Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 8 6 2008 10.5194/acpd-8-19249-2008 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/19249/2008/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/19249/2008/acpd-8-19249-2008.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/19249/2008/acpd-8-19249-2008.pdf 19249 19272 2008-11-14 Observation of nitrate coatings on atmospheric mineral dust particles W. J. Li L. Y. Shao State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & Department of Resources and Earth Science, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, China School of Earth and Space Exploration & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA Nitrate compounds have recently received much attention because of their ability to alter the hygroscopic properties and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of mineral dust particles in the atmosphere. However, very little is known about specific characteristics of nitrate-coated mineral particles in an individual particle scale in field study. The sample collection was conducted during brown haze and dust episodes occurred between 24 May and 21 June 2007 in Beijing, northern China. The sizes, morphologies, and compositions of mineral dust particles together with their coatings were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). 92% of the internally mixed mineral particles analyzed are covered with Ca-, Mg-, and Na-rich coatings, and 8% are associated with K- and S-rich coatings. The major coatings contain Ca, Mg, O, and N with minor amounts of S and Cl, suggesting that they are possibly nitrates mixed with less sulfates and chlorides. These nitrate coatings strongly relate with the presence of alkaline mineral components (e.g., calcite and dolomite) within individual mineral particles. 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