On-Line Determination of Organic Compounds in Atmospheric Aerosols by Direct Impaction Capillary Electrophoresis

70589 Time-resolved, quantitative measurements of particulate organic compounds, which contribute to atmospheric pollution, are needed to identify their direct and precursor sources. Carboxcylic acids are an important component of the organic fraction. This project will develop an automated in-situ instrument for the routine identification and quantification of carboxylic acids in the particle phase, with sub-hourly time resolution. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of in situ, semi-continuous quantitation of carboxylic acids by developing and testing a electrophoresis. The system will have a provision for the addition of an internal standard for quantitation. Evaluation will be done in the laboratory and on atmospheric aerosol samples. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A commercially viable instrument for routine, hourly monitoring of carboxcylic acids in atmospheric aerosols should offer substantially lower costs per sample and substantially higher time resolution than possible through current methods of filter collection, solvent extraction, and analysis.