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.

Identification of the mass spectral signature of organic aerosols from wood burning emissions.

Throughout the winter months, the village of Roveredo, Switzerland, frequently experiences strong temperature inversions that contribute to elevated levels of particulate matter. Wood is used as fuel for 75% of the domestic heating installations in Roveredo, which makes it a suitable location to study wood burning emissions in the atmosphere in winter. An Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer (Q-AMS) was used to characterize the composition of the submicrometer, non-refractory aerosol particles at this location during two field campaigns in March and December 2005.