Abstract:
Chemical characterization of submicron (D-p < 0.6 <mu>m) organic aerosols in the tropical trade winds in the Caribbean was performed. Samples were collected with a Lundgren cascade impactor at different locations in and around the island of Puerto Rico. The majority of the samples were collected at the Lighthouse at Fajardo. The GC/MS results were compiled into a database. The compounds identified were consistently observed in most of the samples and seem to have a natural origin. The families of compounds most consistently detected were esters (fatty acid esters and phosphates), fatty acids, and normal as well as branched hydrocarbons. The modality of extracted ion from full-scan MS data did not show the presence of PAHs in any of the samples analyzed from the coastal and ocean sites. Results tend to indicate that a substantial fraction of the submicron organic aerosol Found in the tropical trade winds of the Caribbean may be associated with natural oceanic emissions; therefore, any treatment of the total aerosol should consider the contribution of this natural background aerosol. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords:
organic aerosol, molecular characterization, sources, submicron aerosol, tropics

KeyWords Plus:
ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATE MATTER, MASS-SPECTROMETRY, MOLECULAR MARKER, ATLANTIC-OCEAN, UNITED-STATES, TROPOSPHERE, HYDROCARBONS, PARTICLES, CARBON, LIPIDS

Addresses:
Mayol-Bracero OL, Max Planck Inst Chem, Biogeochem Dept, POB 3060, D-55020 Mainz, Germany
Univ Puerto Rico, Dept Chem, Rio Piedras, PR 00931 USA
Univ Calif Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA

Publisher:
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

IDS Number:
415WB

ISSN:
1352-2310