Fine particle pH and gas–particle phase partitioning of inorganic species in Pasadena, California, during the 2010 CalNex campaign
Hongyu Guo1,Jiumeng Liu1,a,Karl D. Froyd2,3,James M. Roberts2,Patrick R. Veres2,3,Patrick L. Hayes3,4,5,Jose L. Jimenez3,5,Athanasios Nenes1,6,7,8,and Rodney J. Weber1Hongyu Guo et al.Hongyu Guo1,Jiumeng Liu1,a,Karl D. Froyd2,3,James M. Roberts2,Patrick R. Veres2,3,Patrick L. Hayes3,4,5,Jose L. Jimenez3,5,Athanasios Nenes1,6,7,8,and Rodney J. Weber1
Received: 23 Dec 2016 – Discussion started: 05 Jan 2017 – Revised: 22 Mar 2017 – Accepted: 12 Apr 2017 – Published: 08 May 2017
Abstract. pH is a fundamental aerosol property that affects ambient particle concentration and composition, linking pH to all aerosol environmental impacts. Here, PM1 and PM2. 5 pH are calculated based on data from measurements during the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) study from 15 May to 15 June 2010 in Pasadena, CA. Particle pH and water were predicted with the ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic model and validated by comparing predicted to measured gas–particle partitioning of inorganic nitrate, ammonium, and chloride. The study mean ± standard deviation PM1 pH was 1.9 ± 0.5 for the SO42−–NO3−–NH4+–HNO3–NH3 system. For PM2. 5, internal mixing of sea salt components (SO42−–NO3−–NH4+–Na+–Cl−–K+–HNO3–NH3–HCl system) raised the bulk pH to 2.7 ± 0.3 and improved predicted nitric acid partitioning with PM2. 5 components. The results show little effect of sea salt on PM1 pH, but significant effects on PM2. 5 pH. A mean PM1 pH of 1.9 at Pasadena was approximately one unit higher than what we have reported in the southeastern US, despite similar temperature, relative humidity, and sulfate ranges, and is due to higher total nitrate concentrations (nitric acid plus nitrate) relative to sulfate, a situation where particle water is affected by semi-volatile nitrate concentrations. Under these conditions nitric acid partitioning can further promote nitrate formation by increasing aerosol water, which raises pH by dilution, further increasing nitric acid partitioning and resulting in a significant increase in fine particle nitrate and pH. This study provides insights into the complex interactions between particle pH and nitrate in a summertime coastal environment and a contrast to recently reported pH in the eastern US in summer and winter and the eastern Mediterranean. All studies have consistently found highly acidic PM1 with pH generally below 3.
Fine particle pH is linked to many environmental impacts by affecting particle concentration and composition. Predicted Pasadena, CA (CalNex campaign), PM1 pH is 1.9 and PM2.5 pH 2.7, the latter higher due to sea salts. The model predicted gas–particle partitionings of HNO3–NO3−, NH3–NH4+, and HCl–Cl− are in good agreement, verifying the model predictions. A summary of contrasting locations in the US and eastern Mediterranean shows fine particles are generally highly acidic, with pH below 3.
Fine particle pH is linked to many environmental impacts by affecting particle concentration and...