HR: 0830h
AN: B51C-0983    [PDF]
TI: Compound Specific Isotope Analysis of Fatty Acids in Southern African Aerosols
AU: * Billmark, K A
EM: kbillmark@virginia.edu
AF: University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences Clark Hall Box 400123, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123 United States
AU: Macko, S A
EM: sam8f@virginia.edu
AF: University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences Clark Hall Box 400123, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123 United States
AU: Swap, R J
EM: swapper@virgina.edu
AF: University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences Clark Hall Box 400123, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123 United States
AB: This study, conducted as a part of the Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000), applied compound specific isotope analysis to describe aerosols at source regions and rural locations. Stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual fatty acids were determined for aerosol samples collected at four sites throughout southern Africa. Mongu, Zambia and Skukuza, South Africa were chosen for their location within intense seasonal Miombo woodland savanna and bushveld savanna biomass burning source regions, respectively. Urban aerosols were collected at Johannesburg, South Africa and rural samples were collected at Sua Pan, Botswana. Fatty acid isotopic compositions varied temporally. Urban aerosols showed significant isotopic enrichment of selected short chain fatty acids (C $<$ 20) compared to aerosols produced during biomass combustion. Sua Pan short chain fatty acid signatures were significantly different from the other non-urban sites, which suggests that sources other than biomass combustion products, such as organic eolian material, impact the Sua Pan aerosol profile. However, a high degree of correlation between Sua Pan and Skukuza long chain fatty acid $\delta$$^{13}$C values confirm atmospheric linkages between the two areas and that isotopic signatures of combusted fatty acids are unaltered during atmospheric transport highlighting their potential for use as a conservative tracer.
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801)
DE: 0345 Pollution--urban and regional (0305)
DE: 1040 Isotopic composition/chemistry
DE: 1615 Biogeochemical processes (4805)
DE: 9305 Africa
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting