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Phase separation and regrowth of aerosol matter collected after size fractionation in an impactor.
Atmos. Environ. 36, 5877-5886 (2002)
Aerosol matter in the size range <2 μm was collected in a Berner impactor and subsequently analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. Owing to the low electron beam energy of 5 keV (occasionally 10 keV), analysis was restricted to elements with atomic numbers ⩽20 (Ca). Sub-micrometer aerosol matter was found to contain mostly S, O, and C as well as some K and Ca. Nitrogen appeared to escape detection, probably due to bombardment-induced sublimation of NO3 and NH4. During sampling at low to moderate relative humidity (<60%) the sulphur-rich fraction of the aerosol matter (most likely sulphates) regrew in the form of microcrystals with sizes up to 10 times larger than the mean aerodynamic diameter of the respective impactor stage. By contrast, when sampling during periods in course of which the relative humidity exceeded 70%, the aerosol matter regrew in the form of extended amorphous agglomerates. The aerosol deposits also contained large numbers of carbon nanoparticles, well separated from the regrown sulphate-rich matter. The nanoparticles were similar in size (∼20–40 nm), much smaller than the equivalent aerodynamic diameter of the impacting particles (63 nm–2 μm). Presumably, the carbon nanoparticles constituted the core of larger air-borne particles covered with sulphates (as well as with nitrates and organic carbon). The regrown microcrystals disappeared rapidly under electron bombardment at high current density, an observation that indicates high volatility at elevated temperatures. Aerosol matter collected in the size range between 1 and 2 μm contained large fractions of particles made of O, Si, P, K, and Ca (oxides). These particles were highly resistant to electron bombardment (hard) and showed little or no evidence for agglomeration or regrowth. After removing the soluble (acidic) material from the collected aerosol matter, only carbon nanoparticles and hard coarse particles were left behind. The observation of agglomerated or crystallized “soft” aerosol matter in combination with phase separation of carbon nanoparticles lends further support to the assertion that it is not possible to collect useful quantities of fine and ultrafine aerosol particles with as-suspended morphology. Some implications for health-related research are discussed.
Impact Factor
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Cited By
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2.317
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20
Anmerkungen
Besondere Publikation
Auf Hompepage verbergern
Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Schlagwörter
Scanning electron microscopy; Atmospheric aerosols; Regrowth; Phase separation; Microcrystals; Carbon nanoparticles
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2002
HGF-Berichtsjahr
0
ISSN (print) / ISBN
1352-2310
e-ISSN
1873-2844
Zeitschrift
Atmospheric Environment
Quellenangaben
Band: 36,
Heft: 39-40,
Seiten: 5877-5886
Verlag
Elsevier
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
POF Topic(s)
30504 - Mechanisms of Genetic and Environmental Influences on Health and Disease
Forschungsfeld(er)
Radiation Sciences
Enabling and Novel Technologies
Enabling and Novel Technologies
PSP-Element(e)
G-501100-006
FE 70332
FE 70332
Erfassungsdatum
2003-10-01