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Sampling and analysis of organic aerosol: carbonaceous-species methods comparison study. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6839834

The investigation of organic-aerosol speciation took place during the Carbonaceous Species Methods Comparison Study (CSMCS) in Glendora, California, during August 1986. Comparison of the diurnal profiles of organic carbon with those of elemental carbon, a tracer for primary combustion aerosol, and ozone, an indicator of photochemical activity, provided evidence for the secondary formation of organic aerosol in the atmosphere. In the study of organic sampling artifacts organic carbon concentrations on quartz-fiber front filters showed a strong face velocity dependence which was virtually eliminated when organic-carbon concentrations on quartz fiber backup filters behind Teflon front filters were subtracted from quartz-fiber front filter concentrations. Saturation of adsorbed vapor was observed in a laboratory experiment but was not observed for the loadings obtained in the Carbonaceous Species Methods Comparison Study data. Samples were also analyzed by direct thermal desorption/gas chromatography (TD/GC/MS).

Research Organization:
Oregon Graduate Center, Beaverton (USA)
OSTI ID:
6839834
Report Number(s):
PB-88-225248/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English