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Thomas Holst

Researcher

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Analysis of particle size distribution changes between three measurement sites in northern Scandinavia

Author

  • R. Vaananen
  • E. -M. Kyro
  • T. Nieminen
  • Niku Kivekäs
  • H. Junninen
  • A. Virlikula
  • M. Dal Maso
  • H. Lihavainen
  • Y. Viisanen
  • Birgitta Svenningsson
  • Thomas Holst
  • A. Arneth
  • P. P. Aalto
  • M. Kulmala
  • V. -M. Kerminen

Summary, in English

We investigated atmospheric aerosol particle dynamics in a boreal forest zone in northern Scandinavia. We used aerosol number size distribution data measured with either a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) or scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) at three stations (Varrio, Pallas and Abisko), and combined these data with the HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) air mass trajectory analysis. We compared three approaches analysis of new particle formation events, investigation of aerosol particle number size distributions during the air mass transport from the ocean to individual stations with different overland transport times, and analysis of changes in aerosol particle number size distributions during the air mass transport from one measurement station to another. Aitken-mode particles were found to have apparent average growth rates of 0.6-0.7 nm h(-1) when the air masses traveled over land. Particle growth rates during the new particle formation (NPF) events were 3-6 times higher than the apparent particle growth during the summer period. When comparing aerosol dynamics for different overland transport times between the different stations, no major differences were found, except that in Abisko the NPF events were observed to take place in air masses with shorter overland times than at the other stations. We speculate that this is related to the meteorological differences along the paths of air masses caused by the land surface topology. When comparing air masses traveling in an east-to-west direction with those traveling in a west-to-east direction, clear differences in the aerosol dynamics were seen. Our results suggest that the condensation growth has an important role in aerosol dynamics even when NPF is not evident.

Department/s

  • Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
  • Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
  • Nuclear physics

Publishing year

2013

Language

English

Pages

11887-11903

Publication/Series

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

Volume

13

Issue

23

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Copernicus GmbH

Topic

  • Subatomic Physics
  • Physical Geography

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1680-7324