scholarly journals Characterization of ambient aerosols in Mexico City during the MCMA-2003 campaign with Aerosol Mass Spectrometry – Part I: quantification, shape-related collection efficiency, and comparison with collocated instruments

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 4143-4182 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Salcedo ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
T. B. Onasch ◽  
M. R. Canagaratna ◽  
Q. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mexico City ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Beam Width ◽  
Soil Mass ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Ambient Aerosols ◽  
Pixe Analysis ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Beam Broadening

Abstract. An Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) was deployed at the CENICA Supersite, while another was deployed in the Aerodyne Mobile Laboratory (AML) during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field study (MCMA-2003) from 31 March–4 May 2003 to investigate particle concentrations, sources, and processes. This is the first of a series of papers reporting the AMS results from this campaign. The AMS provides real time information on mass concentration and composition of the non-refractory species in particulate matter less than 1 µm (NR-PM1) with high time and size-resolution. For the first time, we report field results from a beam width probe, which was used to study the shape and mixing state of the particles and to quantify potential losses of irregular particles due to beam broadening inside the AMS. Data from this probe show that no significant amount of irregular particles was lost due to excessive beam broadening. A comparison of the CENICA and AML AMSs measurements is presented, being the first published intercomparison between two quadrupole AMSs. The speciation, and mass concentrations reported by the two AMSs compared relatively well. The differences found are likely due to the different inlets used in both instruments. In order to account for the refractory material in the aerosol, we also present measurements of Black Carbon (BC) using an aethalometer and an estimate of the aerosol soil component obtained from Proton-Induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry (PIXE) analysis of impactor substrates. Comparisons of AMS + BC + soil mass concentration with other collocated particle instruments (a LASAIR Optical Particle Counter, a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) and a DustTrak Aerosol Monitor) are also presented. The comparisons show that the AMS + BC + soil mass concentration during MCMA-2003 is a good approximation to the total PM2.5 mass concentration.

scholarly journals Characterization of ambient aerosols in Mexico City during the MCMA-2003 campaign with Aerosol Mass Spectrometry: results from the CENICA Supersite

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Salcedo ◽  
T. B. Onasch ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
M. R. Canagaratna ◽  
Q. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mexico City ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Soil Mass ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Pixe Analysis ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Inorganic Species

Abstract. An Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) was deployed at the CENICA Supersite, during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field study (MCMA-2003) from 31 March-4 May 2003 to investigate particle concentrations, sources, and processes. The AMS provides real time information on mass concentration and composition of the non-refractory species in particulate matter less than 1 µm (NR-PM1) with high time and size-resolution. In order to account for the refractory material in the aerosol, we also present estimates of Black Carbon (BC) using an aethalometer and an estimate of the aerosol soil component obtained from Proton-Induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry (PIXE) analysis of impactor substrates. Comparisons of AMS + BC + soil mass concentration with other collocated particle instruments (a LASAIR Optical Particle Counter, a PM2.5 Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM), and a PM2.5 DustTrak Aerosol Monitor) show that the AMS + BC + soil mass concentration is consistent with the total PM2.5 mass concentration during MCMA-2003 within the combined uncertainties. In Mexico City, the organic fraction of the estimated PM2.5 at CENICA represents, on average, 54.6% (standard deviation σ=10%) of the mass, with the rest consisting of inorganic compounds (mainly ammonium nitrate and sulfate/ammonium salts), BC, and soil. Inorganic compounds represent 27.5% of PM2.5 (σ=10%); BC mass concentration is about 11% (σ=4%); while soil represents about 6.9% (σ=4%). Size distributions are presented for the AMS species; they show an accumulation mode that contains mainly oxygenated organic and secondary inorganic compounds. The organic size distributions also contain a small organic particle mode that is likely indicative of fresh traffic emissions; small particle modes exist for the inorganic species as well. Evidence suggests that the organic and inorganic species are not always internally mixed, especially in the small modes. The aerosol seems to be neutralized most of the time; however, there were some periods when there was not enough ammonium to completely neutralize the nitrate, chloride and sulfate present. The diurnal cycle and size distributions of nitrate suggest local photochemical production. On the other hand, sulfate appears to be produced on a regional scale. There are indications of new particle formation and growth events when concentrations of SO2 were high. Although the sources of chloride are not clear, this species seems to condense as ammonium chloride early in the morning and to evaporate as the temperature increases and RH decreases. The total and speciated mass concentrations and diurnal cycles measured during MCMA-2003 are similar to measurements during a previous field campaign at a nearby location.

scholarly journals Characterization of ambient aerosols in Mexico City during the MCMA-2003 campaign with Aerosol Mass Spectrometry – Part II: overview of the results at the CENICA supersite and comparison to previous studies

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 4183-4221 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Salcedo ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
T. B. Onasch ◽  
M. R. Canagaratna ◽  
J. T. Jayne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mexico City ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Ambient Aerosols ◽  
Pixe Analysis ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Boundary Layer Dynamics

Abstract. An Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) was deployed at the CENICA Supersite during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field study from 31 March–4 May 2003. The AMS provides real time information on mass concentration and composition of the non-refractory species in particulate matter less than 1 µm (NR-PM1) with high time and size-resolution. Measurements of Black Carbon (BC) using an aethalometer, and estimated soil concentrations from Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) analysis of impactor substrates are also presented and combined with the AMS in order to include refractory material and estimate the total PM2.5 mass concentration at CENICA during this campaign. In Mexico City, the organic fraction of the estimated PM2.5 at CENICA represents 54.6% of the mass, with the rest consisting of inorganic compounds (mainly ammonium nitrate and sulfate/ammonium salts), BC, and soil. Inorganic compounds represent 27.5% of PM2.5; BC mass concentration is about 11%; while soil represents about 6.9%. The NR species and BC have diurnal cycles that can be qualitatively interpreted as the interplay of direct emissions, photochemical production in the atmosphere followed by condensation and gas-to-particle partitioning, boundary layer dynamics, and/or advection. Bi- and trimodal size distributions are observed for the AMS species, with a small combustion (likely traffic) organic particle mode and an accumulation mode that contains mainly organic and secondary inorganic compounds. The AMS and BC mass concentrations, size distributions, and diurnal cycles are found to be qualitatively similar to those from most previous field measurements in Mexico City.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Use of a beam width probe in an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer to monitor particle collection efficiency in the field

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Salcedo ◽  
T. B. Onasch ◽  
M. R. Canagaratna ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
J. A. Huffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Particle Shape ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Beam Width ◽  
Particle Beam ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Inorganic Species ◽  
Shape And Size ◽  
Beam Broadening

Abstract. Two Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometers (Q-AMS) were deployed in Mexico City, during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field study (MCMA-2003) from 29 March–4 May 2003 to investigate particle concentrations, sources, and processes. We report the use of a particle beam width probe (BWP) in the field to quantify potential losses of particles due to beam broadening inside the AMS caused by particle shape (nonsphericity) and particle size. Data from this probe show that no significant mass of particles was lost due to excessive beam broadening; i.e. the shape- and size-related collection efficiency (Es) of the AMS during this campaign was approximately one. Comparison of the BWP data from MCMA-2003 with other campaigns shows that the same conclusion holds for several other urban, rural and remotes sites. This means that the aerodynamic lens in the AMS is capable of efficiently focusing ambient particles into a well defined beam and onto the AMS vaporizer for particles sampled in a wide variety of environments. All the species measured by the AMS during MCMA-2003 have similar attenuation profiles which suggests that the particles that dominate the mass concentration were internally mixed most of the time. Only for the smaller particles (especially below 300 nm), organic and inorganic species show different attenuation versus particle size which is likely due to partial external mixing of these components. Changes observed in the focusing of the particle beam in time can be attributed, in part, to changes in particle shape (i.e. due to relative humidity) and size of the particles sampled. However, the relationships between composition, atmospheric conditions, and particle shape and size appear to be very complex and are not yet completely understood.

scholarly journals Vertical distribution of aerosols in the vicinity of Mexico City during MILAGRO-2006 Campaign

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1017-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Lewandowski ◽  
W. E. Eichinger ◽  
H. Holder ◽  
J. Prueger ◽  
J. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Lidar System ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Concentration ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Ground Based Lidar

Abstract. On 7 March 2006, a mobile, ground-based, vertical pointing, elastic lidar system made a North-South transect through the Mexico City basin. Column averaged, aerosol size distribution (ASD) measurements were made on the ground concurrently with the lidar measurements. The ASD ground measurements allowed calculation of the column averaged mass extinction efficiency (MEE) for the lidar system (1064 nm). The value of column averaged MEE was combined with spatially resolved lidar extinction coefficients to produce total aerosol mass concentration estimates with the resolution of the lidar (1.5 m vertical spatial and 1 s temporal). Airborne ASD measurements from DOE G-1 aircraft made later in the day on 7 March 2006, allowed the evaluation of the assumptions of constant ASD with height and time used for estimating the column averaged MEE. The results showed that the aerosol loading within the basin is about twice what is observed outside of the basin. The total aerosol base concentrations observed in the basin are of the order of 200 μg/m3 and the base levels outside are of the order of 100 μg/m3. The local heavy traffic events can introduce aerosol levels near the ground as high as 900 μg/m3. The article presents the methodology for estimating aerosol mass concentration from mobile, ground-based lidar measurements in combination with aerosol size distribution measurements. An uncertainty analysis of the methodology is also presented.

scholarly journals Primary and secondary contributions to aerosol light scattering and absorption in Mexico City during the MILAGRO 2006 campaign

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3721-3730 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Paredes-Miranda ◽  
W. P. Arnott ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
A. C. Aiken ◽  
J. S. Gaffney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Concentration ◽  
532 Nm ◽  
Peak Value

Abstract. A photoacoustic spectrometer, a nephelometer, an aethalometer, and an aerosol mass spectrometer were used to measure at ground level real-time aerosol light absorption, scattering, and chemistry at an urban site located in North East Mexico City (Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Mexican Petroleum Institute, denoted by IMP), as part of the Megacity Impact on Regional and Global Environments field experiment, MILAGRO, in March 2006. Photoacoustic and reciprocal nephelometer measurements at 532 nm accomplished with a single instrument compare favorably with conventional measurements made with an aethalometer and a TSI nephelometer. The diurnally averaged single scattering albedo at 532 nm was found to vary from 0.60 to 0.85 with the peak value at midday and the minimum value at 07:00 a.m. local time, indicating that the Mexico City plume is likely to have a net warming effect on local climate. The peak value is associated with strong photochemical generation of secondary aerosol. It is estimated that the photochemical production of secondary aerosol (inorganic and organic) is approximately 75% of the aerosol mass concentration and light scattering in association with the peak single scattering albedo. A strong correlation of aerosol scattering at 532 nm and total aerosol mass concentration was found, and an average mass scattering efficiency factor of 3.8 m2/g was determined. Comparisons of photoacoustic and aethalometer light absorption with oxygenated organic aerosol concentration (OOA) indicate a very small systematic bias of the filter based measurement associated with OOA and the peak aerosol single scattering albedo.

scholarly journals Primary and secondary contributions to aerosol light scattering and absorption in Mexico City during the MILAGRO 2006 campaign

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 16951-16979 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Paredes-Miranda ◽  
W. P. Arnott ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
A. C. Aiken ◽  
J. S. Gaffney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Concentration ◽  
532 Nm ◽  
Peak Value

Abstract. A photoacoustic spectrometer, a nephelometer, an aetholemeter, and an aerosol mass spectrometer were used to measure at ground level real-time aerosol light absorption, scattering, and chemistry at an urban site located in north east Mexico City (Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Mexican Petroleum Institute, denoted by IMP), as part of the Megacity Impact on Regional and Global Environments field experiment, MILAGRO, in March 2006. Photoacoustic and reciprocal nephelometer measurements at 532 nm accomplished with a single instrument compare favorably with conventional measurements made with an aethelometer and a TSI nephelometer. The diurnally averaged single scattering albedo at 532 nm was found to vary from 0.60 to 0.85 with the peak value at midday and the minimum value at 7 a.m. local time, indicating that the Mexico City plume is likely to have a net warming effect on local climate. The peak value is associated with strong photochemical generation of secondary aerosol. It is estimated that the same-day photochemical production of secondary aerosol (inorganic and organic) is approximately 40 percent of the aerosol mass concentration and light scattering in association with the peak single scattering albedo. A strong correlation of aerosol scattering at 532 nm and total aerosol mass concentration was found, and an average mass scattering efficiency factor of 3.8 m2/g was determined. Comparisons of photoacoustic and aethalometer light absorption with oxygenated organic aerosol concentration (OOA) indicate a very small systematic bias of the filter based measurement associated with OOA and the peak aerosol single scattering albedo.

