Source Apportionment of Asian Continental Aerosols and Their Associated Direct Climate Forcing Using Molecular Markers

Oregon State University, Corvallis OR

Investigators

Abstract

This project involves the chemical characterization of organic aerosols collected during the ACE-Asia (Aerosol Characterization Experiment - Asia) intensive field program. ACE-Asia is a multi-investigator, international program designed to characterize the chemical properties and radiative effects of aerosols in the outflow from eastern Asia. Specific organic tracers will be analyzed in samples collected during the field program. These tracers are chosen to indicate sources such as urban, petroleum, biomass burning, microbial, plant waxes, higher plants, lignins, cellulose, etc. The analysis technique is based on extraction and GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). This information will be used, along with related data, to infer aerosol sources and source regions. Samples will be collected at Kosan, Korea, and possibly other ground sites in Asia, as well as with the Total Aerosol Sampler on the C-130 aircraft in collaboration with Dr. Huebert (University of Hawaii, ATM-0002698)