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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/8899/2010/
doi:10.5194/acpd-10-8899-2010
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A comprehensive characterisation of Asian dust storm particles: chemical composition, reactivity to SO2, and hygroscopic property
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China
Abstract. Mineral dust comprises of a significant fraction of the globe's aerosol loading. Yet it remains the largest uncertainty in future climate predictions due to the complexity in its components and physico-chemical properties. Multi-analysis methods, including SEM-EDX, FTIR, BET, TPD/mass, and Knudsen cell/mass, were used in the present study to characterise Asian dust storm particles. The morphology, element fraction, source distribution, true uptake coefficient of SO2 and hygroscopic behaviour were studied. The major components of Asian dust storm particles were found to consist of aluminosilicate, SiO2, and CaCO3, which were coated with organic compounds and inorganic nitrate. The dust storm particles have a low reactivity to SO2 (true uptake coefficient of 5.767×10−6) which limits the conversion of SO2 to sulfate during a dust storm period. The low reactivity also demonstrated that the heterogeneous reaction of SO2, in both dry and humid air conditions, had little effect on the hygroscopic behaviour of the dust particles. These results indicate that the impact of dust storms on atmospheric SO2 removal should not be overestimated.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 870 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Publication in ACP not foreseen
Citation: Ma, Q., Liu, Y., Liu, C., Ma, J., and He, H.: A comprehensive characterisation of Asian dust storm particles: chemical composition, reactivity to SO2, and hygroscopic property, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 8899-8925, doi:10.5194/acpd-10-8899-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
