Yin-Nan Lee
Environmental Sciences Department
Atmospheric Sciences Division
Brookhaven National Laboratory
P.O. Box 5000, Building 815E
Upton, NY 11973-5000
631-344-3294
fax 631-344-2887
ynlee@bnl.gov

This research expands on work conducted in the previous funding cycle to develop and deploy techniques for determination of chemical composition of ambient particulate matter and atmospheric distribution of carbonyl compounds. A novel technique for rapid, in-situ and real-time aerosol ionic component measurement (about 3 min) developed in prior work has demonstrated that the data obtained are crucial for gaining improved understanding of the processes by which aerosol properties are governed. This technique is being extended to characterize the organic components of the particulate matter using a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer for the water-soluble organic fraction. In the future, a Liquid chromatography-Mass Spectrometer technique will be developed to identify and key individual organic compounds that are important in gaining understanding of source distributions and human health effects. The fast aerosol chemical composition determined using these techniques during field measurement campaigns will be used to evaluate and understand key aerosol issues including sources, growth mechanisms, hygroscopicity, cloud nucleation capability, optical properties, and health effects. Additionally, measurements of atmospheric carbonyl compounds, particularly formaldehyde, will be continued to elucidate their sources and contributions to photooxidant formation.

Some further information can be found in the viewgraphs from a presentation at the Atmospheric Sciences Program Annual Meeting held in February 2001. Additional information can be found in the viewgraphs from a presentation at the Atmospheric Sciences Program Annual Meeting held in March 2002.