Equilibrium size of atmospheric aerosol sulfates as a function of the relative humidity

Journal Article · Sat May 20 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JD094iD05p06442· OSTI ID:5987955

Koutrakis, P; Wolfson, J M; Spengler, J D; Stern, B; Franklin, C A

Size-fractionated acid aerosols were collected, using a microorifice cascade impactor, during the summer of 1986 in Dunnville, Ontario, as part of the Canadian Children Acute Respiratory Effects Study (CARES), sponsored by the Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada. Sulfate and hydrogen ions showed similar size distributions. The molar ratio of H/sup +//SO/sub 4//sup 2//minus/ varied little with particle size, but there was a considerable time-dependent variation in aerosol acid content. It was also found that there is a distinct relationship between the geometric mean aerodynamic diameter of sulfate, /ital d//sub a/, and ambient relative humidity (RH). Atmospheric sulfate particle sizes observed in this study were slightly higher than those found in laboratory experiments at corresponding humidities. However, considering the uncertainties involved, the agreement between the field and laboratory data was remarkable. /copyright/ American Geophysical Union 1989

• Research Organization: School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts(US); Health Protection Branch, Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5987955
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 94:D5; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AGE GROUPS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CANADA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
CHILDREN
COLLOIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMIDITY
HYDROGEN IONS
INFORMATION
IONS
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ONTARIO
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PH VALUE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIZE
SOLS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TIME DEPENDENCE
VARIATIONS