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RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS OF PM 2.5 AMBIENT AEROSOL
Citation:
Lewis, C W., L Stockburger, G. A. Klouda, W. D. Ellenson, AND C. R. Fortune. RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS OF PM 2.5 AMBIENT AEROSOL. Presented at SOS Data Analysis Workshop 2000, Research Triangle Park, NC, March 6-10, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
To use the tools of x-ray fluorescence (XRF), ion chromatography (IC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal optical (organic and elemental carbon -- OC & EC), and radiocarbon analysis combined with various receptor models to determine the contributions of sources to PM as measured in outdoor (ambient) environments or particular microenvironments involving human exposure issues.
Description:
The radiocarbon (14C) content of an ambient aerosol sample can be directly related to the fraction of the sample's total carbon mass contributed by natural (biogenic) sources. Such knowledge is difficult to determine by other means, and important for devising ambient PM control strategies. During the SOS Nashville 99 field study, forty-five PM-2.5 quartz-filter samples were collected at Cornelia Fort Airport for subsequent radiocarbon analysis. Two samplers were operated concurrently, at 100 and 300 L min-1. Samples were collected during both day and night, mostly over 11.5-h sampling durations, but some over 5.5-h periods. Samples were collected both with and without an upstream semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) denuder to gain information on the possible presence of positive organic sampling artifact. The organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) content of the samples have been quantified by the Thermal-Optical Transmittance method. Samples will be prepared for radiocarbon analysis both with and without solvent (dichloromethane) extraction. Sample preparation is proceeding.