Characterization and diurnal variation of size-resolved inorganic water-soluble ions at a rural background site.
Water-soluble inorganic ions in aerosol samples have been studied. The sample collection took place during summer in 2003 at a European background site which is operating within the framework of the European Monitoring and Evaluation Program. Gent type PM10 stacked filter unit (SFU) samplers were operated in parallel on a day and night basis to collect particles in separate coarse (2.0-10 microm) and fine (<2.0 microm) size fractions. Particulate masses were measured gravimetrically; the filters from one of the SFU samplers were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Filters from the other SFU sampler were analyzed by ion chromatography (IC) for major inorganic anions (MSA-, NO2(-), NO3(-), Cl-, Br-, SO4(2-), oxalate) and cations (Na+, K+, NH4(+), Mg2+, Ca2+). The water-soluble inorganic ions measured were responsible for 44% and 16% of the total fine and coarse particulate mass, respectively. In the fine size fraction, the main ionic components were SO4(2-) and NH4(+) accounting for about 90% of fine ionic mass. In the coarse fraction the main ionic components were Ca2+ and NO3(-), followed by SO4(2-). Significant day and night difference in the mass concentrations was observed only for fine NO3(-). The molar ratios of fine NH4(+) to SO4(2-) indicated their complete neutralization to (NH4)2SO4. According to the cation-to-anion ratios the coarse particles were alkaline, while the fine particles were slightly acidic or neutral. By comparing the corresponding concentrations obtained from PIXE/INAA and IC, we determined the water-extractable part of the individual species. We also investigated the effect of long-range transported air masses on the local air concentrations, and we found that the air quality of this background monitoring station was affected by regional pollution sources.
Ocskay
Rita
R
Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös University, P.O. Box 32, H-1518, Budapest, Hungary. rita_ocskay@citromail.hu
Salma
Imre
I
Wang
Wan
W
Maenhaut
Willy
W
D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry*; D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D010507:Periodicity; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D014867:Water