Download or read book Anthropogenic Particulate Source Characterization and Source Apportionment Using Aerosol Time of flight Mass Spectrometry written by Stephen Mark Toner and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Methods of measuring the chemical and physical properties of aerosols as well as proper source apportionment of ambient particles are necessary to provide insight as to the roles they play in the environment and their impact on human health. In addition, the ability to apportion ambient particles quickly and accurately will be very helpful for environmental and health agencies and for monitoring and enforcing emission standards by allowing such agencies to determine the primary source of aerosols in their monitoring areas. The goal of this dissertation is to provide a new approach for aerosol source apportionment using aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) single particle data. This goal was accomplished by determining unique mass spectral signatures for specific aerosol sources and by developing these signatures into a source signature library in which ambient ATOFMS data can be matched and apportioned. The creation of the source signature library (SSL) began with the characterization of specific sources themselves. Heavy duty diesel vehicle (HDDV) emissions were characterized using ATOFMS from a dynamometer study. The particle types detected for HDDVs were compared to those from a previous dynamometer study of gasoline powered light duty vehicles (LDV) to see if HDDV and LDV particles can be distinguished. A SSL was then created for the HDDV and LDV emissions to test the ability to properly apportion between the two sources on ambient ATOFMS data collected next to a major freeway using a SSL matching technique. This work demonstrated that the two sources are readily distinguishable in a fresh emission environment, and that the matching method is a valid means for apportioning ATOFMS data. The SSL was then extended for multiple specific sources as well as for non-source specific particles and was used to apportion the same freeway study particles; showing that the source matching method is able to accurately distinguish different particle sources and that there can be a large contribution from sources other than vehicles near a major freeway. Lastly, the SSL matching method was used to apportion ambient aerosols for two major non-US cities to show that the SSL matching technique is applicable to worldwide ambient ATOFMS data.

Download or read book Single Particle Characterization Source Apportionment and Aging Effects of Ambient Aerosols in Southern California written by Laura Grace Shields and published by ProQuest. This book was released on 2008 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Composed of a mixture of chemical species and phases and existing in a variety of shapes and sizes, atmospheric aerosols are complex and can have serious influence on human health, the environment, and climate. In order to better understand the impact of aerosols on local to global scales, detailed measurements on the physical and chemical properties of ambient particles are essential. In addition, knowing the origin or the source of the aerosols is important for policymakers to implement targeted regulations and effective control strategies to reduce air pollution in their region. One of the most ground breaking techniques in aerosol instrumentation is single particle mass spectrometry (SPMS), which can provide online chemical composition and size information on the individual particle level. The primary focus of this work is to further improve the ability of one specific SPMS technique, aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS), for the use of identifying the specific origin of ambient aerosols, which is known as source apportionment. The ATOFMS source apportionment method utilizes a library of distinct source mass spectral signatures to match the chemical information of the single ambient particles. The unique signatures are obtained in controlled source characterization studies, such as with the exhaust emissions of heavy duty diesel vehicles (HDDV) operating on a dynamometer. The apportionment of ambient aerosols is complicated by the chemical and physical processes an individual particle can undergo as it spends time in the atmosphere, which is referred to as "aging" of the aerosol. Therefore, the performance of the source signature library technique was investigated on the ambient dataset of the highly aged environment of Riverside, California. Additionally, two specific subsets of the Riverside dataset (ultrafine particles and particles containing trace metals), which are known to cause adverse health effects, were probed in greater detail. Finally, the impact of large wildfires on the ambient levels of particulate matter in Southern California is discussed. The results of this work provide insight into single particles impacting the Southern California region, the relative source contributions to this region, and finally an examination of how atmospheric aging influences the ability to perform source apportionment.

Download or read book Single Particle Mass Spectrometry Combustion Source Characterization and Atmospheric Apportionment of Vehicular Coal and Biofuel Exhaust Emissions written by David Townsend Suess and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 814 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Source Profiling and Apportionment of Airborne Particles written by Philip Joseph Silva and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 904 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Development and Use of Particle Into Liquid Sampling Time of flight Mass Spectrometry PILS ToF for Characterization of Aerosol Particles written by Christopher Holmes Clark and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation introduces and makes use of the Particle-into-Liquid-Sampler coupled to a Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer (PILS-ToF), a new instrumental method used here to provide new chemical characterization information on secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The PILS-ToF instrument improves upon drawbacks found in current state-of-the-art mass spectral chemical characterization methods to include lack of time resolution and ion fragmentation by electron impact ionization in the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS). The functionality of the PILS-ToF for collection and response to SOA particle formation is validated against a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), a widely accepted and standardized physical chemical characterization instrument, for a well characterized SOA formation experiment, dark ozonolysis of [alpja]-pinene. The PILS-ToF is also used to lend insight into oligomer growth during the NO photo-oxidation of isoprene. It is of atmospheric importance to study SOA formation from isoprene as it is globally the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon in the ambient. SOA from isoprene is further studied using the PILS-ToF as part of the suite instrumentation at the University of California, Riverside, College of Engineering, Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) atmospheric chamber providing a complete chemical and physical characterization of SOA formed by isoprene with various oxidants under a myriad of oxidant concentration conditions. In addition, the PILS-ToF is used, again in tandem with other chemical and physical characterization methods at CE-CERT, to probe temperature effects on SOA formation from isoprene under many different oxidizing conditions. Finally, the PILS-ToF is used to provide new mechanistic information on SOA formation from trimethylamine and tributylamine, two tertiary amines emitted from anthropogenic and animal husbandry processes. For these two teriary amines the PILS-ToF provides evidence of oligomerization giving a potential explanation to the high SOA yields from these parent compounds.

Download or read book Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere written by Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 1999-11-17 with total page 993 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Here is the most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of one of the hottest areas of chemical research. The treatment of fundamental kinetics and photochemistry will be highly useful to chemistry students and their instructors at the graduate level, as well as postdoctoral fellows entering this new, exciting, and well-funded field with a Ph.D. in a related discipline (e.g., analytical, organic, or physical chemistry, chemical physics, etc.). Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere provides postgraduate researchers and teachers with a uniquely detailed, comprehensive, and authoritative resource. The text bridges the "gap" between the fundamental chemistry of the earth's atmosphere and "real world" examples of its application to the development of sound scientific risk assessments and associated risk management control strategies for both tropospheric and stratospheric pollutants. Serves as a graduate textbook and "must have" reference for all atmospheric scientists Provides more than 5000 references to the literature through the end of 1998 Presents tables of new actinic flux data for the troposphere and stratospher (0-40km) Summarizes kinetic and photochemical date for the troposphere and stratosphere Features problems at the end of most chapters to enhance the book's use in teaching Includes applications of the OZIPR box model with comprehensive chemistry for student use

Download or read book Characterization of Particulate Pollution by Aerosol Mass Spectrometry written by Courtney Leigh Herring and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Atmospheric aerosols impact human health, climate, and air pollution and arrive in the atmosphere by countless number of sources. One of the largest uncertainties in understanding these impacts is due to limitations in our understanding of the organic aerosol (OA) components. To understand this complex mixture of thousands of compounds accurate high-resolution chemical speciation is needed. An Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS or HR-AMS) was deployed in two separate month-long studies to measure atmospheric particulate pollution. The first study, at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI), focused on the measurement of gasoline and diesel engine exhaust under various loads and dilutions in controlled chamber experiments. HR-AMS data demonstrated clean signal associated with 53 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. PAHs are of interest due to their carcinogenic implication and negative health effects especially when associated with submicron particles. From this work a novel methodology was developed for quantifying these compounds by their molecular ion signal (P-MIP). In the second study, conducted in Yakima, WA, ambient wintertime pollution was characterized and the OA components were deconvolved using positive matrix factorization (PMF). This investigation resulted in the identification of two new amine associated factors which were identified by mass spectra peaks from six dominant amine ions (C3H8N+, C2H6N2+, C4H 10N+, C3H8N2 +, C5H12N+, and C6H 14N+). Amine ions are of interest to atmospheric research because of their implications on climate and formation of new particles. The unifying implication from both studies was the utilization of the HR-AMS to identify atmospheric pollutants that continue to generate ongoing research interests (due to their impacts on climate, pollution, or human health) and are typically difficult to measure by the HR-AMS. Additionally, included in this dissertation are four examples of science/engineering related inquiry-based lessons that were developed to relate well with my own Master's research field and implemented into three high school science and math classrooms over the course of a two year NSF STEM Fellowship. Lastly, a two-year long case study following qualitative and quantitative data from 296 students one of these activities provides examples of the positive impact by these types of developed activities.

Download or read book Characterization of Ambient Aerosol Composition and Formation Mechanisms and Development of Quantification Methodologies Utilizing ATOFMS written by Xueying Qin and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. They are generated from a range of natural and anthropogenic sources. Aerosols also experience various reactions such as photo-oxidation and aqueous-phase processing, which constantly change their physical and chemical properties. Therefore, in order to determine the emission inventory, it is important to study aerosol reactions and transformation mechanisms in ambient atmosphere. The research described in this dissertation aimed to characterize temporal, spatial, and seasonal variations on ambient aerosol chemical compositions and formation mechanisms. The results contribute to the understanding of air pollution, climate change, and human health problems, and to devising necessary strategies and policies to resolve these problems.

Download or read book Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Aerosols in Urban and Rural Regions written by Caroline Parworth and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Aerosols, or particulate matter (PM), can affect climate through scattering and absorption of radiation and influence the radiative properties, precipitation efficiency, thickness, and lifetime of clouds. Aerosols are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in climate model predictions of radiative forcing. To fully understand the sources of uncertainty contributing to the radiative properties of aerosols, measurements of PM mass, composition, and size distribution are needed globally and seasonally. To add to the current understanding of the seasonal and temporal variations in aerosol composition and chemistry, this study has focused on the quantification, speciation, and characterization of atmospheric PM in urban and rural regions of the United States (US) for short and long periods of time. In the first two chapters, we focus on 1 month of aerosol and gas-phase measurements taken in Fresno, CA, an urban and agricultural area, during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) field study called DISCOVER-AQ. This air quality measurement supersite included a plethora of highly detailed chemical measurements of aerosols and gases, which were made at the same time as similar aircraft column measurements of aerosols and gases. The goal of DISCOVER-AQ is to improve the interpretation of satellite observations to approximate surface conditions relating to air quality, which can be achieved by making concurrent ground- and aircraft-based measurements of aerosols and gases. We begin in chapter 2 by exploring the urban aerosol and gas-phase dataset from the NASA DISCOVER-AQ study in California. Specifically, we discuss the chemical composition and mass concentration of water-soluble PM2.5 that were measured using a particle-into-liquid sampler with ion chromatography (PILS-IC) in Fresno, California from January 13–February 10, 2013. This data was analyzed for ionic inorganic species, organic acids and amines. Gas-phase species including HNO3 and NH3 were collected with annular denuders and analyzed using ion chromatography. Using the thermodynamic E-AIM model, inorganic particle water mass concentration and pH were calculated for the first time in this area. Organic particle water mass concentration was calculated from [kappa]-Köhler theory. In chapter 3 further analysis of the aerosol- and gas-phase data measured during DISCOVER-AQ was performed to determine the effectiveness of a local residential wood burning curtailment program in improving air quality. Using aerosol speciation and concentration measurements from the 2013 winter DISCOVER-AQ study in Fresno, CA, we investigate the impact of residential wood burning restrictions on fine particulate mass concentration and composition. Key species associated with biomass burning in this region include K+, acetonitrile, black carbon, and biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA), which represents primary organic aerosol associated with residential wood burning. Reductions in acetonitrile associated with wood burning restrictions even at night were not observed and most likely associated with stagnant conditions during curtailment periods that led to the buildup of this long-lived gas. In chapter 4 we transition to the rural aerosol dataset from the DOE SGP site. We discuss the chemical composition and mass concentration of non-refractory submicron aerosols (NR-PM1) that were measured with an aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) at the DOE SGP site from November 2010 through June 2012. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was performed on the measured organic aerosol (OA) mass spectral matrix using a newly developed rolling window technique to derive factors associated with distinct sources, evolution processes, and physiochemical properties. The rolling window approach captured the dynamic variations of the chemical properties of the OA factors over time. Three OA factors were obtained including two oxygenated OA (OOA) factors, differing in degrees of oxidation, and a BBOA factor. Sources of NR-PM1 species at the SGP site were determined from back trajectory analyses. NR-PM1 mass concentration was dominated by organics for the majority of the study with the exception of winter, when NH4N33 increased due to transport of precursor species from surrounding urban and agricultural regions and also due to cooler temperatures. Chapter 5 is a continuation of chapter 4, where we will explore the use of the multilinear engine (ME-2) as a factor analysis technique, which is an algorithm used for solving the bilinear model called positive matrix factorization (PMF). The importance of ME-2 and its potential application on the long-term aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) data collected from the Department of Energy (DOE) Southern Great Plains (SPG) site will be discussed. ME-2 was performed on 19 months of OA mass spectral data obtained from the ACSM at the SGP site. Evaluation of ME-2 results are presented, followed by comparison of ME-2 factor results with corresponding OACOMP factor results reported in chapter 4. We show that ME-2 can determine a biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) factor during periods when OACOMP cannot. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Download or read book Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of Size Fractionated Atmospheric Aerosols and Evaluating Student Attitudes and Learning in Large Lecture General Chemistry Classes written by Greg Harold Allen and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chemical speciation and source apportionment of size fractionated atmospheric aerosols were investigated using laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD TOF-MS) and source apportionment was carried out using carbon-14 accelerator mass spectrometry (14C AMS). Sample collection was carried out using the Davis Rotating-drum Unit for Monitoring impact analyzer in Davis, Colfax, and Yosemite, CA. Ambient atmospheric aerosols collected during the winter of 2010/11 and 2011/12 showed a significant difference in the types of compounds found in the small and large sized particles. The difference was due to the increase number of oxidized carbon species that were found in the small particles size ranges, but not in the large particles size ranges. Overall, the ambient atmospheric aerosols collected during the winter in Davis, CA had and average fraction modern of F14C = 0.753 ± 0.006, indicating that the majority of the size fractionated particles originated from biogenic sources. Samples collected during the King Fire in Colfax, CA were used to determine the contribution of biomass burning (wildfire) aerosols. Factor analysis was used to reduce the ions found in the LD TOF-MS analysis of the King Fire samples. The final factor analysis generated a total of four factors that explained an overall 83% of the variance in the data set. Two of the factors correlated heavily with increased smoke events during the sample period. The increased smoke events produced a large number of highly oxidized organic aerosols (OOA2) and aromatic compounds that are indicative of biomass burning organic aerosols (WBOA). The signal intensities of the factors generated in the King Fire data were investigated in samples collected in Yosemite and Davis, CA to look at the impact of biomass burning on ambient atmospheric aerosols. In both comparison sample collections the OOA2 and WBOA factors both increased during biomass burning events located near the sampling sites. The correlation between the OOA2 and WBOA factors and smoke levels indicates that these factors can be used to identify the influence of biomass burning on ambient aerosols. The effectiveness of using the ChemWiki instead of a traditional textbook was investigated during the spring quarter of 2014. Student performance was measured using common midterms, a final, and a pre/post content exams. We also employed surveys, the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey (CLASS) for Chemistry, and a weekly time-on-task survey to quantify students' attitudes and study habits. The effectiveness of the ChemWiki compared to a traditional textbook was examined using multiple linear regression analysis with a standard non-inferiority testing framework. Results show that the performance of students in the section who were assigned readings from the ChemWiki was non-inferior to the performance of students in the section who were assigned readings from the traditional textbook, indicating that the ChemWiki does not substantially differ from the standard textbook in terms of student learning outcomes. The results from the surveys also suggest that the two classes were similar in their beliefs about chemistry and overall average time spent studying. These results indicate that the ChemWiki is a viable cost-saving alternative to traditional textbooks. The impact of using active learning techniques in a large lecture general chemistry class was investigated by assessing student performance and attitudes during the fall 2014 and winter 2015 quarters. One instructor applied active learning strategies while the remaining instructors employed more traditional lecture styles. Student performance, learning, learning environments, and attitudes were measured using a standardized pre/post exams, common final exams, classroom observations, and the CLASS chemistry instrument in large lecture general chemistry courses. Classroom observation data showed that the active learning class was the most student centered and of the other classes two instructors were transitional in their teaching style and the remaining two primarily employed traditional lecture techniques. The active learning class had the highest student performance but the difference was only statistically significant when compared to the two traditional lecture classes. Overall, our data showed a trend that student performance increased as the instructional style became more student centered. Student attitudes didn't seem to correlate with any specific instructional style and the students in the active learning class had similar attitudes to the other general students. The active learning class was successful in increasing the average time students spent studying outside of the class, a statistically significant difference of about 1.5 to 3.0 hrs/week.

Download or read book Chemical Characterisation and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Quasi ultra fine Particulate Matter PM0 36 written by Fengxia Li and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis investigated the sources contributing to the organic carbon fraction of quasi-UFP (here PM0.36), itsseasonal variation and temporal-spatial variability. An in-situ derivatization thermal desorption gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was applied to PM0.36 for simultaneous quantification of primary andorganic markers. 5 sources including both primary and secondary sources were resolved by positive matrixfactorization (PMF) modeling based on measured organic species.eng

Download or read book Interpretation of Mass Spectra written by Fred Warren McLafferty (Chemiker, USA) and published by . This book was released on 1973 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Aircraft based In situ Aerosol Mass Spectrometry written by Julia Yvonne Schmale and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Characterization of the Molecular Composition of Secondary Organic Aerosols Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry written by Rachel Elizabeth Sellon and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Atmospheric aerosols can affect visibility and the Earth's climate by scattering and absorbing light and they also can have adverse effects on human health. The organic portion of atmospheric aerosols is very complex and is a major fraction of fine particulate matter. High molecular weight (high-MW)/oligomeric organic compounds can make up a large part of this organic fraction and the composition, sources, and formation mechanisms for these compounds are not well understood. This knowledge and understanding is necessary to decrease the uncertainty in the climate affects of aerosols and to improve climate models. This dissertation investigates the composition and formation mechanisms for the high-MW/oligomeric fraction of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) collected in Bakersfield, CA and presents a comparative analysis of chamber and ambient SOA, from both Los Angeles (LA) and Bakersfield, to investigate sources at both locations. A novel sampling technique, nanospray-Desorption Electrospray Ionization (nano-DESI), was used with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) to determine the molecular formulas of the high molecular weight (HMW)/oligomeric fraction of SOA. Nano-DESI involves direct desorption from the sample surface and was used to limit reactions that can take place with extraction and storage in solvent. The samples were collected in Bakersfield and LA during CalNex 2010. Both Bakersfield and LA are out of compliance with EPA standards of ozone and particulate matter and provide opportunities to examine air masses affected by both anthropogenic and biogenic sources. This dissertation has provided the first evidence of observable changes in the composition of high-MW/oligomeric compounds throughout the day. Using positive mode nano-DESI, afternoon increases in the number of compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (CHO) were observed consistent with photochemistry/ozonolysis as a major source for these compounds. Compounds containing reduced nitrogen