Overview of the synoptic and pollution situation over Europe during the EUCAARI-LONGREX field campaign

Abstract

Abstract. In May 2008 the EUCAARI-LONGREX aircraft field campaign was conducted within the EUCAARI intensive observational period. The campaign aimed at studying the distribution and evolution of air mass properties on a continental scale. Airborne aerosol and trace gas measurements were performed aboard the German DLR Falcon 20 and the British FAAM BAe-146 aircraft. This paper outlines the meteorological situation over Europe during May 2008 and the temporal and spatial evolution of predominantly anthropogenic particulate pollution inside the boundary layer and the free troposphere.

A statistical proxy for sulphuric acid concentration

“…The present set of sulphuric acid measurements was collected in May 2008 during the intensive measurement period of EUCAARI. The meteorological situation during that period was unusual in that continental air masses, containing high amounts of anthropogenic particles and trace gases, prevailed most of the time (Hamburger et al, 2011). This influx of pollution provides, however, a useful contrast to the other data sets, for example Hyytiälä.…”

“…D is the diffusion coefficient of the condensing vapour, and β m the correction factor for the transition and the free molecular regimes (Fuchs and Sutugin, 1970). The reaction rate constant k is given by,…”

General overview: European Integrated project on Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality interactions (EUCAARI) – integrating aerosol research from nano to global scales

“…Reduced horizontal wind velocities averaging below 7 m s −1 at low levels and the stable vertical layering of the lower troposphere resulted in high total particle number concentration over the continent. The airborne measurements of aerosol number concentrations discussed by Hamburger et al (2011) show a "C-shaped" vertical structure for particles with d p > 10 nm ( Fig. 8) with considerable day-to-day (flight-to-flight) variability throughout the tropospheric column.…”

Airborne high spectral resolution lidar observation of pollution aerosol during EUCAARI-LONGREX

“…The second half of the field campaign was characterized by advection mostly from northerly directions. A detailed description of the meteorological situation during the EUCAARI-LONGREX campaign can be found by Hamburger et al (2011). Figure 2 shows a backward trajectory analysis for the five Falcon flight missions during the first half of the field campaign.…”

“…A total of 48 flight hours were performed during 15 flight missions (Hamburger et al, 2011(Hamburger et al, , 2012. Due to the persistent high pressure system transporting air masses in westerly directions, the flights were restricted to areas north of the Alps.…”