Variability of sub-micrometer particle number size distributions and
                        concentrations in the Western Mediterranean regional background

Cusack, Michael; Pérez, Noemí; Pey, Jorge; Wiedensohler, Alfred; Alastuey, Andrés; Querol, Xavier

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v65i0.19243

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Particle shrinkage following their growth is not a common phenomenon but has been observed in a few areas 5 around the world. Yao et al (2010), Cusack et al (2013a and2013b), Young et al (2013), Skrabalova et al (2015) and Alonso-Blanco et al (2017) and references therein, reported shrinkage rates ranging from -1.0 to -11.1 nm h -1 .…”

Section: The Study Areamentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Kulmala et al, 2000;Boy and Kulmala, 2002;Wiedensohler et al,2002;Kulmala et al, 2004;Wehner et al, 2007;10 O'Dowd et al, 2010;Vakkari et al, 2011;Cusack et al, 2013a;Cusack et al, 2013b;Tröstl et al, 2016;Kontkanen et al, 2017). However, at mountain sites, precursors' availability seems to be the most influential parameter in NPF events, with higher values of CS during NPF events than during non NPF events (Boy et al, 2008;Boulon et al, 2010;García et al, 2014, Nie et al, 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vertical and horizontal distribution of regional new particle formation events in Madrid

Carnerero¹,

Pérez²,

Reche³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract. The vertical profile of new particle formation (NPF) events was studied by comparing the aerosol size number distributions measured aloft and at surface level in a suburban environment in Madrid, Spain using airborne instruments. The horizontal distribution and regional impact of the NPF events was investigated with data from three urban and suburban 25 stations in the Madrid metropolitan area. Intensive regional NPF episodes followed by particle growth were simultaneously recorded at three stations in and around Madrid, in a field campaign in July 2016. On some days a marked decline in particle size (shrinkage) was observed in the afternoon, associated with a change in air masses. Additionally, a few nocturnal nucleation mode bursts were observed in the urban stations, which could be related to aircraft emissions transported from the airport. Considering all simultaneous diurnal NPF events registered, growth rates were significantly lower at the urban 30 stations, ranging 2.0-3.9 nm h -1 , compared to the suburban station (2.9-10.0 nm h -1 ). Total concentration of 9.1-25 nm particles reached 2.8 x 10 4 cm -3 at the urban station and 1.7 x 10 4 cm -3 at the suburban station, the mean daily values being 3.7 x 10 4 cm -3 (2.2 x 10 4 cm -3 at the suburban station) during event days. The formation rates of 9-25 nm particles peaked around noon and recorded a median value of 2.0 cm -3 s -1 and 1.1 cm -3 s -1 at the urban and suburban stations, respectively.The condensation and coagulation sinks presented minimum values shortly before sunrise, increasing after dawn reaching 35 the maximum value at 14:00 UTC, with average daily mean values of 3.4 x 10 -3 s -1 (2.5 x 10 -3 s -1 at the suburban station) and 2.4 x 10 -5 s -1 , respectively, during event days. The vertical soundings demonstrated that ultrafine particles (UFP) are transported from surface levels to higher levels, thus newly-formed particles ascend from surface to the top of the mixing layer. The morning soundings revealed the presence of a residual layer in the upper levels in which aged particles (nucleated and grown on previous days) prevail. The particles in this layer also grow in size, with growth rates significantly smaller 40 than those inside the mixed layer. Under conditions with strong enough convection, the soundings revealed homogeneous Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10. 5194/acp-2018-173 Manuscript under review for journal Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discussion started: 27 March 2018 c Author(s) 2018. CC BY 4.0 License.2 number size distributions and growth rates at all altitudes, which follow the same evolution in the other stations considered in this study. This indicates that NPF occurs quasi-homogenously in an area spanning at least 17 km horizontally. The NPF events extend over the full vertical extension of the mixed layer reaching as high as 3000 m. This can have consequences in the radiative balance of the atmosphere and affect the climate. Results also evidenced that total particle concentration in and around Madrid in...

