Wednesday, 23 January 2008
A feasibility study of the MARGA tool as an aerosol analyzer
Exhibit Hall B (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center)
Research has shown an increase in fine aerosol concentrations. This increase in fine aerosols has caused concern regarding their possible impact on climate, air quality, and human health. To address this issue there is a need for measurements of fine aerosols and atmospheric inorganic trace gases that are specific, precise, reliable, and highly resolved. This study describes the feasibility of the Monitoring Instrument for Aerosols and Gases (MARGA) as a tool to investigate the linkage between airborne fine particles with the surrounding ambient trace inorganic gases. Measurements of the aerosol concentrations of the following chemical ions; Ca, SO4, NO3, Cl, K, Mg, Na, and NH4, the gas concentrations of the following chemical species; SO2, HNO2, HNO3, NH3 were conducted using MARGA in a rural CASTNET site. In addition to MARGA data, hourly averages of air borne chemical concentration of NO, O3, SO2, NOy, and CO using Thermo Environmental analyzers as well as particle distribution data using QCM (Air Particle Analyzer) and a Laser Particle Counter where recorded. Meteorological conditions were simultanesous monitored. Daytime data with high and low RH restraints was analyzed to find consistencies with respect to accepted behavior gas - aerosol formation.
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