CCNY Air Quality Research Laboratory - Analytical Capabilities

Mass of particles (including volatile components) below 2.5 microns - R&P TEOM
Number of particles between 0.010 and 1 microns in size - TSI Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer
Concentration of inorganic species in particles below 2.5 microns - In design
Concentration of organic and elemental carbon in particles below 2.5 microns - In design
Concentration of organic and elemental carbon in particles below 2.5 microns - Sunset Laboratory NDIR Field Instrument
Concentration of gaseous ozone - API UV Absorbance Instrument
Concentration of gaseous SO2 - API UV Pulsed Fluorescence Instrument
Concentration of gaseous NO and NO2 - API Chemiluminescence Instrument
Concentration of gaseous CO - API IR Fluorescence Instrument

This unique suite of sophisticated techniques provide valuable near-real-time measurements of gaseous pollutants or features of the particulate pollutants. These instruments can be installed on a variety of platforms (such as trailers, towers, automobiles and aircraft) to learn more about pollutant lifecycle and fate.

Ion chromatography
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Cryofocused gas chromatography

These methods are used to measure the inorganic and organic composition of gaseous and particulate pollutants captured onto substrates. The substrate can be a filter made of quartz, teflon, or nylon; a series of filters; or some other highly absorbent material like polyurethane foam. The particular substrate is chosen to maximize the collection efficiency for the pollutant we want to measure. Gas chromatography is also used with cryofocusing to identify gaseous volatile organic compounds collected in electropolished canisters.

A typical filter housing and it's pnuematic placement in a sampler; filters are loaded into the housing and ambient air is drawn through cyclones to remove large particles, denuders to remove interfering gases, and through the housing (and filters); particles and adsorbent gases in the ambient air are collected on the filters. After collection, the filters are brought to the AQRL and prepared as needed for analysis.

Source: URG, Chapel Hill NC.

Source: City College, New York NY.