Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Developing X-Ray Spectromicroscopic Techniques To Quantitatively Determine Population Statistics And Individual Particle Composition Of Complex Mixed Aerosols, Matthew Fraund

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Aerosols are a major source of uncertainty in estimates of anthropogenic effects on global radiative forcing and can pose serious health concerns. While many instrumental techniques capable of analyzing aerosol samples are available, individual-particle spectromicroscopic techniques like the ones presented here are the only ones to offer morphological and compositional measurements together. Studying the composition and mixing state of aerosol populations allowed for important aspects to be uncovered, such as: aerosol source, formation mechanism, hygroscopicity, optical properties, level of aging, and inhalation dangers. Ambient aerosols from the Amazon, both biogenic and anthropogenic, were apportioned based on their individual composition. Recently …