Mixing and water-soluble characteristics of particulate organic compounds in individual urban aerosol particles

Particulate organic compounds (POCs) in the atmosphere can alter the morphology and hygroscopicity of inorganic particles by coagulation and mixing. Direct observations can illustrate the mixing of organic and inorganic particles. Compositions, mixing states, and morphologies of 360 aerosol particles from urban Beijing collected on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids with Si-O substrate were obtained using TEM coupled with energy-dispersive X ray spectrometry (TEM/EDX). The Si-O substrate used in this study allows TEM/EDX to detect carbonaceous particles internally mixed with inorganic particles. POCs were present in approximately 90% of the nitrate-coated mineral particles on both hazy and clear days. Approximately 73% of K- and S-rich particles contained organic coatings and organic inclusions/aggregations on hazy days, while 53% of S-rich particles on clear days during the Beijing Olympics contained only organic coatings. Water dialysis of individual particles indicated that the organic inclusions/aggregations in the K- and S-rich particles were insoluble in water but that POCs from the coatings of individual particles were soluble. The organic coatings on individual inorganic particles may influence their surface hygroscopicity and optical properties.