Charging states on atmospheric aerosol particles affected by meteorological conditions

Previous studies on haze formation focused mainly on the various chemical components in aerosol particles and their physicochemical effects on particle behaviour(e.g.,generation,growth,and agglomeration).This paper describes the measurement of the charging state on atmospheric aerosol particles,which could be affected by meteorological conditions.A series of experiments on particle charging state and meteorological factors was undertaken on the roof of the west 4th building on the Qujiang Campus at Xi'an Jiaotong University(China).Measurements were conducted approximately 20 m above ground level,Our results showed that most atmospheric particles carried net negative or positive charge and that the electric charge on the particles varied diurnally and seasonally.The average amount of charge on particles was higher in winter than in summer.The number concentration of charged particles was higher during the day than overnight.Obvious difference in the average charge of aerosol particles was found between sand-dust days and haze days.A strong relationship was found between the PM2.s concentration,charge amount on particles,and humidity.Our findings show that particle formation and growth could partly be attributed to variation in particle charging state,which is related to meteorological conditions including atmospheric humidity.

Studying the stress-suction coupling in soils using an oedometer equipped with a high capacity tensiometer

In the context of research into deep nuclear waste disposal,various works have concerned the hydromechanical behavior of Boom clay,a stiff plastic clay extracted in the SCK-CEN Underground Research Laboratory near the Mol City(Belgium),at a depth of 223 m.Due to some amount of smectite minerals in the clay fraction,Boom clay exhibits swelling properties when hydrated under low stresses.To investigate some aspects of the hydromechanical behavior of Boom clay,oedometer compression tests were carried out on samples of Boom clay close to saturation and submitted to an initial suction.During oedometer compression,the changes in suction with increased vertical stress are monitored by means of a high capacity tensiometer installed at the bottom of the sample.Some aspects related to hydromechanical couplings are examined through the investigation of the changes in suction during oedometer compression,a somewhat delicate and poorly documented experimental approach.A comparison is also made with a completely different soil sample under suction,i.e.a statically compacted unsaturated low plasticity silt.Some technical difficulties typical of this new experimental approach are first described in detail so as to optimize the interpretation of the data obtained.The experiment allows the determination of the point at which suction is changed to positive pressure during compression.Below this point,the ratio between the vertical stress and the change in suction are determined.Above this point,the data show that positive pore pressures are dissipated in a common way.The suction/stress behavior during unloading is also described and discussed.Finally,an interpretation in terms of microstructure effects is provided for both samples.The experimental approach initiated here seems to provide interesting further application to better understand hydromechanical couplings in natural soils in relation with suction increase during stress release.