engleski

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy and Electrochemistry in Characterization of Marine Aerosols

The current knowledge in aerosol science is still incapable to give a real and quantitative assessment of their actual impact on global climate and health. This problem arises from the fact that, until today, there is insufficient knowledge regarding aerosol sources, mechanisms of formation, aerosol properties and chemical composition. In this study, we combined state-of-the art analytical tools of atomic force microscopy (AFM) with high temperature catalytic oxidation (HTCO) and electroanalytical methods for characterization of water soluble fraction of marine aerosols. Each technique characterized different chemical components of marine aerosols and provided complementary information not generated by a single technique. This comprehensive assessment confirmed significant difference between winter and summer samples that was imaged by AFM. In summer samples, which due to biological activity were characterized by higher concentration of PM mass, total organic carbon (TOC), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and its surface active components (SAS), presence of higher concentration of nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes between 86 and 91 nm were detected (Fig.1a). Winter sample (Fig.1b), depleted with organic matter content was characterized by smaller NPs, with sizes between 56 and 63 nm. We assume that quantity and quality of organic matter influence size distribution of recorded nanoparticles.

atomic force microscopy ; electroanalytical methods ; marine aerosols

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