Single particle chemical analysis of ambient ultrafine aerosol: A review

Ultrafine aerosols (<100 nm diameter) constitute the largest portion of ambient aerosol loading by number, are highly time and location dependent, and impact both human health and global climate. In order to better understand the sources, transformations, and impacts of aerosol, particle-by-particle chemical composition measurements are required. This review surveys the methods that currently exist for single particle chemical analysis of ambient ultrafine aerosol and discusses the findings of atmospheric measurements using these methods.

► Ultrafine aerosol is highly time and location dependent.
► Ultrafine aerosol impacts human health and global climate.
► Single particle analysis informs about sources, transformations, and impacts of nanoparticles.
► Electron microscopy and mass spectrometry accomplish single nanoparticle chemical analysis.
► Development of quantitative methods for nanoparticle molecular composition is needed.