groups were dominant at night and had precursors consistent with imine formation products from the reaction of carbonyls and ammonia. In the negative mode, organonitrates (CHON) and nitroxy organosulfates (CHONS) had larger numbers of compounds in the night/morning samples consistent with nitrate radical formation reactions. A subset of the CHONS compounds and compounds containing sulfur (CHOS) had the same composition as known biogenic organosulfates and nitroxy organosulfates indicating contributions from both biogenic and anthropogenic sources to the SOA. This dissertation also provides the first analysis of the high-MW/oligomeric fraction in size resolved samples; the majority of the compounds were found in aerosol diameters between 0.18-1.0 micrometers and the CHON were bimodal with size. Finally, this dissertation presents the first comparative analysis of the overlap in the composition of this fraction of SOA between ambient and chamber samples. Samples collected in Pasadena, LA and Bakersfield were compared with samples collected in a smog chamber using diesel and isoprene sources. The results indicate that diesel had the highest overlap at both sites, Bakersfield samples were more oxidized, and LA showed evidence of a SOA plume arriving from downtown LA. The addition of ammonia to the diesel chamber experiment was necessary to form many of the 2N compounds found in Bakersfield. These results increase our understanding of the types of compounds found in urban environments and give evidence for the timescales of formation reactions in an ambient environment. They show that the majority of the high-MW oligomeric compounds are found in submicron size particles and that the composition of this fraction of SOA varies with aerosol size. Results from the chamber comparisons show that both diesel and isoprene are important sources for these compounds and also that there other sources are present. Future work that combines this type of analysis, in other ambient environments, with studies of the optical properties of aerosols could be used to help improve climate models and to start to close the gap in our understanding of the climate effects of atmospheric aerosols.

Download or read book Characterization of Ambient Automobile and Diesel Aerosols Utilizing Aerosol Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry written by David Alan Sodeman and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Measurement Analysis and Remediation of Environmental Pollutants written by Tarun Gupta and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-10-08 with total page 474 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book discusses contamination of water, air, and soil media. The book covers health effects of such contamination and discusses remedial measures to improve the situation. Contributions by experts provide a comprehensive discussion on the latest developments in the detection and analysis of contaminants, enabling researchers to understand the evolution of these pollutants in real time and develop more accurate source apportionment of these pollutants. The contents of this book will be of interest to researchers, professionals, and policy makers alike.

Download or read book Urban Aerosols and Their Impacts written by Jeffrey S. Gaffney and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urban aerosols have been identified as important species of concern due to their potential health and environmental impacts. This symposium series book will describe the basic chemistry and physics determining the impacts of aerosol species and will highlight the research results from the measurements that were taken following the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11/01. The WTC tragedy led to the release of millions of pounds of debris aside from the structural steel, part of which was widely dissipated as aerosols and particulates in the debris cloud over lower Manhattan. Additionally, continuing fires under the debris led to the release of fine combustion related aerosols for a considerable time period in this urban environment. Held during the week of the second anniversary of the WTC tragedy in NYC, the symposium book will describe various aspects of the event, aerosol and gas exposures, and the related impacts of these aerosols. The book contributions will highlight efforts work from atmospheric chemists, meteorologists, health workers, and biologists for a timely compilation of what is known and not known about the composition and transport of tropospheric aerosols in urban environs, particularly those from the WTC collapse. Particular interest is in the acute and chronic environmental effects of these aerosols as they impact human health. Chapters included in the book will also address aerosol lifetimes, aerosol transport and removal processes, acute and chronic health effects to fine aerosol and particulate exposures, and the environmental impacts of aerosols.