Diffusion and Modification of Marine Aerosol Particles over the Coastal Areas in China: A Case Study Using a Single Particle Analysis

Abstract

Aerosol particles over coastal areas are subject to the modification of chemical composition during their transport and diffusion. For examining the modification, individual aerosol particles of 0.1?2-?m radius were collected at Shengshan Island (30°43?N, 122°48?E) in the East China Sea and at a coastal site of Shanghai (31°10?N, 121°26?E). The samples were examined with an energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analyzer attached with an electron microscope. Elemental composition of marine aerosols collected at Shengshan Island was compared with those collected at Shanghai. The results showed that increase in chlorine loss in sea salt particles is one of the main characteristics during the diffusion of marine aerosols into the coastal continent. Sulfur particles were present mainly in the radius range of 0.1?0.3 ?m at Shengshan Island and were considered to be formed through heterogeneous processes during diffusion from the coastal land areas.