Insights into the Origin of Water Soluble Organic Carbon in Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter

Snyder, DC; Rutter, AP; Collins, R; Worley, C; Schauer, JJ

HERO ID

2603094

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2009

HERO ID 2603094
In Press No
Year 2009
Title Insights into the Origin of Water Soluble Organic Carbon in Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter
Authors Snyder, DC; Rutter, AP; Collins, R; Worley, C; Schauer, JJ
Journal Aerosol Science and Technology
Volume 43
Issue 11
Page Numbers 1099-1107
Abstract Concentrations of fine carbonaceous aerosols (PM(2.5)), including elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were measured from filters collected every 6th day for one year at three urban/industrial sites in the Midwestern United States: Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Mingo Junction, Ohio. The water-soluble fraction of fine particulate OC varied considerably from site to site and monthly averages were between 3985% at Cincinnati, 35-68% at Cleveland, and 32-65% at Mingo Junction. Average monthly concentrations of WSOC were compared with measurements of organic source tracers, including levoglucosan, to better understand the spatial and temporal distribution and sources of WSOC. Two methods of predicting the non-biomass burning portion of WSOC (WSOC(NB)) were compared including estimation of secondary organic carbon (SOC) by the EC-tracer Method and comparison of the unapportioned OC from a chemical mass balance (CMB) source apportionment analysis. Poor correlations between SOC estimated by the EC-tracer method and WSOC(NB) suggested that the use of the EC-tracer method to estimate SOC may be significantly flawed with respect to low time-resolved measurements, such as one-in-six day measurements. Good correlations between CMB unapportioned OC and WSOC(NB) at all three sites (R(2) = 0.68 to 0.91) suggested that direct measurements of levoglucosan and WSOC could provide a reasonable estimate of secondary organic carbon concentrations in some locations. However, application of this method to daily measurements made in Detroit, MI during July of 2007 and January/February of 2008 demonstrated that, on some individual days near large point sources, non-biomass burning sources of WSOC were important contributors to WSOC concentrations.
Doi 10.1080/02786820903188701
Wosid WOS:000274195600007
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes