Articles | Volume 18, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7021-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7021-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 Nov 2025
Research article |
| 25 Nov 2025
| 25 Nov 2025
Xact625i vs. PX-375: a comparative study of online XRF ambient multi-metal monitors vs. ICP-MS
Laurence C. Windell
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Aerosol Chemistry and Physics Research Group, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 16500, Czech Republic
PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, 5232, Switzerland
Saliou Mbengue
Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 60300, Czech Republic
Petra Pokorná
Aerosol Chemistry and Physics Research Group, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 16500, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Schwarz
Aerosol Chemistry and Physics Research Group, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 16500, Czech Republic
André S. H. Prévôt
PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, 5232, Switzerland
Manousos I. Manousakas
PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, 5232, Switzerland
Environmental Radioactivity and Aerosol Technology for Atmospheric and Climate Impact Lab, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Science and Technology, Energy and Safety, NSCR Demokritos, Athens, 15310, Greece
Stefanos Papagiannis
Environmental Radioactivity and Aerosol Technology for Atmospheric and Climate Impact Lab, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Science and Technology, Energy and Safety, NSCR Demokritos, Athens, 15310, Greece
Jakub Ondráček
Aerosol Chemistry and Physics Research Group, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 16500, Czech Republic
Roman Prokeš
Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 60300, Czech Republic
RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, 61137, Czech Republic
Vladimir Ždímal
Aerosol Chemistry and Physics Research Group, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 16500, Czech Republic
Related authors
No articles found.
Laura Cadeo, Beatrice Biffi, Benjamin Chazeau, Cristina Colombi, Rosario Cosenza, Eleonora Cuccia, Manousos-Ioannis Manousakas, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, André S. H. Prévôt, and Roberta Vecchi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 6435–6448, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-6435-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-6435-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the deployment of the Xact® 625i Ambient Metals Monitor in Milan (Po Valley, Italy) and its performance in measuring particulate matter elemental composition at a high temporal resolution. Our findings demonstrate strong agreement between online and offline X-ray fluorescence analyses, underscoring the potential of advanced monitoring technologies for air quality research.
Hanna Wiedenhaus, Roland Schrödner, Ralf Wolke, Marie L. Luttkus, Shubhi Arora, Laurent Poulain, Radek Lhotka, Petr Vodička, Jaroslav Schwarz, Petra Pokorna, Jakub Ondráček, Vladimir Ždímal, Hartmut Herrmann, and Ina Tegen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12893–12922, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12893-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12893-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines winter air quality in central Europe, focusing on the impact of domestic heating. Using a chemical transport model and measurements, it was found that the model underestimated organic particle concentrations. This was due to an underestimation of gases from domestic heating that form secondary organic particles. Improving the model by increasing these emissions and the particle formation led to better results, demonstrating the important role of heating emissions in winter.
Sophie Bogler, Jun Zhang, Rico K. Y. Cheung, Kun Li, André S. H. Prévôt, Imad El Haddad, and David M. Bell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 10229–10243, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10229-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10229-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Authentic aerosols emitted from residential wood stoves and open burning processes are only slightly oxidized by ozone in the atmosphere. Under dry conditions, the reaction does not proceed to completion, while under high humidity conditions, the reactivity proceeds further. These results indicate that the reactivity with ozone is likely impacted by aerosol phase state (e.g., aerosol viscosity).
Lenka Suchánková, Jakub Ondráček, Naděžda Zíková, Petr Roztočil, Petr Vodička, Roman Prokeš, Ivan Holoubek, and Vladimir Ždímal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3800, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3800, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we show how aerosol particles in city air change their ability to scatter light when exposed to humidity, which affects the climate. Using a new, simpler tool, we found that in Prague's suburbs, these particles showed only a small change in light scattering, likely due to carbon-rich pollution that effectively absorbs light. Our method reduces measurement uncertainty and helps fill gaps in urban climate data.
Manousos I. Manousakas, Olga Zografou, Francesco Canonaco, Evangelia Diapouli, Stefanos Papagiannis, Maria Gini, Vasiliki Vasilatou, Anna Tobler, Stergios Vratolis, Jay G. Slowik, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, André S. H. Prevot, and Konstantinos Eleftheriadis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 3983–4002, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3983-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3983-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Air pollution from airborne particles is a major health and environmental concern, especially in cities. Understanding the particles' sources is key to addressing this issue, but traditional methods require time-consuming sampling, delaying action. Our study introduces a real-time monitoring system that uses advanced instruments and software to track pollution instantly. This technology allows faster, more precise pollution analysis, helping cities create targeted strategies to improve air quality.
Junke Zhang, Xinyi Fu, Chunying Chen, Yunfei Su, Siyu Liu, Luyao Chen, Yubao Chen, Gehui Wang, and Andre S. H. Prevot
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8983–9004, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8983-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8983-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We measured (at the molecular level) the 125 organic aerosol (OA) compounds present in Chengdu in winter. OA was dominated by fatty acids, phthalate esters, and anhydrosugars, and it was deeply influenced by anthropogenic sources. As pollution worsened, secondary inorganic species and secondary organic carbon (OC) dominated the increase in PM2.5, fatty acids and anhydrosugars dominated the increase in OA, and the contributions of secondary formation and biomass burning to OC increased markedly.
Jiamao Zhou, Jiarui Wu, Xiaoli Su, Ruonan Wang, Imad EI Haddad, Xia Li, Qian Jiang, Ting Zhang, Wenting Dai, Junji Cao, Andre S. H. Prevot, Xuexi Tie, and Guohui Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7563–7580, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7563-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) is a type of airborne particle produced from various combustion sources which is light absorption. Historically, climate models have categorizing organic particles as either non-absorbing or purely reflective. Our study shows that BrC can reduce the usual cooling effect of organic particles. While BrC is often linked to biomass burning, however, BrC from fossil fuels contributes significantly to atmospheric heating.
Aino Ovaska, Elio Rauth, Daniel Holmberg, Paulo Artaxo, John Backman, Benjamin Bergmans, Don Collins, Marco Aurélio Franco, Shahzad Gani, Roy M. Harrison, Rakes K. Hooda, Tareq Hussein, Antti-Pekka Hyvärinen, Kerneels Jaars, Adam Kristensson, Markku Kulmala, Lauri Laakso, Ari Laaksonen, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Colin O'Dowd, Jakub Ondracek, Tuukka Petäjä, Kristina Plauškaitė, Mira Pöhlker, Ximeng Qi, Peter Tunved, Ville Vakkari, Alfred Wiedensohler, Kai Puolamäki, Tuomo Nieminen, Veli-Matti Kerminen, Victoria A. Sinclair, and Pauli Paasonen
Aerosol Research Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-18, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-18, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for AR
Short summary
Short summary
We trained machine learning models to estimate the number of aerosol particles large enough to form clouds and generated daily estimates for the entire globe. The models performed well in many continental regions but struggled in remote and marine areas. Still, this approach offers a way to quantify these particles in areas that lack direct measurements, helping us understand their influence on clouds and climate on a global scale.
Kajal Julaha, Vladimír Ždímal, Saliou Mbengue, David Brus, and Naděžda Zíková
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1420, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1420, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Air pollution affects human health and climate, but most measurements focus on ground-level data. We used drones to measure black carbon and particle concentrations at different heights in urban and rural areas across seasons. Our results show that pollution distribution varies with altitude and season, influenced by weather and emissions. We also found that controlling humidity is crucial for accurate black carbon measurements. These findings help improve air quality monitoring and policies.
Ashutosh K. Shukla, Sachchida N. Tripathi, Shamitaksha Talukdar, Vishnu Murari, Sreenivas Gaddamidi, Manousos-Ioannis Manousakas, Vipul Lalchandani, Kuldeep Dixit, Vinayak M. Ruge, Peeyush Khare, Mayank Kumar, Vikram Singh, Neeraj Rastogi, Suresh Tiwari, Atul K. Srivastava, Dilip Ganguly, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3765–3784, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study delves into the elemental composition of aerosols at three sites across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), revealing distinct patterns during pollution episodes. We found significant increases in chlorine (Cl)-rich and solid fuel combustion (SFC) sources, indicating dynamic emission sources, agricultural burning impacts, and meteorological influences. Surges in Cl-rich particles during cold periods highlight their role in particle growth under high-relative-humidity conditions.
Tiantian Wang, Jun Zhang, Houssni Lamkaddam, Kun Li, Ka Yuen Cheung, Lisa Kattner, Erlend Gammelsæter, Michael Bauer, Zachary C. J. Decker, Deepika Bhattu, Rujin Huang, Rob L. Modini, Jay G. Slowik, Imad El Haddad, Andre S. H. Prevot, and David M. Bell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2707–2724, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2707-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2707-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study analyzes real-time emissions of organic vapors from solid fuel combustion. Using the mass spectrometer, we tested various fuels, finding higher emission factors for organic vapors from wood burning. Intermediate-volatility organic compounds constituted a significant fraction of emissions in solid fuel combustion. Statistical tests identified unique potential markers. Our insights benefit air quality, climate, and health, aiding accurate emission assessments.
Hector Navarro-Barboza, Jordi Rovira, Vincenzo Obiso, Andrea Pozzer, Marta Via, Andres Alastuey, Xavier Querol, Noemi Perez, Marjan Savadkoohi, Gang Chen, Jesus Yus-Díez, Matic Ivancic, Martin Rigler, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Stergios Vratolis, Olga Zografou, Maria Gini, Benjamin Chazeau, Nicolas Marchand, Andre S. H. Prevot, Kaspar Dallenbach, Mikael Ehn, Krista Luoma, Tuukka Petäjä, Anna Tobler, Jaroslaw Necki, Minna Aurela, Hilkka Timonen, Jarkko Niemi, Olivier Favez, Jean-Eudes Petit, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Christoph Hueglin, Nicolas Pascal, Aurélien Chauvigné, Sébastien Conil, Marco Pandolfi, and Oriol Jorba
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2667–2694, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2667-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2667-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) absorbs ultraviolet (UV) and visible light, influencing climate. This study explores BrC's imaginary refractive index (k) using data from 12 European sites. Residential emissions are a major organic aerosol (OA) source in winter, while secondary organic aerosol (SOA) dominates in summer. Source-specific k values were derived, improving model accuracy. The findings highlight BrC's climate impact and emphasize source-specific constraints in atmospheric models.
Imad El Haddad, Danielle Vienneau, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Robin Modini, Jay G. Slowik, Abhishek Upadhyay, Petros N. Vasilakos, David Bell, Kees de Hoogh, and Andre S. H. Prevot
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11981–12011, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11981-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11981-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This opinion paper explores how advances in aerosol science inform our understanding of the health impacts of outdoor particulate pollution. We advocate for a shift in the way we target PM pollution, focusing on the most harmful anthropogenic emissions. We highlight key observations, modelling developments, and emission measurements needed to achieve this shift.
Teemu Lepistö, Henna Lintusaari, Laura Salo, Ville Silvonen, Luis M. F. Barreira, Jussi Hoivala, Lassi Markkula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Jakub Ondracek, Kimmo Teinilä, Hanna E. Manninen, Sanna Saarikoski, Hilkka Timonen, Miikka Dal Maso, and Topi Rönkkö
Aerosol Research, 2, 271–289, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The performances of different particle lung-deposited surface area (LDSAal) measurement methods (Partector, ELPI+, SMPS/DMPS) were compared in ambient conditions. As LDSAal is a health-relevant metric and rather easy to utilise in air quality monitoring, it is crucial to know how the different methods agree, as there are clear differences in their operation. In all, a comparison of different methods can be complicated; still, the methods agree rather well in terms of local pollution (< 400 nm).
Jun Zhang, Kun Li, Tiantian Wang, Erlend Gammelsæter, Rico K. Y. Cheung, Mihnea Surdu, Sophie Bogler, Deepika Bhattu, Dongyu S. Wang, Tianqu Cui, Lu Qi, Houssni Lamkaddam, Imad El Haddad, Jay G. Slowik, Andre S. H. Prevot, and David M. Bell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14561–14576, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14561-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14561-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted burning experiments to simulate various types of solid fuel combustion, including residential burning, wildfires, agricultural burning, cow dung, and plastic bag burning. The chemical composition of the particles was characterized using mass spectrometers, and new potential markers for different fuels were identified using statistical analysis. This work improves our understanding of emissions from solid fuel burning and offers support for refined source apportionment.
Jean-Philippe Putaud, Enrico Pisoni, Alexander Mangold, Christoph Hueglin, Jean Sciare, Michael Pikridas, Chrysanthos Savvides, Jakub Ondracek, Saliou Mbengue, Alfred Wiedensohler, Kay Weinhold, Maik Merkel, Laurent Poulain, Dominik van Pinxteren, Hartmut Herrmann, Andreas Massling, Claus Nordstroem, Andrés Alastuey, Cristina Reche, Noemí Pérez, Sonia Castillo, Mar Sorribas, Jose Antonio Adame, Tuukka Petaja, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Jarkko Niemi, Véronique Riffault, Joel F. de Brito, Augustin Colette, Olivier Favez, Jean-Eudes Petit, Valérie Gros, Maria I. Gini, Stergios Vratolis, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Evangelia Diapouli, Hugo Denier van der Gon, Karl Espen Yttri, and Wenche Aas
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10145–10161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10145-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10145-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Many European people are still exposed to levels of air pollution that can affect their health. COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 were used to assess the impact of the reduction in human mobility on air pollution across Europe by comparing measurement data with values that would be expected if no lockdown had occurred. We show that lockdown measures did not lead to consistent decreases in the concentrations of fine particulate matter suspended in the air, and we investigate why.
Yong Zhang, Jie Tian, Qiyuan Wang, Lu Qi, Manousos Ioannis Manousakas, Yuemei Han, Weikang Ran, Yele Sun, Huikun Liu, Renjian Zhang, Yunfei Wu, Tianqu Cui, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, Jay Gates Slowik, André S. H. Prévôt, and Junji Cao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9455–9471, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9455-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9455-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
PM2.5 pollution still frequently occurs in northern China during winter, and it is necessary to figure out the causes of air pollution based on intensive real-time measurement. The findings elaborate the chemical characteristics and source contributions of PM2.5 in three pilot cities, reveal potential formation mechanisms of secondary aerosols, and highlight the importance of controlling biomass burning and inhibiting generation of secondary aerosol for air quality improvement.
Sophie L. Haslett, David M. Bell, Varun Kumar, Jay G. Slowik, Dongyu S. Wang, Suneeti Mishra, Neeraj Rastogi, Atinderpal Singh, Dilip Ganguly, Joel Thornton, Feixue Zheng, Yuanyuan Li, Wei Nie, Yongchun Liu, Wei Ma, Chao Yan, Markku Kulmala, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, David Hadden, Urs Baltensperger, Andre S. H. Prevot, Sachchida N. Tripathi, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9023–9036, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9023-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9023-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In Delhi, some aspects of daytime and nighttime atmospheric chemistry are inverted, and parodoxically, vehicle emissions may be limiting other forms of particle production. This is because the nighttime emissions of nitrogen oxide (NO) by traffic and biomass burning prevent some chemical processes that would otherwise create even more particles and worsen the urban haze.
Samira Atabakhsh, Laurent Poulain, Gang Chen, Francesco Canonaco, André S. H. Prévôt, Mira Pöhlker, Alfred Wiedensohler, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6963–6988, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6963-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6963-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study focuses on the aerosol chemical variations found in the rural-background station of Melpitz based on ACSM and MAAP measurements. Source apportionment on both organic aerosol (OA) and black carbon (eBC) was performed, and source seasonality was also linked to air mass trajectories. Overall, three anthropogenic sources were identified in OA and eBC plus two additional aged OA. Our results demonstrate the influence of transported coal-combustion-related OA even during summer time.
Vaishali Jain, Nidhi Tripathi, Sachchida N. Tripathi, Mansi Gupta, Lokesh K. Sahu, Vishnu Murari, Sreenivas Gaddamidi, Ashutosh K. Shukla, and Andre S. H. Prevot
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3383–3408, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3383-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3383-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This research chemically characterises 173 different NMVOCs (non-methane volatile organic compounds) measured in real time for three seasons in the city of the central Indo-Gangetic basin of India, Lucknow. Receptor modelling is used to analyse probable sources of NMVOCs and their crucial role in forming ozone and secondary organic aerosols. It is observed that vehicular emissions and solid fuel combustion are the highest contributors to the emission of primary and secondary NMVOCs.
Tingting Feng, Yingkun Wang, Weiwei Hu, Ming Zhu, Wei Song, Wei Chen, Yanyan Sang, Zheng Fang, Wei Deng, Hua Fang, Xu Yu, Cheng Wu, Bin Yuan, Shan Huang, Min Shao, Xiaofeng Huang, Lingyan He, Young Ro Lee, Lewis Gregory Huey, Francesco Canonaco, Andre S. H. Prevot, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 611–636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-611-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-611-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
To investigate the impact of aging processes on organic aerosols (OA), we conducted a comprehensive field study at a continental remote site using an on-line mass spectrometer. The results show that OA in the Chinese outflows were strongly influenced by upwind anthropogenic emissions. The aging processes can significantly decrease the OA volatility and result in a varied viscosity of OA under different circumstances, signifying the complex physiochemical properties of OA in aged plumes.
Yandong Tong, Lu Qi, Giulia Stefenelli, Dongyu Simon Wang, Francesco Canonaco, Urs Baltensperger, André Stephan Henry Prévôt, and Jay Gates Slowik
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 7265–7291, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-7265-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-7265-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a method for positive matrix factorisation (PMF) analysis on a single dataset that includes measurements from both EESI-TOF and AMS in Zurich, Switzerland. For the first time, we resolved and quantified secondary organic aerosol (SOA) sources. Meanwhile, we also determined the retrieved EESI-TOF factor-dependent sensitivities. This method provides a framework for exploiting semi-quantitative, high-resolution instrumentation for quantitative source apportionment.
David M. Bell, Cheng Wu, Amelie Bertrand, Emelie Graham, Janne Schoonbaert, Stamatios Giannoukos, Urs Baltensperger, Andre S. H. Prevot, Ilona Riipinen, Imad El Haddad, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13167–13182, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13167-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13167-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A series of studies designed to investigate the evolution of organic aerosol were performed in an atmospheric simulation chamber, using a common oxidant found at night (NO3). The chemical composition steadily changed from its initial composition via different chemical reactions that were taking place inside of the aerosol particle. These results show that the composition of organic aerosol steadily changes during its lifetime in the atmosphere.
Marta Via, Gang Chen, Francesco Canonaco, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Benjamin Chazeau, Hasna Chebaicheb, Jianhui Jiang, Hannes Keernik, Chunshui Lin, Nicolas Marchand, Cristina Marin, Colin O'Dowd, Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Jean-Eudes Petit, Michael Pikridas, Véronique Riffault, Jean Sciare, Jay G. Slowik, Leïla Simon, Jeni Vasilescu, Yunjiang Zhang, Olivier Favez, André S. H. Prévôt, Andrés Alastuey, and María Cruz Minguillón
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 5479–5495, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5479-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5479-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This work presents the differences resulting from two techniques (rolling and seasonal) of the positive matrix factorisation model that can be run for organic aerosol source apportionment. The current state of the art suggests that the rolling technique is more accurate, but no proof of its effectiveness has been provided yet. This paper tackles this issue in the context of a synthetic dataset and a multi-site real-world comparison.
Marco Wietzoreck, Marios Kyprianou, Benjamin A. Musa Bandowe, Siddika Celik, John N. Crowley, Frank Drewnick, Philipp Eger, Nils Friedrich, Minas Iakovides, Petr Kukučka, Jan Kuta, Barbora Nežiková, Petra Pokorná, Petra Přibylová, Roman Prokeš, Roland Rohloff, Ivan Tadic, Sebastian Tauer, Jake Wilson, Hartwig Harder, Jos Lelieveld, Ulrich Pöschl, Euripides G. Stephanou, and Gerhard Lammel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8739–8766, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8739-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8739-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A unique dataset of concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated, oxygenated and nitrated derivatives, in total 74 individual species, in the marine atmosphere is presented. Exposure to these substances poses a major health risk. We found very low concentrations over the Arabian Sea, while both local and long-range-transported pollution caused elevated levels over the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf.
Chuan Ping Lee, Mihnea Surdu, David M. Bell, Josef Dommen, Mao Xiao, Xueqin Zhou, Andrea Baccarini, Stamatios Giannoukos, Günther Wehrle, Pascal André Schneider, Andre S. H. Prevot, Jay G. Slowik, Houssni Lamkaddam, Dongyu Wang, Urs Baltensperger, and Imad El Haddad
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3747–3760, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3747-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3747-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Real-time detection of both the gas and particle phase is needed to elucidate the sources and chemical reaction pathways of organic vapors and particulate matter. The Dual-EESI was developed to measure gas- and particle-phase species to provide new insights into aerosol sources or formation mechanisms. After characterizing the relative gas and particle response factors of EESI via organic aerosol uptake experiments, the Dual-EESI is more sensitive toward gas-phase analyes.
Varun Kumar, Stamatios Giannoukos, Sophie L. Haslett, Yandong Tong, Atinderpal Singh, Amelie Bertrand, Chuan Ping Lee, Dongyu S. Wang, Deepika Bhattu, Giulia Stefenelli, Jay S. Dave, Joseph V. Puthussery, Lu Qi, Pawan Vats, Pragati Rai, Roberto Casotto, Rangu Satish, Suneeti Mishra, Veronika Pospisilova, Claudia Mohr, David M. Bell, Dilip Ganguly, Vishal Verma, Neeraj Rastogi, Urs Baltensperger, Sachchida N. Tripathi, André S. H. Prévôt, and Jay G. Slowik
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7739–7761, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7739-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7739-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Here we present source apportionment results from the first field deployment in Delhi of an extractive electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (EESI-TOF). The EESI-TOF is a recently developed instrument capable of providing uniquely detailed online chemical characterization of organic aerosol (OA), in particular the secondary OA (SOA) fraction. Here, we are able to apportion not only primary OA but also SOA to specific sources, which is performed for the first time in Delhi.
Amir Yazdani, Nikunj Dudani, Satoshi Takahama, Amelie Bertrand, André S. H. Prévôt, Imad El Haddad, and Ann M. Dillner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2857–2874, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2857-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2857-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
While the aerosol mass spectrometer provides high-time-resolution characterization of the overall extent of oxidation, the extensive fragmentation of molecules and specificity of the technique have posed challenges toward deeper understanding of molecular structures in aerosols. This work demonstrates how functional group information can be extracted from a suite of commonly measured mass fragments using collocated infrared spectroscopy measurements.
Petra Pokorná, Naděžda Zíková, Petr Vodička, Radek Lhotka, Saliou Mbengue, Adéla Holubová Šmejkalová, Véronique Riffault, Jakub Ondráček, Jaroslav Schwarz, and Vladimír Ždímal
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5829–5858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5829-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5829-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
By examining individual episodes of high mass and number concentrations, we show that the seasonality in the physicochemical properties of aerosol particles was caused by the sources' diversity and was related to the different air masses and meteorology. We also confirmed the relation between particle size and age that is reflected in oxidation state and shape (difference in densities; effective vs. material). The results have general validity and thus transcend the study regional character.
