Date of Award
Spring 2009
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Earth Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Robert J Griffin
Abstract
Air quality of New England reflects air quality of the eastern United States and Canada because of transport from these areas to New England. Particle number (PN) concentration, size distribution, and composition were observed in the winter/spring period at a rural New England site (Thompson Farm). Thirteen PN events identified on the basis of increased PN above the site average were investigated, with the majority of events originating from clean northwestern air masses. Steady particle growth rates were observed for events ranging between 0.9 and 5.5 nm.
The organic composition of bulk aerosols were also investigated over a year (August 2007 to August 2008), through measurements of organic carbon, elemental carbon, and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) from 24-hour samples. Annual means and seasonal trends are reported. 1H-NMR showed little variation among functional groups present in WSOC on a seasonal basis but showed significant variation on a daily basis.
Recommended Citation
Place, Philip Fulton Jr., "Observations of nucleation-mode particle events and characterization of organic atmospheric particulate matter at a rural New England site" (2009). Master's Theses and Capstones. 455.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/455