scholarly journals Ultrafine particle formation in the inland sea breeze airflow in Southwest Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 9615-9630 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fernández-Camacho ◽  
S. Rodríguez ◽  
J. de la Rosa ◽  
A. M. Sánchez de la Campa ◽  
M. Viana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Exhaust Emissions ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Vehicle Exhaust ◽  
Number Of Particles

Abstract. Studies on ultrafine particles (diameter < 100nm) and air quality have mostly focused on vehicle exhaust emissions and on new particle formation in "clean" ambient air. Here we present a study focused on the processes contributing to ultrafine particle concentrations in a city (Huelva, SW Spain) placed close to a coastal area where significant anthropogenic emissions of aerosol precursors occur. The overall data analysis shows that two processes predominantly contribute to the number of particles coarser than 2.5 nm: vehicle exhaust emissions and new particle formation due to photo-chemical activity. As typically occurs in urban areas, vehicle exhaust emissions result in high concentrations of black carbon (BC) and particles coarser than 2.5 nm (N) during the morning rush hours. The highest N concentrations were recorded during the 11:00–17:00 h period, under the sea breeze regime, when low BC concentrations were registered and photochemical activity resulted in high O3 levels and in new particle formation in the aerosol precursors' rich inland airflow. In this period, it is estimated that about 80% of the number of particles are linked to sulfur dioxide emissions. The contributions to N of "carbonaceous material and those compounds nucleating/condensing immediately after emission" and of the "new particle formation processes in air masses rich gaseous precursors (e.g. SO2)" were estimated by means of a relatively novel method based on simultaneous measurements of BC and N. A comparison with two recent studies suggests that the daily cycles of "new particle formation" during the inland sea breeze is blowing period seem to be a feature of ultrafine particles in coastal areas of South-west Europe.

scholarly journals Ultrafine particle formation in the inland sea breeze airflow in Southwest Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 17753-17788 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fernández-Camacho ◽  
S. Rodríguez ◽  
J. de la Rosa ◽  
A. M. Sánchez de la Campa ◽  
M. Viana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Exhaust Emissions ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Vehicle Exhaust ◽  
Number Of Particles

Abstract. Studies on ultrafine particles and air quality have mostly focused on vehicle exhaust emissions and on new particle formation in "clean" ambient air. Here we present a study of the processes contributing to ultrafine particle concentrations in an urban coastal area (Huelva, SW Spain) where significant anthropogenic emissions of aerosol precursors occur. The overall data analysis shows that two processes predominantly contribute to the number of particles coarser than 2.5 nm: vehicle exhaust emissions and new particle formation due to photo-chemical activity. As typically occurs in urban areas, vehicle exhaust emissions result in high concentrations of black carbon (BC) and particles coarser than 2.5 nm (N) during the morning rush hours. The highest N concentrations were recorded during the 11–17 h period, under the sea breeze regime, when photochemical activity resulted in high O3 levels and new particle formation in the aerosol precursors' rich inland airflow. In this period, it is estimated that about 80% of the number of particles are linked to sulfur dioxide emissions. The contributions to N of "carbonaceous material and those compounds nucleating/condensing immediately after emission" and of the "new particle formation processes in air masses rich gaseous precursors (e.g. SO2)" were estimated by means of a relatively novel method based on simultaneous measurements of BC and N. A comparison with two recent studies suggests that the daily cycles of "new particle formation" during the period when the inland sea breeze is blowing period seem to be a feature of ultrafine particles in coastal areas of South-west Europe.

scholarly journals Vertical and horizontal distribution of regional new particle formation events in Madrid

