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Determination of methanesulfonic acid and non-sea-salt sulfate in single marine aerosol particles
Kolaitis, L.N.; Bruynseels, F.; Van Grieken, R.; Andreae, M.O. (1989). Determination of methanesulfonic acid and non-sea-salt sulfate in single marine aerosol particles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 23: 236-240
In: Environmental Science and Technology. American Chemical Society: Easton. ISSN 0013-936X; e-ISSN 1520-5851, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Chemical compounds > Nitrogen compounds > Nitrates
    Chemical compounds > Sulphur compounds > Sulphates
    Chemical elements > Metals > Heavy metals
    Colloids > Aerosols
    Dimensions > Size > Particle size
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment
    Layers > Boundary layers
    Pollution > Air pollution
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Kolaitis, L.N.
  • Bruynseels, F.
  • Van Grieken, R., more
  • Andreae, M.O.

Abstract
    In open ocean waters the predominant volatile sulfur compound is dimethyl sulfide (DMS), representing almost 90% of the marine sulfur emissions. Methanesulfonic acid (MSA), one of the oxidation products of DMS, is consequently an important constituent of marine aerosols. Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) has been used for single-particle analysis of particles collected in the marine boundary layer. MSA, like the non-sea-salt sulfate, is mainly associated with the smallest aerosol particles, whose LAMMA spectra match the reference fingerprint spectra of MSA salts, sodium methanesulfonate and ammonium methanesulfonate. The presence of nitrate and heavy metal ions in the LAMMA spectra can reveal, to a certain extent, the degree of air pollution at the time of sampling.

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