Complete Isotopic Analysis of Aerosol Sulfate and Nitrate in Long-Term Samplings from the Tropical Atlantic

本计画探讨人类活动对对流层大气硫氮循环之影响。 迈阿密大学（UM）在长达几十年的计划中获得的现有每日气溶胶样品将用于研究这些样品中硫酸盐和硝酸盐的质量无关（氧，氮和硫）同位素效应。 具体而言，选定的气溶胶样品中的硫酸盐和硝酸盐成分中的17O的质量独立分馏（MIF）以及更传统的硫和氮同位素分析将用于表征大气氧化过程，以确定在人为和自然来源的硫酸盐和硝酸盐前体的周围环境顺风中发生的独特反应途径。 这项研究的结果将进一步了解气溶胶的形成和大气传输，特别是在阐明气溶胶源特征和产生途径的长期变化以及这些变化影响气候的潜力方面。 资助包括一名博士后研究员和一名研究生在主要研究员的指导下获得研究经验。

This project investigates the impacts of anthropogenic activities on tropospheric sulfur and nitrogen cycling in the atmosphere. Existing daily aerosol samples acquired by University of Miami (UM) during a several decade long program will be used to study the mass-independent (oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur) isotope effects in sulfates and nitrates occurring in these samples. Specifically, the Mass Independent Fractionation (MIF) of 17O in sulfate and nitrate components of selected aerosol samples, as well as more traditional sulfur and nitrogen isotope analyses will be used to characterize atmospheric oxidative processes with a view to identifying unique reaction pathways occurring in the ambient environment downwind of anthropogenic and natural sources of sulfate and nitrate precursors. Results from this study will further understanding of aerosol formation and atmospheric transport, particularly with respect to elucidating long term changes in aerosol source signatures and production pathways and the potential of these to impact climate. Support is included for a postdoctoral researcher and one graduate student to gain research experience under the mentorship of the principal investigator.