Estimation of size-resolved ambient particle density based on the measurement of aerosol number, mass, and chemical size distributions in the winter in Beijing

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Sep 18;46(18):9941-7. doi: 10.1021/es204073t. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of aerosol size, distribution of number, mass, and chemical compositions were conducted in the winter of 2007 in Beijing using a Twin Differential Mobility Particle Sizer and a Micro Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. Both material density and effective density of ambient particles were estimated to be 1.61 ± 0.13 g cm(-3) and 1.62 ± 0.38 g cm(-3) for PM(1.8) and 1.73 ± 0.14 g cm(-3) and 1.67 ± 0.37 g cm(-3) for PM(10). Effective density decreased in the nighttime, indicating the primary particles emission from coal burning influenced the density of ambient particles. Size-resolved material density and effective density showed that both values increased with diameter from about 1.5 g cm(-3) at the size of 0.1 μm to above 2.0 g cm(-3) in the coarse mode. Material density was significantly higher for particles between 0.56 and 1.8 μm during clean episodes. Dynamic Shape Factors varied within the range of 0.95-1.13 and decreased with particle size, indicating that coagulation and atmospheric aging processes may change the shape of particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / analysis*
  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution / analysis*
  • China
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter / analysis*
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter