Spatial extent of new particle formation events over the Mediterranean Basin from multiple ground-based and airborne measurements
Over the last two decades, new particle formation (NPF), i.e., the formation of new particle clusters from gas-phase compounds followed by their growth to the 10–50 nm size range, has been extensively observed in the atmosphere at a given location, but their spatial extent has rarely been assesse...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/17/9567/2017/acp-17-9567-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | Over the last two decades, new particle formation (NPF), i.e., the
formation of new particle clusters from gas-phase compounds followed by their
growth to the 10–50 nm size range, has been extensively observed in the
atmosphere at a given location, but their spatial extent has rarely been assessed. In
this work, we use aerosol size distribution measurements performed
simultaneously at Ersa (Corsica) and Finokalia (Crete) over a 1-year period
to analyze the occurrence of NPF events in the Mediterranean area. The
geographical location of these two sites, as well as the extended sampling
period, allows us to assess the spatial and temporal variability in atmospheric
nucleation at a regional scale. Finokalia and Ersa show similar seasonalities
in the monthly average nucleation frequencies, growth rates, and nucleation
rates, although the two stations are located more than 1000 km away
from each other. Within this extended period, aerosol size distribution
measurements were performed during an intensive campaign (3 July to 12 August
2013) from a ground-based station on the island of Mallorca, as well as
onboard the ATR-42 research aircraft. This unique combination of stationary
and mobile measurements provides us with detailed insights into the
horizontal and vertical development of the NPF process on a daily scale.
During the intensive campaign, nucleation events occurred simultaneously both
at Ersa and Mallorca over delimited time slots of several days, but different
features were observed at Finokalia. The results show that the spatial
extent of the NPF events over the Mediterranean Sea might be as large as
several hundreds of kilometers, mainly determined by synoptic conditions.
Airborne measurements gave additional information regarding the origin of the
clusters detected above the sea. The selected cases depicted contrasting
situations, with clusters formed in the marine boundary layer or initially
nucleated above the continent or in the free troposphere (FT) and further
transported above the sea. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |