Measurement of ambient aerosol hydration state at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the southeastern United States

Aerosols at Great Smoky Mountains National Park exhibit distinct seasonal hydration behaviors, with summer aerosols overwhelmingly favoring the more hydrated state (12% showing dual states) while winter aerosols display a near-even split between hydrated and less hydrated states (49% with dual states). This discovery challenges assumptions about aerosol stability in climate and visibility models. Researchers used a tandem differential mobility analyzer (TDMA) to measure ambient hydration states, revealing that seasonal variations in particulate matter composition and relative humidity influence these patterns.

Taylor, N. F., Collins, D. R., Spencer, C. W., Lowenthal, D. H., Zielinska, B., Samburova, V., & Kumar, N. (2011). Measurement of ambient aerosol hydration state at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the southeastern United States. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11(23), 12085–12107. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12085-2011