Source attribution of submicron organic aerosols during wintertime inversions by advanced factor analysis of aerosol mass spectra.
Real-time measurements of submicrometer aerosol were performed using an Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) during three weeks at an urban background site in Zurich (Switzerland) in January 2006. A hybrid receptor model which incorporates a priori known source composition was applied to the AMS highly time-resolved organic aerosol mass spectra. Three sources and components of submicrometer organic aerosols were identified: the major component was oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA), mostly representing secondary organic aerosol and accounting on average for 52-57% of the particulate organic mass. Radiocarbon (14C) measurements of organic carbon (OC) indicated that approximately 31 and approximately 69% of OOA originated from fossil and nonfossil sources, respectively. OOA estimates were strongly correlated with measured particulate ammonium. Particles from wood combustion (35-40%) and 3-13% traffic-related hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA) accounted for the other half of measured organic matter (OM). Emission ratios of modeled HOA to measured nitrogen oxides (NOx) and OM from wood burning to levoglucosan from filter analyses were found to be consistent with literature values.
Lanz
Valentin A
VA
Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, Dübendorf Switzerland.
Alfarra
M Rami
MR
Baltensperger
Urs
U
Buchmann
Brigitte
B
Hueglin
Christoph
C
Szidat
Sönke
S
Wehrli
Miriam N
MN
Wacker
Lukas
L
Weimer
Silke
S
Caseiro
Alexandre
A
Puxbaum
Hans
H
Prevot
Andre S H
AS
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013557:Switzerland; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014934:Wood
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002248:Carbon Monoxide