Loss of fine particle ammonium from denuded nylon filters

Abstract

Ammonium is an important constituent of fine particulate mass in the atmosphere, but can be difficult to quantify due to possible sampling artifacts. Losses of semivolatile species such as NH 4NO 3 can be particularly problematic. In order to evaluate ammonium losses from aerosol particles collected on filters, a series of field experiments was conducted using denuded nylon and Teflon filters at Bondville, IL (February 2003), San Gorgonio, CA (April 2003 and July 2004), Grand Canyon NP, AZ (May, 2003), Brigantine, NJ (November 2003), and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NP), TN (July–August 2004). Samples were collected over 24 h periods. Losses from denuded nylon filters ranged from 10% (monthly average) in Bondville, IL to 28% in San Gorgonio, CA in summer. Losses on individual sample days ranged from 1% to 65%. Losses tended to increase with increasing diurnal temperature and relative humidity changes and with the fraction of ambient total N(−III) (particulate NH 4 ++gaseous NH 3) present as gaseous NH 3. The amount of ammonium lost at most sites could be explained by the amount of NH 4NO 3 present in the sampled aerosol. Ammonium losses at Great Smoky Mountains NP, however, significantly exceeded the amount of NH 4NO 3 collected. Ammoniated organic salts are suggested as additional important contributors to observed ammonium loss at this location.