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Characterization of Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) and Sulfate in Fairbanks, Alaska using Ion Chromatography (IC)
KAYANE DINGILIAN, Michael Battaglia, James Campbell, Jingqiu Mao, Rodney J. Weber, Georgia Institute of Technology
Abstract Number: 104
Working Group: Aerosol Chemistry
Abstract
Sulfate comprises a significant portion of atmospheric particulate matter (PM 2.5), but its chemistry is still not understood well under extremely cold temperatures and low oxidant concentrations. These conditions are prevalent in the winter in Fairbanks, Alaska, where several campaigns to understand the severe air pollution in the area are underway. Recent experiments in the laboratory have suggested that much of the sulfate being measured is, under certain conditions, actually hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS), which is formed from the reaction of dissolved species of sulfite and formaldehyde. Analysis with ion chromatography (IC) is evolving to assess the relative importance of HMS and sulfate, both in sample collection and sample preparation. In our work, we perform experiments on samples taken from both premade standards containing sulfur compounds as well as real data from filters to develop methods for the accurate quantification of HMS vs. sulfate as well as identify any loss of HMS due to conversion to sulfate during sample preparation. These methods will also be integrated into the upcoming Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis (ALPACA) research initiative taking place in Fairbanks, Alaska, where we will be deploying not only filters but a continuous particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS) system coupled to IC. We hope to use this data to gain a better understanding of low-temperature atmospheric sulfur chemistry as well as improve current atmospheric models to better reflect real mechanisms and phenomena.