Time Resolved Chemical Analysis of Anthropogenic Aerosols in Norway, a Study of Long-Range Transport

Anthropogenic fine particulate matter produced by the burning of carbonaceous fuels is a complex issue that transcends political and geographical boundaries. Anthropogenic fine aerosols are tranported to Norway from the British Isles and continental Europe. Two 3-DRUM impactor samplers were used to collect size-separated PM2.5 aerosol samples (2.5 - 1.15, 1.15-0.34, 0.34-0.1 µm Da) at two sites, Birkenes and Kjeller for a six-week period in June and July. The samples were analyzed with three-hour time resolution by Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. S-XRF determined three-hour mass averages for elements heavier than Na, while the TOFMS was used for chemical speciation as a function of time and size. Positive ion spectra showed K+, Na+ and organic molecular ions between 200 - 400 m/z. Negative ion spectra detected carbon clusters, Cl-, Br-, I-, NO2-, NO3-, CN-, CNO-, SO3-, HSO4-, methyl sulfonic acid (MSA), and various organic acid salts. The chemical signature of the sources are identified using high time resolution in combination with air mass back trajectories. Chemical modification of the aerosol during transport is examined as a function of particle size.