Large Summer Contribution of Organic Biogenic Aerosols to Arctic Cloud Condensation Nuclei

Abstract

A k‐means cluster analysis of a 5‐year aerosol particle size distribution data set from northeast Greenland is combined with measurements of coincident shorter field studies of aerosol equivalent black carbon (eBC) content, hygroscopic growth factor (HGF), and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations. This led to five clusters strongly controlled by natural emissions (eBC 8–15 ng/m3) and three anthropogenic clusters with larger particle concentrations in the accumulation mode (eBC 29–77 ng/m3). The HGF and CCN properties of the eight aerosol clusters differ drastically. Anthropogenic clusters feature high growth factors (1.62–1.81) and low CCN κ values (0.10–0.46), while natural clusters show lower HGF (1.38–1.70) but remarkably higher κ values (0.35–0.51). Extrapolating the CCN properties on the basis of the cluster analysis to annual timescales suggests that biogenic organic aerosol may drive Arctic aerosol production during summer.

Large seasonal and interannual variations of biogenic sulfur compounds in the Arctic atmosphere (Svalbard; 78.9° N, 11.9° E)

“…During the bloom and post-bloom periods a decline in anthropogenic sources and an increase in oceanic DMS source strength resulted in the transition of major sulfate sources from Anth-SO 2− 4 to Bio-SO 2− 4 , which highlights the increasing importance of biogenic sulfur aerosols in the summer Arctic atmosphere. Biogenic organic aerosols in the high Arctic were reported to contribute considerably to the concentrations of ultrafine and CCN particles from summer to early autumn when anthropogenic source is lowest (Dall'Osto et al, 2017;Lange et al, 2019). Nonetheless, Anth-SO 2− 4 contributed considerably to the total SO 2− 4 budget during the post-bloom period, indicating that even in summer the Anth-SO 2− 4 transported from Europe or local emissions can exert a significant influence on the sulfate budget in the Arctic atmosphere (Fig.…”

“…These effectively form new particles through homogeneous nucleation and clustering reactions that are closely linked to water vapor and ammonia (negative ion-induced ternary nucleation) and contribute to particle growth (Kulmala, 2003;Kulmala et al, 2004;Veres et al, 2020). Sulfuric acid is widely recognized as a driver of new particle formation (NPF) (Kulmala, 2003), whereas methanesulfonic acid (MSA) particles tend to condense onto particles that are already present (existing particles) and so contribute to particle growth (Wyslouzil, et al, 1991;Leaitch et al, 2013;Hayashida et al, 2017). However, recent studies have provided evidence for MSA involvement in new particle formation -for example, the reaction of MSA with amines or ammonia in the presence of water results in particle formation and growth (Dawson et al, 2012;H.…”

Influence of Arctic Microlayers and Algal Cultures on Sea Spray Hygroscopicity and the Possible Implications for Mixed‐Phase Clouds

“…As mentioned above measurements of CCN activity directly in the Arctic are few, complicated by the very low particle number concentrations, but in general point toward CCN activities over a wide range of κ values from ∼0.1 to ∼0.7 (Herenz et al, 2018; Jung et al, 2018, Lange et al, 2018, 2019; Martin et al, 2011; Silvergren et al, 2014; Zábori et al, 2015). These results likely reflect aerosols coming from a wide range of sources including new particle formation (Dall'Osto et al, 2017; Jung et al, 2018), Arctic Haze (Jung et al, 2018; Lange et al, 2018), to some extent sea spray (Lange et al, 2018), frost flowers (Xu et al, 2013), and organic aerosols of biogenic origin including the sea surface microlayer (Lange et al, 2018; Leck & Bigg, 2005a; Orellana et al, 2011).…”

Large seasonal and interannual variations of biogenic sulfur compounds in the Arctic atmosphere (Svalbard; 78.9° N, 11.9° E)

“…During the bloom and post-bloom periods a decline in anthropogenic sources and an increase in oceanic DMS source strength resulted in the transition of major sulfate sources from Anth-SO4 2− to Bio-SO4 2− , which highlights the increasing importance of biogenic sulfur aerosols in the summer Arctic atmosphere. Biogenic organic aerosols in the high Arctic were reported to contribute considerably to the concentrations of ultrafine and CCN particles from summer to early autumn when anthropogenic source is lowest (Dall'Osto et al, 2017;Lange et al, 2019). Nonetheless, Anth-SO4 2− contributed considerably to the total SO4 2− budget during the post-bloom period, indicating that even in summer the Anth-SO4 2− transported from Europe or local emissions can exert a significant influence on the sulfate budget in the Arctic atmosphere (Fig.…”