Morphology and Dynamics of Atmospheric Aerosol Aggregates

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This project will investigate the properties of ultrafine (particle diameters less than 0.1 micrometer) aerosol aggregates in the atmosphere. Aerosol aggregates with high carbon content may significantly affect light absorption and scattering and hence the global radiation balance. Particles in this size range are also of public health concern. The morphology of aerosol aggregates in the atmosphere will be studied, including the fractal dimension and number and size of the primary particles that compose the aggregates, concentrations and size distribution of the aggregates, and fraction of total ultrafine particles that are aggregates. These properties are important because aerosol transport rates and gas-particle partitioning factors can vary as a function of aggregate morphology, affecting the atmospheric residence time and patterns of deposition of aerosols in the lung and on other surfaces.