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Carnerero ◽  
Noemí Pérez ◽  
Cristina Reche ◽  
Marina Ealo ◽  
Gloria Titos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Vehicle Exhaust ◽  
Radiative Balance ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The vertical profile of new particle formation (NPF) events was studied by comparing the aerosol size number distributions measured aloft and at surface level in a suburban environment in Madrid, Spain using airborne instruments. The horizontal distribution and regional impact of the NPF events was investigated with data from three urban and suburban stations in the Madrid metropolitan area. Intensive regional NPF episodes followed by particle growth were simultaneously recorded at three stations in and around Madrid, in a field campaign in July 2016. On some days a marked decline in particle size (shrinkage) was observed in the afternoon, associated with a change in air masses. Additionally, a few nocturnal nucleation mode bursts were observed in the urban stations, which could be related to aircraft emissions transported from the airport. Considering all simultaneous diurnal NPF events registered, growth rates were significantly lower at the urban stations, ranging 2.0–3.9 nm h−1, compared to the suburban station (2.9–10.0 nm h−1). Total concentration of 9.1–25 nm particles reached 2.8 x 104 cm−3 at the urban station and 1.7 x 104 cm−3 at the suburban station, the mean daily values being 3.7 x 104 cm−3 (2.2 x 104 cm−3 at the suburban station) during event days. The formation rates of 9–25 nm particles peaked around noon and recorded a median value of 2.0 cm−3 s−1 and 1.1 cm−3 s−1 at the urban and suburban stations, respectively. The condensation and coagulation sinks presented minimum values shortly before sunrise, increasing after dawn reaching the maximum value at 14:00 UTC, with average daily mean values of 3.4 x 10−3 s−1 (2.5 x 10−3 s−1 at the suburban station) and 2.4 x 10−5 s−1, respectively, during event days. The vertical soundings demonstrated that ultrafine particles (UFP) are transported from surface levels to higher levels, thus newly-formed particles ascend from surface to the top of the mixing layer. The morning soundings revealed the presence of a residual layer in the upper levels in which aged particles (nucleated and grown on previous days) prevail. The particles in this layer also grow in size, with growth rates significantly smaller than those inside the mixed layer. Under conditions with strong enough convection, the soundings revealed homogeneous number size distributions and growth rates at all altitudes, which follow the same evolution in the other stations considered in this study. This indicates that NPF occurs quasi-homogenously in an area spanning at least 17 km horizontally. The NPF events extend over the full vertical extension of the mixed layer reaching as high as 3000 m. This can have consequences in the radiative balance of the atmosphere and affect the climate. Results also evidenced that total particle concentration in and around Madrid in summer is dominated by NPF during summer, thus it may obscure the impact of vehicle exhaust emissions on levels of UFP.

scholarly journals Isoprene suppression of new particle formation in a mixed deciduous forest

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 6013-6027 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Kanawade ◽  
B. T. Jobson ◽  
A. B. Guenther ◽  
M. E. Erupe ◽  
S. N. Pressley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Mixed Deciduous Forest

Abstract. Production of new particles over forests is an important source of cloud condensation nuclei that can affect climate. While such particle formation events have been widely observed, their formation mechanisms over forests are poorly understood. Our observations made in a mixed deciduous forest with large isoprene emissions during the summer displayed a surprisingly rare occurrence of new particle formation (NPF). Typically, NPF events occur around noon but no NPF events were observed during the 5 weeks of measurements. The exceptions were two evening ultrafine particle events. During the day, sulfuric acid concentrations were in the 106 cm−3 range with very low preexisting aerosol particles, a favorable condition for NPF to occur even during the summer. The ratio of emitted isoprene carbon to monoterpene carbon at this site was similar to that in Amazon rainforests (ratio >10), where NPF events are also very rare, compared with a ratio <0.5 in Finland boreal forests, where NPF events are frequent. Our results suggest that large isoprene emissions can suppress NPF formation in forests although the underlying mechanism for the suppression is unclear. The two evening ultrafine particle events were associated with the transported anthropogenic sulfur plumes and ultrafine particles were likely formed via ion-induced nucleation. Changes in landcover and environmental conditions could modify the isoprene suppression of NPF in some forest regions resulting in a radiative forcing that could have influence on the climate.

scholarly journals Isoprene suppression of new particle formation in mixed deciduous forest

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 11039-11075 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Kanawade ◽  
B. Tom Jobson ◽  
A. B. Guenther ◽  
M. E. Erupe ◽  
S. N. Pressely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
New Particle Formation

