ARS | Publication request: Adaptation of an ambient ion monitor for detection of amines in gas and particulate agricultural emissions

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 17, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Volatile amines are emitted from many sources including agricultural facilities. Recent work has shown that amines may be important players in secondary aerosol formation. Because amine emissions are significantly lower than ammonia, previous measurements and emission studies at agricultural facilities have often not detected them and information in the literature is sparse and sometimes contradictory. It is not clear whether the presence or absence of amines in previous studies represents instrumentation limits, atmospheric conditions controlling their reactivity, effects of different management practices, or other issues. Because of these issues we have adapted the ambient ion monitor (AIM) for detecting gaseous and particulate forms of amines at the low concentrations reported in previous studies. The AIM has previously been used for detection of common particulate ions and precursor gases in studies of urban air quality. The method can currently detect amines at facilities with a sampling time of one hour.