Abstract

In this paper, the unique real-time measurement capabilities of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) for characterizing atmospheric aerosol particles are demonstrated. ATOFMS is used to obtain the aerodynamic size and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles sampled directly into the instrument from outdoors. Such measurements are made in-situ by combining a unique dual-laser aerodynamic particle sizing system to size and track individual particles through the instrument and laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to obtain correlated single particle composition data. At typical ambient concentrations, the size and chemical composition of 50−100 particles per minute can be measured (up to 600 per minute at high particle concentrations). Presented here for the first time are compositionally resolved particle size distributions of ambient aerosol particles, showing definitive size/composition correlations. A goal of these studies is to ultimately couple data obtained from the dynamic monitoring of individual particles in atmospheric systems with that obtained using conventional ambient aerosol sampling to assist in sorting out complex field data on atmospheric processes.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.