REMOTE AMBIENT AEROSOLS FOUND IN THE SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS AND EASTERN NORTH ATLANTIC: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF OPTICAL BEHAVIOR AND AEROSOL-CLOUD INTERACTION

• Main Author: Bonanno, Daniel J.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Scholarly Commons 2023
• Subjects: Nanoscience; Physical chemistry; Environmental science; Aerosols; Bioanalytics; Climate; Nanoparticle; Optical; Speciation; Chemistry; Environmental Sciences; Physical Sciences and Mathematics; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3846; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/context/uop_etds/article/4843/viewcontent/Bonanno_Thesis_FINAL9.pdf

The data presented in this thesis showcases the investigation of various aerosol types and the role they play in the hydrological system and global climate models. Long-range transport aerosols, including atmospheric soot, mineral dust, and ammonium sulfate, in addition to near-site sources such as secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), sea spray, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and other organics, are prioritized in the analysis of two separate remote field studies. Each of these campaigns revealed the juxtaposition between dry summer months and wet winter months, and the connection between seasonal variability and sample collection. Two spectromicroscopic techniques were used to elucidate chemical composition, morphology and size of particles. Quantification of C, N, and O was performed using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy coupled with near edge X-ray fine structure (STXM/NEXAFS) and used to generate organic volume fractions and to provide mixing state parameters and diversity measurements. This was followed by utilizing scanning electron microscopy in the energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) mode on the same particle sets to characterize 11 heavier elements: Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn.