Abstract. The “Berlin Air quality and Ecosystem Research: Local and long-range Impact of
anthropogenic and Natural hydrocarbons” (BAERLIN2014) campaign was conducted
during the 3 summer months (June–August) of 2014. During this
measurement campaign, both stationary and mobile measurements were undertaken
to address complementary aims. This paper provides an overview of the
stationary measurements and results that were focused on characterization of
gaseous and particulate pollution, including source attribution, in the
Berlin–Potsdam area, and quantification of the role of natural sources in
determining levels of ozone and related gaseous pollutants. Results show that
biogenic contributions to ozone and particulate matter are substantial. One
indicator for ozone formation, the OH reactivity, showed a 31 %
(0.82 ± 0.44 s−1) and 75 % (3.7 ± 0.90 s−1)
contribution from biogenic non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) for urban background
(2.6 ± 0.68 s−1) and urban park (4.9 ± 1.0 s−1)
location, respectively, emphasizing the importance of such locations as
sources of biogenic NMVOCs in urban areas. A comparison to NMVOC measurements
made in Berlin approximately 20 years earlier generally show lower levels today for
anthropogenic NMVOCs. A substantial contribution of secondary organic and
inorganic aerosol to PM10 concentrations was quantified. In
addition to secondary aerosols, source apportionment analysis of the organic
carbon fraction identified the contribution of biogenic (plant-based)
particulate matter, as well as primary contributions from vehicles, with a
larger contribution from diesel compared to gasoline vehicles, as well as a
relatively small contribution from wood burning, linked to measured
levoglucosan.
Wintertime aerosol chemical composition and source apportionment of the organic fraction in the metropolitan area of Paris