Effect of sampling procedures on organic aerosol measurement
The effects of face velocity, sampling duration and filter type on apparent concentrations of atmospheric particulate organic matter have been investigated. This accomplished by collection of ambient samples with a low volume sampling apparatus capable of collecting six simultaneous samples. Samples were analyzed by thermal-optical analysis for organic and elemental carbon. All of the sampling parameters investigated had a significant effect on the measured concentration of organic aerosol. The apparent concentration of organic aerosol collected by quartz fiber filters decreased with increasing face velocity. Apparent organic carbon concentrations were an average of 19% higher for samples collected for 24 hour than for 48 hour sampling durations. The observation of a significant adsorption artifact suggests that organic aerosol concentrations may be seriously overestimated by conventional aerosol sampling techniques, especially at low organic aerosol concentrations. Adsorption can be minimized by using high face velocities, long sampling durations and/or Teflon membrane filters in place of glass or quartz fiber filters.
- Research Organization:
- Oregon Graduate Center, Portland (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7166769
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ADSORPTION
AEROSOL MONITORING
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR SAMPLERS
COLLOIDS
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
MONITORING
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
QUALITY CONTROL
SAMPLERS
SAMPLING
SOLS
SORPTION
TIME DEPENDENCE
VELOCITY