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Section: The Study Areamentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical and horizontal distribution of regional new particle formation events in Madrid

Carnerero¹,

Pérez²,

Reche³

et al. 2018

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…The particle formation mechanisms have been studied in detail (e.g., Kulmala et al, 2004aKulmala et al, ,b, 2006, but the number of global observations is still very limited. These measurements have been performed over short periods (e.g., Jeong et al, 2010;Mahajan et al, 2011;Young et al, 2013) or as part of long-term monitoring programs (e.g., Dal Hirsikko et al, 2012;Cusack et al, 2013). Although these studies have been conducted, the influence on the NPF processes of the nucleation mechanisms, chemical species or meteorological variables has not been completely clarified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

A long-term study of new particle formation in a coastal environment: Meteorology, gas phase and solar radiation implications

Sorribas

Adame

Olmo

et al. 2015

Science of The Total Environment

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New particle formation (NPF) was investigated at a coastal background site in Southwest Spain over a four-year period using a Scanning Particle Mobility Sizer (SMPS). The goals of the study were to characterise the NPF and to investigate their relationship to meteorology, gas phase (O3, SO2, CO and NO2) and solar radiation (UVA, UVB and global). A methodology for identifying and classifying the NPF was implemented using the wind direction and modal concentrations as inputs. NPF events showed a frequency of 24% of the total days analysed. The mean duration was 9.2±4.2 h. Contrary to previous studies conducted in other locations, the NPF frequency reached its maximum during cold seasons for approximately 30% of the days. The lowest frequency took place in July with 10%, and the seasonal wind pattern was found to be the most important parameter influencing the NPF frequency. The mean formation rate was 2.2±1.7 cm(-3) s(-1), with a maximum in the spring and early autumn and a minimum during the summer and winter. The mean growth rate was 3.8±2.4 nm h(-1) with higher values occurring from spring to autumn. The mean and seasonal formation and growth rates are in agreement with previous observations from continental sites in the Northern Hemisphere. NPF classification of different classes was conducted to explore the effect of synoptic and regional-scale patterns on NPF and growth. The results show that under a breeze regime, the temperature indirectly affects NPF events. Higher temperatures increase the strength of the breeze recirculation, favouring gas accumulation and subsequent NPF appearance. Additionally, the role of high relative humidity in inhibiting the NPF was evinced during synoptic scenarios. The remaining meteorological variables (RH), trace gases (CO and NO), solar radiation, PM10 and condensation sink, showed a moderate or high connection with both formation and growth rates.

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“…To date, few studies have measured the total PN concentrations and particle number size distributions by using the above mentioned methods/instruments in a variety of settings and environments such as ambient air (Wehner et al 2002;Costabile et al 2009;Watson et al 2011;Reche et al 2011;Asmi et al 2011;Cusack et al 2013;Beddows et al 2014;Brines et al 2015;G omezMoreno et al 2015), indoor air (Morawska et al 2009a;Buonanno et al 2010;Zhang et al 2010;Buonanno et al 2013;Voliotis et al 2014) and industrial and nanotechnology-related workplaces (Demou et al 2008;Brouwer 2010;Kuhlbusch et al 2011;Koivisto et al 2012;Koivisto et al 2014;Fonseca et al 2015a, b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercomparison of a portable and two stationary mobility particle sizers for nanoscale aerosol measurements

Fonseca

Viana

Pérez

et al. 2016

Aerosol Science and Technology

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During occupational exposure studies, the use of conventional scanning mobility particle sizers (SMPS) provides high quality data but may convey transport and application limitations. New instruments aiming to overcome these limitations are being currently developed. The purpose of the present study was to compare the performance of the novel portable NanoScan SMPS TSI 3910 with that of two stationary SMPS instruments and one ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC) in a controlled atmosphere and for different particle types and concentrations.The results show that NanoScan tends to overestimate particle number concentrations with regard to the UCPC, particularly for agglomerated particles (ZnO, spark generated soot and diesel soot particles) with relative differences >20%. The best agreements between the internal reference values and measured number concentrations were obtained when measuring compact and spherical particles (NaCl and DEHS particles). With regard to particle diameter (modal size), results from NanoScan were comparable < [ § 20%] to those measured by SMPSs for most of the aerosols measured.The findings of this study show that mobility particle sizers using unipolar and bipolar charging may be affected differently by particle size, morphologies, particle composition and concentration. While the sizing accuracy of the NanoScan SMPS was mostly within §25%, it may miscount total particle number concentration by more than 50% (especially for agglomerated particles), thus making it unsuitable for occupational exposure assessments where high degree of accuracy is required (e.g., in tier 3). However, can be a useful instrument to obtain an estimate of the aerosol size distribution in indoor and workplace air, e.g., in tier 2.

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Variability of sub-micrometer particle number size distributions and concentrations in the Western Mediterranean regional background

Cited by 25 publications

References 34 publications

Vertical and horizontal distribution of regional new particle formation events in Madrid

Vertical and horizontal distribution of regional new particle formation events in Madrid

A long-term study of new particle formation in a coastal environment: Meteorology, gas phase and solar radiation implications

Intercomparison of a portable and two stationary mobility particle sizers for nanoscale aerosol measurements

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