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The performance of aerosol classification schemes based on intensive optical parameters and applied to mixed particle populations monitored at the surface has been investigated to test the ability of optical parameters to identify different types of particles/particle mixtures and explore their complex features. The results show that the combination of two intensive optical parameters does not allow for the unique identification of different particle types. The classification scheme based on the Absorption Angstrom Exponent (AAE) as a function of the Scattering Angstrom Exponent (SAE) and color-coded by the Single Scattering Albedo difference (dSSA) is a good graphical framework to discriminate between different types of particle/particle mixtures. This aerosol classification scheme has been applied to study the optical properties of heterogeneous PM2.5 particles that were monitored at a coastal site of the Central Mediterranean and were significantly affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources also because of long-range transport from surrounding countries. The calculated AAE, SAE, and dSSA hourly means smoothly and continuously vary within their respective range (0.6-3.4, -0.7-3.0, and -0.33-0.52, respectively) because of the different mixing degree of different types of particles. Consequently, the main features of the particle populations depend on the range of the AAE, SAE, and dSSA values. Eight different clusters have been selected within the used graphical framework to identify four key particle populations (dust, marine, OC-dominated, and BC-dominated particles) and four particle mixtures dominated by key aerosol populations. In addition, their main features have been characterized. Particle mixtures consisting of large and low-absorbing particles (LLAP), small and high-absorbing particles (SHAP), dominated by dust, and large organic particles have been characterized. Marine, LLAP, and mixed dust clusters with a SAE value below 1 are responsible for aerosol scattering coefficients (sigma(s); at 470 nm) below 100 Mm(-1). Conversely, SHAP, BC-dominated, and OC-based mixtures are responsible for the highest sigma(s) values and represent dominant particles species.

Lidar measurements at 355, 532, and 1064 nm have been performed at Lecce (40.3°N, 18.1°E), in south-eastern Italy, to investigate for the first time the impact of the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse on both the planetary boundary layer (PBL) height and the aerosol optical and microphysical properties along the whole aerosol column. The partial solar eclipse lasted from 08:30 up to 10:47 UTC and reached the full phase at 09:37 UTC. The maximum percentage obscuration of the solar disk was 43.6%. The eclipse cooling effect was responsible at the full phase time (tF) for the downward solar irradiance decrease at the top of the atmosphere, at the surface, and within the atmosphere of 429.2 ± 0.6, 373 ± 25, and 56 ± 26 W m−2, respectively. The turbulent kinetic energy, the potential temperature flux, the sensible heat flux, the variance of air temperature, and the vertical wind speed at the surface revealed that the turbulence activity reached the maximum weakening at the time tF. The standard deviation (SD) technique has been applied to both the lidar range corrected signals (RCS) at 1064 nm and the linear volume depolarization ratio (δV) profiles at 355 nm to determine the time evolution of the shallow PBL height and the aloft aerosol layers. The SD technique applied to RCS and δV profiles revealed similar results within experimental uncertainties. The PBL height, which was equal to 380 ± 40 m above ground level (AGL) at the eclipse full phase (09:37 UTC), decreased up to 220 ± 20 m at 09:45 UTC because of the eclipse cooling effect and, then, increased up to 320 ± 30 m at 10:17 UTC. The determined PBL height time evolution was in good agreement with the ones of the main turbulence parameters at the surface after tF. The vertical profiles of the aerosol backscatter coefficient (ββ), the δV at 355 nm, and the extinction-related Angstrom exponent (A), calculated at the 355–1064 nm wavelength pair revealed a marked decrease of β, δV, and A at the eclipse full phase within the aloft aerosol layers. The abrupt β, δV, and A decrease due to the aerosol concentration and type changes has mainly been associated with the decrease of the fine-mode particle contribution.

A preliminary local database of potential (opportunistic) airborne human and plant pathogenic and non-pathogenic species detected in PM10 samples collected in winter and spring is provided, in addition to their seasonal dependence and relationships with meteorological parameters and PM10 chemical species. The PM10 samples, collected at a Central Mediterranean coastal site, were analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach, and Spearman correlation coefficients and redundancy discriminant analysis tri-plots were used to investigate the main relationships. The screening of 1187 detected species allowed for the detection of 76 and 27 potential (opportunistic) human and plant pathogens, respectively. The bacterial structure of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species varied from winter to spring and, consequently, the inter-species relationships among potential human pathogens, plant pathogens, and non-pathogenic species varied from winter to spring. Few non-pathogenic species and even fewer potential human pathogens were significantly correlated with meteorological parameters, according to the Spearman correlation coefficients. Conversely, several potential plant pathogens were strongly and positively correlated with temperature and wind speed and direction both in winter and in spring. The number of strong relationships between presumptive (human and plant) pathogens and non-pathogens, and meteorological parameters slightly increased from winter to spring. The sample chemical composition also varied from winter to spring. Some potential human and plant pathogens were correlated with chemicals mainly associated with marine aerosol and/or with soil dust, likely because terrestrial and aquatic environments were the main habitats of the detected bacterial species. The carrier role on the species seasonal variability was also investigated.

Aerosol particles are essential constituents of the Earth’s atmosphere, impacting the earth radiation balance directly by scattering and absorbing solar radiation, and indirectly by acting as cloud condensation nuclei. In contrast to most greenhouse gases, aerosol particles have short atmospheric residence times, resulting in a highly heterogeneous distribution in space and time. There is a clear need to document this variability at regional scale through observations involving, in particular, the in situ near-surface segment of the atmospheric observation system. This paper will provide the widest effort so far to document variability of climate-relevant in situ aerosol properties (namely wavelength dependent particle light scattering and absorption coefficients, particle number concentration and particle number size distribution) from all sites connected to the Global Atmosphere Watch network. High-quality data from almost 90 stations worldwide have been collected and controlled for quality and are reported for a reference year in 2017, providing a very extended and robust view of the variability of these variables worldwide. The range of variability observed worldwide for light scattering and absorption coefficients, single-scattering albedo, and particle number concentration are presented together with preliminary information on their long-term trends and comparison with model simulation for the different stations. The scope of the present paper is also to provide the necessary suite of information, including data provision procedures, quality control and analysis, data policy, and usage of the ground-based aerosol measurement network. It delivers to users of the World Data Centre on Aerosol, the required confidence in data products in the form of a fully characterized value chain, including uncertainty estimation and requirements for contributing to the global climate monitoring system., European Commission Joint Research Centre 654109, European ERDF funds through different Spanish R&D projects of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, NorthWest University, University of Helsinki, Academy of Finland 272041, Academy of Finland project Greenhouse gas 269095 296302, Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program "Development of Monitoring and Analysis Techniques for Atmospheric Composition in Korea KMA2018-00522, National Research Foundation of Korea 2017R1D1A1B06032548, Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program KMI2018-01111, Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration, Ministry of Research, France, French Ministry of the Environment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, MeteoSwiss (GAW-CH aerosol monitoring programme), Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of CR within National Sustainability Program I (NPU I) LO1415, ERDF "ACTRISCZ RI" CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_013/0001315 CGL2017-85344-R MINECO/AEI/FEDER, TIGAS-CM (Madrid Regional Government) Y2018/EMT-5177, AIRTECCM (Madrid Regional Government) P2018/EMT4329 REDMAAS2020 RED2018-102594-T CIENCIA, Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, European Union (EU) CGL2016-78594-R, Generalitat de Catalunya AGAUR 2017 SGR41, National Institute for Aerospace Technology, Ministerio Espanol de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO) MIS 5021516, Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, NSRF, Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR), Norwegian Environment Agency, Swedish FORMAS; Swedish Research Council (VR), Magnus Bergvall foundation, Marta och Erik Holmberg foundation, Swedish EPA

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of entire nations all over the world. In addition to mobility restrictions of people, the World Health Organization and the Governments have prescribed maintaining an inter-personal distance of 1.5 or 2 m (about 6 feet) from each other in order to minimize the risk of contagion through the droplets that we usually disseminate around us from nose and mouth. However, recently published studies support the hypothesis of virus transmission over a distance of 2 m from an infected person. Researchers have proved the higher aerosol and surface stability of SARS-COV-2 as compared with SARS-COV-1 (with the virus remaining viable and infectious in aerosol for hours) and that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV can occur besides close-distance contacts. Indeed, there is reasonable evidence about the possibility of SARS-COV-2 airborne transmission due to its persistence into aerosol droplets in a viable and infectious form. Based on the available knowledge and epidemiological observations, it is plausible that small particles containing the virus may diffuse in indoor environments covering distances up to 10 m from the emission sources, thus representing a kind of aerosol transmission. On-field studies carried out inside Wuhan Hospitals showed the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA in air samples collected in the hospitals and also in the surroundings, leading to the conclusion that the airborne route has to be considered an important pathway for viral diffusion. Similar findings are reported in analyses concerning air samples collected at the Nebraska University Hospital. On March 16th, we have released a Position Paper emphasizing the airborne route as a possible additional factor for interpreting the anomalous COVID-19 outbreaks in northern Italy, ranked as one of the most polluted areas in Europe and characterized by high particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The available information on the SARS-COV-2 spreading supports the hypothesis of airborne diffusion of infected droplets from person to person at a distance greater than two meters (6 feet). The inter-personal distance of 2 m can be reasonably considered as an effective protection only if everybody wears face masks in daily life activities.

Results on day-to-night aerosol parameters retrieved from the Cimel CE318-T photometer, operating at Lecce_University (40°20′N, 18°6′E) since October 2016, are reported. The paper aims to contribute either to the studies on the CE318-T capability for monitoring aerosols in a wide range of moon's illumination and cycles and to the studies on day-to-night columnar aerosol properties by sun-sky-lunar photometry. The reliability of lunar AODs has firstly been evaluated by analysing the AOD differences calculated from the average of the last 1 h of daytime data (AODSS) and the first 1 h of nocturnal data (AODMR), respectively. Similarly, AODMS and AODSR values have been calculated from the average of the last 1 h of nocturnal data and the first 1 h of daytime data, respectively. We found that the AOD differences (AODSS – AODMR) and (AODMS – AODSR) were within the accuracy of solar AODs. Pairwise comparison, correlation coefficients, root mean square errors, and mean bias of AODSS versus AODMR and AODMS versus AODSR also supported the lunar data reliability. The statistical analysis of solar and corresponding lunar daily means has shown that monthly and seasonal AODs from solar and lunar photometry measurements, respectively, are characterized by similar metrics. Monthly and seasonal Ångström exponents (Å) calculated at the 440–870 nm wavelength pair from daily solar and lunar AODs are also characterized by similar metrics. More specifically, pairwise comparisons by the Mann-Whitney test have shown that lunar and solar AOD and Å datasets, based on daily means, are not significantly different in all the months and the seasons at the p-level < 0.02. On the contrary, pairwise comparisons have shown that the Ångström exponent differences (ΔÅ) calculated from solar and lunar Å daily means are statistically different mainly in winter and autumn, likely for the high relative humidity at night-time. Therefore, ΔÅ has been the only intensive parameter characterized by significant day-to-night changes in autumn and winter. Some case studies have been analysed/discussed to support the paper's main results and show the seasonal changes of the aerosol properties.

