Abstract
The physical properties and the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols have been studied in an equatorial region in the southern Congo (Africa). Field experiments were conducted between 1978 and 1983 in the equatorial forest of the Mayombe during periods where the influence of biomass burning was minimum. The results indicate that the forest is a net source of both fine particles resulting primarily from gas-to-particle conversion and coarse particles produced by mechanical processes. Carbonaceous matter is the major component of these biogenic particles but the forest is also a significant source of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium and potassium. Half of this carbon is attached to submicron particles and likely derives from organic gaseous precursors naturally emitted by the local biosphere.
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Clairac, B., Delmas, R., Cros, B. et al. Formation and chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols in an equatorial forest area. J Atmos Chem 6, 301–322 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051594
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051594