Articles | Volume 9, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1947-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1947-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
The performance and the characterization of laser ablation aerosol particle time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LAAP-ToF-MS)
Rachel Gemayel
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
Stig Hellebust
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
now at: Central Statistics Office, Cork, Ireland
Brice Temime-Roussel
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
Nathalie Hayeck
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
now at: Université de Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5256,
IRCELYON, Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l'Environnement de Lyon,
Villeurbanne, 69626, France
Johannes T. Van Elteren
National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Henri Wortham
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
Sasho Gligorovski
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE UMR 7376, 13331, Marseille, France
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Marwa Shahin, Julien Kammer, Brice Temime-Roussel, and Barbara D'Anna
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 10267–10292, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10267-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10267-2025, 2025
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Air pollution and climate change are influenced by tiny airborne particles called aerosols. This study explores how pollutants from urban sources, as m-xylene and naphthalene, form new particles in the atmosphere under different conditions. Using advanced techniques, we show how temperature and nitrogen oxides affect the formation and behavior of these particles. Our findings will improve our understanding of secondary organic particle and air quality models.
Manon Rocco, Julien Kammer, Mathieu Santonja, Brice Temime-Roussel, Cassandra Saignol, Caroline Lecareux, Etienne Quivet, Henri Wortham, and Elena Ormeño
Biogeosciences, 22, 3661–3680, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3661-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3661-2025, 2025
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Soil emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play a significant role in ecosystems, yet the impact of litter accumulation on these emissions is often overlooked, particularly in Mediterranean deciduous forests. A study in downy oak forest identified over 135 BVOCs, with many being absorbed by the soil, while others were emitted and increased with litter biomass. This underscores the critical role of litter and microbial activity in shaping soil BVOC dynamics under a changing climate.
Lise Le Berre, Brice Temime-Roussel, Grazia Maria Lanzafame, Barbara D'Anna, Nicolas Marchand, Stéphane Sauvage, Marvin Dufresne, Liselotte Tinel, Thierry Leonardis, Joel Ferreira de Brito, Alexandre Armengaud, Grégory Gille, Ludovic Lanzi, Romain Bourjot, and Henri Wortham
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6575–6605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, 2025
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A summer campaign in a Mediterranean port examined pollution caused by ships. Two stations in the port measured pollution levels and captured over 350 ship plumes to study their chemical composition. Results showed that pollution levels, such as ultra-fine particles, were higher in the port than in the city and offer strong support to improve emission inventories. These findings may also serve as reference to assess the benefits of a sulfur Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean in 2025.
Johannes Heuser, Claudia Di Biagio, Jérôme Yon, Mathieu Cazaunau, Antonin Bergé, Edouard Pangui, Marco Zanatta, Laura Renzi, Angela Marinoni, Satoshi Inomata, Chenjie Yu, Vera Bernardoni, Servanne Chevaillier, Daniel Ferry, Paolo Laj, Michel Maillé, Dario Massabò, Federico Mazzei, Gael Noyalet, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Brice Temime-Roussel, Roberta Vecchi, Virginia Vernocchi, Paola Formenti, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, and Jean-François Doussin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6407–6428, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6407-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6407-2025, 2025
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The spectral optical properties of combustion soot aerosols with varying black (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) content were studied in an atmospheric simulation chamber. Measurements of the mass spectral absorption cross section (MAC), supplemented by literature data, allowed us to establish a generalised exponential relationship between the spectral absorption and the elemental-to-total-carbon ratio (EC / TC) in soot. This relationship can provide a useful tool for modelling the properties of soot.
Quentin Gunti, Benjamin Chazeau, Brice Temime-Roussel, Irène Xueref-Remy, Alexandre Armengaud, Henri Wortham, and Barbara D'Anna
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2215, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2215, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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A measurement campaign in Toulon’s port area in September 2021 showed a decrease in sulfur-related emissions in both gaseous and particulate phases, while soot, organics and PAHs, remained at pre-IMO regulation levels. PMF analysis attributed 5.6% and 11.2% of OA mass to road and maritime traffic, respectively, with PAHs mostly emitted by these sectors (31% and 35%), highlighting the need for monitoring shipping emissions as the Mediterranean becomes a Sulfur Emission Control Area in May 2025.
Yiqun Wang and Sasho Gligorovski
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1472, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1472, 2025
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The sea surface microlayer (SML) is the ocean's "skin", exposed to solar radiation and atmospheric contact. It impacts air quality and climate through physical processes like gas transfer barriers and modulation of sea spray aerosol production. Chemically, it is a volatile organic compounds source, driven by light irradiation and gaseous oxidants deposition. This review highlights advances in understanding the SML's role in ocean-atmosphere interactions and offers insights for future research.
