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Ionic surface active compounds in atmospheric aerosols.

Jariya Sukhapan1, Peter Brimblecombe

  • 1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. j.sukhapan@uea.ac.uk

Thescientificworldjournal
|June 14, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Atmospheric aerosols contain surfactants that influence cloud properties and may interact with lung surfactants. These surfactants, likely from oxidized organic matter, are strong acids and not from marine spray.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Aerosol Science

Background:

  • Surfactants in the atmosphere can alter evaporation, gas exchange, and aerosol properties.
  • Cloud droplet surface tension reduction by surfactants may increase droplet number concentration and cloud albedo.
  • Inhaled atmospheric surfactants could interact with pulmonary surfactants, impacting lung function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of surfactants in ambient aerosols.
  • To determine the potential sources and chemical nature of these atmospheric surfactants.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of ambient aerosols from Norwich, England.
  • Analysis for surfactants using methylene blue as a colorimetric agent.
  • Quantification of surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS).

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Main Results:

  • Surfactant concentrations ranged from 6-170 pmol m⁻³ (air).
  • A negative correlation with chloride aerosol suggests non-marine origins.
  • A positive correlation with aerosol nitrate and gaseous NOx indicates association with polluted inland air masses.
  • The identified surfactants are relatively strong acids.

Conclusions:

  • Atmospheric aerosols in this region contain significant concentrations of surfactants.
  • These surfactants likely originate from the oxidation of organic materials, possibly vegetation- or soil-derived.
  • Their acidic nature differentiates them from previously proposed atmospheric surfactants like carboxylic acids.