Time resolved Characterization of Organic Nitrogen in Particulate Matter: An investigation into Beijing’s Air Quality

S.J. Swift1, W. Dixon1, R.E. Dunmore1, N.J. Farren1, F. Squires1, K.L. Pereira1, J.D. Lee1,2 and J.F. Hamilton1

1Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, UK

2National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of York, York, UK

Summary

Beijing, China, is widely acknowledged to be largely affected by air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) is known to be ubiquitous in areas of poor air quality, for which Beijing, China, is largely affected. Exposure to high PM loadings has been strongly correlated with impaired lung function, respiratory diseases and premature mortality[1]. ON is known to be emitted into the atmosphere anthropogenically through a wide range of combustion sources, but most of the observed ON is formed through gas-phase oxidation processes leading to secondary organic aerosol formation[2]. In this study, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to nitrogen chemiluminescence detection (GC X GC – NCD) will be used in order to qualify and quantify the organic nitrogen (ON) component in Beijing. Filter samples were taken as part of the Sources and Emissions of Air Pollutants (AIR-POLL) campaign which took place between Oct-Dec 2016 (winter) and May-Jun 2017 (summer) at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Beijing, China (IAP) (39°97’40.0″N 116°37’10.0″E). We present the extraction methods of filter samples as well as the GC X GC – NCD methods which will be used in the quantification and characterization of these compounds. We also present the results from the Ion chromatography (IC) analyses of the Beijing winter samples which was used to detect major anions and cations found in PM2.5 samples during this campaign.