Publication Date:
2009-10-14
Description:
Major contributors to the organic aerosol include water-soluble macromolecular compounds (e.g. HULISWS). The nature and sources of HULISWSare still largely unknown. This work is based on a monitoring in six different French cities performed during summer and winter seasons. HULISWS analysis was performed with a selective method of extraction complemented by carbon quantification. UV spectroscopy was also applied for their chemical characterisation. Strong differences in the optical properties and therefore in the chemical structure (i.e. the aromaticity) between HULISWS from samples of summer- and wintertime are found. These differences highlight different processes responsible for emissions and formation of HULISWS according to the season. Specific absorbance can also be considered as a rapid and useful indicator of the origin of HULISWS in urban environment.
Electronic ISSN:
1680-7375
Topics:
Geosciences