Description of Atmospheric Aerosol Dynamics Using an Inverse Gaussian Distributed Method of Moments

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 3011-3031
Author(s):  
J. Shen ◽  
M. Yu ◽  
J. Lin
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Method Of Moments ◽  
Lognormal Distribution ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Geometric Standard Deviation ◽  
Test Cases ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Inverse Gaussian ◽  
Aerosol Dynamics

Abstract For nearly 60 years, the lognormal distribution has been the most widely used function in the field of atmospheric science for characterizing atmospheric aerosol size distribution. We verify whether the three-parameter inverse Gaussian distribution (IGD) is a more suitable function than the lognormal distribution for characterizing aerosol size distribution. An attractive feature of IGD is that with it a new method of moments (MOM) can be established for resolving atmospheric aerosol dynamics which is described by a kinetic aerosol dynamics equation, i.e., inverse Gaussian distributed MOM (IGDMOM). The advantage of IGDMOM is that all of its moments can be analytically calculated using a closure moment function inherited from IGD. The precision and efficiency of IGDMOM are verified by comparing it with other recognizable methods in test cases of four representative atmospheric aerosol dynamics. Several key statistical quantities determining aerosol size distributions, including kth moments (k = 0, 1/3, 2/3, and 2), geometric standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis, are evaluated. IGDMOM has higher precision than the lognormal MOM with nearly identical efficiency. The article provides a novel alternative to atmospheric scientists for solving kinetic aerosol dynamics equations.

Determination of atmospheric aerosol particle size distribution and visibility using a mobile laboratory

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1101-1107
Author(s):  
C. V. Mathai ◽  
A. W. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Suspended Particle ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Mobile Laboratory ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The City

As part of an ongoing general research program on the effects of atmospheric aerosols on visibility and its dependence on aerosol size distributions in Calgary, this paper presents the results of a comparative study of particle size distribution and visibility in residential (NW) and industrial (SE) sections of the city using a mobile laboratory. The study was conducted in the period October–December, 1979. An active scattering aerosol spectrometer measured the size distributions and the corresponding visibilities were deduced from scattering coefficients measured with an integrating nephelometer.The results of this transit study show significantly higher suspended particle concentrations and reduced visibilities in the SE than in the NW. The mean values of the visibilities are 44 and 97 km for the SE and the NW respectively. The exponent of R (particle radius) in the power law aerosol size distribution has a mean value of −3.36 ± 0.24 in the SE compared with the corresponding value of −3.89 ± 0.39 for the NW. These results arc in good agreement with the observations of Alberta Environment; however, they are in contradiction with a recent report published by the City of Calgary.

scholarly journals Arctic smoke – aerosol characteristics during a record air pollution event in the European Arctic and its radiative impact

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 2275-2324 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Treffeisen ◽  
P. Turnved ◽  
J. Ström ◽  
A. Herber ◽  
J. Bareiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Geometric Standard Deviation ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Pollution Event

Abstract. In early May 2006 a record high air pollution event was observed at Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen. An atypical weather pattern established a pathway for the rapid transport of biomass burning aerosols from agricultural fires in Eastern Europe to the Arctic. Atmospheric stability was such that the smoke was constrained to low levels, within 2 km of the surface during the transport. A description of this smoke event in terms of transport and main aerosol characteristics can be found in Stohl et al. (2007). This study puts emphasis on the radiative effect of the smoke. The aerosol size distribution was characterized as having an accumulation mode centered at 165–185 nm and almost 1.6 for geometric standard deviation of the mode. Nucleation and small Aitken mode particles were almost completely suppressed within the smoke plume measured at Ny-Ålesund. Chemical and microphysical aerosol information obtained at Mt. Zeppelin (474 m.a.s.l) was used to derive input parameters for a one-dimensional radiation transfer model to explore the radiative effects of the smoke. The daily mean heating rate calculated on 2 May 2006 for the average size distribution and measured chemical composition reached 0.55 K day−1 at 0.5 km altitude for the assumed external mixture of the aerosols but showing much higher heating rates for an internal mixture (1.7 K day−1). In comparison a case study for March 2000 showed that the local climatic effects due to Arctic haze, using a regional climate model, HIRHAM, amounts to a maximum of 0.3 K day−1 of heating at 2 km altitude (Treffeisen et al., 2005).

scholarly journals An investigation of processes controlling the evolution of the boundary layer aerosol size distribution properties at the Swedish background station Aspvreten

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 4507-4543 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Tunved ◽  
J. Ström ◽  
H.-C. Hansson
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Wet Deposition ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Back Trajectory ◽  
Main Process ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Back Trajectory Analysis ◽  
The One ◽  
Precipitating Clouds

