Carbonaceous material, atmospheric aerosols

Appel, B.R. Colodny, P. Wesolowski, J.J., Analysis of Carbonaceous Materials in Southern California Atmospheric Aerosols, Environ. Sci. Techno1.. 1976, 1 , 359-363. 

Carbonaceous Materials in Southern California Atmospheric Aerosols, Environ. Sci. Technol. 1976, 359. 

Appel, B. R., S. M. Wall, and R. L. Knights, "Characterization of Carbonaceous Materials in Atmospheric Aerosols by High Resolution Mass Spectrometric Thermal Analysis, Adv. Environ. Sci. Technol., 10, 353-365 (1980). 

Atmospheric particles in the troposphere are composed of a complex mixture of highly water-soluble inorganic salts, insoluble mineral dust, and carbonaceous material (which includes organic compounds plus elemental carbon) (Jacobson et al., 2000). Studies in which the chemical composition has been determined as a function of particle size demonstrate a correlation between the chemical composition and the size mode of atmospheric aerosols (Meszaros et al., 1997 Krivacsy and Molnar, 1998 Alves et al.,2000 Maenhaut et al.,2002 Smolik et al., 2003 Samara andVoutsa, 2005). 

Some studies have also shown that carbonaceous material can be responsible for about 1.2-31% of the coarse fraction mass concentration of the atmospheric aerosol (Maenhaut et al., 2002 Hueglin et al., 2005). Nevertheless, the highest concentrations (17-48%) of organic matter and elemental carbon are found predominantly... 

Particulate emissions are by-products of fuel combustion, industrial processes, and motor vehicles and are believed to have a significant potential for causing adverse health effects. Carbonaceous material present in atmospheric aerosols is a combination of elemental carbon and organic and inorganic compounds. Particulate matter may also consist of fly ash, minerals, or road dust and contain traces of a number of heavy metals. Population-based studies have consistently found that the association between adverse respiratory effects and particulate concentrations occurs in a number of regions throughout the United States. This association is strongest for PM]o and PM2.5 indices (particulate matter less than 10 and 2.5 pm in diameter, respectively). The observed adverse effects include increases in total mortality, mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular causes, chronic bronchitis, and hospital visits and admissions for asthma. Elderly or unhealthy individuals and infants appear to comprise subpopulations that are most sensitive to the adverse health effects of PM. 

Elemental balances for atmospheric particles indicate that trace metals comprise only a small fraction of the total aerosol mass. Even in a highly industrialized city such as Linz (Austria), the relative contribution of trace metal compounds (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, V, Zn, and Pb compounds) to the total suspended particles (TSP) was found to be about 1%, while Ee-compounds comprised 1-8% of the TSP mass (Puxbaum etal. 1985). The major part of the TSP is formed by electrolytes (Na, K" ", NH, Cl , NOj, SO ) (25-35%), carbonaceous material (8-11%), and mineralic components (Ca, Mg, Si, Al compounds) (16-18%). Similar results were found for aerosols collected at a background site in the South African savanna (Puxbaum et al. 2000). 

Carbon dioxide occurs in the atmosphere at 0.033%. It is produced by burning carbonaceous materials. It is used in the carbon-ation of beverages in fire extinguishers, in the manufacture of carbonates, as dry ice for refrigeration, and as a propellant for aerosols. 

Appel, B. R. 1981. Characterization of carbonaceous materials in atmospheric aerosols by high-resolution mass spectrometric thermal analysis. In G. M. Hidy, ed.. The aerosol characterization experiment. Wiley-Interscience, New York. 

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