Size distributions and formation of dicarboxylic acids in atmospheric particles

The PM2.5 concentrations and the size distributions of dicarboxylic acids in Hong Kong were studied. Eleven sets of daily PM2.5 samples were obtained at a downtown sampling site during the period of 5–16 December 2000 using an R&P speciation PM2.5 sampler. About 6–12% of the total oxalic acid was found in the gas phase in some samples. A good correlation between succinate and sulfate (R²=0.88) and a moderate correlation between oxalate and sulfate (R²=0.74) were found. Sampling artifacts of oxalate, malonate and succinate were found to be negligible. A total of 18 sets of 48–96 h size distribution data on dicarboxylic acids, sulfate, nitrate and sodium at an urban site and a rural site from June 2000 to May 2001 were obtained using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. Data from both sites show similar size distribution characteristics of the dicarboxylic acids. The condensation mode of oxalate was usually observed at 0.177–0.32 μm. The location of the peak of the droplet mode of oxalate was associated with that of sulfate. When the peak of sulfate in the droplet mode appeared at 0.32–0.54 μm, the peak of oxalate sometimes appeared at 0.32–0.54 μm and sometimes shifted to 0.54–1.0 μm. When the peak of sulfate in the droplet mode appeared at 0.54–1.0 μm, the peak of oxalate sometimes appeared at 0.54–1.0 μm and sometimes shifted to 1.0–1.8 μm. Oxalate, succinate and sulfate found in the droplet mode were attributed to in-cloud formation. The slight shift of the oxalate peak from 0.32–0.54 to 0.54–1.0 μm or from 0.54–1.0 to 1.0–1.8 μm was ascribed to minor oxalate evaporation after in-cloud formation. The maximum peak of malonate sometimes appeared in the droplet mode and sometimes appeared at 3.1–6.2 μm. The formation of malonate is associated to the reactions between sea salt and malonic acid.