Physicochemical characterization of individual atmospheric aerosols is essential to improving our understanding of the climate and health effects of atmospheric aerosols, as many important processes in the atmosphere are driven by the size, shape, and composition of individual particles. In contrast, bulk/mass-based methods often lose important information by looking at the ensemble average of particles. In this work we use computer-controlled Raman microspectroscopy (CC-Raman) to obtain information on primary components (such as organic functional groups and carbonate) and secondary components (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium) of individual particles at ambient pressure and temperature. We also use for the first time an automated, computer-controlled, method so that a greater number of particles can be analyzed, providing better statistics and the ability to quantify the different populations of particles present. CC-Raman will provide an important tool for studying the complexity and diversity of aerosols, as well as evaluating their climate and health effects.

Single particle computer-controlled Raman (CC-Raman) microspectroscopy analysis as a tool for the characterization and quantification of different types of particles in the atmosphere

248th National Meeting (2014)

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