A calculation procedure for the determination of the collection efficiency in annular denuders

Influence of gaseous and particulate species on neutralization processes of polar aerosol and snow - A case study from Ny-Ålesund

The inter-conversion of nitrogen and sulfur species between the gas and particulate phases and their interaction with alkaline species influences the acidity of the aerosols and surface snow. To better understand these processes, a short field campaign was undertaken in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, during 13th April 2012 to 24th April 2012. Air measurements were carried out through a particulate sampler equipped with denuders and filter packs for simultaneous collection of trace gases (HNO₃, NO₂, SO₂ and reactive nitrogen compounds) and aerosols, with daily collection of snow samples. Ionic composition of the samples was analyzed using ion chromatography technique. The results suggested that nitrate-rich aerosols are formed when PAN (peroxy acetyl nitrate) disassociates to form NO₂ and HNO₃ which further hydrolyzes to form pNO₃^- (particulate nitrate). This resulted in a high contribution of pNO₃^- (62%) to the total nitrogen budget over the study area. The acidity of the aerosols and snow evaluated through cation/anion ratio (C/A) indicated alkaline conditions with C/A>2. The bicarbonates/carbonates of Mg²⁺ played an important role in neutralization processes of surface snow while the role of NH₃ was dominant in aerosol neutralization processes. Such neutralization processes can increase the aerosol hygroscopicity causing warming. Chloride depletion in the snow was significant as compared to the aerosols, indicating two important processes, scavenging of coarse sea salt by the snow and gaseous adsorption of SO₂ on the snow surface. However, a more systematic and long term study is required for a better understanding of the neutralization processes and chemical inter-conversions.

Evaluation of the reaction artifacts in an annular denuder-based sampler resulting from the heterogeneous ozonolysis of naphthalene

The heterogeneous ozonolysis of naphthalene adsorbed on XAD-4 resin was studied using an annular denuder technique. The experiments involved depositing a known quantity of naphthalene on the XAD-4 resin and then measuring the quantity of the solid naphthalene that reacted away under a constant flow of gaseous ozone (0.064 to 4.9 ppm) for a defined amount of time. All experiments were performed at room temperature (26 to 30 °C) and atmospheric pressure. The kinetic rate coefficient for the ozonolysis reaction of naphthalene adsorbed on XAD-4 resin is reported to be (10.1 ± 0.4) × 10(-19) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (error is 2σ, precision only). This value is five times greater than the currently recommended literature value for the homogeneous gas phase reaction of naphthalene with ozone. The obtained rate coefficient is used to evaluate reaction artifacts from field concentration measurements of naphthalene, acenaphthene, and phenanthrene. The observed uncertainties associated with field concentration measurements of naphthalene, acenaphthene, and phenanthrene are reported to be much higher than the uncertainties associated with the artifact reactions. Consequently, ozone reaction artifact appears to be negligible compared to the observed field measurement uncertainty results.

Airborne submicron particulate (PM1) pollution in Shanghai, China: chemical variability, formation/dissociation of associated semi-volatile components and the impacts on visibility

Hourly mass concentrations of water-soluble ions in PM1 and gasses (NH3, HNO3, HCl) were on-line measured with a Monitor for AeRosols and Gases Analyzer (MARGA) in Shanghai from Oct. 1 to Nov. 16, 2012. During the field campaign, 7 haze episodes (total 157 h) were identified. 845 h were identified as non-haze periods, excluding fog events and wet precipitation. The average mass concentration of PM1 and total water-soluble ions (TWSI) in PM1 in haze episodes were 78.9 ± 29.9 μg/m(3) and 47.2 ± 17.2 μg/m(3), 3.11 times (from 1.49 to 4.06 times) and 3.28 times (1.96 to 4.34 times) as those in non-haze periods, respectively. TWSI accounted for 60.4 ± 18.8% of PM1 mass loading in the whole campaign. With the ascending PM1 mass concentration from 2.5 to 125.0 μg/m(3) from non-haze periods to haze episodes, average contribution of TWSI to PM1 mass loading decreased from 86.1% to 54.2%, while different species altered. Contribution of NO3(-) increased from 14.0% to 26.8%, while SO4(2-) decreased from 39.5% to 15.0% and NH4(+) remained around 13.7%. Relationship of visibility with PM1 and TWSI was addressed in specific RH ranges. It was found that hourly TWSI mass concentration showed better correlation with visibility. Formation/dissociation of semi-volatiles (NH4NO3 and NH4Cl) was also investigated and demonstrated. NH4NO3 and NH4Cl tended to partition into gas phase in non-haze periods. Particularly, strong dissociation from 11:00 LT to 17:00 LT was observed. In haze episodes, HNO3 and HCl tended to react with NH3 to form particulate matters. Interestingly, we found that formation/dissociation of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl exerted great impacts on visibility. Excluding the strong dissociation hours (11:00 LT to 17:00 LT) in correlation analysis of PM1 and visibility, correlation coefficients (R(2)) increased from 0.5762 to 0.7738 at RH<50%. No significant difference was observed in other RH ranges. In addition, Strong NH3 and HNO3 reaction resulted in the enhancement of NH4NO3 mass fraction, therefore increased associated water content in PM1 under high RH condition and contributed to visibility degradation.

The measurement of the sink properties of triethanolamine (TEA) as a coating for collecting NO2 by using annular diffusion denuders

This study evaluates the use oftriethanolamine (TEA) as an alternative to routinely used active carbon employed as a coating for collecting NO2 on a diffusion denuder. The study is based on laboratory experiments made by using annular diffusion denuders coated with TEA. The pre-exponential and exponential factors for the first term of the Gormley-Kennedy equation applied to annular geometry were estimated and compared with the corresponding values for other coatings used in previous studies published in the literature. It was found that TEA does not behave as a perfect sink in comparison with other coatings such as treated active carbon and alkaline guaiacol.

Application of wet effluent diffusion denuder for measurement of uptake coefficient of gaseous pollutants

The comparison of theoretical approaches describing the collection of analyte in the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder (CWEDD) with experimental data is presented. Various absorption liquids were tested for the collection of formaldehyde (distilled-deionized water, H(2)SO(4) solution), acetaldehyde (distilled-deionized water) and nitrous acid (distilled-deionized water, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate solutions of various concentrations and sodium phosphate pH 6-8) in CWEDD. pH of absorption liquids significantly influences the collection of formaldehyde as well as nitrous acid. The collection efficiency of formaldehyde for 0.05 M H(2)SO(4) as absorption liquid was generally higher than for distilled-deionized water. Absorption liquid pH markedly affected the collection efficiency of HONO too (with increasing pH the collection efficiency increase). Data derived by Gormley-Kennedy equation for all investigated compounds were overestimated especially for higher flow rates of air, data calculated with respect to Henry constant are not in good agreement with experimental data and are considerably depended on a determination of the Henry constant value. The CWEDD can be alternative tool for the determination of uptake coefficient. Obtained uptake coefficients were in good agreement with data found in other literature.

An experimental set up of a PAH vapour generator and its use to test an annular denuder

The aim of this work is to develop and test a dynamic gas generator for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC). A single compound, naphthalene, is used as a surrogate PAH to test the system. The dynamic generation of PAH is based on the permeation technique [Analyst 106 (1981) 817; Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 38 (1977) 712]. Monitoring the temperature and measuring the mass of PAH present in the permeation chamber every 48 h gives a direct measurement of the sublimation rate of the PAH. Knowing the flow rate, gives an accurate value of the concentration of PAH from the generator. It was found stable over a period of time under constant operating conditions. This concentration is diluted down to between 0.3 and 30 ppbv by a controlled flow of pure air. The diluting airflow is a mixture of dry and wet air, making it possible to control the relative humidity of the flow from the generator as well as its concentration in PAH. We used this generator to calibrate an annular denuder tube, based on the study by Gundel et al. [Atmos. Environ. 29 (1995) 1719]. Although this technique has been shown to be artefact-free for sampling gaseous PAH [Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds 9 (1996) 67; Atmos. Environ. 28 (1994) 3083], its trapping efficiency still depends on environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity and sampling duration). Accordingly, we used our generator to calibrate a single annular denuder under controlled conditions (T degrees C, HR%, CPAH, sampling duration). The trapping efficiency of the denuder was calculated by two independent methods. Firstly, by comparing the amount trapped on a denuder with the measured mass sublimated in the generator. Secondly, by putting two denuders in series and comparing the mass collected on the first and the second tube. These two methods gave similar results, within the 10% relative uncertainties of both methods. The first results obtained show that, in environmental conditions, the efficiency ranges between 90 and 100%.

Wet effluent diffusion denuder technique and determination of volatile organic compounds in air. I. Oxo compounds (alcohols and ketones)

The wet effluent diffusion denuder (WEDD) preconcentration technique for the determination of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone and methyl n-propyl ketone in air is discussed. The compounds are continuously collected into a thin film of deionized water flowing down the inner wall of the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder. The concentrate is analysed by gas chromatography. Detection limits of alcohols and ketones are as low as 1 microg/l (GC-flame ionization detection) and/or 1 ng/l (GC-MS). This technique could be applicable for the continuous monitoring of ppb (v/v) levels of both alcohols and ketones in the air.