scholarly journals Influence of aerosol chemical composition on N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> uptake: airborne regional measurements in North-Western Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 19673-19718 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
B. Ouyang ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
E. Aruffo ◽  
P. Di Carlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
North Western ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. Aerosol chemical composition was found to influence nighttime atmospheric chemistry during a series of airborne measurements in North-Western Europe in summer conditions, which has implications for regional air quality and climate. The uptake of dinitrogen pentoxide, γ (N2O5), to particle surfaces was found to be modulated by the amount of water content and ammonium nitrate present in the aerosol. The conditions prevalent in this study suggest that the net uptake rate of N2O5 to atmospheric aerosols was relatively efficient compared to previous studies, with γ (N2O5) values in the range 0.01–0.03. This is likely a consequence of the elevated relative humidity in the region, which promotes greater aerosol water content. Increased nitrate concentrations relative to particulate water were found to suppress N2O5 uptake. The results presented here contrast with previous ambient studies of N2O5 uptake, which have generally taken place in low-nitrate environments in the USA. Comparison of the N2O5 uptake derived from the measurements with a parameterised scheme that is based on the ratio of particulate water to nitrate yielded reasonably good agreement in terms of the magnitude and variation in uptake, provided the effect of chloride was neglected. An additional suppression of the parameterised uptake is likely required to fully capture the variation in N2O5 uptake, which could be achieved via the known suppression by organic aerosol. However, existing parameterisations representing the suppression by organic aerosol were unable to fully represent the variation in N2O5 uptake. These results provide important ambient measurement constraint on our ability to predict N2O5 uptake in regional and global aerosol models. N2O5 uptake is a potentially important source of nitrate aerosol and a sink of the nitrate radical, which is the main nocturnal oxidant in the atmosphere. The results further highlight the importance of ammonium nitrate in North-Western Europe as a key component of atmospheric composition in the region.

scholarly journals Influence of aerosol chemical composition on N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> uptake: airborne regional measurements in northwestern Europe

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 973-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
B. Ouyang ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
E. Aruffo ◽  
P. Di Carlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. Aerosol chemical composition was found to influence nighttime atmospheric chemistry during a series of airborne measurements in northwestern Europe in summer conditions, which has implications for regional air quality and climate. The uptake of dinitrogen pentoxide, γ (N2O5), to particle surfaces was found to be modulated by the amount of water content and ammonium nitrate present in the aerosol. The conditions prevalent in this study suggest that the net uptake rate of N2O5 to atmospheric aerosols was relatively efficient compared to previous studies, with γ (N2O5) values in the range 0.01–0.03. This is likely a consequence of the elevated relative humidity in the region, which promotes greater aerosol water content. Increased nitrate concentrations relative to particulate water were found to suppress N2O5 uptake. The results presented here contrast with previous ambient studies of N2O5 uptake, which have generally taken place in low-nitrate environments in the USA. Comparison of the N2O5 uptake derived from the measurements with a parameterised scheme that is based on the ratio of particulate water to nitrate yielded reasonably good agreement in terms of the magnitude and variation in uptake, provided the effect of chloride was neglected. An additional suppression of the parameterised uptake is likely required to fully capture the variation in N2O5 uptake, which could be achieved via the known suppression by organic aerosol. However, existing parameterisations representing the suppression by organic aerosol were unable to fully represent the variation in N2O5 uptake. These results provide important ambient measurement constraint on our ability to predict N2O5 uptake in regional and global aerosol models. N2O5 uptake is a potentially important source of nitrate aerosol and a sink of the nitrate radical, which is the main nocturnal oxidant in the atmosphere. The results further highlight the importance of ammonium nitrate in northwestern Europe as a key component of atmospheric composition in the region.

scholarly journals Airborne measurements of the spatial distribution of aerosol chemical composition across Europe and evolution of the organic fraction

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 4065-4083 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
E. J. Highwood ◽  
D. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Volatile Component ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
North Western ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. The spatial distribution of aerosol chemical composition and the evolution of the Organic Aerosol (OA) fraction is investigated based upon airborne measurements of aerosol chemical composition in the planetary boundary layer across Europe. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured using a compact Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (cToF-AMS). A range of sampling conditions were evaluated, including relatively clean background conditions, polluted conditions in North-Western Europe and the near-field to far-field outflow from such conditions. Ammonium nitrate and OA were found to be the dominant chemical components of the sub-micron aerosol burden, with mass fractions ranging from 20–50% each. Ammonium nitrate was found to dominate in North-Western Europe during episodes of high pollution, reflecting the enhanced NOx and ammonia sources in this region. OA was ubiquitous across Europe and concentrations generally exceeded sulphate by 30–160%. A factor analysis of the OA burden was performed in order to probe the evolution across this large range of spatial and temporal scales. Two separate Oxygenated Organic Aerosol (OOA) components were identified; one representing an aged-OOA, termed Low Volatility-OOA and another representing fresher-OOA, termed Semi Volatile-OOA on the basis of their mass spectral similarity to previous studies. The factors derived from different flights were not chemically the same but rather reflect the range of OA composition sampled during a particular flight. Significant chemical processing of the OA was observed downwind of major sources in North-Western Europe, with the LV-OOA component becoming increasingly dominant as the distance from source and photochemical processing increased. The measurements suggest that the aging of OA can be viewed as a continuum, with a progression from a less oxidised, semi-volatile component to a highly oxidised, less-volatile component. Substantial amounts of pollution were observed far downwind of continental Europe, with OA and ammonium nitrate being the major constituents of the sub-micron aerosol burden. Such anthropogenically perturbed air masses can significantly perturb regional climate far downwind of major source regions.

scholarly journals Airborne measurements of the spatial distribution of aerosol chemical composition across Europe and evolution of the organic fraction

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 27215-27265 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
E. J. Highwood ◽  
D. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Volatile Component ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
North Western ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. The spatial distribution of aerosol chemical composition and the evolution of the Organic Aerosol (OA) fraction is investigated based upon airborne measurements of aerosol chemical composition in the planetary boundary layer across Europe. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured using a compact Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (cToF-AMS). A range of sampling conditions were evaluated, including relatively clean background conditions, polluted conditions in North-Western Europe and the near-field to far-field outflow from such conditions. Ammonium nitrate and OA were found to be the dominant chemical components of the sub-micron aerosol burden, with mass fractions ranging from 20–50% each. Ammonium nitrate was found to dominate in North-Western Europe during episodes of high pollution, reflecting the enhanced NOx and ammonia sources in this region. OA was ubiquitous across Europe and concentrations generally exceeded sulphate by 50–100%. A factor analysis of the OA burden was performed in order to probe the evolution across this large range of spatial and temporal scales. Two separate Oxygenated Organic Aerosol (OOA) components were identified; one representing an aged-OOA, termed Low Volatility-OOA and another representing fresher-OOA, termed Semi Volatile-OOA on the basis of their mass spectral similarity to previous studies. The factors derived from different flights were not chemically the same but rather reflect the range of OA composition sampled during a particular flight. Significant chemical processing of the OA was observed downwind of major sources in North-Western Europe, with the LV-OOA component becoming increasingly dominant as the distance from source and photochemical processing increased. The measurements suggest that the aging of OA can be viewed as a continuum, with a progression from a less oxidised, semi-volatile component to a highly oxidised, less-volatile component. Substantial amounts of pollution were observed far downwind of continental Europe, with OA and ammonium nitrate being the major constituents of the sub-micron aerosol burden. Such anthropogenically perturbed air masses can significantly perturb regional climate far downwind of major source regions.

scholarly journals Enhancement of the aerosol direct radiative effect by semi-volatile aerosol components: airborne measurements in North-Western Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 10653-10705 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
M. Esselborn ◽  
B. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide Emissions ◽  
North Western

Abstract. A case study of atmospheric aerosol measurements exploring the impact of the vertical distribution of aerosol chemical composition upon the radiative budget in North-Western Europe is presented. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) on both an airborne platform and a ground-based site at Cabauw in the Netherlands. The examined period in May 2008 was characterised by enhanced pollution loadings in North-Western Europe and was dominated by ammonium nitrate and Organic Matter (OM). Both ammonium nitrate and OM were observed to increase with altitude in the atmospheric boundary layer. This is primarily attributed to partitioning of semi-volatile gas phase species to the particle phase at reduced temperature and enhanced relative humidity. Increased ammonium nitrate concentrations in particular were found to strongly increase the ambient scattering potential of the aerosol burden, which was a consequence of the large amount of associated water as well as the enhanced mass. During particularly polluted conditions, increases in aerosol optical depth of 50–100% were estimated to occur due to the observed increase in secondary aerosol mass and associated water uptake. Furthermore, the single scattering albedo was also shown to increase with height in the boundary layer. These enhancements combined to increase the negative direct aerosol radiative forcing by close to a factor of two at the median percentile level. Such increases have major ramifications for regional climate predictions as semi-volatile components are often not included in aerosol models. The results presented here provide an ideal opportunity to test regional and global representations of both the aerosol vertical distribution and subsequent impacts in North-Western Europe. North-Western Europe can be viewed as an analogue for the possible future air quality over other polluted regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where substantial reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions have yet to occur. Anticipated reductions in sulphur dioxide in polluted regions will result in an increase in the availability of ammonia to form ammonium nitrate as opposed to ammonium sulphate. This will be most important where intensive agricultural practises occur. Our observations over North-Western Europe, a region where sulphur dioxide emissions have already been reduced, indicate that failure to include the semi-volatile behaviour of ammonium nitrate will result in significant errors in predicted aerosol direct radiative forcing. Such errors will be particularly significant on regional scales.

scholarly journals Enhancement of the aerosol direct radiative effect by semi-volatile aerosol components: airborne measurements in North-Western Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 8151-8171 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. T. Morgan ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
K. N. Bower ◽  
M. Esselborn ◽  
B. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide Emissions ◽  
North Western

Abstract. A case study of atmospheric aerosol measurements exploring the impact of the vertical distribution of aerosol chemical composition upon the radiative budget in North-Western Europe is presented. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) on both an airborne platform and a ground-based site at Cabauw in the Netherlands. The examined period in May 2008 was characterised by enhanced pollution loadings in North-Western Europe and was dominated by ammonium nitrate and Organic Matter (OM). Both ammonium nitrate and OM were observed to increase with altitude in the atmospheric boundary layer. This is primarily attributed to partitioning of semi-volatile gas phase species to the particle phase at reduced temperature and enhanced relative humidity. Increased ammonium nitrate concentrations in particular were found to strongly increase the ambient scattering potential of the aerosol burden, which was a consequence of the large amount of associated water as well as the enhanced mass. During particularly polluted conditions, increases in aerosol optical depth of 50–100% were estimated to occur due to the observed increase in secondary aerosol mass and associated water uptake. Furthermore, the single scattering albedo was also shown to increase with height in the boundary layer. These enhancements combined to increase the negative direct aerosol radiative forcing by close to a factor of two at the median percentile level. Such increases have major ramifications for regional climate predictions as semi-volatile components are often not included in aerosol models. The results presented here provide an ideal opportunity to test regional and global representations of both the aerosol vertical distribution and subsequent impacts in North-Western Europe. North-Western Europe can be viewed as an analogue for the possible future air quality over other polluted regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where substantial reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions have yet to occur. Anticipated reductions in sulphur dioxide in polluted regions will result in an increase in the availability of ammonia to form ammonium nitrate as opposed to ammonium sulphate. This will be most important where intensive agricultural practises occur. Our observations over North-Western Europe, a region where sulphur dioxide emissions have already been reduced, indicate that failure to include the semi-volatile behaviour of ammonium nitrate will result in significant errors in predicted aerosol direct radiative forcing. Such errors will be particularly significant on regional scales.

scholarly journals Combined effects of boundary layer dynamics and atmospheric chemistry on aerosol composition during new particle formation periods

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqing Hao ◽  
Olga Garmash ◽  
Mikael Ehn ◽  
Pasi Miettinen ◽  
Paola Massoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Mass Fraction ◽  
Organic Aerosols ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Sulfate Aerosol ◽  
Organic Mass ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Aerosol Mass

Abstract. Characterizing aerosol chemical composition in response to meteorological changes and atmospheric chemistry is important to gain insights into new particle formation mechanisms. A BAECC (Biogenic Aerosols-Effects on Clouds and Climate) campaign was conducted during the spring 2014 at SMEAR II station (Station for Measuring Forest Ecosystem-Aerosol Relations) in Finland. The particles were characterized by a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). A PBL (planetary boundary layer) dilution model was developed to assist interpreting the measurement results. Right before nucleation events, the mass concentrations of organic and sulfate aerosol species were both decreased rapidly along with the growth of PBL heights. However, the mass fraction of sulfate aerosol of the total aerosol mass was increased, in contrast to a decrease for the organic mass fraction. Meanwhile, an increase of LVOOA (low-volatility oxygenated organic aerosol) mass fraction of the total organic mass was observed, in distinct comparison to a reduction of SVOOA (semi-volatile OOA) mass fraction. Our results demonstrate that, at the beginning of nucleation events, the observed sulfate aerosol mass was mainly driven by vertical turbulent mixing of sulfate-rich aerosols between the residual layer and the newly formed boundary layer, while the condensation of sulfuric acid played a minor role in interpreting the measured sulfate mass concentration. For the measured organic aerosols, their temporal profiles were mainly driven by dilution from PBL development, organic aerosol mixing in different boundary layers and/or condensation of organic vapors, but accurate measurements of organic vapor concentrations and characterization on the spatial aerosol chemical composition are required. In general, the observed aerosol particles by AMS are subjected to joint effects of PBL dilution, atmospheric chemistry and aerosol mixing in different boundary layers. During aerosol growth periods in the night time, the mass concentrations of organic aerosols and organic nitrate aerosols were both increased. The increase of SVOOA mass correlated well with the calculated increase of condensed HOMs (highly oxygenated organic molecules) mass. To our knowledge, our results are the first atmospheric observations showing a connection between increase in SVOOA and condensed HOMs during the night time.

scholarly journals Overview: oxidant and particle photochemical processes above a south-east Asian tropical rainforest (the OP3 project): introduction, rationale, location characteristics and tools

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Hewitt ◽  
J. D. Lee ◽  
A. R. MacKenzie ◽  
M. P. Barkley ◽  
N. Carslaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Photochemical Processes ◽  
Chemical Models ◽  
Modelling Strategies ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Abstract. In April–July 2008, intensive measurements were made of atmospheric composition and chemistry in Sabah, Malaysia, as part of the "Oxidant and particle photochemical processes above a South-East Asian tropical rainforest" (OP3) project. Fluxes and concentrations of trace gases and particles were made from and above the rainforest canopy at the Bukit Atur Global Atmosphere Watch station and at the nearby Sabahmas oil palm plantation, using both ground-based and airborne measurements. Here, the measurement and modelling strategies used, the characteristics of the sites and an overview of data obtained are described. Composition measurements show that the rainforest site was not significantly impacted by anthropogenic pollution, and this is confirmed by satellite retrievals of NO2 and HCHO. The dominant modulators of atmospheric chemistry at the rainforest site were therefore emissions of BVOCs and soil emissions of reactive nitrogen oxides. At the observed BVOC:NOx volume mixing ratio (~100 pptv/pptv), current chemical models suggest that daytime maximum OH concentrations should be ca. 105 radicals cm−3, but observed OH concentrations were an order of magnitude greater than this. We confirm, therefore, previous measurements that suggest that an unexplained source of OH must exist above tropical rainforest and we continue to interrogate the data to find explanations for this.

scholarly journals First insights into northern Africa high-altitude background aerosol chemical composition and source influences

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 18147-18174
Author(s):  
Nabil Deabji ◽  
Khanneh Wadinga Fomba ◽  
Souad El Hajjaji ◽  
Abdelwahid Mellouki ◽  
Laurent Poulain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Aerosol Composition ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. Field measurements were conducted to determine aerosol chemical composition at a newly established remote high-altitude site in North Africa at the Atlas Mohammed V (AMV) atmospheric observatory located in the Middle Atlas Mountains. The main objectives of the present work are to investigate the variations in the aerosol composition and better assess global and regional changes in atmospheric composition in North Africa. A total of 200 particulate matter (PM10) filter samples were collected at the site using a high-volume (HV) collector in a 12 h sampling interval from August to December 2017. The chemical composition of the samples was analyzed for trace metals, water-soluble ions, organic carbon (OC/EC), aliphatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents. The results indicate that high-altitude aerosol composition is influenced by both regional and transregional transport of emissions. However, local sources play an important role, especially during low wind speed periods, as observed for November and December. During background conditions characterized by low wind speeds (avg. 3 m s-1) and mass concentrations in the range from 9.8 to 12 μg m-3, the chemical composition is found to be dominated by inorganic elements, mainly suspended dust (61 %) and ionic species (7 %), followed by organic matter (7 %), water content (12 %), and unidentified mass (11 %). Despite the proximity of the site to the Sahara, its influence on the atmospheric composition at this high-altitude site was mainly seasonal and accounted for only 22 % of the sampling duration. Biogenic organics contributed up to 7 % of the organic matter with high contributions from compounds such as heneicosane, hentriacontane, and nonacosane. The AMV site is dominated by four main air mass inflows, which often leads to different aerosol chemical compositions. Mineral dust influence was seasonal and ranged between 21 % and 74 % of the PM mass, with peaks observed during the summer, and was accompanied by high concentrations of SO42- of up to 3.0 μg m-3. During winter, PM10 concentrations are low (<30 μg m-3), the influence of the desert is weaker, and the marine air masses (64 %) are more dominant with a mixture of sea salt and polluted aerosol from the coastal regions (Rabat and Casablanca). During the daytime, mineral dust contribution to PM increased by about 42 % because of road dust resuspension. In contrast, during nighttime, an increase in the concentrations of alkanes, PAHs, alkane-2-ones, and anthropogenic metals such as Pb, Ni, and Cu was found due to variations in the boundary layer height. The results provide the first detailed seasonal and diurnal variation of the aerosol chemical composition, which is valuable for long-term assessment of climate and regional influence of air pollution in North Africa.

scholarly journals First insights into Northern Africa high-altitude background aerosol chemical composition and source influences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Deabji ◽  
Khanneh Wadinga Fomba ◽  
Souad El Hajjaji ◽  
Abdelwahid Mellouki ◽  
Hartmut Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Ionic Species ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Aerosol Composition ◽  
Aerosol Chemical Composition

Abstract. Field measurements were conducted to determine aerosol chemical composition in a newly established remote high-altitude site in North Africa to investigate the variations in aerosol composition useful in assessing global and regional changes in atmospheric composition. Particulate matter (PM10) filter samples (200) were collected at the Atlas Mohammed V atmospheric observatory (AM5) located in the Middle-Atlas Mountains in Morocco using a high-volume (HV) collector in a 12 h sampling interval from August to December 2017. The chemical composition of the samples was analyzed for trace metals, ions, elemental carbon, organic carbon, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) content. The results indicate that high-altitudes aerosol composition is influenced by both regional as well as trans-regional transport of emissions. However, local sources play an important role, especially during low wind speed periods, as observed for November and December. Despite the proximity of the site to the Sahara Desert, its influence on the atmospheric composition at this high-altitude site was mainly seasonal and accounted for only 14 % of the sampling duration. Background conditions at this remote site are characterized by low wind speeds (Av. 2.5 m/s) and mass concentrations in the range of 9.8 and 20 µg/m3. The chemical composition is found to be dominated by inorganic elements, mainly suspended dust (47 %) and ionic species (16 %), followed by organic matter (15 %), water content (12 %), and indeterminate mass (9 %). Biogenic organics contributed up to 7 % of the organic matter with high contributions from compounds such as Nonacosane, Heptacosane, and 2-Pentadecanone. The AM5 site is dominated by four main air mass inflow, which often leads to different aerosol chemical compositions. Mineral dust influenced was seasonal and ranged between 20 and 70 % of the PM mass with peaks observed during the summer and was accompanied by high concentrations of SO42− of up to 1.3 µg/m3. During winter, PM10 concentrations are low (

scholarly journals ACE-FTS measurements of trace species in the characterization of biomass burning plumes

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 16611-16637 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Tereszchuk ◽  
G. González Abad ◽  
C. Clerbaux ◽  
D. Hurtmans ◽  
P.-F. Coheur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Emission Region ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Convective Processes ◽  
Trace Species ◽  
Chemistry Experiment

Abstract. To further our understanding of the effects of biomass burning emission on atmospheric composition, we report measurements of trace species from biomass burning plumes made by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) instrument on the SCISAT-1 satellite. An extensive set of 15 molecules, C2H2, C2H6, CH3OH, CH4, CO, H2CO, HCN, HCOOH, HNO3, NO, NO2, N2O5, O3, OCS and SF6 are used in our analysis. Even though most biomass burning smoke is typically confined to the boundary layer, much of these emissions are injected directly into the free troposphere via fire-related convective processes and transported away from the emission region. Further knowledge of the aging of biomass burning emission in the free troposphere is needed. Tracer-tracer correlations are made between known pyrogenic species in these plumes in an effort to classify them and follow their chemical evolution. Criteria such as age and type of biomass material burned are considered. Emission factors are derived and compared to airborne measurements of biomass burning from numerous ecosystems to validate the ACE-FTS data.

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