FAQs

What is the purpose of this database?

- - This database is a repository of submicron non-refractory (NR-PM1) ambient aerosol composition data collected with the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometers (AMS) and Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitors (ACSM) at locations around the world. These data are useful to evaluate aerosol models, compare concentrations and other properties across locations etc.

How can I learn more about how to interpret AMS data?

Can I use data from the database in my presentations or publications?

- - Yes, but we ask that you cite this database as: "Q. Zhang, C. Parworth, M. Lechner, and J.L. Jimenez. Aerosol Mass Spectrometer Global Database. https://sites.google.com/site/amsglobaldatabase, doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.3486719", as well as the key publication for each dataset that you use. Please honor this request as it is essential for the continued growth of this database. If the data is important to your publication, you should consider contacting the people who generated and analyzed the data, and potentially offering them coauthorship.

What kind of quality control have these data undergone?

- - We only post data that has been quality controlled and documented, normally as part of a peer-reviewed publication.

I have some AMS (or ACSM) data, can it be posted in this database?

- - Yes, provided that the dataset has been quality controlled. Ideally this information such as intercomparisons has been published, but otherwise it should be available in a report or other medium which can be linked on the database. If you are interested on having a dataset posted here, please email Qi Zhang and Jose-Luis Jimenez with the information about the dataset.

Could I create a page for my AMS dataset now, and post the data later when my paper is published?

- - Yes, this can be done if you can just provide a JPG graphics file of the concentration time series such as this one, and if you agree to post the data at most 1 year after the page is created (ideally much earlier than that). This lets people know that the data will be available in the near future, and people can also contact you if they are interested in collaborating etc.

Are T, RH, CO, black carbon, ozone etc. also available for these datasets?

- - Meteorological data was acquired for all datasets, and in almost all cases there are collocated measurements of many chemical species. Our main goal is to increase the number of AMS datasets available here, but we also hope to provide links to the other relevant data for each dataset. If you need the collocated data soon, you can contact the data producers of a particular dataset who should be able to provide the complementary data.

I was looking for the database of AMS Mass Spectra, where can I find that one?

What is the naming structure used for data on this page?

- - Data naming structure is as follows measurementType_campaignName_platform_year_measurement
  - ie: U_DAURE_BCN_2009_Org
  - U - Urban, UD - Urban Downwind, R - Rural / Remote, A - Aircraft

How can I save latitude / longitude waves in Igor to a .kml file for posting on google maps?