Abstract. Production of new particles over forests is an important source of cloud condensation nuclei that can affect climate. While such particle formation events have been widely observed, their formation mechanisms over forests are poorly understood. Our observations made in a mixed deciduous Michigan forest with large isoprene emissions during the summer show surprisingly rare occurrence of new particle formation (NPF). No NPF events were observed during the 5 weeks of measurements, except two evening ultrafine particle events as opposed to the typically observed noontime NPF elsewhere. Sulfuric acid concentrations were in the 106 cm−3 ranges with very low preexisting aerosol particles, a favorable condition for NPF to occur even during the summer. The ratio of emitted isoprene carbon to monoterpene carbon at this site was similar to that in Amazon rainforests (ratio >10), where NPF is also very rare, compared with a ratio <0.5 in Finland boreal forests, where NPF events are frequent. Our results showed that large isoprene emissions can suppress NPF formation in forests although the underlying mechanism for the suppression is unclear and future studies are needed to reveal the likely mechanism. The two evening ultrafine particle events were associated with the transported anthropogenic sulfur plumes and the ultrafine particles likely formed via ion induced nucleation. Changes in landcover and environmental conditions could modify the isoprene suppression of NPF in some forest regions resulting in a radiative forcing that could influence climate.

scholarly journals Summertime observations of elevated levels of ultrafine particles in the high Arctic marine boundary layer

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 5515-5535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Burkart ◽  
Megan D. Willis ◽  
Heiko Bozem ◽  
Jennie L. Thomas ◽  
Kathy Law ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Open Ocean ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Depositional Processes

Abstract. Motivated by increasing levels of open ocean in the Arctic summer and the lack of prior altitude-resolved studies, extensive aerosol measurements were made during 11 flights of the NETCARE July 2014 airborne campaign from Resolute Bay, Nunavut. Flights included vertical profiles (60 to 3000 m above ground level) over open ocean, fast ice, and boundary layer clouds and fogs. A general conclusion, from observations of particle numbers between 5 and 20 nm in diameter (N5 − 20), is that ultrafine particle formation occurs readily in the Canadian high Arctic marine boundary layer, especially just above ocean and clouds, reaching values of a few thousand particles cm−3. By contrast, ultrafine particle concentrations are much lower in the free troposphere. Elevated levels of larger particles (for example, from 20 to 40 nm in size, N20 − 40) are sometimes associated with high N5 − 20, especially over low clouds, suggestive of aerosol growth. The number densities of particles greater than 40 nm in diameter (N >  40) are relatively depleted at the lowest altitudes, indicative of depositional processes that will lower the condensation sink and promote new particle formation. The number of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN; measured at 0.6 % supersaturation) are positively correlated with the numbers of small particles (down to roughly 30 nm), indicating that some fraction of these newly formed particles are capable of being involved in cloud activation. Given that the summertime marine Arctic is a biologically active region, it is important to better establish the links between emissions from the ocean and the formation and growth of ultrafine particles within this rapidly changing environment.

scholarly journals Sources and Eco-toxicological Effects of Ultrafine Particle Matters

2019 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 06008
Author(s):  
SHAN Huimei ◽  
LUO Linbo ◽  
WANG Shaopei ◽  
LIAO Danxue ◽  
ZHAO Chaoran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pollution Control ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Toxicological Effects ◽  
Atmospheric Particulates ◽  
Environmental Air ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Environmental Air Pollution

Environmental air pollution has become an important threat to human health. As one of the major air pollutants, atmospheric particulates have received attention widely. In which, ultrafine particulate matters (UPM) with diameter below 0.1μm have become the main components of ambient air particulates, posing a serious threat to the health of the organism. Therefore, this paper investigated and summarized the research on ultrafine particles at home and abroad, systematically analysed the sources of UPM in ambient air, investigated its toxicological effects of ultrafine particles on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system of organisms. This study will provide a theoretical reference for environmental air protection and pollution control in China.

scholarly journals Evidence of an elevated source of nucleation based on model simulations and data from the NIFTy experiment

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 8021-8036 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Crippa ◽  
T. Petäjä ◽  
H. Korhonen ◽  
G. S. El Afandi ◽  
S. C. Pryor
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Nocturnal Inversion

