Conversion of SO2 to sulfur particulate in the Los Angeles atmosphere

Gas phase and particular phase sulfur have been measured at various locations in the Los Angeles basin to determine atmospheric conversion rates and mechanisms. A new technique was developed for the measurement of particulate sulfur. From measurements of the particulate to gas phase sulfur ratio near the major stationary sources and far downstream and from estimates of travel time determined by air trajectory analysis, it is possible to estimate gas-to-particle conversion rates for sulfur. Such calculations show that automobiles presently contribute a major part of the total sulfur as measured at a receptor site such as Pasadena, while contributing only a small amount to the particulate sulfur loading. The introduction of oxidation catalyst-equipped vehicles may add significantly to the particulate sulfur at downwind receptor sites; predictions of particulate sulfur concentrations near freeways show substantial increases due to such vehicles.