scholarly journals Natural new particle formation at the coastal Antarctic site Neumayer

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (19) ◽  
pp. 11399-11410 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Weller ◽  
K. Schmidt ◽  
K. Teinilä ◽  
R. Hillamo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Polar Night ◽  
Volatile Precursor ◽  
Simple Estimation

Abstract. We measured condensation particle (CP) concentrations and particle size distributions at the coastal Antarctic station Neumayer (70°39´ S, 8°15´ W) during two summer campaigns (from 20 January to 26 March 2012 and 1 February to 30 April 2014) and during the polar night between 12 August and 27 September 2014 in the particle diameter (Dp) range from 2.94 to 60.4 nm (2012) and from 6.26 to 212.9 nm (2014). During both summer campaigns we identified all in all 44 new particle formation (NPF) events. From 10 NPF events, particle growth rates could be determined to be around 0.90 ± 0.46 nm h−1 (mean ± SD; range: 0.4–1.9 nm h−1). With the exception of one case, particle growth was generally restricted to the nucleation mode (Dp < 25 nm) and the duration of NPF events was typically around 6.0 ± 1.5 h (mean ± SD; range: 4–9 h). Thus, in the surrounding area of Neumayer, particles did not grow up to sizes required for acting as cloud condensation nuclei. NPF during summer usually occurred in the afternoon in coherence with local photochemistry. During winter, two NPF events could be detected, though showing no ascertainable particle growth. A simple estimation indicated that apart from sulfuric acid, the derived growth rates required other low volatile precursor vapours.

scholarly journals Natural new particle formation at the coastal Antarctic site Neumayer

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 15655-15681
Author(s):  
R. Weller ◽  
K. Schmidt ◽  
K. Teinilä ◽  
R. Hillamo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Polar Night ◽  
Volatile Precursor ◽  
Simple Estimation

Abstract. We measured condensation particle (CP) concentrations and particle size distributions at the coastal Antarctic station Neumayer (70°39' S, 8°15' W) during two summer campaigns (from 20 January to 26 March 2012 and 1 February to 30 April 2014) and during polar night between 12 August and 27 September 2014 in the particle diameter (Dp) range from 2.94 to 60.4 nm (2012) and from 6.26 to 212.9 nm (2014). During both summer campaigns we identified all in all 44 new particle formation (NPF) events. From 10 NPF events, particle growth rates could be determined to be around 0.90 ± 0.46 nm h−1 (mean ± SD; range: 0.4 to 1.9 nm h−1). With the exception of one case, particle growth was generally restricted to the nucleation mode (Dp < 25 nm) and the duration of NPF events was typically around 6.0 ± 1.5 h (mean ± SD; range: 4 to 9 h). Thus in the main, particles did not grow up to sizes required for acting as cloud condensation nuclei. NPF during summer usually occurred in the afternoon in coherence with local photochemistry. During winter, two NPF events could be detected, though showing no ascertainable particle growth. A simple estimation indicated that apart from sulfuric acid, the derived growth rates required other low volatile precursor vapours.

scholarly journals Basic characteristics of atmospheric particles, trace gases and meteorology in a relatively clean Southern African Savannah environment

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 6313-6353 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Laakso ◽  
H. Laakso ◽  
P. P. Aalto ◽  
P. Keronen ◽  
T. Petäjä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Total Particle ◽  
Pm2.5 And Pm10

Abstract. We have analyzed one year (July 2006–July 2007) of measurement data from a relatively clean background site located in dry savannah in South Africa. The annual-median trace gas concentrations were equal to 0.7 ppb for SO2, 1.4 ppb for NOx, 36 ppb for O3 and 105 ppb for CO. The corresponding PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 9.0, 10.5 and 18.8 μg m−3, and the annual median total particle number concentration in the size range 10–840 nm was 2340 cm−3. Gases and particles had a clear seasonal and diurnal variation, which was associated with field fires and biological activity together with local meteorology. Atmospheric new-particle formation was observed to take place in more than 90% of the analyzed days. The days with no new particle formation were cloudy or rainy days. The formation rate of 10 nm particles varied in the range of 0.1–28 cm−3 s−1 (median 1.9 cm−3 s−1) and nucleation mode particle growth rates were in the range 3–21 nm h−1 (median 8.5 nm h−1). Due to high formation and growth rates, observed new particle formation gives a significant contribute to the number of cloud condensation nuclei budget, having a potential to affect the regional climate forcing patterns.

scholarly journals Basic characteristics of atmospheric particles, trace gases and meteorology in a relatively clean Southern African Savannah environment

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (16) ◽  
pp. 4823-4839 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Laakso ◽  
H. Laakso ◽  
P. P. Aalto ◽  
P. Keronen ◽  
T. Petäjä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Total Particle ◽  
Pm2.5 And Pm10

Abstract. We have analyzed one year (July 2006–July 2007) of measurement data from a relatively clean background site located in dry savannah in South Africa. The annual-median trace gas concentrations were equal to 0.7 ppb for SO2, 1.4 ppb for NOx, 36 ppb for O3 and 105 ppb for CO. The corresponding PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 9.0, 10.5 and 18.8 μg m−3, and the annual median total particle number concentration in the size range 10–840 nm was 2340 cm−3. During Easterly winds, influence of industrial sources approximately 150 km away from the measurement site was clearly visible, especially in SO2 and NOx concentrations. Of gases, NOx and CO had a clear annual, and SO2, NOx and O3 clear diurnal cycle. Atmospheric new-particle formation was observed to take place in more than 90% of the analyzed days. The days with no new particle formation were cloudy or rainy days. The formation rate of 10 nm particles varied in the range of 0.1–28 cm−3 s−1 (median 1.9 cm−3 s−1) and nucleation mode particle growth rates were in the range 3–21 nm h−1 (median 8.5 nm h−1). Due to high formation and growth rates, observed new particle formation gives a significant contribute to the number of cloud condensation nuclei budget, having a potential to affect the regional climate forcing patterns.

scholarly journals Climatology of new particle formation at Izaña mountain GAW observatory in the subtropical North Atlantic

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 3865-3881 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. García ◽  
S. Rodríguez ◽  
Y. González ◽  
R. D. García
Keyword(s):  
Sulfuric Acid ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Condensation Sink

Abstract. A climatology of new particle formation (NPF) events at high altitude in the subtropical North Atlantic is presented. A 4-year data set (June 2008–June 2012), which includes number size distributions (10–600 nm), reactive gases (SO2, NOx, and O3), several components of solar radiation and meteorological parameters, measured at Izaña Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) observatory (2373 m above sea level; Tenerife, Canary Islands) was analysed. NPF is associated with the transport of gaseous precursors from the boundary layer by orographic buoyant upward flows that perturb the low free troposphere during daytime. On average, 30% of the days contained an NPF event. Mean values of the formation and growth rates during the study period were 0.46 cm−3 s−1 and 0.42 nm h−1, correspondingly. There is a clearly marked NPF season (May–August), when these events account for 50–60% of the days per month. Monthly mean values of the formation and growth rates exhibit higher values in this season, 0.49–0.92 cm−3 s−1 and 0.48–0.58 nm h−1, respectively. During NPF events, SO2, UV radiation and upslope winds showed higher values than during non-events. The overall data set indicates that SO2 plays a key role as precursor, although other species seem to contribute during some periods. Condensation of sulfuric acid vapour accounts for most of the measured particle growth during most of the year (~70%), except for some periods. In May, the highest mean growth rates (~0.6 nm h−1) and the lowest contribution of sulfuric acid (~13%) were measured, suggesting a significant involvement of other condensing vapours. The SO2 availability seems also to be the most influencing parameter in the year-to-year variability in the frequency of NPF events. The condensation sink showed similar features to other mountain sites, showing high values during NPF events. Summertime observations, when Izaña is within the Saharan Air Layer, suggest that dust particles may play a significant role acting as coagulation sink of freshly formed nucleation particles. The contribution of dust particles to the condensation sink of sulfuric acid vapours seems to be modest (~8% as average). Finally, we identified a set of NPF events in which two nucleation modes, which may evolve at different rates, occur simultaneously and for which further investigations are necessary.

