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Thomas Holst

Researcher

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No particle mass enhancement from induced atmospheric ageing at a rural site in northern Europe

Author

  • Erik Ahlberg
  • Stina Ausmeel
  • Axel Eriksson
  • Thomas Holst
  • Tomas Karlsson
  • William H. Brune
  • Göran Frank
  • Pontus Roldin
  • Adam Kristensson
  • Birgitta Svenningsson

Summary, in English

A large portion of atmospheric aerosol particles consists of secondary material produced by oxidation reactions. The relative importance of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) can increase with improved emission regulations. A relatively simple way to study potential particle formation in the atmosphere is by using oxidation flow reactors (OFRs) which simulate atmospheric ageing. Here we report on the first ambient OFR ageing experiment in Europe, coupled with scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and proton transfer reaction (PTR)-MS measurements. We found that the simulated ageing did not produce any measurable increases in particle mass or number concentrations during the two months of the campaign due to low concentrations of precursors. Losses in the reactor increased with hydroxyl radical (OH) exposure and with increasing difference between ambient and reactor temperatures, indicating fragmentation and evaporation of semivolatile material.

Department/s

  • Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)
  • Nuclear physics
  • MERGE: ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system
  • Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
  • NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience
  • Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science

Publishing year

2019-07-17

Language

English

Publication/Series

Atmosphere

Volume

10

Issue

7

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

MDPI AG

Topic

  • Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences

Keywords

  • Ambient aerosol
  • Oxidation flow reactor
  • PAM
  • Secondary organic aerosol

Status

Published

Project

  • Impact of a Salix biofuel plantation on the emission of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds and the production of Secondary
  • The variability in Salix BVOC emissions and possible consequences for managed SRC plantations

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2073-4433