Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Production and Measurement of Organic Particulate Matter in a Flow Tube Reactor
Published on: December 15, 2018
Methods for characterization of organic compounds in atmospheric aerosol particles
Jevgeni Parshintsev1, Tuulia Hyötyläinen
1Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Atmospheric aerosol particles of primary or secondary, biogenic or anthropogenic origin are highly complex samples of changing composition in time and space. To assess their effects on climate or human health, the size-dependent chemical composition of these ubiquitous atmospheric constituents must be known. The development of novel analytical methods has enabled more detailed characterization of the organic composition of aerosols. This review gives an overview of the methods used in the chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosol particles, with a focus on mass-spectrometry techniques for organic compounds, either alone or in combination with chromatographic separation. Off-line, on-site, and on-line methods are covered, and the advantages and limitations of the different methods are discussed. The main emphasis is on methods used for detailed characterization of the composition of the organic compounds in aerosol particles. We address and summarize the current state of analytical methods used in aerosol research and discuss the importance of developing novel sampling strategies and analytical instrumentation. Graphical Abstract Challenges in the atmospheric aerosol analytics.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Sampling Methods: Sample Types
Solid samples include a variety of substances, such as sediments from water bodies, soil, metals, and biological tissues. Two standard methods for extracting sediments from water bodies are grab sampling and piston coring. Grab sampling involves using a device to collect a discrete sediment sample from the bottom of a water body with minimal disturbance. Grab samples do not always represent the entire area due to...

