Estudo das propriedades químicas e físicas dos aerossóis submicrométricos na Amazônia Central

Abstract

The chemistry and physical properties of the fine particulate matter (PM1) were investigated in Central Amazonia, in areas with different impacts. Measurements were performed at two GoAmazon experimental sites, the site T0a (ATTO tower) is located in a remote area without significant anthropogenic impacts, and the site T2 (Tiwa Hotel), which was designed to represent anthropogenic emissions of the city Manaus and surrounding areas, on the opposite side of the Rio Negro. Measurements were performed with the ACSM (Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor) from Aerodyne Research Inc., which analyzes the non-refractory aerosol fraction with aerodynamic size less than 1 μm (PM1). Optical properties were analyzed with nephelometers (visible light scattering) and absorption photometers (MAAP) that measures the absorption radiation and black carbon concentration. Particle size distribution in the range of 10 to 600 nm was analyzed with the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS). In the wet season, mean composition of the PM1 showed values of 1.20 and 4.92 μg.m-3 for sites T0a and T2, respectively, indicating the strong impact of the urban emissions of Manaus. Scattering and absorption properties for T0a site presented values of 3.02 and 0.11 Mm-1, respectively. Therefore, it presented high mass scattering efficiencies due to the aerosol particles with high radiation dispersion capacity. However, some events transported over long distances reached T0a and caused changes in the mass absorption efficiency, due to the presence of absorber aerosols. Absorption coefficient at the T2 had a mean value of 5.15 Mm-1 and high mass absorption efficiencies, thus demonstrating that the anthropogenic emissions have a significant influence on the absorption properties of the aerosols. The particles belonging to the Aitken and accumulation modes dominated in the T0a, whereas in the T2 the predominant component was the Aitken mode. For T0a, high values of isoprene oxidation particles were observed, as well as oxidized organic particles, but with low values of hydrogenated particles. However, T2 site, observed high values of oxidized particles and particles from vehicle emissions. In the dry season, PM1 concentrations increased significantly in both sites relative to the wet season, presenting values of 7.1 ± 4.3 μg.m-3 for T0a and 13.9 ± 9.6 μg.m-3 for T2. Scattering and absorption properties also increased, showing the scattering and absorption coefficients for T0a with values of 21.1 and 3.9 Mm-1, while T2 presented the value of 9.3 Mm-1 for absorption coefficient. In respect to the particles size, both sites showed particles predominantly in mode of accumulation, which demonstrate that come from the most oxidized aerosols. In addition, sites T0a and T2 presented predominantly the oxidized organic particles and from biomass burning emissions particles. Therefore, it was possible to observe a complex interaction between the natural biogenic emissions and urban emissions of the city Manaus, demonstrating that anthropogenic emissions altered important chemical and physical properties of aerosols, both in the city Manaus in the analyzed seasons and remote areas during the dry season.