Irradiance and LiDAR measurements at the surface combined with satellite products from SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager) and MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) were used to detect and characterize the Etna volcano (Italy) plume that crossed southeastern Italy on 3 December 2015, from about 10:00 up to 11:30 UTC, and estimate its radiative impact. The volcanic plume was delivered by a violent and short paroxysmal eruption that occurred from 02:30 to 03:10 UTC of 3 December 2015, about 400 km away from the monitoring site. Measurements from the LiDAR combined with model results showed that the aerosol optical depth of the volcanic plume, located from about 11 to 13 km above sea level (asl), was equal to 0.80 ± 0.07 at 532 nm. A low tropospheric aerosol load, located up to about 7 km asl, with optical depth equal to 0.19 ± 0.01 at 532 nm was also revealed by the LiDAR measurements. Short-Wave (SW) downward and upward irradiance measurements revealed that the instantaneous SW direct radiative forcing at the surface (DRFsurf) decreased to −146 ± 16 W m−2 at 10:50 UTC because of the volcanic plume passage. A Two-Stream radiative transfer model integrated with experimental measurements, which took into account the volcanic plume and the low tropospheric aerosol properties, was used to reproduce the SW radiative flux measurements at the surface and estimate the aerosol DRF both at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and at the surface, in addition to the aerosol heating rate vertical profile. We found that the clear-sky, instantaneous, SW DRF at the TOA and the atmospheric forcing were equal to −112 and 33 W m-2, respectively, at 10:50 UTC that represented the time at which the volcanic plume radiative impact was the highest. The SW aerosol heating rate reached the peak value of 1.24 K day−1 at 12 km asl and decreased to −0.06 K day−1 at 11 km asl, at 10:50 UTC. The role of the aerosol load located up to about 7 km asl and the corresponding radiative impact has also been evaluated.

A methodology to detect the weekly cycle impact of the particulate matter (PM), and PM sources on the near surface temperature and wind speed is discussed in the paper. Chemically-speciated PM10 and PM2.5 samples are analyzed to detect the weekly cycle of both the PM mass concentrations and the PM sources identified by the Positive Matrix Factorization technique. The average percent departure (APD) of the PM mass concentration from the mean value calculated for each day of the week shows that a positive (higher values during midweek) and a negative (higher values during weekend) weekly cycle characterizes the PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations in Autumn-Winter (AW, September–February) and Spring-Summer (SS, March–August), respectively. The westerly transport of pollution seems to have a role on the negative PM weekly cycle found in SS. The analysis of the six identified aerosol sources indicates that in SS the mixed anthropogenic and the reacted dust sources likely impact the PM10 negative weekly cycle and that the mixed anthropogenic source likely impacts the PM2.5 negative weekly cycle. The mixed anthropogenic and soil dust sources likely affect in AW the positive weekly cycle of the PM10 mass concentration. Both sources in addition to the reacted dust source seem to affect the PM2.5 mass concentration in AW. The APD analysis of the temperature (T) and wind speed (WS) at the surface from measurements co-located in space and time with the PM ones reveals that the WS and T values are characterized by a negative weekly cycle in AW. Conversely, in SS, the WS-APD value decreases on Sunday and the T-APD values increase in the second half of the week. These last results likely give evidence of the PM impact on the near-surface temperature and wind speed at the study site.

