scholarly journals Is reducing new particle formation a plausible solution to mitigate particulate air pollution in Beijing and other Chinese megacities?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markku Kulmala ◽  
Lubna Dada ◽  
Kaspar R. Daellenbach ◽  
Chao Yan ◽  
Dominik Stolzenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Atmospheric Reactions ◽  
Particulate Air Pollution ◽  
Haze Days

Based on our comprehensive observations in Beijing, we show that 80–90% of PM2.5 was formed via atmospheric reactions during haze days and over 65% of the number concentration of haze particles resulted from new particle formation.

scholarly journals Variation of size-segregated particle number concentrations in wintertime Beijing

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 1201-1216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Lubna Dada ◽  
Yiliang Liu ◽  
Yueyun Fu ◽  
Juha Kangasluoma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Particle Number Concentration ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Accumulation Mode ◽  
Nucleation Mode ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Haze Days

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of the number size distribution of aerosol particles is an indicator of the dynamic behavior of Beijing's atmospheric pollution cocktail. This variation reflects the strength of different primary and secondary sources, such as traffic and new particle formation, as well as the main processes affecting the particle population. In this paper, we report size-segregated particle number concentrations observed at a newly developed Beijing station during the winter of 2018. Our measurements covered particle number size distributions over the diameter range of 1.5 nm–1 µm (cluster mode, nucleation mode, Aitken mode and accumulation mode), thus being descriptive of a major fraction of the processes taking place in the atmosphere of Beijing. Here we focus on explaining the concentration variations in the observed particle modes, by relating them to the potential aerosol sources and sinks, and on understanding the connections between these modes. We considered haze days and new particle formation event days separately. Our results show that during the new particle formation (NPF) event days increases in cluster mode particle number concentration were observed, whereas during the haze days high concentrations of accumulation mode particles were present. There was a tight connection between the cluster mode and nucleation mode on both NPF event and haze days. In addition, we correlated the particle number concentrations in different modes with concentrations of trace gases and other parameters measured at our station. Our results show that the particle number concentration in all the modes correlated with NOx, which reflects the contribution of traffic to the whole submicron size range. We also estimated the contribution of ion-induced nucleation in Beijing, and we found this contribution to be negligible.

Impact of Urban Pollution on Organic-Mediated New-Particle Formation and Particle Number Concentration in the Amazon Rainforest

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 4357-4367
Author(s):  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Jerome D. Fast ◽  
Neil M. Donahue ◽  
Manish Shrivastava ◽  
Meredith Schervish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Urban Pollution ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Amazon Rainforest ◽  
Particle Number Concentration ◽  
New Particle Formation

scholarly journals Atmospheric new particle formation at the research station Melpitz, Germany: connection with gaseous precursors and meteorological parameters

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1835-1861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Größ ◽  
Amar Hamed ◽  
André Sonntag ◽  
Gerald Spindler ◽  
Hanna Elina Manninen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sulfuric Acid ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Research Station ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Automated Method

Abstract. This paper revisits the atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) process in the polluted Central European troposphere, focusing on the connection with gas-phase precursors and meteorological parameters. Observations were made at the research station Melpitz (former East Germany) between 2008 and 2011 involving a neutral cluster and air ion spectrometer (NAIS). Particle formation events were classified by a new automated method based on the convolution integral of particle number concentration in the diameter interval 2–20 nm. To study the relevance of gaseous sulfuric acid as a precursor for nucleation, a proxy was derived on the basis of direct measurements during a 1-month campaign in May 2008. As a major result, the number concentration of freshly produced particles correlated significantly with the concentration of sulfur dioxide as the main precursor of sulfuric acid. The condensation sink, a factor potentially inhibiting NPF events, played a subordinate role only. The same held for experimentally determined ammonia concentrations. The analysis of meteorological parameters confirmed the absolute need for solar radiation to induce NPF events and demonstrated the presence of significant turbulence during those events. Due to its tight correlation with solar radiation, however, an independent effect of turbulence for NPF could not be established. Based on the diurnal evolution of aerosol, gas-phase, and meteorological parameters near the ground, we further conclude that the particle formation process is likely to start in elevated parts of the boundary layer rather than near ground level.

scholarly journals New Particle Formation in the South Aegean Sea during the Etesians: importance for CCN production and cloud droplet number

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kalkavouras ◽  
E. Bossioli ◽  
S. Bezantakos ◽  
A. Bougiatioti ◽  
N. Kalivitis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Particle Nucleation ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Cloud Droplet Number Concentration ◽  
Measurement Period

Abstract. We examine the concentration levels and size distribution of submicron aerosol particles along with the concentration of trace gases and meteorological variables over the central (Santorini) and south Aegean Sea (Crete) from 15 to 28 July 2013, a period that includes Etesian events and moderate northern winds. Particle nucleation bursts were recorded during the Etesian flow at both stations, with those observed at Santorini reaching up to 1.5 × 104 particles cm−3. On Crete (at Finokalia station), the fraction of nucleation-mode particles was diminished, but a higher number of Aitken-mode was observed as a result of the downward mixing and photochemistry. Aerosol and photochemical pollutants covaried throughout the measurement period: lower concentrations were observed during the period of strong Etesian flow (e.g. 43–70 ppbv for ozone, 1.5–5.7 μg m−3 for sulfate), but were substantially enhanced during the period of moderate winds (i.e., increase of up to 32 % for ozone, and 140 % for sulfate). To understand how new particle formation (NPF) affects cloud formation, we quantify its impact on the CCN levels and cloud droplet number concentration. We find that NPF can double CCN number (at 0.1 % supersaturation) but the resulting strong competition for water vapor in cloudy updrafts decreases maximum supersaturation by 14 % and augments the potential droplet number only by 12 %. Therefore, although NPF events may strongly elevate CCN numbers, the relative impacts on cloud droplet number (compared to pre-event levels) is eventually limited by water vapor availability and depends on the prevailing cloud formation dynamics and the aerosol levels associated with the background in the region.

scholarly journals Modeling particle nucleation and growth over northern California during the 2010 CARES campaign

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (21) ◽  
pp. 12283-12313 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lupascu ◽  
R. Easter ◽  
R. Zaveri ◽  
M. Shrivastava ◽  
M. Pekour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Particle Nucleation ◽  
Particle Number Concentration ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Organic Vapors ◽  
Diurnal Variability

Abstract. Accurate representation of the aerosol lifecycle requires adequate modeling of the particle number concentration and size distribution in addition to their mass, which is often the focus of aerosol modeling studies. This paper compares particle number concentrations and size distributions as predicted by three empirical nucleation parameterizations in the Weather Research and Forecast coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) regional model using 20 discrete size bins ranging from 1 nm to 10 μm. Two of the parameterizations are based on H2SO4, while one is based on both H2SO4 and organic vapors. Budget diagnostic terms for transport, dry deposition, emissions, condensational growth, nucleation, and coagulation of aerosol particles have been added to the model and are used to analyze the differences in how the new particle formation parameterizations influence the evolving aerosol size distribution. The simulations are evaluated using measurements collected at surface sites and from a research aircraft during the Carbonaceous Aerosol and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) conducted in the vicinity of Sacramento, California. While all three parameterizations captured the temporal variation of the size distribution during observed nucleation events as well as the spatial variability in aerosol number, all overestimated by up to a factor of 2.5 the total particle number concentration for particle diameters greater than 10 nm. Using the budget diagnostic terms, we demonstrate that the combined H2SO4 and low-volatility organic vapor parameterization leads to a different diurnal variability of new particle formation and growth to larger sizes compared to the parameterizations based on only H2SO4. At the CARES urban ground site, peak nucleation rates are predicted to occur around 12:00 Pacific (local) standard time (PST) for the H2SO4 parameterizations, whereas the highest rates were predicted at 08:00 and 16:00 PST when low-volatility organic gases are included in the parameterization. This can be explained by higher anthropogenic emissions of organic vapors at these times as well as lower boundary-layer heights that reduce vertical mixing. The higher nucleation rates in the H2SO4-organic parameterization at these times were largely offset by losses due to coagulation. Despite the different budget terms for ultrafine particles, the 10–40 nm diameter particle number concentrations from all three parameterizations increased from 10:00 to 14:00 PST and then decreased later in the afternoon, consistent with changes in the observed size and number distribution. We found that newly formed particles could explain up to 20–30 % of predicted cloud condensation nuclei at 0.5 % supersaturation, depending on location and the specific nucleation parameterization. A sensitivity simulation using 12 discrete size bins ranging from 1 nm to 10 μm diameter gave a reasonable estimate of particle number and size distribution compared to the 20 size bin simulation, while reducing the associated computational cost by ~ 36 %.

scholarly journals Air pollution control and decreasing new particle formation lead to strong climate warming

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 25991-26007 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Makkonen ◽  
A. Asmi ◽  
V.-M. Kerminen ◽  
M. Boy ◽  
A. Arneth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Forcing ◽  
Year 2000

Abstract. The number of cloud droplets determines several climatically relevant cloud properties. A major cause for the high uncertainty in the indirect aerosol forcing is the availability of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), which in turn is highly sensitive to atmospheric new particle formation. Here we present the effect of new particle formation on anthropogenic aerosol forcing in present-day (year 2000) and future (year 2100) conditions. The total aerosol forcing (−1.61 W m−2 in year 2000) is simulated to be greatly reduced in the future, to −0.23 W m−2, mainly due to decrease in SO2 emissions and resulting decrease in new particle formation. With the total aerosol forcing decreasing in response to air pollution control measures taking effect, warming from increased greenhouse gas concentrations can potentially increase at a very rapid rate.

scholarly journals CCN production by new particle formation in the free troposphere

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 1529-1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clémence Rose ◽  
Karine Sellegri ◽  
Isabel Moreno ◽  
Fernando Velarde ◽  
Michel Ramonet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Particle Number Concentration ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Radiative Processes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Global models predict that new particle formation (NPF) is, in some environments, responsible for a substantial fraction of the total atmospheric particle number concentration and subsequently contributes significantly to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations. NPF events were frequently observed at the highest atmospheric observatory in the world, on Chacaltaya (5240 m a.s.l.), Bolivia. The present study focuses on the impact of NPF on CCN population. Neutral cluster and Air Ion Spectrometer and mobility particle size spectrometer measurements were simultaneously used to follow the growth of particles from cluster sizes down to ∼ 2 nm up to CCN threshold sizes set to 50, 80 and 100 nm. Using measurements performed between 1 January and 31 December 2012, we found that 61 % of the 94 analysed events showed a clear particle growth and significant enhancement of the CCN-relevant particle number concentration. We evaluated the contribution of NPF, relative to the transport and growth of pre-existing particles, to CCN size. The averaged production of 50 nm particles during those events was 5072, and 1481 cm−3 for 100 nm particles, with a larger contribution of NPF compared to transport, especially during the wet season. The data set was further segregated into boundary layer (BL) and free troposphere (FT) conditions at the site. The NPF frequency of occurrence was higher in the BL (48 %) compared to the FT (39 %). Particle condensational growth was more frequently observed for events initiated in the FT, but on average faster for those initiated in the BL, when the amount of condensable species was most probably larger. As a result, the potential to form new CCN was higher for events initiated in the BL (67 % against 53 % in the FT). In contrast, higher CCN number concentration increases were found when the NPF process initially occurred in the FT, under less polluted conditions. This work highlights the competition between particle growth and the removal of freshly nucleated particles by coagulation processes. The results support model predictions which suggest that NPF is an effective source of CCN in some environments, and thus may influence regional climate through cloud-related radiative processes.