Abstract. New particle formation has been observed at a number of ground-based measurement sites. Prior research has provided evidence that this new particle formation, while observed in the near-surface layer, is actually occurring in atmospheric layers above the surface and appears to be focused in or close to the residual layer formed by the nocturnal inversion. Here, we present both observations and modeling for southern Indiana which support this postulate. Based on simulations with a detailed aerosol dynamics model and the Weather Research and Forecasting model, along with data from ground-based remote sensing instruments and detailed gas and particle phase measurements, we show evidence that (i) the maximum rate change of ultrafine particle concentrations as observed close to the surface is always preceded by breakdown of the nocturnal inversion and enhancement of vertical mixing and (ii) simulated particle size distributions exhibit greatest accord with surface observations during and subsequent to nucleation only when initialized with a particle size distribution representative of clear atmospheric conditions, rather than the in situ (ground-level) particle size distribution.

scholarly journals Iodine-mediated coastal particle formation: an overview of the Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) Roscoff coastal study

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2975-2999 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. McFiggans ◽  
C. S. E. Bale ◽  
S. M. Ball ◽  
J. M. Beames ◽  
W. J. Bloss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Molecular Iodine ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
North West ◽  
Iodine Species

Abstract. This paper presents a summary of the measurements made during the heavily-instrumented Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) coastal study in Roscoff on the North West coast of France throughout September 2006. It was clearly demonstrated that iodine-mediated coastal particle formation occurs, driven by daytime low tide emission of molecular iodine, I2, by macroalgal species fully or partially exposed by the receding waterline. Ultrafine particle concentrations strongly correlate with the rapidly recycled reactive iodine species, IO, produced at high concentrations following photolysis of I2. The heterogeneous macroalgal I2 sources lead to variable relative concentrations of iodine species observed by path-integrated and in situ measurement techniques. Apparent particle emission fluxes were associated with an enhanced apparent depositional flux of ozone, consistent with both a direct O3 deposition to macroalgae and involvement of O3 in iodine photochemistry and subsequent particle formation below the measurement height. The magnitude of the particle formation events was observed to be greatest at the lowest tides with the highest concentrations of ultrafine particles growing to the largest sizes, probably by the condensation of anthropogenically-formed condensable material. At such sizes the particles should be able to act as cloud condensation nuclei at reasonable atmospheric supersaturations.

scholarly journals Frequency of new particle formation events in the urban Mediterranean climate

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 26463-26494 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brines ◽  
M. Dall'Osto ◽  
D. C. S. Beddows ◽  
R. M. Harrison ◽  
F. Gómez-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
New Particle Formation

Abstract. Road traffic emissions are often considered the main source of ultrafine particles (UFP, diameter smaller than 100 nm) in urban environments. However, recent studies have shown that – in southern European urban regions at least – new particle formation events can also contribute to UFP. In order to quantify such events we systematically studied four cities with a Mediterranean climate: Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Los Angeles. The city of Brisbane is also included in our study due to its similar climate. Five long term datasets (from 3 months to 2 years) of fine and ultrafine particle number size distributions (measured by SMPS, Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer) were analysed. By applying k-Means clustering analysis, we categorized the collected aerosol size distributions in four main classes: "Traffic" (prevailing 41–63% of the time), "Background Pollution" (6–53%), "Nucleation" (6–33%) and "Specific case" (7–20%) the latter being site specific. The daily variation of the average UFP concentrations for a typical nucleation day at each site revealed a similar pattern for all cities, with three distinct particle bursts. A morning and an evening spike reflected traffic rush hours, whereas a third one at midday showed new particle formation events. This work shows that the average occurrence of particle size spectra dominated by new particle formation events was 18% of the time, showing the importance of this process as a source of UFP in the Mediterranean urban atmosphere. Furthermore, in a number of the studied cities, particle number concentration averaged daily profiles for the whole study periods clearly showed the same three particle bursts. This reveals nucleation events as a relevant contributor to the average daily urban exposure to UFP in Mediterranean urban environments.

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