scholarly journals New particle formation in air mass transported between two measurement sites in Northern Finland

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 11929-11963 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Komppula ◽  
S.-L. Sihto ◽  
H. Korhonen ◽  
H. Lihavainen ◽  
V.-M. Kerminen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Aerosol Dynamics ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Distinct Features

Abstract. This study covers four years of aerosol number size distribution data from Pallas and Värriö sites 250 km apart from each other in Northern Finland and compares new particle formation events between these sites. In eastern air masses almost all events were observed to start earlier at the eastern station Värriö, whereas in western air masses most of the events were observed to start earlier at the western station Pallas. This demonstrates that particle formation in a certain air mass type depends not only on the diurnal variation of the parameters causing the phenomenon (such as photochemistry) but also on some properties carried by the air mass itself. The correlation in growth rates between the two sites was relatively good, which suggests that the amount of condensable vapour causing the growth must have been at about the same level in both sites. The value of condensation sink was frequently much higher at the downwind station. It seems that secondary particle formation related to biogenic sources dominate in many cases over the particle sinks during the air mass transport between the sites. Two cases of transport from Pallas to Värriö were further analysed with an aerosol dynamics model. The model was able to reproduce the observed nucleation events 250 km down-wind at Värriö but revealed some differences between the two cases. The simulated nucleation rates were in both cases similar but the organic concentration profiles that best reproduced the observations were different in the two cases indicating that divergent formation reactions may dominate under different conditions. The simulations also suggested that organic compounds were the main contributor to new particle growth, which offers a tentative hypothesis to the distinct features of new particles at the two sites: Air masses arriving from Atlantic Ocean typically spent approximately only ten hours over land before arriving at Pallas, and thus the time for the organic vapours to accumulate in the air and to interact with the particles is relatively short. This can lead to low nucleation mode growth rates and even to suppression of detectable particle formation event due to efficient scavenging of newly formed clusters, as was observed in the case studies.

scholarly journals Molecular understanding of the suppression of new-particle formation by isoprene

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Heinritzi ◽  
Lubna Dada ◽  
Mario Simon ◽  
Dominik Stolzenburg ◽  
Andrea C. Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Chemical System ◽  
Particle Nucleation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Ambient Conditions

Abstract. Nucleation of atmospheric vapors produces more than half of global cloud condensation nuclei and so has an important influence on climate. Recent studies show that monoterpene (C10H16) oxidation yields highly-oxygenated products that can nucleate with or without sulfuric acid. Monoterpenes are emitted mainly by trees, frequently together with isoprene (C5H8), which has the highest global emission of all organic vapors. Previous studies have shown that isoprene suppresses new-particle formation from monoterpenes, but the cause of this suppression is under debate. Here, in experiments performed under atmospheric conditions in the CERN CLOUD chamber, we show that isoprene reduces the yield of highly-oxygenated dimers with 19 or 20 carbon atoms – which drive particle nucleation and early growth – while increasing the production of dimers with 14 or 15 carbon atoms. The dimers (termed C20 and C15, respectively) are produced by termination reactions between pairs of peroxy radicals (RO2·) arising from monoterpenes or isoprene. Compared with pure monoterpene conditions, isoprene reduces nucleation rates at 1.7 nm (depending on the isoprene/monoterpene ratio) and approximately halves particle growth rates between 1.3 and 3.2 nm. However, above 3.2 nm, C15 dimers contribute to secondary organic aerosol and the growth rates are unaffected by isoprene. We further show that increased hydroxyl radical (OH·) reduces particle formation in our chemical system rather than enhances it as previously proposed, since it increases isoprene derived RO2· radicals that reduce C20 formation. RO2· termination emerges as the critical step that determines the HOM distribution and the corresponding nucleation capability. Species that reduce the C20 yield, such as NO, HO2 and as we show isoprene, can thus effectively reduce biogenic nucleation and early growth. Therefore the formation rate of organic aerosol in a particular region of the atmosphere under study will vary according to the precise ambient conditions.

scholarly journals Comprehensive analysis of particle growth rates from nucleation mode to cloud condensation nuclei in Boreal forest

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauli Paasonen ◽  
Maija Peltola ◽  
Jenni Kontkanen ◽  
Heikki Junninen ◽  
Veli-Matti Kerminen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Model ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Oxidation Reactions ◽  
Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Data Set

Abstract. Growth of aerosol particles to sizes at which they can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is a crucial factor in estimating the current and future impacts of aerosol cloud climate interactions. Growth rates are typically determined for particles with diameters (dP) smaller than 40 nm immediately after a regional new particle formation (NPF) event. These growth rates are often taken as representatives for the particle growth until CCN sizes (dP > 50–100 nm). In modelling frameworks, the concentration of the condensable vapours causing the growth is typically calculated with steady state assumptions, where the condensation sink is the only loss term for the vapours. Additionally, the growth to CCN sizes is represented with the condensation of extremely low-volatile vapours and gas-particle partitioning of semi-volatile vapours. Here, we use a novel automatic method to determine growth rates (GR) from below 10 nm to hundreds of nanometres from a 20-years long particle size distribution data set in Boreal forest. With this method, we are able to detect growth rates also at other times than immediately after a NPF event. We show that the GR increases with an increasing oxidation rate of monoterpenes, which is closely coupled with the ambient temperature. Based on our analysis, the oxidation reactions of monoterpenes with ozone, hydroxyl radical and nitrate radical all are capable of producing vapours that contribute to the particle growth in the studied size ranges. We find that GR increases with particle diameter, resulting in up to three-fold GRs for particles with dP ~ 100 nm in comparison to those with dP ~ 10 nm. We use a single particle model to show that this increase in GR can be explained with aerosol-phase reactions, in which semi-volatile vapours form non-volatile dimers. Finally, our analysis reveals that the GR of particles with dP 

scholarly journals Secondary new particle formation in Northern Finland Pallas site between the years 2000 and 2010

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 12959-12972 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Asmi ◽  
N. Kivekäs ◽  
V.-M. Kerminen ◽  
M. Komppula ◽  
A.-P. Hyvärinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Event Frequency ◽  
Marine Air

Abstract. Secondary new particle formation affects atmospheric aerosol and cloud droplet numbers and thereby, the aerosol effects on climate. In this paper, the frequency of nucleation events and the associated particle formation and growth rates, along with their seasonal variation, was analysed based on over ten years of aerosol measurements conducted at the Pallas GAW station in northern Finland. The long-term measurements also allowed a detailed examination of factors possibly favouring or suppressing particle formation. Effects of meteorological parameters and air mass properties as well as vapour sources and sinks for particle formation frequency and event parameters were inspected. In addition, the potential of secondary particle formation to increase the concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) sized particles was examined. Findings from these long-term measurements confirmed previous observations: event frequency peaked in spring and the highest growth rates were observed in summer, affiliated with increased biogenic activity. Events were almost exclusively observed in marine air masses on sunny cloud-free days. A low vapour sink by the background particle population as well as an elevated sulphuric acid concentration were found to favour particle formation. These were also conditions taking place most likely in marine air masses. Inter-annual trend showed a minimum in event frequency in 2003, when also the smallest annual median of growth rate was observed. This gives further evidence of the importance and sensitivity of particle formation for the condensing vapour concentrations at Pallas site. The particle formation was observed to increase CCN80 (>80 nm particle number) concentrations especially in summer and autumn seasons when the growth rates were the highest. When the growing mode exceeded the selected 80 nm limit, on average in those cases, 211 ± 114% increase of CCN80 concentrations was observed.

