Properties of the Atmospheric Aerosol

The atmospheric aerosol has profound effects on the nature of the air environment. Effects on human health have led to the establishment of ambient air qualtiy standards by the United States and other industrial nations. The optical properties of the aerosol alTect local and regional visibility and Earth s radiation balance, hence global climate. There is evidence that reactions that take place on the surface of the stratospheric aerosol play a major role in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. Particularly complex (and poorly understood) arc the indirect effects of the aerosol serving as condensation nuclei for the formation of clouds which in turn affect the radiation balance. For an extensive review of the properties of the atmospheric aerosol and its effects, especially health related, the reader is referred to the document prepared by the U.S. EPA (1996) for use in setting the ambient air quality standard for particulate matter. Atmospheric aerosol properties and dynamics are reviewed in detail by Seinfeld and Pandis (1998). 

U.S. EPA (1996) Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, v. 1. US EPA. Research Triangle Park. NC. An extensive review of the properties of the atmospheric aerosol, prepared as a basi.s for setting the ambient air quality standard. 

Quinn, P. K., Covert, D. S., Bates, T. S., Kapustin, V. N., Ramsey-Bell, D. C., and Mclnnes, L. M. (1993) Dimethylsulfide/cloud condensation nuclei/climate system Relevant size-resolved measurements of the chemical and physical properties of the atmospheric aerosol particles, J. Geophys. Res. 98, 10411-10427. 

PROPERTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOL Based on that notation, the various size distributions are... 

PROPERTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOL mean particle diameter of the distribution by... 

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