Nowadays the global climate change and the air quality issues are increasingly focusing attention on air chemistry research. The air chemistry research group firstly focuses on the identification of different source types of the atmospheric aerosol, the analysis of their physical and chemical characteristics and their effects on the environment.
In recent years one of the most significant research results is the identification of universal and new specific tracer compounds in aerosol samples collected during combustion of different types of municipal solid wastes in laboratory system. These compounds have also been detected in environmental samples, which have been used to estimate the impact of domestic waste burning on air quality.
Based on the chemical and optical properties of laboratory-generated tar balls these soot-like particles have an important role in the global radiation balance due to their significant absorption properties.
The effect of the hygroscopicity of aerosol particles on the measured mass concentration was investigated which supported that these measured values can cause positive errors of up to 15–19% in fall and winter. The meteorological and chemical properties of Hungarian winter air pollution episodes during cold and humid-foggy conditions were analysed which resulted a significant increase in PM10 mass concentration.
Services and infrastructure
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 aerosol sampler
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The sampler collects the PM1–10 or PM2.5–10 fractions of the aerosol particles in a sharp-cut cyclone separator and PM1 or PM2.5 samples on 47 mm diameter filters. The availability of bulk aerosol samples facilities the application of various analytical methods to determine the elemental, chemical and phase composition of particulate matter.
OPC Model 11-D Optical Particle Counter
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The optical particle counter is a portable aerosol spectrometer for monitoring inhalable, thoracic and respirable dust, PM values, and particle number concentration. This device is the optimal solution for reliable, flexible and real-time measurements for aerosol research, indoor and outdoor air quality.
WCPCs Model 3789 Water-based Condensation Particle Counter
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The water-based condensation particle counter enables real-time monitoring of aerosol particles in the size range from 2 nm to 1 µm, which can be used to determine the size distribution and concentration of nanoparticles.
PEM Model 200 Personal Environmental Monitor
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The personal environmental monitor is a single-stage impactor with an after-filter. The impactor stage removes aerosol particles larger than the cut size (either 2.5 µm or 10 µm aerodynamic diameter), and the smaller particles are collected on the after-filter. Aerosol particles collected on the after-filter are available for gravimetric and/or chemical composition analysis. The PEM can be used to obtain personal exposure data while the wearer goes about his/her normal activities.
Agilent GC-MS
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The Agilent 6890N gas chromatograph with Agilent 5973N mass spectrometer enables the quantitative determination of organic compounds in various aerosol samples after extraction and sample preparation.
Thermo Scientific GC-MS/MS
Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering | Air Chemistry Research Group
Research field: sampling of atmospheric aerosol, mass concentration, size distribution, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, black carbon, toxicity
The Thermo Scientific Trace 1610 gas chromatograph with Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer enables the quantitative determination of organic compounds in various aerosol samples after extraction and sample preparation.
Collaborating Partners
- HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service
- University of Szeged
- University of Pécs
- University of Győr
- University of Helsinki, Finnország
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Egyesült Államok
- Vlaamse Instellung voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Belgium
- National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Románia
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e.V., Németország
Selected Publications
- Kakasi, B., Varga, F. J., Tóth, Á., Jancsek-Turóczi, B., Hoffer, A., Nagy, Sz. T., Kováts, N., Hubai, K., Gelencsér, A. (2026) Toxicological characterization of flue gases from closed combustion of conventional solid fuels and co-burned plastic wastes, Science of the Total Environment, 1014, 181356, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181356;
- Hoffer, A., Jancsek-Turóczi, B., Tóth, Á., Kiss, Gy., Naghiu, A., Levei, E. A., Marmureanu, L., Machon, A., Gelencsér, A. (2020) Emission factors for PM10 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from illegal burning of different types of municipal waste in households. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, 20(24), 16135–16144.
- Jancsek-Turóczi, B., Hoffer, A., Nyírö-Kósa, I., Gelencsér, A. (2013) Sampling and characterization of resuspended and respirable road dust. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE, 65, 69–76.
- Gelencsér, A., Kováts, N., Turóczi, B., Rostási, A., Hoffer, A., Imre, K., … Pósfai, M. (2011) The red mud accident in Ajka (Hungary): characterization and potential health effects of fugitive dust. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 45(4), 1608–1615.
- Gelencsér, A., May, B., Sánchez-Ochoa, A., Kasper-Giebl, A., Puxbaum, H., Caseiro, A., … Simpson, D. (2007) Source apportionment of PM2.5 organic aerosol over Europe: primary/ secondary, natural/ anthropogenic, fossil/biogenic origin. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, 112(23), 1–12.