Abstract
Laser microprobe mass spectrometry was applied to the identification of tropospheric aerosol particles on electron microscopic grids collected during aviation from Nagoya to the Wakasa Bay in the central part of Japan Island at the altitude of 14,500-5,000 ft. As the references, Na2SO4, (NH4)2SO4, NaNO3, NH4NO3 and NaCl particles prepared by a nebulizer were shot with a laser beam of several micrometers in diameter and the ions were analyzed mass spectrometrically. Soil samples were also analyzed to give aluminosilicate spectra. For atmospheric aerosol particles, characteristic species were identified as (NH4)2SO4 in most samples. Phosphate particles among samples taken at 14,500 ft in altitude were found. Soil particles were found below 9,500 ft. Chloride and soot were identified among the particles in 14,500 ft.