Integrating nephelometer measurements have been combined with co-located in space and time PM10 and PM1 mass concentration measurements to highlight the benefits of integrating aerosol optical properties with the chemical speciation of PM1 and PM10 samples. Inorganic ions (SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, Cl−, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Ti, Cu, V, Mn, and Cr), and the elemental and organic carbon (EC and OC, respectively) have been monitored to characterize the chemical composition of PM1 and PM10 samples, respectively. The scattering coefficient (σp) at 450 nm, the scattering Angstrom coefficient (A) calculated at the 450–635 nm wavelength pair, and the scattering Angstrom coefficient difference (∆A) retrieved from nephelometer measurements have been used to characterize the optical properties of the particles at the surface. The frequency distribution of the A daily means during the one-year monitoring campaign, performed at a southeastern Italian site, has allowed identifying three main A variability ranges: A ≤ 0.8, 0.8 1.2. We found that σp and ∆A mean values and the mean chemical composition of the PM1 and PM10 samples varied with the A variability range. σp and ∆A reached the highest (149 Mm−1) and the smallest (0.16) mean value, respectively, on the days characterized by A > 1.2. EC, SO42−, and NH4+ mean mass percentages also reached the highest mean value on the A > 1.2 days, representing on average 8.4, 9.8, and 4.2%, respectively, of the sampled PM10 mass and 12.4, 10.6, and 7.7%, respectively, of the PM1 mass. Conversely, σp and ∆A mean values were equal to 85 Mm−1 and 0.55, respectively, on the days characterized by A ≤ 0.8 and the EC, SO42−, and NH4+ mean mass percentages reached smaller values on the A ≤ 0.8 days, representing 4.5, 6.0, and 1.9% of the PM10 mass and 9.4, 7.3, and 5.8% of the PM1 mass, respectively. Primary and secondary OC (POC and SOC, respectively) contributions also varied with the A variability range. POC and SOC mean mass percentages reached the highest and the smallest value, respectively, on the days characterized by A > 1.2. Conversely, POC and SOC mean mass percentages reached the smallest and the highest value, respectively, on the days characterized by A ≤ 0.8. It has also been shown that the PM, OC, OC + EC, POC, and SOC mass scattering cross sections varied significantly with the A variability range, because of the A dependence on aerosol sources and/or emission, transport, and transformation mechanisms. Therefore, it has been shown that A daily mean values can represent a good tool to better differentiate the chemical speciation of size-fractioned PM samples.

The collection of atmospheric particles on not-filtering substrates via dry deposition, and the subsequent study of the particle-induced material decay, is trivial due to the high number of variables simultaneously acting on the investigated surface. This work reports seasonally resolved data of chemical composition and size distribution of particulate matter deposed on stone and surrogate surfaces obtained using a new method, especially developed at this purpose. A “Deposition Box” was designed allowing the particulate matter dry deposition to occur selectively removing, at the same time, variables that can mask the effect of airborne particles on material decay. A pitched roof avoided rainfall and wind variability; a standardised gentle air exchange rate ensured a continuous “sampling” of ambient air leaving unchanged the sampled particle size distribution and, at the same time, leaving quite calm condition inside the box, allowing the deposition to occur. Thus, the “Deposition Box” represents an affordable tool that can be used complementary to traditional exposure systems. With this system, several exposure campaigns, involving investigated stone materials (ISMs) (Carrara Marble, Botticino limestone, Noto calcarenite and Granite) and surrogate (Quartz, PTFE, and Aluminium) substrates, have been performed in two different sites placed in Milan (Italy) inside and outside the low emission zone. Deposition rates (30–90 μg cm−2 month−1) showed significant differences between sites and seasons, becoming less evident considering long-period exposures due to a positive feedback on the deposition induced by the deposited particles. Similarly, different stone substrates influenced the deposition rates too. The collected deposits have been observed with optical and scanning electron microscopes and analysed by ion chromatography. Ion deposition rates were similar in the two sites during winter, whereas it was greater outside the low emission zone during summer and considering the long-period exposure. The dimensional distribution of the collected deposits showed a significant presence of fine particles in agreement with deposition rate of the ionic fraction. The obtained results allowed to point out the role of the fine particles fraction and the importance of making seasonal studies.

[oThe effects of the partial solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 on short-wave (SW) and long-wave (LW) irradiance measurements, meteorological variables, and near surface particle properties have been investigated. Measurements were performed at three southern Italy observatories of the Global Atmospheric Watch - World Meteorological Organization (GAW-WMO): Lecce (LE, 40.3°N, 18.1°E, 30 m a.s.l.), Lamezia Terme (LT, 38.9°N, 16.2°E, 50 m a.s.l.), and Capo Granitola (CG, 37.6°N, 12.7°E, 50 m a.s.l.), to investigate the dependence of the eclipse effects on monitoring site location and meteorology. LE, LT, and CG were affected by a similar maximum obscuration of the solar disk, but meteorological parameters and aerosol optical and microphysical properties varied from site to site on the eclipse's day. The maximum obscuration of the solar disk, which was equal to 43.6, 42.8, and 45.1% at LE, LT, and CG, respectively, was responsible for the decrease of the downward SW irradiance up to 45, 44, and 45% at LE, LT, and CG, respectively. The upward SW irradiance decreased up to 45, 48, and 44% at LE, LT, and CG, respectively. Consequently, the eclipse SW direct radiative forcing (DRF) was equal to - 307, - 278, and - 238 W m- 2 at LE, LT, and CG, respectively, at the maximum obscuration of the solar disk. The downward and upward LW irradiance decrease was quite small (up to 4%) at the three sites. The time evolution of the meteorological parameters and aerosol optical and microphysical properties and their response strength to the solar eclipse impact varied from site to site, mainly because of the local meteorology and geographical location. Nevertheless, the solar eclipse was responsible at the study sites for a temperature decrease within 0.5-0.8 K, a relative humidity increase within 3.5-4.5%, and a wind speed decrease within 0.5-1.0 m s- 1, because of its cooling effect. The solar eclipse was also responsible at all the sites for the increase of near surface particle scattering coefficient (?sp) and scattering color ratio (CR?), mainly for the increase of both ultrafine and fine mode particle concentrations. In more detail, ?sp, CR?, and number concentration increased up to 2 Mm- 1, 0.2, and 9 · 103 cm- 3, respectively. The atmospheric turbulence weakening, driven by the eclipse cooling effect and revealed by the decrease of turbulent kinetic energy and potential temperature flux, mainly contributed to the changes of near surface particle concentrations and size distributions.bject Object]

During the summers of 2011 and 2012, two scientific cruises were carried out over the Arctic Ocean aiming at the determination of the aerosol chemical composition in this pristine environment. First, mass spectrometry was applied to study the concentration and gas/particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes. Experimental and modelled data of phase partitioning were compared: results demonstrated an equilibrium between gas and particle phase for PAHs, while n-alkanes showed a particle-oriented partitioning, due to the local marine origin of them, confirmed by the extremely low value of their carbon preference index. Moreover, the inorganic and organic ions (carboxylic acids and amines) concentrations, together with those of elemental carbon (EC) and organic matter (OM), were analyzed: 63% of aerosol was composed of ionic compounds (&gt, 90% from sea-salt) and the OM content was very high (30.5%, close to 29.0% of Cl&minus, ) in agreement with n-alkanes&rsquo, marine signature. Furthermore, the amines&rsquo, (dimethylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine) concentrations were 3.98 &plusmn, 1.21, 1.70 &plusmn, 0.82, and 1.06 &plusmn, 0.56 p.p.t.v., respectively, fully in keeping with concentration values used in the CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplet)-chamber experiments to simulate the ambient nucleation rate in a H2SO4-DMA-H2O system, showing the amines&rsquo, importance in polar regions to promote new particle formation. Finally, high resolution mass spectrometry was applied to determine trace elements, including Rare Earth Elements (REEs), highlighting the dominant natural versus anthropic inputs for trace metals (e.g., Fe, Mn, Ti vs. As, Cd, Ni) and possible signatures of such anthropic activity.

The energy demands of data centers (DCs) worldwide are rapidly increasing, as are their environmental and economic costs. This paper presents a study conducted at Sannazzaro de' Burgondi (Po Valley), Italy, specifically aimed at optimizing the operating conditions of a DC designed for the Italian Oil and Gas Company (Eni) (5200 m(2) of Information Technology installed, 30 MW) and based on a direct free cooling (DFC) system. The aim of the study was to save the largest possible quantity of energy, while at the same time preventing aerosol corrosion. The aerosol properties (number size distribution, chemical composition, deliquescence relative humidity (DRH), acidity) and meteorological parameters were monitored and utilized to determine the potential levels of aerosol entering the DC (equivalent ISO class), together with its DRH. These data enabled us both to select the DC's filtering system (MERV13 filters) and to optimize the cooling cycle through calculation of the most reliable humidity cycle (60% of maximum allowed RH) applicable to the DFC. A potential energy saving of 81%, compared to a traditional air conditioning cooling system, was estimated: in one year, for 1 kW of installed information technology, the estimated energy saving is 7.4 MWh, resulting in 2.7 fewer tons of CO2 being emitted, and a financial saving of € 1100.

International audience; In the framework of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx; http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.fr/) initiative, a field campaign took place in the western Mediterranean Basin between 10 June and 5 July 2013 within the ADRIMED (Aerosol Direct Radiative Impact on the regional climate in the MEDiterranean region) project. The scientific objectives of ADRIMED are the characterization of the most common ‘Mediterranean aerosols’ and their direct radiative forcing (column closure and regional scale). During 15–24 June a multi-intrusion dust event took place over the western and central Mediterranean Basin. Extra measurements were carried out by some EARLINET/ACTRIS (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network /Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network, http://www.actris.net/) lidar stations in Spain and Italy, in particular on 22 June in support to the flight over southern Italy of the Falcon 20 aircraft involved in the campaign. This article describes the physical and optical properties of dust observed at the different lidar stations in terms of dust plume centre of mass, optical depth, lidar ratio, and particle depolarization ratio. To link the differences found in the origin of dust plumes, the results are discussed on the basis of back-trajectories and air- and space-borne lidars. This work puts forward the collaboration between a European research infrastructure (ACTRIS) and an international project (ChArMEx) on topics of interest for both parties, and more generally for the atmospheric community.

We present results from a systematic study of vertical profiles of aerosol number size distribution and black carbon (BC) concentrations conducted in the Arctic, over Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard). The campaign lasted 2 years (2011–2012) and resulted in 200 vertical profiles measured by means of a tethered balloon (up to 1200 m a.g.l.) during the spring and summer seasons. In addition, chemical analysis of filter samples, aerosol size distribution and a full set of meteorological parameters were determined at ground. The collected experimental data allowed a classification of the vertical profiles into different typologies, which allowed us to describe the seasonal phenomenology of vertical aerosol properties in the Arctic. During spring, four main types of profiles were found and their behavior was related to the main aerosol and atmospheric dynamics occurring at the measuring site. Background conditions generated homogenous profiles. Transport events caused an increase of aerosol concentration with altitude. High Arctic haze pollution trapped below thermal inversions promoted a decrease of aerosol concentration with altitude. Finally, ground-based plumes of locally formed secondary aerosol determined profiles with decreasing aerosol concentration located at different altitude as a function of size. During the summer season, the impact from shipping caused aerosol and BC pollution plumes to be constrained close to the ground, indicating that increasing shipping emissions in the Arctic could bring anthropogenic aerosol and BC in the Arctic summer, affecting the climate.

