AAAR 35th Annual Conference October 17 - October 21, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Chemical Compositions of Atmospheric Submicron Aerosol during New Particle Formation and Growth Events in Beijing
XIAOXIAO LI, Runlong Cai, Dongsen Yang, Yueyun Fu, Jiming Hao, Jun Zheng, Jingkun Jiang, Tsinghua University
Abstract Number: 249 Working Group: Urban Aerosols
Abstract Rapid growth of newly formed particles increases atmospheric CCN concentration and fine particulate matter burden. Characterizing submicron aerosol helps to reveal whether new particle formation events (NPF) also leads to significant change in their chemical compositions. We carried out a field campaign in Beijing during the spring of 2016. An aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) and an aethalometer with a PM$_1 impactor at its inlet were used to characterize non-refractory submicron aerosol and submicron black carbon. A DEG SMPS and a PSD were used to measure aerosol size distribution from 1 nanometer to 10 micrometers. A chemical ionization high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a corona ionization source was used to measure sulfuric acid and its dimer. A proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer was used to monitor organic species. During one month’s measurement, 11 new particle formation events were observed. Monthly average mass concentration of submicron aerosol was 38 micrograms per cubic meter. Growth rate of each NPF event was estimated. Submicron aerosol chemical compositions and their variations during NPF events were examined. Possible correlations with the growth of newly formed particles were discussed.