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Here we apply new analysis methods and approaches to existing long-term measurement series that provide additional insights into the atmospheric processes that control black carbon (BC) in the Arctic. Based on clustering size distribution data from Zeppelin Observatory for the years 2002–2010, observations classified as 'Polluted' were further investigated based on BC properties. The data were split into two subgroups, and while the microphysical and chemical fingerprints of the two subgroups are very similar, they show larger differences in BC concentration and correlation with the particle size distribution. Therefore, a source–receptor analysis was performed with HYSPLIT 10-days backward trajectories for both subsets. We demonstrate that within this 'Polluted' category, the airmasses that contributed to the largest BC signal at the Zeppelin station are not necessarily associated with traditional transport pathways from Eurasia. Instead, the strongest signal is from a region east of the Ural Mountains across the continent to the Kamchatka Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore particle size dependent properties by combining long-term observations of equivalent black carbon (eBC) and number size distributions to investigate their correlation as function of particle size. The work was conducted in two main parts. The first part consisted of a short laboratory experiment to compare observed total particle light absorption (σabs) with that observed according to particle size by using a combination of a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA) and a Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP). The laboratory study confirmed strong similarities between the observed and derived σabs. In the second part the statistical approach using correlation between the σabs and the dN of each bin of the number size distribution was tested on long-term data ranging from 2002 to 2010 observed at Zeppelin station, Ny-Ålesund Svalbard. The data was clustered according to the number size distribution and grouped in four major categories: Washout, Nucleation, Intermediate and Polluted. Each category presented different features with respect to the derived eBC mass distributions, the Intermediate category showed similarities to the few available Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) observations in the Arctic. Overall, the statistical distribution of eBC, according to particle size, presented a larger dynamical range in the location of the mode(s). To check for consistency, the eBC mass distributions were transformed into number based eBC size distribution and compared to the observed total number size distribution. Whereas the Washout, Nucleation and Intermediate categories presented plausible number distributions, the Polluted category displayed a mode at small sizes (about 50 nm) that was significantly exaggerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remote marine aerosol and the cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) are examined with an aerosol microphysics box model in an attempt to better understand the processes involved in the formation and transformation of the marine aerosol. Emission of submicrometre sea-salt and dimethylsulfide (DMS) have been included together with aerosol dynamics, gas and liquid phase chemistry and cloud processing representative for the marine boundary layer atmosphere. Our simulations are able to reproduce a bimodal submicrometre size distribution with realistic number concentrations even when new particle formation by nucleation is neglected. This indicates that ultrafine primary sea-salt flux is an important source of Aitken mode particles and CDNC. However, sulphate still constitutes 20–80% of the Aitken and accumulation mode masses. The temperature dependence of the sea-salt source function leads to a 23% decrease in total number concentration when the temperature increases from 12 to 20 °C. The influence of DMS emission on the aerosol and CDNC is minimal but the size distribution and mass concentration of sulphate is changed, mostly due to in-cloud processes. The wind speed is the dominant factor determining the CDNC, although entrainment of aerosols from free troposphere can have a substantial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Mediterranean is a highly populated area with air quality problems. It is also where climate change is already noticed by higher temperatures and s changing precipitation pattern. The anthropogenic aerosol affects health and changing concentrations and properties of the atmospheric aerosol affect radiation balance and clouds. Continuous long-term observations are essential in assessing the influence of anthropogenic aerosols on climate and health. We present six years of observations from Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO), a new station located at the south west tip of Peloponnese, Greece. The two sites at NEO, were evaluated to show the influence of the local meteorology and to assess the general background aerosol possible. It was found that the background aerosol was originated from aged European aerosols and was strongly influenced by biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion, and industry. When subsiding into the boundary layer, local sources contributed in the air masses moving south. Mesoscale meteorology determined the diurnal variation of aerosol properties such as mass and number by means of typical sea breeze circulation, giving rise to pronounced morning and evening peaks in pollutant levels. While synoptic scale meteorology, mainly large-scale air mass transport and precipitation, strongly influenced the seasonality of the aerosol properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between atmospheric aerosols, clouds, and precipitation impact Earth's radiative balance and air quality, yet remain poorly constrained. Precipitating clouds serve as major sinks for particulate matter, but recent studies suggest that precipitation may also act as a particle source. The magnitude of the sources versus sinks, particularly for cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) numbers, remain unquantified. This study analyzes multi‐year in situ observations from tropical and boreal forests, as well as Arctic marine environment, showing links between recent precipitation and enhanced particle concentrations, including CCN‐sized particles. In some cases, the magnitude of precipitation‐related source equals or surpasses corresponding removal effect. Our findings highlight the importance of cloud‐processed material in determining near‐surface particle concentrations and the value of long‐term in situ observations for understanding aerosol particle life cycle. Robust patterns emerge from sufficiently long data series, allowing for quantitative assessment of the large‐scale significance of new phenomena observed in case studies. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric aerosols, clouds, and precipitation play a significant role in Earth's temperature regulation and air quality. However, understanding their interactions is still a challenge. While clouds and precipitation help remove particles from the atmosphere, recent research suggests rain could also introduce new particles. The extent of this particle source and its impact on climate are still unknown. In this study, we analyzed years of observational data from clean environments, including tropical and boreal forests and the Arctic marine boundary layer. We discovered that after precipitation, new particles were sometimes added to the surface atmosphere. In some cases, rain introduced as many or even more particles than it removed. Our findings highlight the importance of considering how clouds and rain recycle particles when studying air quality and climate. Long‐term, real‐world observations help us understand atmospheric particle life cycles and identify consistent patterns, ultimately improving our knowledge of the complex interactions between aerosols, clouds, and precipitation. Key Points: Precipitation can act as a source for particles of varying sizes depending on the environment, reflecting diverse underlying mechanismsRecycling cloud‐processed material influences near‐surface particle concentrations, emphasizing its relevance for climate model implementationStudying the time‐dependent instead of total accumulated precipitation elucidates direct versus indirect effects on aerosol populations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cloud microphysics is substantially affected by aerosol loading and the resulting changes in the reflective properties of the clouds can significantly affect the global radiation budget. A study of how marine low-level clouds over Barents Sea and the northern parts of the Norwegian Sea are affected by air mass origin has been performed by combining ground-based aerosol measurements with satellite cloud retrievals. Aerosol number size distributions have been obtained from measurement stations in northern Finland, and a trajectory model has been used to estimate the movement of the air masses. To identify anthropogenic influences on the clouds, the dataset has been divided according to aerosol loading. The clean air masses arrived to the investigation area from the north and the polluted air masses arrived from the south. Satellite derived microphysical and optical cloud parameters from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) have then been analyzed for days when the trajectories coincided with marine low-level clouds over the investigated area. The cloud optical thickness (τ), cloud depth (H) and droplet number concentration (Nd) were significantly higher for the polluted days compared to the clean conditions, while the opposite was found for the cloud droplet effective radius (re). The H and Nd were derived from the satellite retrievals of τ and re. Furthermore, calculations of the aerosol cloud interaction relationship (ACI), relating Nd to boundary layer aerosol concentrations, resulted in a value of 0.17, which is in line with previous remote sensing studies. The results demonstrate that ground-based aerosol measurements can be combined with satellite cloud observations to study the indirect aerosol effect, and that the microphysics of marine sub-polar clouds can be considerably affected by continental aerosols. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Arctic-haze layers and their radiative effects have been investigated previously in numerous studies as they are known to have an impact on the regional climate. In this study, we report on an event of an elevated aerosol layer, notably consisting of high-absorbing soot particles, observed in the European Arctic free troposphere the 2007 April 14 during the ASTAR 2007 campaign. The ca. 0.5 km vertically thick aerosol layer located at an altitude of around 3 km had a particle-size distribution mode around 250 nm diameter. In this study, we quantify the radiative effect aerosol layers have on the Arctic atmosphere by using in situ observations. Measurements of particles size segregated temperature stability using thermal denuders, indicate that the aerosol in the optically active size range was chemically internally mixed. In the plume, maximum observed absorption and scattering coefficients were 3 × 10−6 and 20 × 10−6 m−1, respectively. Observed microphysical and optical properties were used to constrain calculations of heating rates of an internally mixed aerosol assuming two different surface albedos that represent snow/ice covered and open ocean. The average profile resulted in a heating rate in the layer of 0.2 K d−1 for the high-albedo case and 0.15 K d−1 for the low albedo case. This calculated dependence on albedo based on actual observations corroborates previous numerical simulations. The heating within the plume resulted in a measurable signal shown as an enhancement in the temperature of a few tenths of a degree. Although the origin of the aerosol plume could not unambiguously be determined, the microphysical properties of the aerosol had strong similarities with previously reported biomass burning plumes. With a changing climate, short-lived pollutants such as biomass plumes may become more frequent in the Arctic and have important radiative effects at regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term measurements of atmospheric mass concentrations of black carbon (BC) are needed to investigate changes in its emission, transport, and deposition. However, depending on instrumentation, parameters related to BC such as aerosol absorption coefficient (babs) have been measured instead. Most ground-based measurements of babs in the Arctic have been made by filter-based absorption photometers, including particle soot absorption photometers (PSAPs), continuous light absorption photometers (CLAPs), Aethalometers, and multi-angle absorption photometers (MAAPs). The measured babs can be converted to mass concentrations of BC (MBC) by assuming the value of the mass absorption cross section (MAC; MBC= babs/ MAC). However, the accuracy of conversion of babs to MBC has not been adequately assessed. Here, we introduce a systematic method for deriving MAC values from babs measured by these instruments and independently measured MBC. In this method, MBC was measured with a filter-based absorption photometer with a heated inlet (COSMOS). COSMOS-derived MBC (MBC (COSMOS)) is traceable to a rigorously calibrated single particle soot photometer (SP2), and the absolute accuracy of MBC (COSMOS) has been demonstrated previously to be about 15 % in Asia and the Arctic. The necessary conditions for application of this method are a high correlation of the measured babs with independently measured MBC and long-term stability of the regression slope, which is denoted as MAC cor (MAC derived from the correlation). In general, babs – MBC (COSMOS) correlations were high (r2= 0.76–0.95 for hourly data) at Alert in Canada, Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, Barrow (NOAA Barrow Observatory) in Alaska, Pallastunturi in Finland, and Fukue in Japan and stable for up to 10 years. We successfully estimated MAC cor values (10.8–15.1 m 2 g -1 at a wavelength of 550 nm for hourly data) for these instruments, and these MAC cor values can be used to obtain error-constrained estimates of MBC from babs measured at these sites even in the past, when COSMOS measurements were not made. Because the absolute values of MBC at these Arctic sites estimated by this method are consistent with each other, they are applicable to the study of spatial and temporal variation in MBC in the Arctic and to evaluation of the performance of numerical model calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term measurements of atmospheric mass concentrations of black carbon (BC) are needed to investigate changes in its emission, transport, and deposition. However, depending on instrumentation, parameters related to BC such as aerosol absorption coefficient (babs) have been measured instead. Most ground-based measurements of babs in the Arctic have been made by filter-based absorption photometers, including particle soot absorption photometers (PSAP), continuous light absorption photometer (CLAP), Aethalometers, and multi-angle absorption photometers (MAAP). The measured babs can be converted to mass concentrations of BC (MBC) by assuming the value of the mass absorption cross section (MAC; MBC = babs/MAC). However, the accuracy of conversion of babs to MBC has not been adequately assessed. Here, we introduce a systematic method for deriving MAC values from babs measured by these instruments and independently measured MBC. In this method, MBC was measured with a filter-based absorption photometer with a heated inlet (COSMOS). COSMOS-derived MBC (MBC (COSMOS)) is traceable to a rigorously calibrated single particle soot photometer (SP2) and the absolute accuracy of MBC (COSMOS) has been demonstrated previously to be about 15 % in Asia and the Arctic. The necessary conditions for application of this method are a high correlation of the measured babs with independently measured MBC, and long-term stability of the regression slope, which is denoted as MACcor (MAC derived from the correlation). In general, babs-MBC (COSMOS) correlations were high (r2 = 0.76-0.95 for hourly data) at Alert in Canada, Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, Barrow in Alaska, Pallastunturi in Finland, and Fukue in Japan, and stable for up to 10 years. We successfully estimated MACcor values (10.6-15.2 m2 g-1 at a wavelength of 550 nm) for these instruments and these MACcor values can be used to obtain error-constrained estimates of MBC from babs measured at these sites even in the past, when COSMOS measurements were not made. Because the absolute values of MBC in these Arctic sites estimated by this method are consistent with each other, they are applicable to the study of spatial and temporal variation of MBC in the Arctic and to evaluation of the performance of numerical model calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) concentration and aerosol size distributions in the Arctic were collected during the period 2007-2013 at the Zeppelin observatory (78.91° N, 11.89° E, 474 masl). Annual median CCN concentration at a supersaturation (SS) of 0.4% show the ranges of 45 ∼ 81 cm−3. The monthly median CCN number density varied between 17 cm−3 in October 2007 and 198 cm−3 in March, 2008. The CCN spectra parameters C (83 cm−3) and k (0.23) were derived. In addition, calculated annual median value of hygroscopicity parameter is 0.46 at SS of 0.4%. Particle number concentration of accumulation mode from aerosol size distribution measurements are well correlated with CCN concentration. The CCN to CN>10 nm (particle number concentration larger than 10nm in diameter) ratio shows a maximum during March and minimum during July. The springtime high CCN concentration is attributed to high load of accumulation mode aerosol transported from the mid-latitudes, known as Arctic Haze. CCN concentration remains high also during Arctic summer due to the source of new CCN through particle formation followed by consecutive aerosol growth. Lowest aerosol as well as CCN number densities were observed during Arctic autumn and early winter when aerosol formation in the Arctic and long-range transport into the Arctic are not effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As part of the Observations and Modeling of the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon 2014/5) Experiment, detailed aerosol and trace gas measurements were conducted near Manaus, a metropolis located in the central Amazon Basin. Measurements of aerosol particles and trace gases were done downwind Manaus at the sites T2 (Tiwa Hotel) and T3 (Manacapuru), at a distance of 8 and 70 km from Manaus, respectively. Based on in-plume measurements closer to Manaus (site T2), the chemical signatures of city emissions were used to improve the interpretation of pollutant levels at the T3 site. We derived chemical and physical properties for the city's atmospheric emission ensemble, taking into account only air masses impacted by the Manaus plume at both sites, during the wet and dry season Intensive Operating Periods (IOPs). At T2, average concentrations of aerosol number (CN), CO and SO 2 were 5500 cm−3 (between 10 and 490 nm), 145 ppb and 0.60 ppb, respectively, with a typical ratio ΔCN/ΔCO of 60–130 particles cm−3 ppb−1. The aerosol scattering (at RH < 60%) and absorption at 637 nm at T2 ranged from 10 to 50 M m−1 and 5–10 M m−1, respectively, leading to a mean single scattering albedo (SSA) of 0.70. In addition to identifying periods dominated by Manaus emissions at both T2 and T3, the plume transport between the two sampling sites was studied using back trajectory calculations. Results show that the presence of the Manaus plume at site T3 was important mainly during the daytime and at the end of the afternoons. During time periods directly impacted by Manaus emissions, an average aerosol number concentration of 3200 cm−3 was measured at T3. Analysis of plume evolution between T2 and T3 indicates a transport time of 4–5 h. Changes of submicron organic and sulfate aerosols ratios relative to CO (ΔOA/ΔCO and ΔSO 4 /ΔCO, respectively) indicate significant production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA), corresponding to a 40% mass increase in OA and a 30% in SO 4 mass concentration. Similarly, during air mass arrival at T3 the SSA increased to 0.83 from 0.70 at T2, mainly associated with an increase in organic aerosol concentration. Aerosol particle size distributions show a strong decrease in the Aitken nuclei mode (10–100 nm) during the transport from T2 to T3, in particular above 30 nm, as a result of efficient coagulation processes into larger particles. A decrease of 30% in the particle number concentration and an increase of about 50 nm in geometric mean diameter were observed from T2 to T3 sites. The study of the evolution of aerosol properties downwind of the city of Manaus improves our understanding of how coupling of anthropogenic and biogenic sources may be impacting the sensitive Amazonian atmosphere. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Manaus emissions significantly impacts Amazonian aerosols properties. • Organic aerosols increase 40% in mass downwind of Manaus, attributed to secondary formation. • Sulfate aerosols increase 30% in mass downwind of Manaus, attributed to SO 2 oxidation. • Aerosol mean diameter increases about 60 nm during plume evolution, in the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several types of filter-based instruments are used to estimate aerosol light absorption coefficients. Two significant results are presented based on Aethalometer measurements at six Arctic stations from 2012 to 2014. First, an alternative method of post-processing the Aethalometer data is presented, which reduces measurement noise and lowers the detection limit of the instrument more effectively than boxcar averaging. The biggest benefit of this approach can be achieved if instrument drift is minimised. Moreover, by using an attenuation threshold criterion for data post-processing, the relative uncertainty from the electronic noise of the instrument is kept constant. This approach results in a time series with a variable collection time (Δ) but with a constant relative uncertainty with regard to electronic noise in the instrument. An additional advantage of this method is that the detection limit of the instrument will be lowered at small aerosol concentrations at the expense of temporal resolution, whereas there is little to no loss in temporal resolution at high aerosol concentrations (>2.1-6.7Mm-1 as measured by the Aethalometers). At high aerosol concentrations, minimising the detection limit of the instrument is less critical. Additionally, utilising co-located filter-based absorption photometers, a correction factor is presented for the Arctic that can be used in Aethalometer corrections available in literature. The correction factor of 3.45 was calculated for low-elevation Arctic stations. This correction factor harmonises Aethalometer attenuation coefficients with light absorption coefficients as measured by the co-located light absorption photometers. Using one correction factor for Arctic Aethalometers has the advantage that measurements between stations become more inter-comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, more physically based wet removal scheme for aerosols has been implemented in the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART. It uses three-dimensional cloud water fields from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to determine cloud extent and distinguishes between in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging. The new in-cloud nucleation scavenging depends on cloud water phase (liquid, ice or mixed-phase), based on the aerosol's prescribed efficiency to serve as ice crystal nuclei and liquid water nuclei, respectively. The impaction scavenging scheme now parameterizes below-cloud removal as a function of aerosol particle size and precipitation type (snow or rain) and intensity. Sensitivity tests with the new scavenging scheme and comparisons with observational data were conducted for three distinct types of primary aerosols, which pose different challenges for modeling wet scavenging due to their differences in solubility, volatility and size distribution: (1) 137Cs released during the Fukushima nuclear accident attached mainly to highly soluble sulphate aerosol particles, (2) black carbon (BC) aerosol particles, and (3) mineral dust. Calculated e-folding lifetimes of accumulation mode aerosols for these three aerosol types were 11.7, 16.0, and 31.6 days respectively, when well mixed in the atmosphere. These are longer lifetimes than those obtained by the previous removal schem, and, for mineral dust in particular, primarily result from very slow in-cloud removal, which globally is the primary removal mechanism for these accumulation mode particles. Calculated e-folding lifetimes in FLEXPART also have a strong size dependence, with the longest lifetimes found for the accumulation-mode aerosols. For example, for dust particles emitted at the surface the lifetimes were 13.8 days for particles with 1 µm diameter and a few hours for 10 µm particles. A strong size dependence in below-cloud scavenging, combined with increased dry removal, is the primary reason for the shorter lifetimes of the larger particles. The most frequent removal is in-cloud scavenging (85% of all scavenging events) but it occurs primarily in the free troposphere, while below-cloud removal is more frequent below 1000m (52%of all events) and can be important for the initial fate of species emitted at the surface, such as those examined here. For assumed realistic in-cloud removal efficiencies, both BC and sulphate have a slight overestimation of observed atmospheric concentrations (a factor of 1.6 and 1.2 respectively). However, this overestimation is largest close to the sources and thus appears more related to overestimated emissions rather than underestimated removal. The new aerosol wet removal scheme of FLEXPART incorporates more realistic information about clouds and aerosol properties and it compares better with both observed lifetimes and concentration than the old scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, more physically based wet removal scheme for aerosols has been implemented in the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART. It uses three-dimensional cloud water fields from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to determine cloud extent and distinguishes between in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging. The in-cloud nucleation scavenging differentiates between cloud water phases (liquid, ice or mixed-phase) to allow for aerosol and cloud type specific removal. The impaction scavenging scheme parameterizes below-cloud removal as a function of aerosol size and precipitation type (snow or rain) and intensity. Sensitivity tests with the new scavenging scheme and comparisons with observational data were conducted for three distinct types of primary aerosols, which pose different challenges for modelling wet scavenging due to their differences in solubility, volatility and size distribution: (1) 137Cs released during the Fukushima nuclear accident attached mainly to highly soluble sulphate aerosol, (2) black carbon (BC) aerosol, and (3) mineral dust. Calculated e-folding lifetimes of accumulation mode aerosols for these three aerosol types were, 11.7, 16.0, and 31.6 days respectively, when well mixed in the atmosphere. The long lifetimes of mineral dust in particular are primarily a result of slow in-cloud removal which is the primary removal mechanism. Calculated e-folding lifetimes in FLEXPART also have a strong size dependence, with the longest lifetimes found for the accumulation-mode aerosols. For example, for dust particles emitted at the surface the lifetimes were 13.8 days for particles with 1 &956;m diameter and a few hours for 10 &956;m particles. A strong size dependence in below cloud scavenging, combined with increased dry deposition and gravitational settling, is the primary reason for the shorter lifetimes of the larger particles. The most frequent removal is in-cloud scavenging (85 % of all scavenging events) but it occurs primarily in the free troposphere, while below-cloud removal is more frequent below 1000 m (52 % of all events) and can be important for the initial fate of species emitted at the surface, such as those examined here. For assumed realistic in-cloud removal efficiencies, both BC and sulphate have a slight overestimation of observed atmospheric concentrations (a factor of 1.6 and 1.2 respectively). However, this overestimation is largest close to the sources and thus appears more related to overestimated emissions rather than underestimated removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) aerosol particles contribute to climate warming of the Arctic, yet both the sources and the source-related effects are currently poorly constrained. Bottom-up emission inventory (EI) approaches are challenged for BC in general and the Arctic in particular. For example, estimates from three different EI models on the fractional contribution to BC from biomass burning (north of 60° N) vary between 11% and 68%, each acknowledging large uncertainties. Here we present the first dual-carbon isotope-based (?14C and d13C) source apportionment of elemental carbon (EC), the mass-based correspondent to optically defined BC, in the Arctic atmosphere. It targeted 14 high-loading and high-pollution events during January through March of 2009 at the Zeppelin Observatory (79° N; Svalbard, Norway), with these representing one-third of the total sampling period that was yet responsible for three-quarters of the total EC loading. The top-down source-diagnostic 14C fingerprint constrained that 52 ± 15% (n = 12) of the EC stemmed from biomass burning. Including also two samples with 95% and 98% biomass contribution yield 57 ± 21% of EC from biomass burning. Significant variability in the stable carbon isotope signature indicated temporally shifting emissions between different fossil sources, likely including liquid fossil and gas flaring. Improved source constraints of Arctic BC both aids better understanding of effects and guides policy actions to mitigate emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a closure experiment for tropospheric aerosol is presented. Aerosol size distributions and single scattering albedo from remote sensing data are compared to those measured in-situ. An aerosol pollution event on 4 April 2009 was observed by ground based and airborne lidar and photometer in and around Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen, as well as by DMPS, nephelometer and particle soot absorption photometer at the nearby Zeppelin Mountain Research Station. The presented measurements were conducted in an area of 40 × 20 km around Ny-Ålesund as part of the 2009 Polar Airborne Measurements and Arctic Regional Climate Model Simulation Project (PAMARCMiP). Aerosol mainly in the accumulation mode was found in the lower troposphere, however, enhanced backscattering was observed up to the tropopause altitude. A comparison of meteorological data available at different locations reveals a stable multi-layer-structure of the lower troposphere. It is followed by the retrieval of optical and microphysical aerosol parameters. Extinction values have been derived using two different methods, and it was found that extinction (especially in the UV) derived from Raman lidar data significantly surpasses the extinction derived from photometer AOD profiles. Airborne lidar data shows volume depolarization values to be less than 2.5% between 500 m and 2.5 km altitude, hence, particles in this range can be assumed to be of spherical shape. In-situ particle number concentrations measured at the Zeppelin Mountain Research Station at 474 m altitude peak at about 0.18 μm diameter, which was also found for the microphysical inversion calculations performed at 850 m and 1500 m altitude. Number concentrations depend on the assumed extinction values, and slightly decrease with altitude as well as the effective particle diameter. A low imaginary part in the derived refractive index suggests weakly absorbing aerosols, which is confirmed by low black carbon concentrations, measured at the Zeppelin Mountain as well as on board the Polar 5 aircraft. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated size-resolved submicrometre aerosol particle number and volume concentration time series as well as aerosol dynamic parameters derived from Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) measurements at five background stations in the Nordic boreal forest area. The stations in question were Aspvreten, Hyytiälä and Utö in southern Finland and Sweden, and Värriö and Pallas in the Finnish Lapland. The objective of our investigation was to identify and quantify annual and interannual variation observable in the time series. We found that the total number and mass concentrations were much lower at the Lapland stations than at the southern stations and that the total particle number was strongly correlated to particle formation event frequency. The annual total number concentration followed the annual distribution of particle formation events at the southern stations but much less clearly at the Lapland stations. The volume concentration was highest during summer, in line with higher condensation growth rates; this is in line with the assumption that a large part of the particle volume is produced by oxidized plant emissions. The decrease of sulphate emissions in Europe was not visible in our data set. Aerosol dynamic parameters such as condensation sink, condensation sink diameter and the power law exponent linking coagulation losses and condensation sink are presented to characterize the submicron Nordic background aerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present research methods and results obtained by the Nordic Centre of Excellence Biosphere–Aerosol–Cloud–Climate Interactions (BACCI) between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2007. The centre formed an integrated attempt to understand multiple, but interlinked, biosphere–atmosphere interactions applying inter and multidisciplinary approaches in a coherent manner. The main objective was to study the life cycle of aerosol particles and their importance on climate change. The foundation in BACCI was a thorough understanding of physical, meteorological, chemical and ecophysiological processes, providing a unique possibility to study biosphere–aerosol–cloud–climate interactions. Continuous measurements of atmospheric concentrations and fluxes of aerosol particles and precursors and, CO2/aerosol trace gas interactions in different field stations (e.g. SMEAR) were supported by models of particle thermodynamics, transport and dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, boundary layer meteorology and forest growth. The main progress was related to atmospheric new particle formation, existence of clusters, composition of nucleation mode aerosol particles, chemical precursors of fresh aerosol particles, the contribution of biogenic aerosol particles on the global aerosol load, transport, transformation and deposition of aerosol particles, thermodynamics related to aerosol particles and cloud droplets, and the microphysics and chemistry of cloud droplet formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed aerosol size distributions from the Finnish measuring stations at Hyytiälä, Värriö and Pallas and the Swedish station at Aspvreten over a period of several years. We identified occurrences of new particle formation bursts and obtained characteristics for the bursts from the size distribution data. In addition, we analyzed the directions from which air masses leading to new particle formation arrived. We found that new particle formation occurs over the whole area covered by the measurement stations. The Northern Atlantic is dominating as a source for air leading to new particle formation at all of the analyzed stations. The formation occurrence had a similar annual variation at all the stations, with peaks in springtime and autumn and minima in winter and summer. The ratio of event days to non-event days had a North-South dependence, with northern stations having lower event ratios. Particle growth rates ranged from 0.5 to 15 nm/h, with the mean growth rate being slightly higher at the southern stations. Southern stations also had a stronger particle source, on average 0.5 cm−3 s−1, compared to the northern stations (0.1 cm−3 s−1). Based on our analysis, it is evident that new particle formation occurs often in whole Nordic boreal forest area when air is transported from the North Atlantic, and that the same process or processes are very probably responsible for the formation over the whole area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter at Mt. Åreskutan, a mountaintop site in central Sweden, was analysed with a focus on its carbonaceous content. Filter samples taken during the Cloud and Aerosol Experiment at Åre (CAEsAR 2014) were analysed by means of a thermo-optical method and ion chromatography. Additionally, the particle light absorption and particle number size distribution measurements for the entire campaign were added to the analysis. Mean airborne concentrations of organic and elemental carbon during CAEsAR 2014 were OC = 0.85  0.80 g mand EC = 0.060.06 g m, respectively. Elemental to organic carbon ratios varied between EC/OC = 0.02 and 0.19. During the study a large wildfire occurred in Västmanland, Sweden, with the plume reaching our study site. This led to significant increases in OC and EC concentrations (OC = 3.04  0.03 g mand EC = 0.24  0.00 g m). The mean mass-specific absorption coefficient observed during the campaign was = 9.17.3 mg(at wavelength = 637 nm). In comparison to similarly remote European sites, Mt. Åreskutan experienced significantly lower carbonaceous aerosol loadings with a clear dominance of organic carbon. A mass closure study revealed a missing chemical mass fraction that likely originated from mineral dust. Potential regional source contributions of the carbonaceous aerosol were investigated using modelled air mass back trajectories. This source apportionment pointed to a correlation between high EC concentrations and air originating from continental Europe. Particles rich in organic carbon most often arrived from highly vegetated continental areas. However, marine regions were also a source of these aerosol particles. The source contributions derived during this study were compared to emission inventories of an Earth system model. This comparison highlighted a lack of OC and EC point-sources in the model’s emission inventory which could potentially lead to an underestimation of the carbonaceous aerosol reaching Mt. Åreskutan in the simulation of this Earth system model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]