Clémence Rose, Martine Collaud Coen, Elisabeth Andrews, Yong Lin, Isaline Bossert, Cathrine Lund Myhre, Thomas Tuch, Alfred Wiedensohler, Markus Fiebig, Pasi Aalto, Andrés Alastuey, Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco, Marcos Andrade, Begoña Artíñano, Todor Arsov, Urs Baltensperger, Susanne Bastian, Olaf Bath, Johan Paul Beukes, Benjamin T. Brem, Nicolas Bukowiecki, Juan Andrés Casquero-Vera, Sébastien Conil, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Olivier Favez, Harald Flentje, Maria I. Gini, Francisco Javier Gómez-Moreno, Martin Gysel-Beer, Anna Gannet Hallar, Ivo Kalapov, Nikos Kalivitis, Anne Kasper-Giebl, Melita Keywood, Jeong Eun Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Adam Kristensson, Markku Kulmala, Heikki Lihavainen, Neng-Huei Lin, Hassan Lyamani, Angela Marinoni, Sebastiao Martins Dos Santos, Olga L. Mayol-Bracero, Frank Meinhardt, Maik Merkel, Jean-Marc Metzger, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Jakub Ondracek, Marco Pandolfi, Noemi Pérez, Tuukka Petäjä, Jean-Eudes Petit, David Picard, Jean-Marc Pichon, Veronique Pont, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Fabienne Reisen, Karine Sellegri, Sangeeta Sharma, Gerhard Schauer, Patrick Sheridan, James Patrick Sherman, Andreas Schwerin, Ralf Sohmer, Mar Sorribas, Junying Sun, Pierre Tulet, Ville Vakkari, Pieter Gideon van Zyl, Fernando Velarde, Paolo Villani, Stergios Vratolis, Zdenek Wagner, Sheng-Hsiang Wang, Kay Weinhold, Rolf Weller, Margarita Yela, Vladimir Zdimal, and Paolo Laj
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 17185–17223, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17185-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17185-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol particles are a complex component of the atmospheric system the effects of which are among the most uncertain in climate change projections. Using data collected at 62 stations, this study provides the most up-to-date picture of the spatial distribution of particle number concentration and size distribution worldwide, with the aim of contributing to better representation of aerosols and their interactions with clouds in models and, therefore, better evaluation of their impact on climate.
Dongyu S. Wang, Chuan Ping Lee, Jordan E. Krechmer, Francesca Majluf, Yandong Tong, Manjula R. Canagaratna, Julia Schmale, André S. H. Prévôt, Urs Baltensperger, Josef Dommen, Imad El Haddad, Jay G. Slowik, and David M. Bell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6955–6972, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6955-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6955-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
To understand the sources and fate of particulate matter in the atmosphere, the ability to quantitatively describe its chemical composition is essential. In this work, we developed a calibration method for a state-of-the-art measurement technique without the need for chemical standards. Statistical analyses identified the driving factors behind instrument sensitivity variability towards individual components of particulate matter.
Gang Chen, Yulia Sosedova, Francesco Canonaco, Roman Fröhlich, Anna Tobler, Athanasia Vlachou, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Carlo Bozzetti, Christoph Hueglin, Peter Graf, Urs Baltensperger, Jay G. Slowik, Imad El Haddad, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15081–15101, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15081-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15081-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A novel, advanced source apportionment technique was applied to a dataset measured in Magadino. Rolling positive matrix factorisation (PMF) allows for retrieving more realistic, time-dependent, and detailed information on organic aerosol sources. The strength of the rolling PMF mechanism is highlighted by comparing it with results derived from conventional seasonal PMF. Overall, this comprehensive interpretation of aerosol chemical speciation monitor data could be a role model for similar work.
Wenfei Zhu, Song Guo, Zirui Zhang, Hui Wang, Ying Yu, Zheng Chen, Ruizhe Shen, Rui Tan, Kai Song, Kefan Liu, Rongzhi Tang, Yi Liu, Shengrong Lou, Yuanju Li, Wenbin Zhang, Zhou Zhang, Shijin Shuai, Hongming Xu, Shuangde Li, Yunfa Chen, Min Hu, Francesco Canonaco, and Andre S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15065–15079, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15065-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15065-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The experiments of primary emissions and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from urban lifestyle sources (cooking and vehicles) were conducted. The mass spectral features of primary organic aerosol (POA) and SOA were characterized by using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer. This work, for the first time, establishes the vehicle and cooking SOA source profiles and can be further used as source constraints in the OA source apportionment in the ambient atmosphere.
Anna K. Tobler, Alicja Skiba, Francesco Canonaco, Griša Močnik, Pragati Rai, Gang Chen, Jakub Bartyzel, Miroslaw Zimnoch, Katarzyna Styszko, Jaroslaw Nęcki, Markus Furger, Kazimierz Różański, Urs Baltensperger, Jay G. Slowik, and Andre S. H. Prevot
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14893–14906, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14893-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14893-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Kraków is among the cities with the highest particulate matter levels within Europe. We conducted long-term and highly time-resolved measurements of the chemical composition of submicron particlulate matter (PM1). Combined with advanced source apportionment techniques, which allow for time-dependent factor profiles, our results elucidate that traffic and residential heating (biomass burning and coal combustion) as well as oxygenated organic aerosol are the key PM sources in Kraków.
Cheng Wu, David M. Bell, Emelie L. Graham, Sophie Haslett, Ilona Riipinen, Urs Baltensperger, Amelie Bertrand, Stamatios Giannoukos, Janne Schoonbaert, Imad El Haddad, Andre S. H. Prevot, Wei Huang, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14907–14925, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14907-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14907-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Night-time reactions of biogenic volatile organic compounds and nitrate radicals can lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (BSOANO3). Here, we study the impacts of light exposure on the BSOANO3 from three biogenic precursors. Our results suggest that photolysis causes photodegradation of a substantial fraction of BSOANO3, changes the chemical composition and bulk volatility, and might be a potentially important loss pathway of BSOANO3 during the night-to-day transition.
Chuan Ping Lee, Mihnea Surdu, David M. Bell, Houssni Lamkaddam, Mingyi Wang, Farnoush Ataei, Victoria Hofbauer, Brandon Lopez, Neil M. Donahue, Josef Dommen, Andre S. H. Prevot, Jay G. Slowik, Dongyu Wang, Urs Baltensperger, and Imad El Haddad
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5913–5923, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5913-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5913-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS) has been deployed for high throughput online detection of particles with minimal fragmentation. Our study elucidates the extraction mechanism between the particles and electrospray (ES) droplets of different properties. The results show that the extraction rate is likely affected by the coagulation rate between the particles and ES droplets. Once coagulated, the particles undergo complete extraction within the ES droplet.
Vaios Moschos, Martin Gysel-Beer, Robin L. Modini, Joel C. Corbin, Dario Massabò, Camilla Costa, Silvia G. Danelli, Athanasia Vlachou, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Sönke Szidat, Paolo Prati, André S. H. Prévôt, Urs Baltensperger, and Imad El Haddad
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 12809–12833, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-12809-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-12809-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides a holistic approach to studying the spectrally resolved light absorption by atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) and black carbon using long time series of daily samples from filter-based measurements. The obtained results provide (1) a better understanding of the aerosol absorption profile and its dependence on BrC and on lensing from less absorbing coatings and (2) an estimation of the most important absorbers at typical European locations.
Evelyn Freney, Karine Sellegri, Alessia Nicosia, Leah R. Williams, Matteo Rinaldi, Jonathan T. Trueblood, André S. H. Prévôt, Melilotus Thyssen, Gérald Grégori, Nils Haëntjens, Julie Dinasquet, Ingrid Obernosterer, France Van Wambeke, Anja Engel, Birthe Zäncker, Karine Desboeufs, Eija Asmi, Hilkka Timonen, and Cécile Guieu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10625–10641, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10625-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10625-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we present observations of the organic aerosol content in primary sea spray aerosols (SSAs) continuously generated along a 5-week cruise in the Mediterranean. This information is combined with seawater biogeochemical properties also measured continuously along the ship track to develop a number of parametrizations that can be used in models to determine SSA organic content in oligotrophic waters that represent 60 % of the oceans from commonly measured seawater variables.
Amir Yazdani, Nikunj Dudani, Satoshi Takahama, Amelie Bertrand, André S. H. Prévôt, Imad El Haddad, and Ann M. Dillner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10273–10293, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10273-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10273-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Functional group compositions of primary and aged aerosols from wood burning and coal combustion sources from chamber experiments are interpreted through compounds present in the fuels and known gas-phase oxidation products. Infrared spectra of aged wood burning in the chamber and ambient biomass burning samples reveal striking similarities, and a new method for identifying burning-impacted samples in monitoring network measurements is presented.
Yandong Tong, Veronika Pospisilova, Lu Qi, Jing Duan, Yifang Gu, Varun Kumar, Pragati Rai, Giulia Stefenelli, Liwei Wang, Ying Wang, Haobin Zhong, Urs Baltensperger, Junji Cao, Ru-Jin Huang, André S. H. Prévôt, and Jay G. Slowik
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9859–9886, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9859-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9859-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate SOA sources and formation processes by a field deployment of the EESI-TOF-MS and L-TOF AMS in Beijing in late autumn and early winter. Our study shows that the sources and processes giving rise to haze events in Beijing are variable and seasonally dependent: (1) in the heating season, SOA formation is driven by oxidation of aromatics from solid fuel combustion; and (2) under high-NOx and RH conditions, aqueous-phase chemistry can be a major contributor to SOA formation.
Siqi Hou, Di Liu, Jingsha Xu, Tuan V. Vu, Xuefang Wu, Deepchandra Srivastava, Pingqing Fu, Linjie Li, Yele Sun, Athanasia Vlachou, Vaios Moschos, Gary Salazar, Sönke Szidat, André S. H. Prévôt, Roy M. Harrison, and Zongbo Shi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8273–8292, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8273-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8273-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides a newly developed method which combines radiocarbon (14C) with organic tracers to enable source apportionment of primary and secondary fossil vs. non-fossil sources of carbonaceous aerosols at an urban and a rural site of Beijing. The source apportionment results were compared with those by chemical mass balance and AMS/ACSM-PMF methods. Correlations of WINSOC and WSOC with different sources of OC were also performed to elucidate the formation mechanisms of SOC.
Karl Espen Yttri, Francesco Canonaco, Sabine Eckhardt, Nikolaos Evangeliou, Markus Fiebig, Hans Gundersen, Anne-Gunn Hjellbrekke, Cathrine Lund Myhre, Stephen Matthew Platt, André S. H. Prévôt, David Simpson, Sverre Solberg, Jason Surratt, Kjetil Tørseth, Hilde Uggerud, Marit Vadset, Xin Wan, and Wenche Aas
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7149–7170, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7149-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7149-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Carbonaceous aerosol sources and trends were studied at the Birkenes Observatory. A large decrease in elemental carbon (EC; 2001–2018) and a smaller decline in levoglucosan (2008–2018) suggest that organic carbon (OC)/EC from traffic/industry is decreasing, whereas the abatement of OC/EC from biomass burning has been less successful. Positive matrix factorization apportioned 72 % of EC to fossil fuel sources and 53 % (PM2.5) and 78 % (PM10–2.5) of OC to biogenic sources.
Jianhui Jiang, Imad El Haddad, Sebnem Aksoyoglu, Giulia Stefenelli, Amelie Bertrand, Nicolas Marchand, Francesco Canonaco, Jean-Eudes Petit, Olivier Favez, Stefania Gilardoni, Urs Baltensperger, and André S. H. Prévôt
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 1681–1697, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-1681-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-1681-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a box model with a volatility basis set to simulate organic aerosol (OA) from biomass burning and optimized the vapor-wall-loss-corrected OA yields with a genetic algorithm. The optimized parameterizations were then implemented in the air quality model CAMx v6.5. Comparisons with ambient measurements indicate that the vapor-wall-loss-corrected parameterization effectively improves the model performance in predicting OA, which reduced the mean fractional bias from −72.9 % to −1.6 %.
Francesco Canonaco, Anna Tobler, Gang Chen, Yulia Sosedova, Jay Gates Slowik, Carlo Bozzetti, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, Imad El Haddad, Monica Crippa, Ru-Jin Huang, Markus Furger, Urs Baltensperger, and André Stephan Henry Prévôt
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 923–943, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-923-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-923-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Long-term ambient aerosol mass spectrometric data were analyzed with a statistical model (PMF) to obtain source contributions and fingerprints. The new aspects of this paper involve time-dependent source fingerprints by a rolling technique and the replacement of the full visual inspection of each run by a user-defined set of criteria to monitor the quality of each of these runs more efficiently. More reliable sources will finally provide better instruments for political mitigation strategies.