XRF and PIXE Analysis of light and Dark Adapted Ocular Tissue

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 190-191
Author(s):  
B. J. Panessa ◽  
H. W. Kraner ◽  
J. B. Warren ◽  
K. W. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Nerve Impulse ◽  
Light Response ◽  
Ocular Tissue ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Retinol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Pixe Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Optimal Function

During photoexcitation the retina requires specific electrolytes and trace metals for optimal function (Na, Mg, Cl, K, Ca, S, P, Cu and Zn). According to Hagins (1981), photoexcitation and generation of a nerve impulse involves the movement of Ca from the rhodopsin-ladened membranes of the rod outer segment (ROS) to the plasmalemma, which in turn decreases the in-flow of Na into the photoreceptor, resulting in hyperpolarization. In toad isolated retinas, the presence of Ba has been found to increase the amplitude and prolong the delay of the light response (Brown and Flaming, 1978). Trace metals such as Cu, Zn and Se are essential for the activity of the metalloenzymes of the retina and retina pigment epithelium (RPE) (i.e. carbonic anhydrase, retinol dehydrogenase, tyrosinase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase...). Therefore the content and fluctuations of these elements in the retina and choroid are of fundamental importance for the maintenance of vision. This paper presents elemental data from light and dark adapted frog ocular tissues examined by electron beam induced x-ray microanalysis, x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and proton induced x-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE).

Aerosol mass concentration measurements: Recent advancements of real-time nano/micro systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 42-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Soysal ◽  
E. Géhin ◽  
E. Algré ◽  
B. Berthelot ◽  
G. Da ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Concentration ◽  
Concentration Measurements ◽  
Micro Systems

scholarly journals Mexico City aerosol analysis during MILAGRO using high resolution aerosol mass spectrometry at the urban supersite (T0) – Part 1: Fine particle composition and organic source apportionment

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 8377-8427 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Aiken ◽  
D. Salcedo ◽  
M. J. Cubison ◽  
J. A. Huffman ◽  
P. F. DeCarlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Emissions Inventory ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Primary Emissions

Abstract. Submicron aerosol was analyzed during the MILAGRO field campaign in March 2006 at the T0 urban supersite in Mexico City with a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) and complementary instrumentation. Mass concentrations, diurnal cycles, and size distributions of inorganic and organic species are similar to results from the CENICA supersite in April 2003 with organic aerosol (OA) comprising about half of the fine PM mass. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis of the high resolution OA spectra identified three major components: chemically-reduced urban primary emissions (hydrocarbon-like OA, HOA), oxygenated OA (OOA, mostly secondary OA or SOA), and biomass burning OA (BBOA) that correlates with levoglucosan and acetonitrile. BBOA includes several very large plumes from regional fires and likely also some refuse burning. A fourth OA component is a small local nitrogen-containing reduced OA component (LOA) which accounts for 9% of the OA mass but one third of the organic nitrogen, likely as amines. OOA accounts for almost half of the OA on average, consistent with previous observations. OA apportionment results from PMF-AMS are compared to the PM2.5 chemical mass balance of organic molecular markers (CMB-OMM, from GC/MS analysis of filters). Results from both methods are overall consistent. Both assign the major components of OA to primary urban, biomass burning/woodsmoke, and secondary sources at similar magnitudes. The 2006 Mexico City emissions inventory underestimates the urban primary PM2.5 emissions by a factor of ~4, and it is ~16 times lower than afternoon concentrations when secondary species are included. Additionally, the forest fire contribution is underestimated by at least an order-of-magnitude in the inventory.

scholarly journals Sources and transformations of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexico City

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 12741-12773 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Marr ◽  
K. Dzepina ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
F. Reisen ◽  
H. L. Bethel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Field Campaign ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Understanding sources, concentrations, and transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere is important because of their potent mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The measurement of particle-bound PAHs by three different methods during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field campaign in April 2003 presents a unique opportunity for characterization of these compounds and assessment of the methods. The three methods are (1) collection and analysis of bulk samples for time-integrated gas- and particle-phase speciation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; (2) aerosol photoionization for fast detection of PAHs on particles' surfaces; and (3) aerosol mass spectrometry for fast analysis of size and chemical composition. This research represents the first time aerosol mass spectrometry has been used to measure ambient PAH concentrations and the first time that fast, real-time methods have been used to quantify PAHs alongside traditional filter-based measurements in an extended field campaign. Speciated PAH measurements suggest that motor vehicles and garbage and wood burning are important sources in Mexico City. The diurnal concentration patterns captured by aerosol photoionization and aerosol mass spectrometry are generally consistent. Ambient concentrations typically peak at ~110 ng m−3 during the morning rush hour and rapidly decay due to changes in source activity patterns and dilution as the boundary layer rises, although surface-bound PAH concentrations decay faster. The more rapid decrease in surface versus bulk PAH concentrations during the late morning suggests that freshly emitted combustion-related particles are quickly coated by secondary aerosol material in Mexico City's atmosphere and may also be transformed by heterogeneous reactions.

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