Measurements of Fine Particle Mass Concentrations Using Continuous and Integrated Monitors in Eastern US Cities

PM2.5 mass concentrations were measured using multiple continuous samplers (a continuous ambient mass monitor (CAMM), a real–time ambient mass sampler (RAMS), and a drier–equipped tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM)) as well as a federal reference method (FRM) filter sampler in three eastern US cities. The effects of measurement systems, ambient conditions, and composition on the measured PM2.5 mass concentrations were examined at each site. Different responses to PM2.5 mass were observed by the continuous samplers with a variation of 10–30% in the average PM mass concentrations. The impacts of semivolatile particulate ammonium nitrate on PM2.5 mass concentration was apparent for those time periods when high nitrate concentration >1.62 g m−3 was measured in Atlanta. Contribution of semivolatile particulate ammonium nitrate to the ambient PM2.5 mass appeared more significant than semivolatile organic material in Atlanta. The effects of the ambient water were not negligible and were significant ...