Atmospheric chemical transformations of nitrogen compounds measured in the north sea experiment, September 1991

Tsai

et al. 2007

Environ Geochem Health

In 2004, airborne particulate matter (PM) was collected for several aerosol episodes occurring in the southern region of Taiwan. The particulate samples were taken using both a MOUDI (Micro-orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor) and a nano-MOUDI sampler. These particulate samples were analyzed for major water-soluble ionic species with an emphasis to characterize the mass concentrations and distributions of these ions in the ambient ultrafine (PM0.1, diameter <0.1 microm) and nano mode (PMnano, diameter <0.056 microm) particles. Particles collected at the sampling site (the Da-Liao station) on the whole exhibited a typical tri-modal size distribution on mass concentration. The mass concentration ratios of PMnano/PM2.5, PM0.1/PM2.5, and PM1/PM2.5 on average were 1.8, 2.9, and 71.0%, respectively. The peak mass concentration appeared in the submicron particle mode (0.1 microm < diameter <1.0 microm). Mass fractions (percentages) of the three major water-soluble ions (nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium) as a group in PMnano, PM0.1, PM1, and PM2.5 were 18.4, 21.7, 50.0, and 50.7%, respectively. Overall, results from this study supported the notion that secondary aerosols played a significant role in the formation of ambient submicron particulates (PM0.1-1). Particles smaller than 0.1 microm were essentially basic, whereas those greater than 2.5 microm were neutral or slightly acidic. The neutralization ratio (NR) was close to unity for airborne particles with diameters ranging from 0.18 to 1 microm. The NRs of these airborne particles were found strongly correlated with their sizes, at least for samples taken during the aerosol episodes under study. Insofar as this study is exploratory in nature, as only a small number of particulate samples were used, there appears to be a need for further research into the chemical composition, source contribution, and formation of the nano and ultrafine mode airborne particulates.

Section: Neutralization Ratio Of Airborne Particlessupporting

confidence: 50%

Section: Nitratementioning

confidence: 97%

Water-soluble inorganic ions in airborne particulates from the nano to coarse mode: a case study of aerosol episodes in southern region of Taiwan

Tsai

et al. 2007

Environ Geochem Health

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

“…Sodium nitrates could originate from the Reaction (R2) between sea salt and gaseous nitric acid (Savoie and Prospero, 1982;Harrison and Pio, 1983;Harrison et al, 1994;Finlayson-Pitts and Hemminger, 2000;Laskin et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PM<sub>1</sub> geochemical and mineralogical characterization using SEM-EDX to identify particle origin – Agri Valley pilot area (Basilicata, southern Italy)

Margiotta

Lettino

Speranza

et al. 2015

Abstract.A PM 1 geochemical and mineralogical study using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was performed on a pilot site in the Agri Valley which is close to the oil pre-treatment plant (C.O.V.A) of Europe's largest on-shore hydrocarbon reservoir. The study identified PM 1 geochemical and mineralogical characters in the period before, during and immediately after a burning torch flare event. The finer fraction (D Fe < 0.7 µm) consisted mainly of secondary particles and soot. In the coarser fraction (D Fe ≥ 0.7 µm), natural particles originating from crustal erosion and soot were abundant. Fine quartz particles and lower Al / Si ratios are markers for desert dust origin, proving that a Saharan dust episode which occurred during the observation period played a significant role in supplying geogenic aerosol components to the PM 1 . Largest amounts of ≥ 0.7 µm fraction particles observed on the day of flare event may be due to a greater supply of Saharan geogenic particles. Soot had been significantly increasing long before the flare event, suggesting that this increase is also related to other causes, although we cannot exclude a contribution from flaring. S-rich aerosol consisted mainly of mixed particles originating from deposition and heterogeneous nucleation of secondary sulfates on mineral dust. Only-S particles were identified in the ≥ 0.7 µm fraction following the flare event. These particles may be indicators of larger amounts of sulphur in the atmosphere.

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

“…The partial anthropogenic origin of Cl is clearly evidenced from the Cl/Na excess in some peak events. Conversely, in summer, a Cl/Na deficit was detected probably because of the well-known volatilization of ammonium chloride by interaction of ammonium nitrate and sodium chloride 36,37 As mentioned previously, the time series of local pollutants, such as As, Cu, Ni, P, and V ( Figure 4) and Cd, Co, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, Tl, and Zn, were characterized by random peak concentrations associated with specific pollution episodes. Some elements, such as Cu, As, Zn, and P or Ni and V (Figure 4) show a parallel time evolution because of their common origin or the fact that they are emitted by close industrial plants.…”

Section: Pm 10 and Pm 25 Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Chemical Characterization of Industrial Particulate Matter Sources in Southwest Spain

Alástuey

Querol

Plana

et al. 2006

A detailed physical and chemical characterization of coarse particulate matter (PM 10 ) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in the city of Huelva (in Southwestern Spain) was carried out during 2001 and 2002. To identify the major emission sources with a significant influence on PM 10 and PM 2.5 , a methodology was developed based on the combination of: (1) real-time measurements of levels of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and very fine particulate matter (PM 1 ); (2) chemical characterization and source apportionment analysis of PM 10 and PM 2.5 ; and (3) intensive measurements in field campaigns to characterize the emission plumes of several point sources. Annual means of 37, 19, and 16 g/m 3 were obtained for the study period for PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 , respectively. High PM episodes, characterized by a very fine grain size distribution, are frequently detected in Huelva mainly in the winter as the result of the impact of the industrial emission plumes on the city. Chemical analysis showed that PM at Huelva is characterized by high PO 4 3Ϫ and As levels, as expected from the industrial activities. Source apportionment analyses identified a crustal source (36% of PM 10 and 31% of PM 2.5 ); a traffic-related source (33% of PM 10 and 29% of PM 2.5 ), and a marine aerosol contribution (only in PM 10 , 4%). In addition, two industrial emission sources were identified in PM 10 and PM 2.5 : (1) a petrochemical source, 13% in PM 10 and 8% in PM 2.5 ; and (2) a mixed metallurgical-phosphate source, which accounts for 11-12% of PM 10 and PM 2.5 . In PM 2.5 a secondary source has been also identified, which contributed to 17% of the mass. A complete characterization of industrial emission plumes during their impact on the ground allowed for the identification of tracer species for specific point sources, such as petrochemical, metallurgic, and fertilizer and phosphate production industries.