scholarly journals Analysis of new particle formation (NPF) events at nearby rural, urban background and urban roadside sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 5679-5694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Bousiotis ◽  
Manuel Dall'Osto ◽  
David C. S. Beddows ◽  
Francis D. Pope ◽  
Roy M. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Condensation Sink

Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) events have different patterns of development depending on the conditions of the area in which they occur. In this study, particle size distributions in the range of 16.6–604 nm (7 years of data) were analysed and NPF events occurring at three sites of differing characteristics – rural Harwell (HAR), urban background North Kensington (NK), urban roadside Marylebone Road (MR), London, UK – were extracted and studied. The different atmospheric conditions in each study area not only have an effect on the frequency of the events, but also affect their development. The frequency of NPF events is similar at the rural and urban background locations (about 7 % of days), with a high proportion of events occurring at both sites on the same day (45 %). The frequency of NPF events at the urban roadside site is slightly less (6 % of days), and higher particle growth rates (average 5.5 nm h−1 at MR compared to 3.4 and 4.2 nm h−1 at HAR and NK respectively) must result from rapid gas-to-particle conversion of traffic-generated pollutants. A general pattern is found in which the condensation sink increases with the degree of pollution of the site, but this is counteracted by increased particle growth rates at the more polluted location. A key finding of this study is that the role of the urban environment leads to an increment of 20 % in N16–20 nm in the urban background compared to that of the rural area in NPF events occurring at both sites. The relationship of the origin of incoming air masses is also considered and an association of regional events with cleaner air masses is found. Due to lower availability of condensable species, NPF events that are associated with cleaner atmospheric conditions have lower growth rates of the newly formed particles. The decisive effect of the condensation sink in the development of NPF events and the survivability of the newly formed particles is underlined, and influences the overall contribution of NPF events to the number of ultrafine particles in an area. The other key factor identified by this study is the important role that pollution, both from traffic and other sources in the urban environment (such as heating or cooking), plays in new particle formation events.

scholarly journals An improved criterion for new particle formation in diverse atmospheric environments

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 8469-8480 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kuang ◽  
I. Riipinen ◽  
S.-L. Sihto ◽  
M. Kulmala ◽  
A. V. McCormick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sulfuric Acid ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Diverse Data

Abstract. A dimensionless theory for new particle formation (NPF) was developed, using an aerosol population balance model incorporating recent developments in nucleation rates and measured particle growth rates. Based on this theoretical analysis, it was shown that a dimensionless parameter LΓ, characterizing the ratio of the particle scavenging loss rate to the particle growth rate, exclusively determined whether or not NPF would occur on a particular day. This parameter determines the probability that a nucleated particle will grow to a detectable size before being lost by coagulation with the pre-existing aerosol. Cluster-cluster coagulation was shown to contribute negligibly to this survival probability under conditions pertinent to the atmosphere. Data acquired during intensive measurement campaigns in Tecamac (MILAGRO), Atlanta (ANARChE), Boulder, and Hyytiälä (QUEST II, QUEST IV, and EUCAARI) were used to test the validity of LΓ as an NPF criterion. Measurements included aerosol size distributions down to 3 nm and gas-phase sulfuric acid concentrations. The model was applied to seventy-seven NPF events and nineteen non-events (characterized by growth of pre-existing aerosol without NPF) measured in diverse environments with broad ranges in sulfuric acid concentrations, ultrafine number concentrations, aerosol surface areas, and particle growth rates (nearly two orders of magnitude). Across this diverse data set, a nominal value of LΓ=0.7 was found to determine the boundary for the occurrence of NPF, with NPF occurring when LΓ<0.7 and being suppressed when LΓ>0.7. Moreover, nearly 45% of measured LΓ values associated with NPF fell in the relatively narrow range of 0.1

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