Urban areas in Norway experience high aerosol pollution levels every winter, and big concern is rising due to the health effect of the finest particular matter (<PM2.5). A detailed analysis of the fine aerosol fraction is needed to assess the cause, as we ll as direct future abatement policymaking. The analysis in this project will give a detailed profile and characterization of aerosol samples from Norway. The analytical tools provide a time resolution where one is able to tell differences in sample compo sition every three hours. The analytical methods are applied by the DELTA Group at University of California Davis, USA. Samples are collected over a six-week period with a DRUM Cascade Impactor. Characterization will be done by â-gauge attenuation for total mass, Synchrotron X-Ray Fluorescence (S-XRF) for elemental quantification, and Laser Desorption Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for qualitative characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and inorganic molecules. A method of time resolved quantification of 14C b y Accelerated Mass Spectrometry is under development. The information gained will be used to supplement the current aerosol research in Norway, and the techniques proposed in this project will enable the study of specific pollution events in greater detail than before possible.