Atmospheric aerosols deliquescence and crystallization relative humidity (DRH and CRH) are rarely measured compared to the worldwide number of hygroscopicity measurements; this feature comes from the lack of an efficient method able to capture the whole complexity of chemical composition of aerosols. Despite this, the knowledge of both DRH and CRH are crucial for a correct parameterization of the aerosol hygroscopic growth used in different applications, among which the remote sensing is very important. In this paper, a newly developed technique (direct current conductance method) was applied in an aerosol chamber to Milan PM2.5 samples, to identify aerosol DRH and CRH both during winter and summer. These results were compared with those independently obtained by gravimetric measurements conducted in the chamber using a microbalance. Microbalance data allowed also the determination of the mass hygroscopic growth factor on the collected PM2.5 samples. Results evidenced first a good agreement between the two methods (RMSE = 2.7% and 2.3% for DRH and CRH, respectively). Collected data evidenced the hysteresis behavior of ambient particles and variability in both DRH and CRH between the two seasons. Summer samples showed higher DRH and CRH (on average 71.4 ± 1.0% RH and 62.6 ± 1.2% RH, respectively) than the winter ones (on average 55.2 ± 0.7% RH and 46.9 ± 0.6% RH). This behavior was related to the higher content of sulfates during the summer season. Conversely, the mass hygroscopic growth factor at 90% RH was higher for winter samples (2.76 ± 0.06) with respect to the summer ones (1.91 ± 0.11). Since hysteresis behavior affects optical properties of aerosols, when RH conditions are within the loop, the hygroscopic growth factor could be assigned in a wrong way. Thus, the growth factor was calculated within the hysteresis loop for both upper and lower branches: results showed that difference in hygroscopic growth factor could reach up the 24%.

Aerosol size distributions and chemical compositions were characterized during extensive balloon soundings over the Terni valley (central Italy). The evolution of aerosol size distributions across the mixing layer, and further up, revealed features similar in many aspects to those observed over Milan (the Po Valley) and attributed to sedimentation and ageing dynamics. Sedimentation led to a lower vertical mixing of coarse particles than of fine ones. This also resulted in a decline in the mean volume of coarse particles across the mixing height (−50.5 ± 15.1% and −47.2 ± 12.4% over Terni and Milan, respectively) accompanied by a reduction in crustal components. Conversely, fine particles were subject to ageing, resulting in an increase in their mean volume above the mixing height (+10.9 ± 4.8% and +4.0 ± 3.1% over Terni and Milan, respectively); this process was accompanied by an increase in secondary aerosol components, and a greater correlation between different aerosol size-classes. These results were obtained over basins of different sizes and geographical location; as such, they corroborate the presence of common forms of behaviour driven by comparable meteorological and orographic conditions, which seem to characterize polluted basin valleys in general.

Vertical aerosol profiles were directly measured over the city of Milan during three years (2005–2008) of field campaigns. An optical particle counter, a portable meteorological station and a miniaturized cascade impactor were deployed on a tethered balloon. More than 300 vertical profiles were measured, both in winter and summer, mainly in conditions of clear, dry skies. The mixing height was determined from the observed vertical aerosol concentration gradient, and from potential temperature and relative humidity profiles. Results show that inter-consistent mixing heights can be retrieved highlighting good correlations between particle dispersion in the atmosphere and meteorological parameters. Mixing height growth speed was calculated for both winter and summer showing the low potential atmospheric dispersion in winter. Aerosol number size distribution and chemical composition profiles allowed us to investigate particle behaviour along height. Aerosol measurements showed changes in size distribution according to mixing height. Coarse particle profiles (dp>1.6 μm) were distributed differently than the fine ones (dp

In the framework of the ChArMEx (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment, http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.fr/) initiative, a field campaign took place in the western Mediterranean Basin between 10 June and 5 July 2013 within the ADRIMED (Aerosol Direct Radiative Impact on the regional climate in the MEDiterranean region) project. The scientific objectives of ADRIMED are the characterization of the typical “Mediterranean aerosol” and its direct radiative forcing (column closure and regional scale). This work is focused on the multi-intrusion Saharan dust transport period of moderate intensity that occurred over the western and central Mediterranean Basin during the period 14 – 27 June. The dust plumes were detected by the EARLINET/ACTRIS (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network / Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network, http://www.actris.net/) lidar stations of Barcelona (16 and 17 June) and Lecce (22 June). First, two well-known and robust radiative transfer models, parametrized by lidar profiles for the aerosol vertical distribution, are validated both in the shortwave and longwave spectral range 1) at the surface with down- and up-ward flux measurements from radiometers and 2) at the top of the atmosphere with upward flux measurements from the CERES (Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System) radiometers on board the AQUA and TERRA satellites. The differences between models and their limitations are discussed. The instantaneous and clear-sky direct radiative forcing of mineral dust is then estimated using lidar data for parametrizing the particle vertical distribution at Lecce. The difference between the obtained forcings is discussed in regard to the mineralogy and vertical structure of the dust plume.

