Airborne salt particles: a new method for their investigation

Abstract

A study was carried out on airborne salt particles by counting the bright flashes they produced in a non-luminous gas flame. In this way the variation with weather conditions of their relative concentrations was studied. In order to observe this phenomenon in greater detail a type of flame photometer was developed capable of recording the number, size distribution, and chemical compositions of the particles. Theories for particle formation and their subsequent utilization by plants are reviewed, and suggestions made for further uses of the flame photometer apparatus.