The Formation of Atmospheric Soluble Iron: Atmospheric Processing and Direct Emissions by Gasoline and Diesel Powered Vehicles

University Of Denver, Denver CO

Investigators

Abstract

Although the element iron (Fe) is the most abundant transition metal in atmospheric aerosols, it can be a limiting nutrient in large areas of the surface ocean. The availability of Fe as a biological nutrient depends on its particle size, solubility and chemical speciation, all of which are source dependent. The set of questions presented in the proposal are focused on the physiochemical production and measurement of atmospheric soluble Fe (Fesol), forms. In particular, these studies will be directed towards the valuation of soluble Fe emitted by automobile vehicle exhaust. As well as comparing the total Fe (Fesol) associated with combustion from different motor vehicle types (e.g. gasoline, diesel and compressed natural gas fuels) under well characterized (chassis dynamometer) driving conditions, an effort will be made to characterize the quantity of fuel borne Fe. A second part of the project will look at the speciation of solubilized Fe that result from the dissolution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, both a fraction of common hydrocarbon fuels and a combustion fuel by product.