Chemical and dynamical processes lead to the formation of aerosol layers in the upper planetary boundary layer (PBL) and above it. Through vertical mixing and entrainment into the PBL these layers may contribute to the ground-level particulate matter (PM); however, to date a quantitative assessment of such a contribution has not been carried out. This study investigates this aspect by combining chemical and physical aerosol measurements with WRF/Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry) model simulations. The observations were collected in the Milan urban area (northern Italy) during the summer of 2007. The period coincided with the passage of a meteorological perturbation that cleansed the lower atmosphere, followed by a high-pressure period favouring pollutant accumulation. Lidar observations revealed the formation of elevated aerosol layers and evidence of their entrainment into the PBL. We analysed the budget of ground-level PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) with the help of the online meteorology–chemistry WRF/Chem model, focusing in particular on the contribution of upper-level processes. Our findings show that an important player in determining the upper-PBL aerosol layer is particulate nitrate, which may reach higher values in the upper PBL (up to 30% of the aerosol mass) than in the lower PBL. The nitrate formation process is predicted to be largely driven by the relative-humidity vertical profile, which may trigger efficient aqueous nitrate formation when exceeding the ammonium nitrate deliquescence point. Secondary PM2.5 produced in the upper half of the PBL may contribute up to 7–8 μg m−3 (or 25%) to ground-level concentrations on an hourly basis. The residual aerosol layer above the PBL is also found to potentially play a large role, which may occasionally contribute up to 10–12 μg m−3 (or 40%) to hourly ground-level PM2.5 concentrations during the morning hours. Although the results presented here refer to one relatively short period in one location, this study highlights the importance of considering the interplay between chemical and dynamical processes occurring within and above the PBL when interpreting ground-level aerosol observations.

Size-segregated particle samples were collected in the Arctic (Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard) in April 2011 both at ground level and in the free atmosphere exploiting a tethered balloon equipped also with an optical particle counter (OPC) and meteorological sensors. Individual particle properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive microanalysis (SEM-EDS). Results of the SEM-EDS were integrated with particle size and optical measurements of the aerosols properties at ground level and along the vertical profiles. Detailed analysis of two case studies reveals significant differences in composition despite the similar structure (layering) and the comparable texture (grain size distribution) of particles in the air column. Differences in the mineral chemistry of samples point at both local (plutonic/metamorphic complexes in Svalbard) and remote (basic/ultrabasic magmatic complexes in Greenland and/or Iceland) geological source regions for dust. Differences in the particle size and shape are put into relationship with the mechanism of particle formation, that is, primary (well sorted, small) or secondary (idiomorphic, fine to coarse grained) origin for chloride and sulfate crystals and transport/settling for soil (silicate, carbonate and metal oxide) particles. The influence of size, shape, and mixing state of particles on ice nucleation and radiative properties is also discussed.

This study examines an innovative application of the aerosol deliquescence and crystallization determination, for corrosion prevention and energy-saving strategies in free-cooled data centers. Aerosol deliquescence and crystallization were investigated by combining standardized aerosol sampling techniques (i.e. EN-14907) with the assessment of the electrical effects of aerosol, while varying relative humidity within a specially designed aerosol exposure chamber. Aerosol samples collected in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) were analysed; a clearly defined hysteresis cycle (deliquescence and crystallization at 60.5 +/- A 0.8 and 47.9 +/- A 0.7 % of RH, respectively) was found. Results were applied to a data center designed for the Italian National Oil and Gas Company, making it possible to identify a critical area for direct free cooling at this data center. As a result, aerosol hydration was avoided (thus preventing aerosol from damaging electrical components) and a large amount of energy saved (using free cooling instead of air-conditioning); the potential energy saving achieved in this way was 79 % (compared to the energy consumption of a traditional air-conditioning system): 215 GWh of energy was saved, and 78 fewer kt of equivalent CO2 was emitted per year. Moreover, in order to evaluate whether a real-time estimation of the aerosol hydration state within a data center could be performed, measured deliquescence and crystallization were compared through simulations performed using three different models: two thermodynamic models for deliquescence and a parametric model for crystallization. The results obtained tend to converge in terms of deliquescence, whereas in the case of crystallization, they failed to effectively simulate experimental aerosol behaviour.

This paper analyses elemental (EC), organic (OC) and total carbon (TC) concentration in PM2.5 and PM10 samples collected over the last few years within several national and European projects at 37 remote, rural, urban, and traffic sites across the Italian peninsula.The purpose of the study is to obtain a picture of the spatial and seasonal variability of these aerosol species in Italy, and an insight into sources, processes and effects of meteorological conditions.OC and EC showed winter maxima and summer minima at urban and rural locations and an opposite behaviour at remote high altitude sites, where they increase during the warm period due to the rising of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). The seasonal averages of OC are higher during winter compared to summer at the rural sites in the Po Valley (from 1.4 to 3.5 times), opposite to what usually occurs at rural locations, where OC increases during the warm period. This denotes the marked influence of urban areas on the surrounding rural environment in this densely populated region.The different types of sites exhibit marked differences in the average concentrations of carbonaceous aerosol and OC/EC ratio. This ratio is less sensitive to atmospheric processing than OC and EC concentrations, and hence more representative of different source types. Remote locations are characterised by the lowest levels of OC and especially EC, with OC/EC ratios ranging from 13 to 20, while the maximum OC and EC concentrations are observed at road-traffic influenced urban sites, where the OC/EC ratio ranges between 1 and 3. The highest urban impacts of OC and EC relative to remote and rural background sites occur in the Po Valley, especially in the city of Milan, which has the highest concentrations of PM and TC and low values of the OC/EC ratio. •We compared OC and EC data from different sites across the Italian Peninsula.•OC and EC concentration maxima occur during winter and minima during summer at all except remote sites.•Higher OC levels characterize the Po Valley compared to the rest of Italy both during summer and winter.•Biomass burning for residential heating strongly affects winter OC concentrations in the Po Valley.•Carbonaceous matter contribution to PM2.5 ranges between 37% at rural and 47% at traffic sites, on an annual basis

