Quantification of Sampling Artifacts in PM2.5 Inorganic Ion Species using Teflon Filter

Abstract

Artifacts due to inter-particle and gas-particle interactions during PM2.5 sampling were quantified by comparing the measurement results between the annular denuder-filterpack system and the filterpack system without denuder. Measurements were carried in Seoul for 10 days in each season; Nov. 2004, Jan. 2005, Mar. 2005, and Jul. 2005, respectively. In each day, two 12-h samples were obtained. The concentrations of nitrate and chloride showed seasonal variations mainly due to the availability of ammonium to neutralize nitrate or chloride. Nitrates and chloride losses were prominent in summer. Since most of ammonia was used to neutralize sulfuric acid and formed ammonium sulfate in summer, nitrate and chloride could not exist in particles and ammonium loss was smaller than other seasons.