO vapors formed during coal or other fuel combustion. Bromine-sulfur components are in every size fraction and contain most of the measured bromine, greatly in excess of sea salt Br.

• OSTI ID: 5937456
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA) Vol. 95:D9; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (1990-)
ADSORPTION
AEROSOL MONITORING
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ALASKA
ALUMINIUM
ARCTIC REGIONS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
BROMINE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CASCADE IMPACTORS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
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CHLORINE
COAL
COLLOIDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENRICHMENT
FEDERAL REGION X
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METALS
MONITORING
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PIXE ANALYSIS
POLAR REGIONS
SALTS
SEAWATER
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SIZE
SOILS
SOLS
SORPTION
SULFUR
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
USA
WATER
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS