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- Svane, Maria, 1957, et al.
(author)
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On-line alkali analysis of individual aerosol particles in urban air
- 2005
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In: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310. ; 39:36, s. 6919-6930
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- On-line measurements of individual alkali-containing submicron particles in ambient air have been performed at two urban sites in Goteborg, on the west coast of Sweden. Results obtained with a recently developed particle beam mass spectrometer are presented. This instrument combines an optimized particle inlet with mass spectrometric techniques and detection of particle-bound alkali metal is based on surface ionization technique. The concentrations of Na and K in submicron particles were followed over periods of a few weeks. Mass concentrations of alkali in ambient air varied in the range 0.02-100 ng m(-3) during the measurement periods depending on air mass history, wind direction, season, and contributions from local sources. The number of alkali-containing particles varied between 0.1 and 100 cm(-3). Most detected individual particles contained a relatively small amount of Na, and few particles had sufficient Na content to be identified as pure sea-salt particles. The detected aerosol was concluded to be dominated by emissions from combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, with a significant contribution from sea-salt particles only during intrusion of marine air. This conclusion was supported by backward air mass trajectories and calculated K/Na weight ratios that generally agreed well with earlier measurements in urban environments. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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