Seminar

Abstract

This talk will discuss the discovery, development, and field deployment of negative-ion proton-transfer chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (NI-PT-CIMS), a technique that has vastly improved our ability to measure both gas phase organic and inorganic acids. Beginning with the development of NI-PT-CIMS in 2007, results will be shown from laboratory experiments, a biomass burning study at the national fire sciences laboratories, and more recently the California air quality study (CalNex 2010). Important results will be discussed including our evidence for the photo-production of organic acids in urban emissions and the first measurements of ambient isocyanic acid (HNCO) and a discussion of its potential health implications. Simultaneous detection of both organic acids (e.g. formic, acrylic, pyruvic acid) and inorganic acids such as HNO3, HONO, and HCl on a 1-second time scale makes NI-PT-CIMS a powerful, new technique for both laboratory and field based studies.