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

The organic matter in tropospheric aerosol plays an important, yet undeterm ined 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 th e fingerprinting technique of derivatization pyrolysis-gas chromatography-m ass spectrometry to substantiate that in terms of chemical structure part o f 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 b y biogenic sources.