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Formation of highly oxygenated organic aerosol in the atmosphere: Insights from the Finokalia Aerosol Measurement Experiments
Author(s) -
Hildebrandt Lea,
Kostenidou Evangelia,
Mihalopoulos Nikos,
Worsnop Douglas R.,
Donahue Neil M.,
Pandis Spyros N.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2010gl045193
Subject(s) - aerosol , environmental chemistry , homogeneous , atmosphere (unit) , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , chemical composition , mass spectrometry , chemistry , meteorology , geology , organic chemistry , physics , chromatography , thermodynamics
Aged organic aerosol (OA) was measured at a remote coastal site on the island of Crete, Greece during the Finokalia Aerosol Measurement Experiments (FAME‐08 and FAME‐09), which were part of the EUCAARI intensive campaigns. Quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometers (Q‐AMSs) were employed to measure the size‐resolved chemical composition of non‐refractory submicron aerosol (NR‐PM 1 ), and to estimate the extent of oxidation of the OA. The experiments provide unique insights into ambient oxidation of aerosol by measuring at the same site but under different photochemical conditions. NR‐PM 1 concentrations were about a factor of three lower during FAME‐09 (winter) than during FAME‐08 (summer). The OA sampled was significantly less oxidized and more variable in composition during the winter than during the early summer. Lower OH concentrations in the winter were the main difference between the two campaigns, suggesting that atmospheric formation of highly oxygenated OA is associated with homogeneous photochemical aging.