Abstract. Aerosol size distributions have been measured at the Swedish background station Aspvreten (58.8° N, 17.4° E). Different states of the aerosol were determined using a novel application of cluster analysis. The analysis resulted in eight different clusters capturing the different stages of the aerosol lifecycle. The aerosol was interpreted as belonging to fresh, intermediate and aged type of size distribution and different magnitudes thereof. With aid of back trajectory analysis we present statistics concerning the relation of source area and different meteorological parameters using a non-lagrangian approach. Source area is argued to be important although not sufficient to describe the observed aerosol properties. Especially processing by clouds and precipitation is shown to be crucial for the evolution of the aerosol size distribution. As much as 60% of the observed size distributions present features likely related to cloud processes or wet deposition. The lifetime properties of different sized aerosols are discussed by means of measured variability. Processing by non-precipitating clouds most obviously affect aerosols in the size range 100 nm and larger. This indicates an approximate limit for activation in clouds to 100 nm in this type of environment. The aerosol lifecycle is discussed. Size distributions bearing signs of recent new particle formation (~30% of the observed size distributions) represent the first stage in the lifecycle. Aging may proceed in two directions: either growth by condensation and coagulation or processing by non-precipitating clouds. In both cases mass is accumulated. Wet removal is the main process capable of removing aerosol mass. Wet deposition is argued to be an important mechanism in reaching a state where nucleation may occur (i.e. sufficiently low aerosol surface area) in environments similar to the one studied.

scholarly journals Quantifying aerosol size distributions and their temporal variability in the Southern Great Plains, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 11985-12006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Marinescu ◽  
Ezra J. T. Levin ◽  
Don Collins ◽  
Sonia M. Kreidenweis ◽  
Susan C. van den Heever
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Diurnal Cycle ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer ◽  
Southern Great Plains ◽  
Particle Sizer

Abstract. A quality-controlled, 5-year dataset of aerosol number size distributions (particles with diameters (Dp) from 7 nm through 14 µm) was developed using observations from a scanning mobility particle sizer, aerodynamic particle sizer, and a condensation particle counter at the Department of Energy's Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. This dataset was used for two purposes. First, typical characteristics of the aerosol size distribution (number, surface area, and volume) were calculated for the SGP site, both for the entire dataset and on a seasonal basis, and size distribution lognormal fit parameters are provided. While the median size distributions generally had similar shapes (four lognormal modes) in all the seasons, there were some significant differences between seasons. These differences were most significant in the smallest particles (Dp<30 nm) and largest particles (Dp>800 nm). Second, power spectral analysis was conducted on this long-term dataset to determine key temporal cycles of total aerosol concentrations, as well as aerosol concentrations in specified size ranges. The strongest cyclic signal was associated with a diurnal cycle in total aerosol number concentrations that was driven by the number concentrations of the smallest particles (Dp<30 nm). This diurnal cycle in the smallest particles occurred in all seasons in ∼50 % of the observations, suggesting a persistent influence of new particle formation events on the number concentrations observed at the SGP site. This finding is in contrast with earlier studies that suggest new particle formation is observed primarily in the springtime at this site. The timing of peak concentrations associated with this diurnal cycle was shifted by several hours depending on the season, which was consistent with seasonal differences in insolation and boundary layer processes. Significant diurnal cycles in number concentrations were also found for particles with Dp between 140 and 800 nm, with peak concentrations occurring in the overnight hours, which were primarily associated with both nitrate and organic aerosol cycles. Weaker cyclic signals were observed for longer timescales (days to weeks) and are hypothesized to be related to the timescales of synoptic weather variability. The strongest periodic signals (3.5–5 and 7 d cycles) for these longer timescales varied depending on the season, with no cyclic signals and the lowest variability in the summer.

scholarly journals On the Quantitative Low-Level Aerosol Measurements Using Ceilometer-Type Lidar

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 2340-2352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu-Maija Sundström ◽  
Timo Nousiainen ◽  
Tuukka Petäjä
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Measurement Instrument ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Lidar Measurement ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Absolute Accuracy ◽  
Particle Composition ◽  
Aerosol Measurement

Abstract The objective of this work is to investigate whether a commercial ceilometer-type lidar can be used as a quantitative aerosol measurement instrument. To this end, lidar backscattering measurements are compared with exact theoretical calculations of backscattering, which are based on in situ–measured size distributions and account for uncertainties in particle composition and shape. The results show that the differences between simulated and measured backscattering remain nearly constant and within the uncertainties involved. The differences are most plausibly explained by an error in the overlap function of the lidar and/or errors in the calibration of either the lidar or the in situ instruments used to measure the aerosol size distribution. Occasionally, large differences occur that are obviously connected to the unrepresentativeness of the in situ and lidar measurement volumes because of insufficient atmospheric mixing. The results imply that the absolute accuracy of the instrument investigated might be sufficient for quantitative aerosol measurements in some applications. A fix for the overlap function, however, would be desirable.

scholarly journals Technical Note: A new SIze REsolved Aerosol Model (SIREAM)

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 11845-11875 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Debry ◽  
K. Fahey ◽  
K. Sartelet ◽  
B. Sportisse ◽  
M. Tombette
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosol ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Chemistry Transport Model ◽  
Aerosol Model ◽  
General Dynamic

Abstract. We briefly present in this short paper a new SIze REsolved Aerosol Model (SIREAM) which simulates the evolution of atmospheric aerosol by solving the General Dynamic Equation (GDE). SIREAM segregates the aerosol size distribution into sections and solves the GDE by splitting coagulation and condensation/evaporation. A moving sectional approach is used to describe the size distribution change due to condensation/evaporation and a hybrid method has been developed to lower the computational burden. SIREAM uses the same physical parameterizations as those used in the Modal Aerosol Model, MAM sartelet05development. It is hosted in the modeling system POLYPHEMUS (Mallet et al., 2006) but can be linked to any other three-dimensional Chemistry-Transport Model.

scholarly journals Determination of Fitted Size Distribution for Atmospheric Aerosols

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin DuPaul ◽  
Adam Whitten
Keyword(s):  
Particle Swarm Optimization ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Particle Swarm ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Swarm Optimization ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Lognormal Distributions

A synthetic set of aerosol optical depths (AODs) generated from a standard set of aerosol size distributions was analyzed by a parameter based particle swarm optimization (PBPSO) routine in order to test the reproducibility of the results. Junge and lognormal size distributions were consistently reproduced. Gamma and bimodal distributions showed large variability in solutions. values were used to determine the best subset of possible solutions allowing quantification of parameters with uncertainties when using PBPSO. AODs measured by a sun photometer on a clear day (20160413) and a foggy day (20160508) were then processed by the PBPSO program for both bimodal and lognormal distributions. Results showed that in general the foggy day has smaller values indicating that the PBPSO algorithm is better able to match AODs when there is a larger aerosol load in the atmosphere. The bimodal distribution from the clear day best describes the aerosol size distribution since the values are lower. The lognormal distribution best describes the aerosol size distribution on the foggy day (20160508). KEYWORDS: Atmospheric Aerosols; Size Distributions; Junge; Bimodal; Gamma; Lognormal; Particle Swarm Optimization; Inverse Problem; Aerosol Optical Depth

scholarly journals The MESSy aerosol submodel MADE3 (v2.0b): description and a box model test

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1137-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Kaiser ◽  
J. Hendricks ◽  
M. Righi ◽  
N. Riemer ◽  
R. A. Zaveri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Sea Spray ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Aerosol Dynamics ◽  
Coarse Mode ◽  
Made In

Abstract. We introduce MADE3 (Modal Aerosol Dynamics model for Europe, adapted for global applications, 3rd generation; version: MADE3v2.0b), an aerosol dynamics submodel for application within the MESSy framework (Modular Earth Submodel System). MADE3 builds on the predecessor aerosol submodels MADE and MADE-in. Its main new features are the explicit representation of coarse mode particle interactions both with other particles and with condensable gases, and the inclusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) / chloride (Cl) partitioning between the gas and condensed phases. The aerosol size distribution is represented in the new submodel as a superposition of nine lognormal modes: one for fully soluble particles, one for insoluble particles, and one for mixed particles in each of three size ranges (Aitken, accumulation, and coarse mode size ranges). In order to assess the performance of MADE3 we compare it to its predecessor MADE and to the much more detailed particle-resolved aerosol model PartMC-MOSAIC in a box model simulation of an idealised marine boundary layer test case. MADE3 and MADE results are very similar, except in the coarse mode, where the aerosol is dominated by sea spray particles. Cl is reduced in MADE3 with respect to MADE due to the HCl / Cl partitioning that leads to Cl removal from the sea spray aerosol in our test case. Additionally, the aerosol nitrate concentration is higher in MADE3 due to the condensation of nitric acid on coarse mode particles. MADE3 and PartMC-MOSAIC show substantial differences in the fine particle size distributions (sizes &amp;lesssim; 2 μm) that could be relevant when simulating climate effects on a global scale. Nevertheless, the agreement between MADE3 and PartMC-MOSAIC is very good when it comes to coarse particle size distributions (sizes &amp;gtrsim; 2 μm), and also in terms of aerosol composition. Considering these results and the well-established ability of MADE in reproducing observed aerosol loadings and composition, MADE3 seems suitable for application within a global model.

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