Size-resolved elemental composition of aerosol particles in greater Sydney in 2002–2003
Taleb Hallal A C , Gail P. Box A D , David D. Cohen B and Eduard Stelcer BA School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
B Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
C Present address: Boral Cement, Maldon Bridge Road, Maldon, NSW 2571, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: g.box@unsw.edu.au
Environmental Chemistry 10(4) 295-305 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN12194
Submitted: 10 December 2012 Accepted: 3 May 2013 Published: 2 August 2013
Environmental context. Atmospheric aerosols may either scatter or absorb solar radiation, potentially cooling or warming the planet. The warming–cooling effects of aerosols are determined by their optical properties, which depend on chemical composition. To better predict aerosol effects we need a good understanding of aerosol chemistry across a wide size range and geographic area. We report results of a study designed to increase understanding of the chemical composition of fine and coarse aerosols in Sydney.
Abstract. Between November 2002 and December 2003 samples of PM2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter less than 2.5- and 10-μm aerodynamic diameter) aerosols were collected at four sites in the Sydney Basin in order to determine the spatial and seasonal variation of size-resolved aerosol chemical composition in the Sydney region and relate this to aerosol optical properties. Accelerator-based ion beam analysis was used to determine the elemental composition and black carbon (BC) was determined using the laser integrating plate method. Aerosol species were determined by multiplying a marker element by a factor based on molecular weight ratios. Mass concentrations at the rural sites were lower than at the urban sites with an average PM2.5/PM10 mass ratio of 0.5–0.6 for all sites although at the urban sites it was 0.2–0.25 in summer. For all sites BC was the dominant element, followed by Na. For the urban sites this was followed by Cl suggesting sea salt and then the soil elements Al and Si. For the rural sites the soil elements Al, Si and Ca were more important than Cl, which was found to decrease away from the coast. Analysis of aerosol species shows that BC accounts for a larger portion of PM2.5 than PM10 and sea salt and sulfate levels are higher in summer than in winter.
References
[1] D. D. Cohen, P. T. Crisp, R. Hyde, Contribution of fuel combustion to pollution by airborne particles in urban and non-urban environments, Report number ERDC 259 1995 (Energy Research and Development Corporation: Canberra).[2] G. P. Ayers, M. D. Keywood, J. L. Gras, D. Cohen, D. Garton, G. M. Bailey, Chemical and physical properties of Australian fine particles: a pilot study. Final Report to Environment Australia from the Division of Atmospheric Research, CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation 1999 (CSIRO Australia).
[3] D. D. Cohen, E. Stelcer, D. Garton, J. Crawford, Fine particle characterisation, source apportionment and long range dust transport into the Sydney basin: a long term study between 1998 and 2009. Atmos. Poll. Res. 2011, 2, 182.
| Fine particle characterisation, source apportionment and long range dust transport into the Sydney basin: a long term study between 1998 and 2009.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXkslWrtrc%3D&md5=65119386e8867765b4fa07ee6e513403CAS |
[4] D. D. Cohen, Applications of simultaneous IBA techniques to aerosol analysis. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. B 1993, 79, 385.
| Applications of simultaneous IBA techniques to aerosol analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[5] D. D. Cohen, Characterization of atmospheric fine particles using IBA techniques. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. B 1998, 136–138, 14.
| Characterization of atmospheric fine particles using IBA techniques.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[6] D. D. Cohen, G. M. Bailey, R. Kondepudi, Elemental analysis by PIXE and other IBA techniques and their applications to source fingerprinting of atmospheric fine particle pollution. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. B 1996, 109–110, 218.
| Elemental analysis by PIXE and other IBA techniques and their applications to source fingerprinting of atmospheric fine particle pollution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[7] D. D. Cohen, E. Stelcer, O. Hawas, D. Garton, IBA methods for characterization of fine particulate atmospheric pollution: a local, regional and global research problem. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. B 2004, 219–220, 145.
| IBA methods for characterization of fine particulate atmospheric pollution: a local, regional and global research problem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[8] C. S. Sloane, J. Watson, J. Chow, L. Pritchett, L. W. Richards, Size segregated fine particle measurements by chemical species and their impact on visibility impairment in Denver. Atmos. Environ. 1991, 25A, 1013.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXitlCisLo%3D&md5=5036746135f83adcd5628db003b349fdCAS |
[9] S. M. Japar, R. A. Brachaczek, R. A. Gorse, J. M. Norbeck, W. R. Pierson, The contribution of elemental carbon to the optical properties of rural atmospheric aerosols. Atmos. Environ. 1986, 20, 1281.
| The contribution of elemental carbon to the optical properties of rural atmospheric aerosols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28XkvVCgur4%3D&md5=7749e36dc2056a2b9b93138d199bb093CAS |
[10] G. Taha, D. D. Cohen, E. Stelcer, G. P. Box, Black carbon measurement using Laser Integrating Plate Method. Aerosol Sci. Technol. 2007, 41, 266.
| Black carbon measurement using Laser Integrating Plate Method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjvVOjsr4%3D&md5=250d496c7cfc8cc1fd95d2d81c02299fCAS |
[11] W. C. Malm, J. F. Sisler, D. Huffman, R. A. Eldred, T. A. Cahill, Spatial and seasonal trends in particle concentration and optical extinction in the United States. J. Geophys. Res. 1994, 99, 1347.
| Spatial and seasonal trends in particle concentration and optical extinction in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXhvF2isb0%3D&md5=2bdd31b9d1f8f7c8fde0351fc556c498CAS |
[12] Y. Shiga, R. S. B. Greene, K. M. Scott, E. Stelcer, Recognising terrestrially derived-salt (NaCl) in SE Australian dust. Aeolian Res. 2011, 2, 215.
| Recognising terrestrially derived-salt (NaCl) in SE Australian dust.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[13] P. Brimblecombe, Air Composition and Chemistry 1986 (Cambridge University Press: London).
[14] D. C. Blanchard, A. H. Woodcock, The production, concentration, and vertical distribution of the sea-salt aerosol. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1980, 338, 330.
| The production, concentration, and vertical distribution of the sea-salt aerosol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[15] D. R. E. Lide, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 1997 (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL).
[16] L. M. McInnes, D. S. Covert, P. K. Quinn, M. S. Germani, Measurement of chloride depletion and sulfur enrichment in individual sea-salt particles collected from the remote marine boundary layer. J. Geophys. Res. 1994, 99, 8257.
| Measurement of chloride depletion and sulfur enrichment in individual sea-salt particles collected from the remote marine boundary layer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXmtlGis70%3D&md5=20ad83c3258e844cefaf80074a067b58CAS |
[17] X. X. Huo, P. T. Crisp, D. D. Cohen, Elemental composition of fine aerosol particles around Sydney during 1992 and 1993. Clean Air 1998, 32, 28.
[18] X. X. Huo, P. T. Crisp, D. D. Cohen, Fine sea-salt aerosols over south eastern Australia. Clean Air 1999, 33, 34.
[19] X. Liu, N. Gao, P. K. Hopke, D. Cohen, G. Bailey, P. Crisp, Evaluation of spatial patterns of fine particle sulfur and lead concentrations in New South Wales, Australia. Atmos. Environ. 1996, 30, 9.
| Evaluation of spatial patterns of fine particle sulfur and lead concentrations in New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXhtVSnsLbO&md5=e133e089cb93218e07fed262ea397a9aCAS |
[20] V. A. Marple, K. L. Rubow, S. M. Behm, A Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI): description, calibration and use. Aerosol Sci. Technol. 1991, 14, 434.
| A Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI): description, calibration and use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXkslOmurs%3D&md5=a21eecdcb91c459643dd3048c792b528CAS |
