The extraction and characterization of atmospheric ultrafine particles (UFPs) is critical to understanding environmental health and climate dynamics. This study uses an aqueous extraction method to characterize the size distribution, shape, and composition of atmospheric UFPs. We propose a combined use of techniques rarely implemented in air quality analysis, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), with more conventional methods, such as Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). DLS results indicate a hydrodynamic diameter range from 117 to 1069 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.3 to 0.79. The high polydispersity reflects the complexity of UFPs agglomeration processes. AFM identified NPs ranging from 10 to 25 nm; topographic images show soot and crystalline structures. High-resolution TEM analysis measured the interplanar distances of crystalline UFPs, showing the presence of calcium carbonates. TEM-EDS identified soot and crystalline particles with variable composition, from Si-enriched NPs to Ca-F-Cl-Na-Si, carbonates, chlorides, and Zn-Ti-enriched nanosilica. These findings provide valuable insights into the physicochemical properties of atmospheric dust, contributing to our knowledge and the potential implications for human health and the environment.

中文翻译：

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烟尘和结晶大气超细颗粒的表征


大气超细颗粒 （UFP） 的提取和表征对于了解环境健康和气候动态至关重要。本研究使用水提取方法来表征大气 UFP 的尺寸分布、形状和组成。我们建议将空气质量分析中很少使用的技术（例如原子力显微镜 （AFM））与更传统的方法（例如透射电子显微镜 （TEM） 和动态光散射 （DLS））结合使用。DLS 结果表明，流体动力学直径范围为 117 至 1069 nm，多分散指数为 0.3 至 0.79。高多分散性反映了 UFPs 团聚过程的复杂性。AFM 鉴定了 10 至 25 nm 的 NPs;地形图像显示烟尘和晶体结构。高分辨率 TEM 分析测量了结晶 UFP 的晶面间距离，显示了碳酸钙的存在。TEM-EDS 鉴定了成分可变的烟尘和结晶颗粒，从富含硅的 NP 到 Ca-F-Cl-Na-Si、碳酸盐、氯化物和富含 Zn-Ti 的纳米二氧化硅。这些发现为大气尘埃的物理化学性质提供了有价值的见解，有助于我们的知识以及对人类健康和环境的潜在影响。