Structural characterisation of organic matter in fine tropospheric aerosol by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The organic matter in tropospheric aerosol plays an important, yet undetermined role in atmospheric processes. The bulk of organic carbon representing a significant part of the fine aerosol mass is bound to a polymeric matter whose structure and properties are to date largely unknown. Here we use the fingerprinting technique of derivatization pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to substantiate that in terms of chemical structure part of this polymer in rural aerosol in summer can be regarded as natural humic matter. We suggest that these compounds are likely to be directly emitted by biogenic sources.