Pragati Rai, Jay G. Slowik, Markus Furger, Imad El Haddad, Suzanne Visser, Yandong Tong, Atinderpal Singh, Günther Wehrle, Varun Kumar, Anna K. Tobler, Deepika Bhattu, Liwei Wang, Dilip Ganguly, Neeraj Rastogi, Ru-Jin Huang, Jaroslaw Necki, Junji Cao, Sachchida N. Tripathi, Urs Baltensperger, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 717–730, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-717-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-717-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present a simple conceptual framework based on elemental size distributions and enrichment factors that allows for a characterization of major sources, site-to-site similarities, and local differences and the identification of key information required for efficient policy development. Absolute concentrations are by far the highest in Delhi, followed by Beijing, and then the European cities.
Sebnem Aksoyoglu, Jianhui Jiang, Giancarlo Ciarelli, Urs Baltensperger, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15665–15680, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15665-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15665-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the role of ammonia in European air quality between 1990 and 2030 under varying land and ship emissions. If ship emissions will be regulated more strictly in the future, particulate nitrate will decrease in coastal areas in northern Europe, while sulfate aerosol will decrease in the Mediterranean region. We predict a shift in the sensitivity of aerosol formation from NH3 towards NOx emissions between 1990 and 2030 in most of Europe except the eastern part of the model domain.
Cited articles
Alleman, L. Y., Lamaison, L., Perdrix, E., Robache, A., and Galloo, J.-C.: PM10 metal concentrations and source identification using positive matrix factorization and wind sectoring in a French industrial zone, Atmos. Res., 96, 612–625, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2010.02.008, 2010.
Andreae, M. O.: Soot carbon and excess fine potassium: long-range transport of combustion-derived aerosols, Science, 220, 1148–1151, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.220.4602.1148, 1983.
Bilo, F., Cirelli, P., and Borgese, L.: Elemental analysis of particulate matter by X-ray fluorescence methods: A green approach to air quality monitoring, TrAC-Trends Anal. Chem., 170, 117427, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2023.117427, 2024.
Camman, J., Chazeau, B., Marchand, N., Durand, A., Gille, G., Lanzi, L., Jaffrezo, J.-L., Wortham, H., and Uzu, G.: Oxidative potential apportionment of atmospheric PM1: a new approach combining high-sensitive online analysers for chemical composition and offline OP measurement technique, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3257–3278, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3257-2024, 2024.
Cheung, R. K. Y., Qi, L., Manousakas, M. I., Puthussery, J. V., Zheng, Y., Koenig, T. K., Cui, T., Wang, T., Ge, Y., Wei, G., Kuang, Y., Sheng, M., Cheng, Z., Li, A., Li, Z., Ran, W., Xu, W., Zhang, R., Han, Y., Wang, Q., Wang, Z., Sun, Y., Cao, J., Slowik, J. G., Dällenbach, K. R., Verma, V., Gysel-Beer, M., Qiu, X., Chen, Q., Shang, J., El Haddad, I., Prévôt, A. S. H., and Modini, R. L.: Major source categories of PM2.5 oxidative potential in wintertime Beijing and surroundings based on online dithiothreitol-based field measurements, Sci. Total Environ., 928, 172345, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172345, 2024.
Creamean, J. M., Neiman, P. J., Coleman, T., Senff, C. J., Kirgis, G., Alvarez, R. J., and Yamamoto, A.: Colorado air quality impacted by long-range-transported aerosol: a set of case studies during the 2015 Pacific Northwest fires, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12329–12345, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12329-2016, 2016.
Daellenbach, K. R., Uzu, G., Jiang, J. H., Cassagnes, L. E., Leni, Z., Vlachou, A., Stefenelli, G., Canonaco, F., Weber, S., Segers, A., Kuenen, J. J. P., Schaap, M., Favez, O., Albinet, A., Aksoyoglu, S., Dommen, J., Baltensperger, U., Geiser, M., El Haddad, I., Jaffrezo, J.-L., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Sources of particulate-matter air pollution and its oxidative potential in Europe, Nature, 587, 414–419, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2902-8, 2020.
Deming, W. E.: Statistical Adjustment of Data, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1943; reprinted by Dover Publications, New York, ISBN 978-0-486-64685-5, 1964.
Faisal, M., Ali, U., Kumar, A., Kumar, M., and Singh, V.: Unveiling PM2.5 sources: Double and tracer conjugate PMF approaches for high-resolution organic, BC, and inorganic PM2.5 data, Atmos. Environ., 343, 121011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.121011, 2025.
Fang, T., Guo, H. Y., Zeng, L. H., Verma, V., Nenes, A., and Weber, R. J.: Highly acidic ambient particles, soluble metals, and oxidative potential: A link between sulfate and aerosol toxicity, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 2611–2620, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b06151, 2017.
Furger, M., Minguillón, M. C., Yadav, V., Slowik, J. G., Hüglin, C., Fröhlich, R., Petterson, K., Baltensperger, U., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Elemental composition of ambient aerosols measured with high temporal resolution using an online XRF spectrometer, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2061–2076, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2061-2017, 2017.
Furger, M., Rai, P., Slowik, J. G., Cao, J., Visser, S., Baltensperger, U., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Automated alternating sampling of PM10 and PM2.5 with an online XRF spectrometer, Atmos. Environ.: X, 5, 100065, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2020.100065, 2020.
Huang, X., Liu, Z., Zhang, J., Wen, T., Ji, D., and Wang, Y.: Seasonal variation and secondary formation of size-segregated aerosol water-soluble inorganic ions during pollution episodes in Beijing, Atmos. Res., 168, 70–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2015.08.021, 2016.
Indresand, H. and Dillner, A. M.: Experimental characterization of sulfur interference in IMPROVE aluminum and silicon XRF data, Atmos. Environ., 61, 140–147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.06.079, 2012.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Volume 100C: Arsenic, Metals, Fibres and Dusts, IARC, Lyon, France, ISBN 978-92-832-0135-9, 2012.
Li, Y., Chang, M., Ding, S., Wang, S., Ni, D., and Hu, H.: Monitoring and source apportionment of trace elements in PM2.5: Implications for local air quality management, J. Environ. Manage., 196, 16–25, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.059, 2017.
Lim, J.-M., Lee, J.-H., Moon, J., Chung, Y.-S., and Kim, K.-H.: Airborne PM10 and metals from multifarious sources in an industrial complex area, Atmos. Res., 96, 53–64, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2009.11.013, 2010.
Lopez, B., Wang, X., Chen, L.-W. A., Ma, T., Mendez-Jimenez, D., Cobb, L. C., Frederickson, C., Fang, T., Hwang, B., Shiraiwa, M., Park, M., Park, K., Yao, Q., Yoon, S., and Jung, H.: Metal contents and size distributions of brake and tire wear particles dispersed in the near-road environment, Sci. Total Environ., 883, 163561, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163561, 2023.
Mach, T., Rybak, J., Bihalowicz, J., and Rogula-Kozłowska, W.: Quasi real-time XRF spectrometer in source apportionment of PM10 in a typical suburban area, J. Ecol. Eng., 23, 87–97, https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/152282, 2022.
Manousakas, M., Furger, M., Daellenbach, K. R., Canonaco, F., Chen, G., Tobler, A., Rai, P., Qi, L., Tremper, A. H., Green, D., Hueglin, C., Slowik, J. G., El Haddad, I., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Source identification of the elemental fraction of particulate matter using size-segregated, highly time-resolved data and an optimized source apportionment approach, Atmos. Environ.: X, 14, 100165, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2022.100165, 2022.
Mbengue, S., Vodička, P., Komínková, K., Zíková, N., Schwarz, J., Prokeš, R., Suchánková, L., Julaha, K., Ondráček, J., Holoubek, I., and Ždímal, V.: Different approaches to explore the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on carbonaceous aerosols at a European rural background site, Sci. Total Environ., 892, 164527, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164527, 2023.
Miyakawa, T., Ito, A., Zhu, C., Shimizu, A., Matsumoto, E., Mizuno, Y., and Kanaya, Y.: Trace elements in PM2.5 aerosols in East Asian outflow in the spring of 2018: emission, transport, and source apportionment, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14609–14626, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14609-2023, 2023.
Morawska, L. and Zhang, J. J.: Combustion sources of particles. 1. Health relevance and source signatures, Chemosphere, 49, 1045–1058, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00241-2, 2002.
Ogrizek, M., Kroflič, A., and Šala, M.: Critical review on the development of analytical techniques for the elemental analysis of airborne particulate matter, Trends Environ. Anal. Chem., 33, e00155, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2022.e00155, 2022.
Rai, P., Furger, M., El Haddad, I., Kumar, V., Wang, L., Singh, A., Dixit, K., Bhattu, D., Petit, J.-E., Ganguly, D., Rastogi, N., Baltensperger, U., Tripathi, S. N., Slowik, J. G., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Real-time measurement and source apportionment of elements in Delhi's atmosphere, Sci. Total Environ., 742, 140332, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140332, 2020.
Shiraiwa, M., Ueda, K., Pozzer, A., Lammel, G., Kampf, C. J., Fushimi, A., Enami, S., Arangio, A. M., Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J., Fujitani, Y., Furuyama, A., Lakey, P. S. J., Lelieveld, J., Lucas, K., Morino, Y., Pöschl, U., Takahama, S., Takami, A., Tong, H. J., Weber, B., Yoshino, A., and Sato, K.: Aerosol health effects from molecular to global scales, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 13545–13567, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b04417, 2017.
Solé, V. A., Papillon, E., Cotte, M., Walter, P., and Susini, J.: A multiplatform code for the analysis of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectra, Spectrochim. Acta B, 62, 63–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2006.12.002, 2007.
Trebs, I., Lett, C., Krein, A., Matsumoto Kawaguchi, E., and Junk, J.: Performance evaluation of an online monitor based on X-ray fluorescence for detecting elemental concentrations in ambient particulate matter, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 6791–6805, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6791-2024, 2024.
Tremper, A. H., Font, A., Priestman, M., Hamad, S. H., Chung, T.-C., Pribadi, A., Brown, R. J. C., Goddard, S. L., Grassineau, N., Petterson, K., Kelly, F. J., and Green, D. C.: Field and laboratory evaluation of a high time resolution x-ray fluorescence instrument for determining the elemental composition of ambient aerosols, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 3541–3557, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3541-2018, 2018.
US EPA: Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Compounds in Ambient Air. Compendium Method IO-3.3: Determination of Metals in Ambient Particulate Matter Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy, EPA/625/R-96/010a, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/documents/mthd-3-3.pdf (last access: 17 November 2025), 1999.
Windell, L.: Xact625i vs PX-375 vs ICP-MS, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17198675, 2025.
Windell, L. C., Pokorná, P., Schwarz, J., Vodička, P., Hopke, P. K., Zíková, N., Lhotka, R., Ondráček, J., Roztočil, P., Vojtišek, M., and Ždímal, V.: Highly time-resolved elemental source apportionment at a Prague urban traffic site, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 24, 240058, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.240058, 2024.
Yang, X., Gao, Y., Li, Q., He, J., Liu, Y., Duan, K., Xu, X., and Ji, D.: Maritime and coastal observations of ambient PM2.5 and its elemental compositions in the Bohai Bay of China during spring and summer: Levels, spatial distribution and source apportionment, Atmos. Res., 293, 106897, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2023.106897, 2023.
Yu, J., Yan, C., Liu, Y., Li, X., Zhou, T., and Zheng, M.: Potassium: A tracer for biomass burning in Beijing?, Aerosol Air Qual. Res., 18, 2447–2459, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2017.11.0536, 2018.
Zhang, H., Wang, S., Hao, J., Wan, L., Jiang, J., Zhang, M., Mestl, H. E. S., Alnes, L. W. H., Aunan, K., and Mellouki, A. W.: Chemical and size characterization of particles emitted from the burning of coal and wood in rural households in Guizhou, China, Atmos. Environ., 51, 94–99, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.01.042, 2012.
Short summary
In this work, we compare the two most widely used online XRF monitors for ambient elemental analysis, the Xact625i and PX-375. We found strong correlations between the online instruments and the reference method (better so for the Xact625i), while in terms of absolute concentrations, some elements were over- and underestimated. Overall, we determined both instruments can be used as powerful tools to produce high-time resolution elemental data for use in air quality monitoring.
In this work, we compare the two most widely used online XRF monitors for ambient elemental...