Roman Pohorsky, Andrea Baccarini, Natalie Brett, Brice Barret, Slimane Bekki, Gianluca Pappaccogli, Elsa Dieudonné, Brice Temime-Roussel, Barbara D'Anna, Meeta Cesler-Maloney, Antonio Donateo, Stefano Decesari, Kathy S. Law, William R. Simpson, Javier Fochesatto, Steve R. Arnold, and Julia Schmale
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3687–3715, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3687-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3687-2025, 2025
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This study presents an analysis of vertical measurements of pollution in an Alaskan city during winter. It investigates the relationship between the atmospheric structure and the layering of aerosols and trace gases. Results indicate an overall very shallow surface mixing layer. The height of this layer is strongly influenced by a local shallow wind. The study also provides information on the pollution chemical composition at different altitudes, including pollution signatures from power plants.
Natalie Brett, Kathy S. Law, Steve R. Arnold, Javier G. Fochesatto, Jean-Christophe Raut, Tatsuo Onishi, Robert Gilliam, Kathleen Fahey, Deanna Huff, George Pouliot, Brice Barret, Elsa Dieudonné, Roman Pohorsky, Julia Schmale, Andrea Baccarini, Slimane Bekki, Gianluca Pappaccogli, Federico Scoto, Stefano Decesari, Antonio Donateo, Meeta Cesler-Maloney, William Simpson, Patrice Medina, Barbara D'Anna, Brice Temime-Roussel, Joel Savarino, Sarah Albertin, Jingqiu Mao, Becky Alexander, Allison Moon, Peter F. DeCarlo, Vanessa Selimovic, Robert Yokelson, and Ellis S. Robinson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1063–1104, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1063-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1063-2025, 2025
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Processes influencing dispersion of local anthropogenic pollution in Arctic wintertime are investigated with Lagrangian dispersion modelling. Simulated power plant plume rise that considers temperature inversion layers improves results compared to observations (interior Alaska). Modelled surface concentrations are improved by representation of vertical mixing and emission estimates. Large increases in diesel vehicle emissions at temperatures reaching −35°C are required to reproduce observed NOx.
Amna Ijaz, Brice Temime-Roussel, Benjamin Chazeau, Sarah Albertin, Stephen R. Arnold, Brice Barrett, Slimane Bekki, Natalie Brett, Meeta Cesler-Maloney, Elsa Dieudonne, Kayane K. Dingilian, Javier G. Fochesatto, Jingqiu Mao, Allison Moon, Joel Savarino, William Simpson, Rodney J. Weber, Kathy S. Law, and Barbara D'Anna
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3789, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3789, 2024
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Fairbanks is among the most polluted cities with the highest particulate matter (PM) levels in the US during winters. Highly time-resolved measurements of the sub-micron PM elucidated residential heating with wood and oil and hydrocarbon-like organics from traffic, as well as sulphur-containing organic aerosol, to be the key pollution sources. Remarkable differences existed between complementary instruments, warranting the deployment of multiple tools at sites with wide-ranging influences.
Zhu Ran, Yanan Hu, Yuanzhe Li, Xiaoya Gao, Can Ye, Shuai Li, Xiao Lu, Yongming Luo, Sasho Gligorovski, and Jiangping Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11943–11954, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11943-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11943-2024, 2024
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We report enhanced formation of nitrous acid (HONO) and NOx (NO + NO2) triggered by iron ions during photolysis of neonicotinoid insecticides at the air–water interface. This novel previously overlooked source of atmospheric HONO and NOx may be an important contribution to the global nitrogen cycle and affects atmospheric oxidizing capacity and climate change.
Evangelia Kostenidou, Baptiste Marques, Brice Temime-Roussel, Yao Liu, Boris Vansevenant, Karine Sartelet, and Barbara D'Anna
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2705–2729, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2705-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2705-2024, 2024
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Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from gasoline vehicles can be a significant source of particulate matter in urban areas. Here the chemical composition of secondary volatile organic compounds and SOA produced by photo-oxidation of Euro 5 gasoline vehicle emissions was studied. The volatility of the SOA formed was calculated. Except for the temperature and the concentration of the aerosol, additional parameters may play a role in the gas-to-particle partitioning.
Victor Lannuque, Barbara D'Anna, Evangelia Kostenidou, Florian Couvidat, Alvaro Martinez-Valiente, Philipp Eichler, Armin Wisthaler, Markus Müller, Brice Temime-Roussel, Richard Valorso, and Karine Sartelet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15537–15560, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15537-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15537-2023, 2023
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Large uncertainties remain in understanding secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from toluene oxidation. In this study, speciation measurements in gaseous and particulate phases were carried out, providing partitioning and volatility data on individual toluene SOA components at different temperatures. A new detailed oxidation mechanism was developed to improve modeled speciation, and effects of different processes involved in gas–particle partitioning at the molecular scale are explored.
Yiyu Cai, Chenshuo Ye, Wei Chen, Weiwei Hu, Wei Song, Yuwen Peng, Shan Huang, Jipeng Qi, Sihang Wang, Chaomin Wang, Caihong Wu, Zelong Wang, Baolin Wang, Xiaofeng Huang, Lingyan He, Sasho Gligorovski, Bin Yuan, Min Shao, and Xinming Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8855–8877, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8855-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8855-2023, 2023
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We studied the variability and molecular composition of ambient oxidized organic nitrogen (OON) in both gas and particle phases using a state-of-the-art online mass spectrometer in urban air. Biomass burning and secondary formation were found to be the two major sources of OON. Daytime nitrate radical chemistry for OON formation was more important than previously thought. Our results improved the understanding of the sources and molecular composition of OON in the polluted urban atmosphere.
Junteng Wu, Nicolas Brun, Juan Miguel González-Sánchez, Badr R'Mili, Brice Temime Roussel, Sylvain Ravier, Jean-Louis Clément, and Anne Monod
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3859–3874, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3859-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3859-2022, 2022
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This work quantified and tentatively identified the organic impurities on ammonium sulfate aerosols generated in the laboratory. They are likely low volatile and high mass molecules containing oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfur. Our results show that these organic impurities likely originate from the commercial AS crystals. It is recommended to use AS seeds with caution, especially when small particles are used, in terms of AS purity and water purity when aqueous solutions are used for atomization.
Haoyu Jiang, Yingyao He, Yiqun Wang, Sheng Li, Bin Jiang, Luca Carena, Xue Li, Lihua Yang, Tiangang Luan, Davide Vione, and Sasho Gligorovski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4237–4252, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4237-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4237-2022, 2022
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Heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 is suggested to be one of the most important pathways for sulfate formation during extreme haze events in China, yet the exact mechanism remains highly uncertain. Our study reveals that ubiquitous compounds at the sea surface PAHS and DMSO, when exposed to SO2 under simulated sunlight irradiation, generate abundant organic sulfur compounds, providing implications for air-sea interaction and secondary organic aerosols formation processes.
Boris Vansevenant, Cédric Louis, Corinne Ferronato, Ludovic Fine, Patrick Tassel, Pascal Perret, Evangelia Kostenidou, Brice Temime-Roussel, Barbara D'Anna, Karine Sartelet, Véronique Cerezo, and Yao Liu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7627–7655, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7627-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7627-2021, 2021
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A new method was developed to correct wall losses of particles on Teflon walls using a new environmental chamber. It was applied to experiments with six diesel vehicles (Euro 3 to 6), tested on a chassis dynamometer. Emissions of particles and precursors were obtained under urban and motorway conditions. The chamber experiments help understand the role of physical processes in diesel particle evolutions in the dark. These results can be applied to situations such as tunnels or winter rush hours.
Benjamin Chazeau, Brice Temime-Roussel, Grégory Gille, Boualem Mesbah, Barbara D'Anna, Henri Wortham, and Nicolas Marchand
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7293–7319, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7293-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7293-2021, 2021
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The temporal trends in the chemical composition and particle number of the submicron aerosols in a Mediterranean city, Marseille, are investigated over 14 months. Fifteen days were found to exceed the WHO PM2.5 daily limit (25 µg m−3) only during the cold period, with two distinct origins: local pollution events with an increased fraction of the carbonaceous fraction due to domestic wood burning and long-range pollution events with a high level of oxygenated organic aerosol and ammonium nitrate.
Juan Miguel González-Sánchez, Nicolas Brun, Junteng Wu, Julien Morin, Brice Temime-Roussel, Sylvain Ravier, Camille Mouchel-Vallon, Jean-Louis Clément, and Anne Monod
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4915–4937, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4915-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4915-2021, 2021
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Organic nitrates play a crucial role in air pollution as they are considered NOx reservoirs. This work lights up the importance of their reactions with OH radicals in the aqueous phase (cloud/fog, wet aerosol), which is slower than in the gas phase. For compounds that significantly partition in water such as polyfunctional biogenic nitrates, these aqueous-phase reactions should drive their atmospheric removal, leading to a broader spatial distribution of NOx than previously accounted for.
Evangelia Kostenidou, Alvaro Martinez-Valiente, Badr R'Mili, Baptiste Marques, Brice Temime-Roussel, Amandine Durand, Michel André, Yao Liu, Cédric Louis, Boris Vansevenant, Daniel Ferry, Carine Laffon, Philippe Parent, and Barbara D'Anna
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4779–4796, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4779-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4779-2021, 2021
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Passenger vehicle emissions can be a significant source of particulate matter in urban areas. In this study the particle-phase emissions of seven Euro 5 passenger vehicles were characterized. Changes in engine technologies and after-treatment devices can alter the chemical composition and the size of the emitted particulate matter. The condition of the diesel particle filter (DPF) plays an important role in the emitted pollutants.
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Short summary
LAAP-ToF-MS has been optimized for particle size and number concentration evolution and characterization of the chemical composition of ambient particles by following specific ions.
The advantage of this instrument is that it can analyze the ambient particles online and continuously. It is capable of analyzing inorganic material in ambient particles; in particular the presence of metals can be analyzed. Last but not least, it is a compact and easily transportable tool for field measurements.
LAAP-ToF-MS has been optimized for particle size and number concentration evolution and...