scholarly journals Hygroscopic properties and cloud condensation nuclei activity of atmospheric aerosols under the influences of Asian continental outflow and new particle formation at a coastal site in eastern Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 5911-5922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hing Cho Cheung ◽  
Charles Chung-Kuang Chou ◽  
Celine Siu Lan Lee ◽  
Wei-Chen Kuo ◽  
Shuenn-Chin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Hygroscopic Properties ◽  
Aerosol Hygroscopicity

Abstract. The chemical composition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the size distribution and number concentration of aerosol particles (NCN), and the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (NCCN) were measured at the northern tip of Taiwan during an intensive observation experiment from April 2017 to March 2018. The parameters of aerosol hygroscopicity (i.e., activation ratio, activation diameter and kappa of CCN) were retrieved from the measurements. Significant variations were found in the hygroscopicity of aerosols (kappa – κ – of 0.18–0.56, for water vapor supersaturation – SS – of 0.12 %–0.80 %), which were subject to various pollution sources, including aged air pollutants originating in eastern and northern China and transported by the Asian continental outflows and fresh particles emitted from local sources and distributed by land–sea breeze circulations as well as produced by processes of new particle formation (NPF). Cluster analysis was applied to the back trajectories of air masses to investigate their respective source regions. The results showed that aerosols associated with Asian continental outflows were characterized by lower NCN and NCCN values and by higher kappa values of CCN, whereas higher NCN and NCCN values with lower kappa values of CCN were observed in the aerosols associated with local air masses. Besides, it was revealed that the kappa value of CCN exhibited a decrease during the early stage of an event of new particle formation, which turned to an increasing trend over the later period. The distinct features in the hygroscopicity of aerosols were found to be consistent with the characteristics in the chemical composition of PM2.5. This study has depicted a clear seasonal characteristic of hygroscopicity and CCN activity under the influence of a complex mixture of pollutants from different regional and/or local pollution sources. Nevertheless, the mixing state and chemical composition of the aerosols critically influence the aerosol hygroscopicity, and further investigations are necessary to elucidate the atmospheric processing involved in the CCN activation in coastal areas.

scholarly journals New Particle Formation and impact on CCN concentrations in the boundary layer and free troposphere at the high altitude station of Chacaltaya (5240 m a.s.l.), Bolivia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rose ◽  
K. Sellegri ◽  
I. Moreno ◽  
F. Velarde ◽  
M. Ramonet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Particle Number Concentration ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
New Particle Formation ◽  
Radiative Processes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Global models predict that new particle formation (NPF) is, in some environments, responsible for a substantial fraction of the total atmospheric particle number concentration and subsequently contribute significantly to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations. NPF events were frequently observed at the highest atmospheric observatory in the world, Chacaltaya (5240 m a.s.l.), Bolivia. The present study focuses on the impact of NPF on CCN population. Neutral cluster and Air Ion Spectrometer and mobility particle size spectrometer measurements were simultaneously used to follow the growth of particles from cluster sizes down to ~ 2 nm up to CCN threshold sizes set to 50, 80 and 100 nm. Using measurements performed between January 1 and December 31 2012, we found that 61% of the 94 analysed events showed a clear particle growth and significant enhancement of the CCN-relevant particle number concentration. We evaluated the contribution of NPF events relative to the transport of pre-existing particles to the site. The averaged production of 50 nm particles during those events was 5072 cm−3, and 1481 cm−3 for 100 nm particles, with a larger contribution of NPF compared to transport, especially during the wet season. The data set was further segregated into boundary layer (BL) and free troposphere (FT) conditions at the site. The NPF frequency of occurrence was higher in the BL (48 %) compared to the FT (39 %). Particle condensational growth was more frequently observed for events initiated in the FT, but on average faster for those initiated in the BL, when the amount of condensable species was most probably larger. As a result, the potential to form new CCN was higher for events initiated in the BL (67 % against 56 % in the FT). In contrast, higher CCN number concentration increases were found when the NPF process initially occurred in the FT, under less polluted conditions. This work highlights the competition between particle growth and the removal of freshly nucleated particles by coagulation processes. The results support model predictions which suggest that NPF is an effective source of CCN in some environments, and thus may influence regional climate through cloud related radiative processes.

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