Abstract
Grain size analysis of aerosol particles collected by air filtration is difficult because of the low concentration and therefore the representativeness of sub-sampling. We have analysed a set of aerosol samples (European background), together with precipitations (Saharan and European background), using a Coulter Counter TA Il and a Galai Cis 1 laser system (magnetic cell mode and slide mode) to verify the reliability of those two methodologies in the particle size range 0.5–102 μm. No agreement has been found between Coulter and Galai results in European background aerosol and precipitation samples. Conversely we have found a good agreement between Coulter and Galai results in Saharan samples. The Saharan dust precipitations were not affected by the low concentration problem. The Galai magnetic cell mode is more efficient for Saharan dusts, on the other hand the slide mode is a good method to analyse background aerosols.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Alley, R.B., Finkel, R.C. Nishiizumi, K., Anandakrishnan, S., Shuman, C.A., Mershon, G., Zielinski, G.A. and Maywski, P.A. (1995) Changes in continental and sea-salt atmospheric loadings in central Greenland during the most recent deglaciation: model-based estimates, J. Glaciol. 41, 139, 503–514.
Bergametti, G., Vie le Sage, R., Grubis, B., Dulieu, B., and Elichegaray, C. (1983) Relation between particulate concentration in the atmosphere and aerosol collection efficiency, Environ. Technol. Lett. 3, 297–304
Boldrin, A., Cesca, A., and Rabitti, S. (1986) An automatic data acquisition system for Coulter Counter Model TA II, Boll. Oceanol. Teor. Appl. IV, 3, 159–164.
Coudè-Gaussen, G., Rognon, P., Bergametti, L., Gomes, B., Strauss, J.M., and Le Coustumer, M.N. (1987) Saharan dust on Fuerteventura island (Canaries): chemical and mineralogical characteristics, air mass trjectories, and probably sources, J. Geophys. Res. 92, D8, 9753–9771.
Guerzoni, S., Cesari, G., Lenaz, R. and Cruciani, L. (1992) A new sampling station at the coastal site of Capo Carbonara (Sardinia, Central Mediterranean): preliminary data and technical proposal, UNEP/MAP Technical Report Series 64, 33–40.
Guerzoni, S., Molinaroli, E., Chester, R. (1996) Saharan dust input to the W. Mediterranean Sea: depositional patterns, geochemistry and sedimentological implications, Deep Sea Res.,in press.
Littmann, T., Steinrucke, J., and Gasse, F. (1990) African mineral aerosol deposition in West Germany 198789: characteristics, origin and transport mechanism, Geoökodynamik 11, 163–189.
Molinaroli, E., Guerzoni, S., and Rampazzo, G. (1993) Contribution of Saharan dust to the Central Mediterranean basin, in M.J. Johnsson and A. Basu (eds.), Contribution of Saharan dust to the Central Mediterranean Basin, Geol. Soc. Am. SP284, pp. 303–312.
Saucy, D.A., Anderson, J.R., and Buseck, P.R. (1991) Aerosol particle determined by combined cluster and principal component analysis, J. Geophys. Res. 96, D4, 7407–7414.
Waghembach, D. and Geis, K. (1989) The mineral dust recorded in a high altitude alpine glacier (Colle Gniffetti, Swiss Alps), in M. Leine and M. Samthein (eds.), Paleoclimatology and Paleometeorology: Modern and past patterns of global atmospheric transport, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, pp. 543–564.
Whitby, K.T. (1977) Physical characterization of aerosols, Nat. Bureau Standards SP464, 165–173.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
De Falco, G., Molinaroli, E., Rabitti, S. (1996). Grain Size Analysis of Aerosol and Rain Particles: A Methodological Comparison. In: Guerzoni, S., Chester, R. (eds) The Impact of Desert Dust Across the Mediterranean. Environmental Science and Technology Library, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3354-0_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3354-0_23
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4764-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-3354-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive