Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols
Published on: April 21, 2017
Surfactants in atmospheric aerosols
Mohd Talib Latif1, Peter Brimblecombe
1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, United Kingdom. mohd.latif@uea.ac.uk
Abstract:
The concentration and characteristics of anionic and cationic aerosol surfactants at a range of locations were determined as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and ethyl violet active substances (EVAS) for anionic surfactants and as disulfine blue active substances (DBAS) for the cationic surfactants. Results showed that the anionic surfactants (in the pmol m(-3) range) dominated the concentration of surfactant in atmospheric aerosols. The concentration of both MBAS and EVAS is typically higher on the finer aerosol fractions. Further study on the aerosols found both MBAS and EVAS had the ability to reduce the surface tension of aqueous extracts of the aerosol. MBAS were more readily destroyed on exposure to a high intensity of UV light than were EVAS. The source of these seemingly ubiquitous compounds is not clear, but we note that anionic surfactants are easily derived from degraded or oxidized soots, especially that from diesel engines.
Related Concept Videos
Breathing
Colloids
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Adsorption of Gases on Solids
Surface Active Agents
Micelles

