Derivation of the density and refractive index of organic matter and elemental carbon from closure between physical and chemical aerosol properties.

Information on the density (rho) and refractive index m (=n-ik) of elemental carbon (ECa) and organic matter (OMa), the main carbon components of atmospheric aerosols, has frequently been obtained from closure calculations between physical and chemical aerosol properties. However, this approach has suffered from large uncertainties since there were more unknown (or poorly known) parameters than defining equations. In this study, we propose a method that avoids this ambiguity mainly by considering both optical and mass closure and by expressing the three ECa parameters (rho(ECa), n(ECa), k(ECa)) by a single (unknown) parameter.

Design and field application of an automated cartridge sampler for VOC concentration and flux measurements.

One of the major limitations in advancing the understanding of tropospheric ozone and aerosol generation and developing strategies for their control is the technical ability to accurately measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paper describes the design of a constant flow VOC sampler. The versatile sampler can be used for fully automated concentration and flux measurements of VOCs.

Formation of secondary organic aerosols through photooxidation of isoprene.

Detailed organic analysis of natural aerosols from the Amazonian rain forest showed considerable quantities of previously unobserved polar organic compounds, which were identified as a mixture of two diastereoisomeric 2-methyltetrols: 2-methylthreitol and 2-methylerythritol. These polyols, which have the isoprene skeleton, can be explained by OH radical-initiated photooxidation of isoprene. They have low vapor pressure, allowing them to condense onto preexisting particles.