Characterization of mineral particles in winter fog of Beijing analyzed by TEM and SEM

Aerosol samples were collected during winter fog and nonfog episodes in Beijing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study morphologies, sizes, and compositions of aerosol particles. TEM observation indicates that most mineral particles colle...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2010-02, Vol.161 (1-4), p.565-573
Main Authors: Li, Weijun, Shao, Longyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosol
Aerosols
Air Pollutants - analysis
Air pollution
Applied sciences
Atmospheric pollution
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Chemicals
China
Dust
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Ecotoxicology
Electron microscopes
Environment
Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Fog
Fog droplet
Humidity
Individual particle analysis
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning - methods
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission - methods
Mineral particle
Monitoring/Environmental Analysis
Outdoor air quality
Particle Size
Pollutants
Pollution
Scanning electron microscopy
Studies
Transmission electron microscopy
Weather
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Summary:Aerosol samples were collected during winter fog and nonfog episodes in Beijing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study morphologies, sizes, and compositions of aerosol particles. TEM observation indicates that most mineral particles collected in fog episode are scavenged in fog droplets. Number-size distributions of mineral particles collected in fog and nonfog episodes show two main peaks at the ranges of 0.1-0.3 and 1-2.5 μm, respectively. Based on their major compositions, mineral particles mainly include Si-rich, Ca-rich, and S-rich. Average S/Ca ratio of mineral particles collected in fog episode is 6.11, being eight times higher than that in nonfog episodes. Development mechanism of individual mineral particles in fog droplets is proposed. It is suggested that mineral particles with abundant alkaline components (e.g., “Ca-rich” particles) occurred in air should alleviate acidic degree of fog and contribute to complexity of fog droplets in Beijing.
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959
DOI:10.1007/s10661-009-0768-1