Interdependence of the slopes and intercepts from log-log correlations of measured gas-particle paritioning and vapor pressure—I. theory and analysis of available data

Gas-particle partitioning is examined using a partitioning constant K_p = (F/TSP)/A, where F (ng m⁻³) and A (ng m⁻³) are the particulate-assiociated and and concentrations, respectively, and TSP is the total suspended particulate matter level (μg m⁻³). At a given temperature and for a given sample of particulate matter, compound-dependent values of K_p tend to be correlated with the sub-cooled liquid vapor pressure (p_L⁰, toor according to log K_p = m_r log p_L⁰+b_m. Theory predicts that b_r values should be somewhat similar, and that m_r values should be near −1. This is supported by field and laboratory work. However, there is still noticeable variability in reported m_r and b_r values, even when obtained by the same researchers sampling in the same location. Three possible thermodynamic sources of variability include variability in the compound-to-compound differences in the thermodynamics of adsorption, event-to-event variability in the specific surface area of the aerosol and event-to-event variability in the ambient temperature. Non-thermodynamic sources of variability include sorption of gaseous analytes to the filters used in differentiating between F and A, the presence of non-exchangeable component in the measured F values, within-event adsorption/desorption kinetics, within-event changes in contaminant levels, and within-event changes in temperature. Each of these sources of variability operate in their own way to cause variability in m_r and b_r. In general, one can expect there to be a correlation in the obseved m_r and b_r of the form b_r = m_sm_r+b_s. For the study of Yamasaki et al. (1982, Envir. Sci. Technol. 16, 189–194), one obtains m_s = 5.77 and b_s = −2.18, with r² = 0.91. In the presence of such a correlation, one can expect that all log (F/TSP)/A vs log p_L⁰ plot will tend to intersect at the same (x,y) poitn given by (−m_s, b_s. Exisiting field and laboratory data show this tendency.     

Effects of temperature,TSP and per cent non-exchangeable material in determining the gas-particle partitioning of organic compounds

The temperature dependence of the measured, gas-particle partitioning ratio (F_T/TSP)/A_T has been examined for the case when a constant fraction x (%) of a compound is assumed to be bound within the particulate matter, and non-exchangeable with the gas phase. The parameter F_T is the total (exchangeable + non-exchangeable) measured concentration in the atmosphere (ng m⁻³), A_T is the gaseous concentration (ng m⁻³), and TSP is the level of suspended atmospheric particulate matter (μg m⁻³). It is assumed that the true thermodynamic constant K_p depends upon 1/T according to log K_p = m_p/T + b_p where m_p depends on the enthalpy of desorption of the compound of interest, b_p depends in part on other properties of the compound as well as the specific surface area of the particulate matter, and T is the temperature (Kelvin). When K_p or TSP are low, the difference between the measured quantity (F_T/TSP)/A_T and K_p can be significant even when the non-exchangeable fraction x is as low as a few per cent. This approach has been used to examine the PAH data set of Yamasaki et al. [(1982) Env. Sci. Technol.16, 189–194]. It was found that the Yamasaki data set does not allow estimates of x that are consistent with the current understanding of the temperature dependence of log K_p values. A likely reason for this result is some dependence of m_p and b_p on the exact nature of the particulate matter and atmospheric conditions such as relative humidity. It is concluded that estimates of x values for a given compound on actual particulate matter may only be possible by the direct examination of individual particulate matter samples.     

Common y-intercept and single compound regressions of gas-particle partitioning data vs 1/T

Confidence intervals are placed around the log K_p vs 1/T correlation equations obtained using simple linear regressions (SLR) with the gas-particle partitioning data set of Yamasaki et al. [(1982) Env. Sci. Technol.16, 189–194]. The compounds and groups of compounds studied include the polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons phenanthrene + anthracene, me-phenanthrene + me-anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]fluorene + benzo[b]fluorene, chrysene + benz[a]anthracene + triphenylene, benzo[b]fluoranthene + benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene + benzo[e]pyrene (note: me = methyl). For any given compound, at equilibrium, the partition coefficient K_p equals (F/TSP)/A where F is the particulate-matter associated concentration (ng m⁻³), A is the gas-phase concentration (ng m⁻³), and TSP is the concentration of particulate matter (μg m⁻³). At temperatures more than 10°C from the mean sampling temperature of 17°C, the confidence intervals are quite wide. Since theory predicts that similar compounds sorbing on the same particulate matter should possess very similar y-intercepts, the data set was also fitted using a special common y-intercept regression (CYIR). For most of the compounds, the CYIR equations fell inside of the SLR 95% confidence intervals. The CYIR y-intercept value is −18.48, and is reasonably close to the type of value that can be predicted for PAH compounds. The set of CYIR regression equations is probably more reliable than the set of SLR equations. For example, the CYIR-derived desorption enthalpies are much more highly correlated with vaporization enthalpies than are the SLR-derived desorption enthalpies. It is recommended that the CYIR approach be considered whenever analysing temperature-dependent gas-particle partitioning data.     

Simultaneous monitoring of PCB profiles in the urban air of Dalian, China with active and passive samplings

The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the urban air of Dalian, China was monitored from November 2009 to October 2010 with active high-volume sampler and semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) passive sampler. The concentration of PCBs (particle + gas) ( ∑ PCBs) ranged from 18.6 to 91.0 pg/m 3 , with an average of 50.9 pg/m 3 , and the most abundant dioxin-like PCB (DL-PCBs) was PCB118. The WHO-TEQ values of DL-PCBs were 3.6-22.1 fg/m3 , with an average of 8.5 fg/m 3 , and PCB126 was the maximum contributor to ∑ TEQ. There was a much larger amount of PCBs in the gas phase than in the particulate phase. The dominant PCB components were lower and middle molecular weight PCBs. With increasing chlorination level, the concentration of the PCB congeners in the air decreased. The gas-particulate partitioning of PCBs was different for the four seasons. The gas- particulate partitioning coefficients (logK p ) vs. subcooled liquid vapor pressures (logP L 0 ) of PCBs had reasonable correlations for different sampling sites and seasons. The absorption mechanism contributed more to the gas-particulate partitioning process than adsorption. Correlation analysis of meteorological parameters with the concentration of PCBs was conducted using SPSS packages. The ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure were important factors influencing the concentration of PCBs in the air. The distribution pattern of the congeners of PCBs and the dominant contributors to DL-PCBs and TEQ in active samples and SPMDs passive samples were similar. SPMD mainly sequestrated gas phase PCBs.     

Biogenic and anthropogenic organic compounds in eolian particulates in the East Mediterranean region—I. Occurrence and origin

Lipids of biogenic and anthropogenic origin were determined in aerosol samples, collected seasonally, in a coastal area on the north of the island of Crete. Lipid classes such as n-alkanes, hopanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid salts and α,ω-dicarboxylic acids were characterized by GC/MS and GC/FID analysis, in terms of their contents of homologous compound series. The concentrations ranged between 56 and 215 ng m⁻³ for n-alkanes, 10 and 52 ng m⁻³ for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 2 and 31 ng m⁻³ for fatty alcohols, 13 and 279 ng m⁻³ for fatty acids, 24 and 220 ng m⁻³ for fatty acid salts and 0.4 and 7.5 ng m⁻³ for α, ω-dicarboxylic acid salts. The prevailing winds were influencing the composition of the eolian particles. Generally, aerosols sampled during south wind events predominantly contained lipids originating from higher plants, while when north and northwest winds prevailed the major components were of marine origin. The absence of unsaturated fatty acids in all aerosol samples is related to the presence of α,ω-dicarboxylic acids, which are believed to be their photo-oxidation products.     

太原市空气颗粒物中正构烷烃分布特征及来源解析

为明确城市空气颗粒物中正构烷烃分布特征及污染来源,采集采暖和非采暖季环境空气PM10样品和典型排放源(高等植物、燃煤和机动车)样品,利用GC-MS测定正构烷烃,选取诊断参数并结合污染源排放特征讨论PM10中正构烷烃分布和来源,采用主成分分析法定量解析源贡献率.结果表明,环境空气PM10中正构烷烃含量呈较强时空变化,采暖和非采暖季浓度分别为213.74~573.32 ng·m-3和22.69~150.82 ng·m-3,前者总浓度最高是后者的18倍;采暖季郊区点位(JY、JCP、XD和SL)浓度均高于市区,以JY最高(577.32 ng·m-3),非采暖季工业区(JS)总烷烃量(150.82 ng·m-3)明显高于其它点位,是SL总量的7倍.采暖季化石燃料来源烷烃(C n≤C24)与总烷烃量相关性优于植物来源烷烃(C n≥C25),非采暖季相反,表明前者化石燃料输入较后者高.CPI和%WNA指示非采暖季植物贡献率较采暖季高,且植物蜡烷烃随环境压力的增大总产率增加;C max和OEP表明非采暖季PM10中有机质成熟度低于采暖季;两季样品TIC图均存在UCM鼓包,机动车尾气是该城市的重要污染源.PCA解析结果表明太原市环境空气PM10中正构烷烃首要排放源为机动车尾气和高等植物,约占51.28%;其次为煤烟尘,贡献率为43.14%.煤烟尘污染控制协同机动车尾气净化措施的完善将成为降低城市空气颗粒物中正构烷烃浓度的有效途径.     

Hydrophobic organic chemicals in urban fog

The concentrations and aqueous/particle distributions of three classes of hydrophobic organic chemicals, n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured during the autumn of 1986's fog events in the urban area of Zürich, Switzerland. Concentrations of the chemicals in fog were in the range of 10–110 ng ml⁻¹ for n-alkanes (C₁₉–C₃₅), 6–60 ng ml⁻¹ for PAHs (21 compounds) and 7–22 ng ml⁻¹ for PCBs (31 congeners). In many samples, the concentration of individual n-alkanes and PAHs exceeded their water solubility, probably due to their association with dissolved and/or colloidal organic matter. All of the PAHs, except for phenanthrene, were measured as part of the particulate phase. Both the n-alkanes and PCBs showed a trend of increasing particle association with increasing hydrophobicity, but the trends were distinctly different. The presence of PCBs, PAHs, and n-alkanes at these concentrations suggest that fog is an excellent scavenger of hydrophobic organic chemicals. For a forested area near Zürich, Switzerland, it was estimated that the deposition of n-alkanes and PAHs by fog may be about equal to deposition via rain, but that fog may be 100 times more important than rain for the deposition of PCBs.     

Air pollutant concentrations in Varanasi,India

This study reports the diurnal patterns in the concentrations of ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and total suspended particulate matter (TSP) in the urban atmosphere of Varanasi city in India during 1989. The city was divided into five zones and three monitoring stations were selected in each zone.Ambient concentrations of NO₂ and SO₂ were maximum during winter but ozone and TSP concentrations were highest during summer. The measured maximum concentrations (2-h average) were 150 and 231 μg m⁻³ (0.078 and 0.086 ppm) for NO₂ and SO₂, respectively, for the winter season. Ozone and TSP concentrations reached a maximum of 160 (0.08 ppm) and 733 μg m⁻³, respectively, in the summer. NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations peaked in the morning and evening. Peak concentrations of O₃ occurred in the afternoon, generally between noon and 4 p.m. Maximum concentrations of O₃, NO₂, SO₂ and TSP were measured in zones I and II, and minimum in zone V.     

麦草及其烟尘中正构烷烃的组成

在明火和闷烧条件下对6种麦草进行焚烧试验,用GC/MS测定了秸秆和烟尘中正构烷烃的组成.结果表明,从麦秆和烟尘中检出的正构烷烃主要是C16~C33.麦秸中正构烷烃的总含量变化范围是19.6~62.3 mg·kg-1,平均值为36.0mg·kg-1.低碳数(碳数相似文献   

Monthly and seasonal trends of total suspended particulate matter and smoke concentration in industrial and residential areas in Cairo

Total suspended particulate (TSP) matter and smoke were investigated at Shoubra El-Kheima industrial area and El-Dokki residential area located in Cairo. TSP gave the highest monthly mean concentration in 2 years' study at Shoubra El-Kheima (895 μg m⁻³), nearly 12 times the geometrical mean of air quality standard (75 μg m⁻³). The corresponding figure at the residential area is 544 μg m⁻³, which is 7.3 concentrations during spring and lower during summer. Smoke concentration in the industrial area was nearly 1.4 and 1.2 times its concentration in the residential area during the 2 study years. Smoke concentration was found to be light to moderate during 86% of the days and heavy to extremely heavy during 14% of the days at the industrial area. The corresponding percentages for the residential area were 90% and 10% for light to moderate and heavy to extremely heavy, respectively.     

Seasonal variation and source apportionment of organic and inorganic compounds in PM2.5 and PM10 particulates in Beijing, China

The distribution and source of the solvent-extractable organic and inorganic components in PM 2.5(aerodynamics equivalent diameter below 2.5 microns),and PM 10(aerodynamics equivalent diameter below 10 microns) fractions of airborne particles were studied weekly from September 2006 to August 2007 in Beijing.The extracted organic and inorganic compounds identified in both particle size ranges consisted of n-alkanes,PAHs(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons),fatty acids and water soluble ions.The potential emission sources of these organic compounds were reconciled by combining the values of n-alkane carbon preference index(CPI),%waxC n,selected diagnostic ratios of PAHs and principal component analysis in both size ranges.The mean cumulative concentrations of n-alkanes reached 1128.65ng/m3 in Beijing,74% of which(i.e.,831.7ng/m3) was in the PM 2.5 fraction,PAHs reached 136.45ng/m3(113.44ng/m3 or 83% in PM 2.5),and fatty acids reached 436.99ng/m3(324.41ng/m3 or 74% in PM 2.5),which resulted in overall enrichment in the fine particles.The average concentrations of SO42-,NO3-,and NH4+ were 21.3±15.2,6.1±1.8,12.5±6.1μg/m3 in PM 2.5,and 25.8±15.5,8.9±2.6,16.9±9.5μg/m3 in PM 10,respectively.These three secondary ions primarily existed as ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4),ammonium bisulfate(NH4HSO4) and ammonium nitrate(NH4NO3).The characteristic ratios of PAHs revealed that the primary sources of PAHs were coal combustion,followed by gasoline combustion.The ratios of stearic/palmitic acid indicated the major contribution of vehicle emissions to fatty acids in airborne particles.The major alkane sources were biogenic sources and fossil fuel combustion.The major sources of PAHs were vehicular emission and coal combustion.     

Measured components in total suspended particulate matter in a Kenyan urban area

Nairobi city has a population of over 1.5 million and is growing at a rate of about 70 persons per day. Various activities in the city such as construction work, industrial processes, use of unroadworthy cars, and dust blown off unpaved roads contribute enormously to suspended particulate matter in the air. In this paper, analysis by gravimetric and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) of the suspended particulate matter in the air in the city centre, an industrial area and one residential area was carried out. The total suspended particulate matter (TSP) mean levels ranged from 69.983 to 397.903 μg m⁻³. The following components were measured from the TSP, mean values in μg m⁻³: iron 6.014–7.547, potassium 1.252–6.432, titanium 0.286–1.698, manganese 0.158–1.683, lead 0.395–1.321, bromine 0.122–0.707, zinc 0.159–0.678 and zirconium 0.017–0.245. The values of lead obtained (0.395–1.321 μg m⁻³) fall within the WHO recommendations, but compared to the values reported in some European countries, they are high. Most of the elements had low enrichment factors except for lead (104–353), bromine (429–1533) and zinc (14–79). Bromine and lead were highly correlated to the number of light vehicles (p=0.874 and 0.942, respectively). In addition the ratio of Br:Pb by weight was in the range 0.309–0.535, while the correlation factor for Br:Pb was 0.951, leading to the conclusion that both elements came from leaded gasoline.     

兰州市典型湿地沉积物中正构烷烃的来源分析

采用GC-MS联用系统对三个兰州市典型湿地的沉积物生物标志物——正构烷烃的组成进行了测定,分析了湿地沉积物中正构烷烃组成特征并探讨了其指示的污染源信息。研究结果表明,兰州市湿地沉积物中正构烷烃主要存在高碳数组分奇偶优势显著的单峰型和低碳、高碳组分都有奇偶优势的双峰型两种分布形式;CPI指数分析表明兰州市湿地沉积物中正构烷烃贡献的高碳数部分来源于湿地周围的高等陆生植物,而低碳数部分来源于化石燃料残余。此外,研究发现采石场湿地和银滩湿地公园污染源效应较统一,而雁滩公园污染源受频繁人为活动影响而显示出明显的多元性。     

The variability of biogenic sulfur flux from a temperate salt marsh on short time and space scales

Three emission chambers were deployed simultaneously to measure rates of emission of dimethyl sulfide, methane thiol and carbonyl sulfide within or across vegetation zones in a New Hampshire salt marsh. Short term (a few hours) variation in fluxes of all S gases from replicate sites were small within a monospecific stand of either Spartina alterniflora or S. patens. The quantity of emergent biomass and the type of vegetation present were the primary factors regulating the rate of emission. Dimethyl sulfide fluxes from the S. alterniflora soils ranged from 800 to 18,000 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹ compared to emissions of 25–120 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹ from S. patens. This difference was probably due to the presence of the dimethyl-sulfide precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate which is an osmoregulator in S. alterniflora but not in S. patens. Methane thiol emissions from S. alterniflora were 20–280 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹ and they displayed a similar diel trend as dimethyl sulfide, although at much lower rates, suggesting that methane thiol is produced primarily by leaves. Methane thiol emissions from S. patens were 20–70 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹. Net uptake of carbonyl sulfide of 25–40 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹ occurred in stands of S. alterniflora while net efflux of 10–36 nmol m⁻² h⁻¹ of carbonyl sulfide occurred in stands of S. patens. In general, ranges of emissions of sulfur gases were similar to most other published values.     

Patterns of daily exposure to TSP and CO in the Garhwal Himalaya

Daily integrated exposure to TSP and CO was assessed by personal and stationary sampling of air in six microenvironments. Time-budget surveys were conducted to determine how much time four population groups (adult women, children, adult men and youths) spend in these microenvironments. Burning of biofuels in traditional unvented cookstoves is the most important anthropogenic source of pollutants in the study area—a rural and hilly region in the Garhwal Himalaya.Concentrations of pollutants measured at the time of cooking were found to be very high but comparable to those measured in the Indian plains (5.6 mg m⁻³ and 21 ppm for TSP and CO, respectively). The daily exposure of adult women to TSP and CO was estimated to be 37 mg h m⁻³ and 110 ppm h, respectively. Daily exposure, within each of the four population groups, was found to be very uniform across individuals for both the pollutants. Patterns of concentrations and daily exposure, as influenced by the time of the day, season and altitude are discussed.     

Characteristics of atmospheric particles and heavy metals in winter in Chang-Zhu-Tan city clusters, China

To understand the pollution characteristics of atmospheric particles and heavy metals in winter in Chang-Zhu-Tan city clusters, China, total suspended particulate(TSP) and PM10samples were collected in cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan from December 2011 to January 2012, and heavy metals of Cd, Pb, Cr, and As were analyzed. It shows that the average TSP concentration in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan were(183 ± 73),(201 ± 84) and(190 ± 66) μg/m3respectively, and the average PM10 were(171 ± 82),(178 ± 65) and(179 ± 55) μg/m3respectively. The lowest TSP and PM10concentrations occurred at the background Shaping site of Changsha. The average ratio of ρ(PM10)/ρ(TSP) was 91.9%, ranging from 81.3% to 98.9%. Concerning heavy metals, in TSP samples, the concentration of Cr, As, Cd and Pb were 28.8–56.5, 18.1–76.3, 3.9–26.1 and 148.0–460.9 ng/m3, respectively, while in PM10samples, were 16.4–42.1, 15.5–67.9, 3.3–22.2 and 127.9–389.3 ng/m3, respectively. The enrichment factor of Cd was the highest, followed by Pb and As, while that of Cr was the lowest.     

黄河河南段水体中正构烷烃的分布特征与来源解析

本研究于2010年8月采集黄河河南段26个表层水及悬浮颗粒物样品,采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)测定22种正构烷烃(C_(14)~C_(36))的含量,分析其组成特征,并利用特征参数解析其来源.结果表明,黄河河南段水相中正构烷烃浓度为521~5 843 ng·L~(-1),平均浓度为1 409 ng·L~(-1),组成特征以C_(25)为主峰碳的高碳单峰型.悬浮颗粒相中正构烷烃浓度范围为463~11 142 ng·L~(-1),平均浓度为1 951 ng·L~(-1),组成特征表现为双峰型,C_(25)为主峰碳的高碳烃占优势,同时存在低碳峰.多特征参数OEP、CPI、%Wax C_n以及TAR表明,黄河河南段水相及悬浮颗粒物中正构烷烃主要来源于化石燃料的燃烧,同时存在陆生植物来源.     

Quantitative analysis of airborne breathable particles: A comparison between different analytical techniques

Air samples, collected over 6 months, have been analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with the aim to characterize quantitatively the airborne particulate in an urban area. Total suspended particulate (TSP) and Pb concentrations (in μg m⁻³) were estimated by inserting into a simple model the particulate data obtained by SEM.Daily concentration trends were compared with trends measured by gravimetric (TSP) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (Pb) techniques. The correlation coefficients resulted to be 0.8 for TSP and 0.85 for Pb. These results indicate that SEM can be used to have a good evaluation on pollution by airborne breathable particles.     

