Particle volatility in the vicinity of a freeway with heavy-duty diesel traffic

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) 2007-05, Vol.41 (16), p.3479-3493
• Main Authors: Biswas, Subhasis, Ntziachristos, Leonidas, Moore, Katharine F., Sioutas, Constantinos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Diesel; Elemental carbon; Exact sciences and technology; Organic carbon; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Transports; Ultrafine particles; Volatility
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.11.059

During February–March 2006, a major field sampling campaign was conducted adjacent to the Interstate 710 (I-710) freeway in Los Angeles, CA. I-710 has high traffic volumes (ca. 11,000 vehicles h −1) and a high percentage (17–18%) of heavy-duty diesel vehicle (HDDV) traffic. The volatility of ambient particles of 20, 40, 80 and 120 nm in diameter was investigated using a Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (TDMA) at two locations—close to the freeway (10 m) and approximately 150 m downwind. The smallest particles (20 nm) are largely volatile at both locations. Larger particles, e.g., ⩾40 nm) showed evidence of external mixing, with the non-volatile fraction increasing with particle size. Particle volatility increased with decreasing ambient temperature. The HDDVs contribute to relatively larger non-volatile particle number and volume fractions and greater external mixing than earlier observations at a pure light-duty gasoline vehicle freeway [Kuhn et al., 2005c. Atmospheric Environment 39, 7154–7166]. Finally, the fraction of externally mixed soot particles decreased as the downwind distance increased from the I-710, due to atmospheric processes such as vapor adsorption and condensation as well as particle coagulation.