Size fractionated speciation of nitrate and sulfate aerosols in a sub-tropical industrial environment [An article from: Chemosphere]

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Description:
Size fractionated chemical speciation of acidic aerosols were performed for ammonium sulfate, other sulfates, ammonium nitrate and other nitrates in a sub-tropical industrial area, Bina, India during December 2003 to November 2004. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant temporal variations (p>.001) in the concentrations of nitrate and sulfate aerosols in all the three size fractions (fine, mid-size and coarse). Winter demonstrated utmost concentrations of ammonium sulfate, which ranged from 3.2 to 26.4@mgm^-^3 in fine particles and 0.20-0.34@mgm^-^3 in coarse particles. Ammonium sulfate was chiefly in fine mode (43.77% of total particulate sulfate) as compared to coarse particles (28.60% of total particulate sulfate). The major fraction Ammonium sulfate existed in different forms in atmospheric aerosols, for example NH"4Fe(SO"4)"2, (NH"4)"2SO"4, (NH"4)"3H(SO"4)"2 in fine particles, and (NH"4)"4(NO"3)SO"4^+ in coarse particles. Other sulfate concentrations were also higher during winter ranging from 1.89 to 14.3@mgm^-^3 in fine particles and 0.12-0.65@mgm^-^3 in coarse particles. Ammonium nitrate constituted the major fraction of total particulate nitrate all through the year and was principally in fine particles (the highest concentration in January i.e. 14.2@mgm^-^3). Other nitrates were mainly distributed in the fine particles (highest concentration in January i.e. 11.2@mgm^-^3) All the sulfate and nitrate species were mainly distributed in fine mode and have significant impact on human health.