Carbon stocks in Swiss agricultural soils predicted by land-use,soil characteristics,and altitude

Effects of agricultural land-use and land-use change on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools play an important role in the mitigation of the global greenhouse effect. To estimate these effects, baseline SOC data for individual regions or countries are needed. The aim of this study was to quantify current SOC stocks in Swiss agricultural soils, to identify meaningful predictors for SOC, and to estimate historical SOC losses. SOC stocks in mineral soils were estimated from combined georeferenced data for land-use, topography, and profile data (n=544) from soil surveys. Mean SOC density in the layer 0–20 cm ranged between 40.6±8.9 t ha⁻¹ (±95% confidence interval (CI)) for arable land and 50.7±12.2 t ha⁻¹ for favourable permanent grassland, and in the layer 0–100 cm from 62.9±15.2 t ha⁻¹ for unfavourable grassland to 117.4±29.8 t ha⁻¹ for temporary grasslands (leys). SOC stocks in organic soils were quantified separately for intact and cultivated peatlands using data from peatland inventories and current SOC densities calculated from average peat decay rates. Organic soils account for less than 3% of the total area but store about 28% (47.2±7.3 Mt) of the total SOC stock of 170±17 Mt. Land-use type, clay content, and altitude (serving as a climate proxy for grassland soils at higher altitudes) were identified as main SOC predictors in mineral soils. Clay content explained up to 44% of the variability in SOC concentrations in the fine earth of arable soils, but was not significantly related to SOC in grassland soils at higher altitudes. SOC concentration under permanent grassland increases linearly with altitude, but because soil depth and stone content limit carbon storage in alpine grassland soils, no relationship was found between altitude and SOC stock. A preliminary estimate suggested that about 16% of the national SOC stock has been lost historically due to peatland cultivation, urbanisation, and deforestation. It seems unlikely that future changes in agricultural practices could compensate for this historical SOC loss in Swiss agricultural soils.     

Wintertime measurements of aerosol acidity and trace elements in Wuhan,a city in central China

A 2-week intensive ambient aerosol study was conducted in December 1988 in Wuhan (Hubei Province), a city of nearly 2 million located on the Yangtze River in central China (P.R.C.). This is an industrial region where soft coal burning is widespread, and emission controls for vehicles and industrial facilities are minimal. The sampling site was located in one of the civic centers where residential and commercial density is highest. An Andersen dichotomous sampler was operated with Teflon membrane filters to collect fine (d_p < 2.5 μmad) and coarse (2.5 ⩽ d_p < 10 μmad) particles for total mass and element determinations. An annular denuder system (ADS) was used to collect fine fraction aerosols for analyses of ionic species including strong acidity (H⁺).The study was conducted between 18 and 30 December, which was rainless, consistently cool (3–10°C) and overcast, but without fog or acute stagnation. Fine particulate mass (PM, as μ m⁻³) averaged 139 (range 54–207); coarse PM averaged 86 (range 29–179). Trace element concentrations were also high. Crustal elements (Si, Al, Ca and Fe) were found primarily in the coarse fraction, while elements associated with combustion (S, K, Cl, Zn and Se) were enriched in the fine fraction. The concentrations of arsenic and selenium were evidence of a large source of coal burning, while vanadium levels (associated with fuel oil use) were not especially enriched.Despite the seemingly high PM loadings, ionic concentrations were not especially high. The average composition of soluble fine aerosol species (in neq m⁻³) were SO₄²⁻: 520 (range 180–980), NO₃⁻: 225 (range 50–470), Cl⁻: 215 (range 20–640), and NH₄⁺: 760 (range 280–1660). A deficit in accountable FP components (total mass compared to the total of ionic plus element masses) as well as the black appearance of collected materials indicate an abundance of carbonaceous aerosol, as high as 100 μ m⁻³. (total mass compared to the total of ionic plus element masses) as well as the black appearance of collected materials indicate an abundance of carbonaceous aerosol, as high as 100 μ m⁻³Aerosol acidity was negligible during most monitoring periods, H⁺: 14 (range 0–50 neq m⁻³, equivalent to 0–2.5 μm m⁻³ as H₂SO₄). Sulfur dioxide, measured by the West-Gaeke method for part of the study, concentrations were low. Although not directly measured, the aerosol measurments suggested that gaseous HCl (from refuse incineration) and NH₃ (animal wastes) concentrations might have been high. Higher aerosol acidity might be expected if HCl sources were more prominent and not neutralized by local ammonia or other base components.