Elemental abundance variation with particle size in north Florida aerosols

Journal Article · Fri Feb 20 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC081i006p01039· OSTI ID:7349142

Johansson, T B; Van Grieken, R E; Winchester, J W

A nonurban base line has been established for nine trace element constituents of aerosol particles as a function of particle size at ground level sampling stations in north Florida up to 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico. The particle size range 0.25- to greater than 4-..mu..m aerodynamic diameter was investigated by cascade impactor sampling and elemental analysis by proton-induced x ray emission. It is found that elements contained in the largest particles, especially those of greater than 4 ..mu..m, display the greatest degree of average concentration difference between sites, a result suggesting short atmospheric residence times and the importance of local dispersion sources and atmospheric cleansing processes in regulating the particle concentrations in air. Elements contained in particles of less than 2-..mu..m diameter show little average concentration difference between sites unless they are influenced by local pollution sources, a finding suggesting that their concentrations in air are regulated by large-scale sources and transport processes. Sulfur in the smalllest particles shows a marked constancy of concentration, but it may be modified in the largest particle size ranges in relation to proximity to the seacoast. No evidence is found for dependence of particulate sulfur concentrations on local pollution sources. K, Ca, Ti, Fe, and Zn appear to be regulated in the main by terrestrial source processes, and Cl by marine source processes, but Br and Pb appear to be accounted for adequately by assuming automotive fuel combustion as their major source. Limited data obtained for V indicate that it may vary considerably with fluctuations in aerosol transport from oil-fired electric power plant sources in the region. Limited additional data also suggest that Mn is derived from sources of natural terrestrial composition. In view of these findings, certain criteria may be set for the design of a meaningful nonurban aerosol monitoring network. (auth)

• Research Organization: Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
• OSTI ID: 7349142
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:6; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOL MONITORING
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AUTOMOBILES
BROMINE
CALCIUM
CHLORINE
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EXHAUST GASES
FLORIDA
GASEOUS WASTES
HALOGENS
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
METALS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PARTICLE SIZE
POLLUTION
POTASSIUM
POWER PLANTS
QUANTITY RATIO
SIZE
SOLS
SOUTHEAST REGION
TITANIUM
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
VANADIUM
VEHICLES
WASTES
ZINC