Study of nitrogen containing compounds in the polar troposphere.
Atmospheric nitrogen compounds play a critical role in tropospheric photochemistry and are crucial to understand the chemical and physical evolution of atmospheric pollutants in polar areas. Measurements of these species in remote areas are rare, although their relevance is well established. Sampling campaigns of gaseous and particulate atmospheric trace species were performed in Arctic and in Antarctica during three consecutive years (1997-1999), using a proper combination of annular denuders and filter pack. After sampling, the ionic species were extracted with aqueous solutions and analysed by means of ion chromatography. Quality assurance on the sampling and analytical steps allowed accurate and precise measurements of all relevant compounds, which are thought to be important to nitrogen chemistry, at very low concentration levels. In addition, the measurements also included a multistage low-pressure impactor for the collection of particulate matter in different size regions (0.035-15.9 mm). Results obtained from these campaigns demonstrate that the minor components may be measured at levels as low as a few nanograms per cubic meter. The reported concentrations are to be considered among the first observations of nitrogen containing compounds in polar sites.
Ianniello
Antonietta
A
CNR-Istituto sull'Inquinamento Atmosferico, Area della Ricerca di Roma, Via Salaria Km 29,300-00016 Monterotondo Scalo Roma, Italy. ianniello@iia.mlib.cnr.it
Sparapani
Roberto
R
Allegrini
Ivo
I
Vazzana
Caterina
C
Mazziotti
Carla
C
De Teran
Gomez
G
Montagnoli
Mauro
M
Fino
Alessandra
A
Felici
Andrea
A
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001272:Atmosphere; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size
D000393:Air Pollutants; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D009584:Nitrogen