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Characterization of mineral particles in winter fog of Beijing analyzed by TEM and SEM

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Abstract

Aerosol samples were collected during winter fog and nonfog episodes in Beijing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study morphologies, sizes, and compositions of aerosol particles. TEM observation indicates that most mineral particles collected in fog episode are scavenged in fog droplets. Number–size distributions of mineral particles collected in fog and nonfog episodes show two main peaks at the ranges of 0.1–0.3 and 1–2.5 μm, respectively. Based on their major compositions, mineral particles mainly include Si-rich, Ca-rich, and S-rich. Average S/Ca ratio of mineral particles collected in fog episode is 6.11, being eight times higher than that in nonfog episodes. Development mechanism of individual mineral particles in fog droplets is proposed. It is suggested that mineral particles with abundant alkaline components (e.g., “Ca-rich” particles) occurred in air should alleviate acidic degree of fog and contribute to complexity of fog droplets in Beijing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining and the Department of Resources and Earth Science, China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Weijun Li & Longyi Shao

  2. School of Earth and Space Exploration and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Weijun Li

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  1. Weijun Li
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  2. Longyi Shao
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Correspondence to Weijun Li.

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Li, W., Shao, L. Characterization of mineral particles in winter fog of Beijing analyzed by TEM and SEM. Environ Monit Assess 161, 565–573 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0768-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0768-1

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