Aerosol Physico-Chemical Properties

The ILMARI Research Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art particle and gas analysis systems. Particle size distributions can be measured online using Differential Mobility Analysers (DMA), the Electrical Low Pressure Impactors (ELPI) and the Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS). For online particle measurements condensation particle counters (CPC), Tapered Element Oscillation Microbalance (TEOM) and Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM) are available for online particle number, mass and surface area measurements, respectively.

Particle size-resolved chemical composition is analysed with Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS). Gas compounds are analysed using several single component gas analysers, an FTIR multicomponent analyzer, as well as with mass spectrometers including Proton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry  (PTR-MS) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (API-ToF-MS).

Aerosol optical properties (light scattering and absorption) are measured with a nephelometer and an aethalometer, respectively.

Further aerosol analysis systems include the Aerosol Particle Mass Monitor (APM), Cloud Condensation Nuclei counter (CCNc), Hygroscopic and Volatility Tandem Differential Analyzers (HTDMA, VTDMA), and a Spectrometer for Ice Nuclei (SPIN).

Off-line analyses of particles and gases are carried out from filters, impactior substrates and absorbent tubes. From the collected particulate sample metals, water soluble ions, PAHs, organic carbon (OC) and element carbon (EC) can be analysed. Also samples for electron microscopy using SEM and TEM with EDS elemental analyses are performed.