Aircraft measurements of fine inorganic aerosol composition were made with a
particle-into-liquid sampler coupled to dual ion chromatographs (PILS-IC) as part of
the NASA INTEX-NA study. The sampling campaign, which lasted from 1 July to
14 August 2004, centered over the eastern United States and Canada and showed that
sulfate was the dominant inorganic species measured. The highest sulfate concentrations
were observed at altitudes below 2 km, and back trajectory analyses showed a
distinct difference between air masses that had or had not intercepted the Ohio River
valley (ORV) region. Air masses encountered below 2 km with a history over the ORV
had sulfate concentrations that were higher by a factor of 3.2 and total sulfur (S)
concentrations higher by 2.5. The study’s highest sulfate concentrations were found in
these air masses. The sulfur of the ORV air masses was also more processed with a mean
sulfate to total sulfur molar ratio of 0.5 compared to 0.3 in non-ORV measurements.
Results from a second, independent trajectory model agreed well with those from the
primary analysis. These ORV-influenced air masses were encountered on multiple days
and were widely spread across the eastern United States and western Atlantic region.