A systematic study of black carbon (BC) vertical profiles measured at high-resolution over three Italian basin valleys (Terni Valley, Po Valley and Passiria Valley) is presented. BC vertical profiles are scarcely available in literature. The campaign lasted 45 days and resulted in 120 measured vertical profiles. Besides the BC mass concentration, measurements along the vertical profiles also included aerosol size distributions in the optical particle counter range, chemical analysis of filter samples and a full set of meteorological parameters. Using the collected experimental data, we performed calculations of aerosol optical properties along the vertical profiles. The results, validated with AERONET data, were used as inputs to a radiative transfer model (libRadtran). The latter allowed an estimation of vertical profiles of the aerosol direct radiative effect, the atmospheric absorption and the heating rate in the lower troposphere. The present measurements revealed some common behaviors over the studied basin valleys. Specifically, at the mixing height, marked concentration drops of both BC (range: from −48.4 ± 5.3 to −69.1 ± 5.5%) and aerosols (range: from −23.9 ± 4.3 to −46.5 ± 7.3%) were found. The measured percentage decrease of BC was higher than that of aerosols: therefore, the BC aerosol fraction decreased upwards. Correspondingly, both the absorption and scattering coefficients decreased strongly across the mixing layer (range: from −47.6 ± 2.5 to −71.3 ± 3.0% and from −23.5 ± 0.8 to −61.2 ± 3.1%, respectively) resulting in a single-scattering albedo increase along height (range: from +4.9 ± 2.2 to +7.4 ± 1.0%). This behavior influenced the vertical distribution of the aerosol direct radiative effect and of the heating rate. In this respect, the highest atmospheric absorption of radiation was predicted below the mixing height (~ 2–3 times larger than above it) resulting in a heating rate characterized by a vertical negative gradient (range: from −2.6 ± 0.2 to −8.3 ± 1.2 K day−1 km−1). In conclusion, the present results suggest that the BC below the mixing height has the potential to promote a negative feedback on the atmospheric stability over basin valleys, weakening the ground-based thermal inversions and increasing the dispersal conditions.

The paper describes the characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosol samples using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis. A data handling of GC/MS signals based on Experimental Autocovariance Function (EACVF) is described in order to directly characterize PAHs with a simple and reliable method suitable for processing large batches of samples. The method was successfully applied to 42 aerosol samples collected in different seasons (summer, fall and winter) in two locations in Northern Italy: Milan, a large urban area, and Oasi Le Bine, a rural site. The reliability of the EACVF results was verified by comparison with the values computed with the conventional GC/MS signal treatment and the data of independent studies. Two main emission sources were identified and described by PAH concentration profiles: the road traffic source (TR), characterized by high contributions of FLNT, PYR and CHR, and the residential combustion (COMB) mainly containing pyrogenic high molecular weight PAHs, i.e., CHR, BaP, BeP, BbF and BkF. In addition, some PAH diagnostic ratios were directly computed for the EACVF plot, to distinguish between traffic and combustion dominated emissions, i.e. the ratios CHR/BaP, PYR/BaP and PYR/BeP.

In this work, aerosol size distribution measurements along with individual particle analyses were performed along the vertical profile in the atmosphere, to shed some light on the dynamics of evolution of aerosol properties upon a basin valley. The case study is the Terni basin, one of the most polluted urban and industrial sites in central Italy. Aerosol vertical profile measurements were performed using a helium-filled tethered balloon equipped with an optical particle counter (OPC), a miniaturized cascade impactor with particle collection filter, and a portable meteorological station. Combined OPC number size measurements and single particle analyses by scanning electron microscopy were employed to reconstruct the pattern and evolution of aerosol properties over the basin. Moreover, the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was applied over a selected computing domain to obtain a general overview of the driving forces of the aerosol dynamics. Scanning electron microscopy methods along with chemical transport modeling revealed distinct distributions of number, size and geochemical properties of different particles classes in the aerosols. These reflect distinct behaviours and spatial/temporal evolution of the constituent particles, along with the common occurrence of dust inputs from regional to long range sources (e.g., Saharan dust inputs). All these features have to be taken into consideration when approaching the modeling of atmospheric processes, particularly in basin valleys located in Central and Southern Italy where the influence of Saharan dust outbreaks is more pronounced.

In Milan (MI), the largest city in Northern Italy, the annually average PM2.5 concentration is above 25 μg m(-3), the value that the EU established as a target for 2010, and the upper limit from 2015 onwards (2008/30/CE). Over a three-year period (2006-2009) PM concentrations and chemical compositions were measured in an urban site (MI), a rural site (OB) and a remote site (ASC) in Northern Italy. Chemical characterization (EC/OC, inorganic ions, elements, C20-C32 n-alkanes, C2-C5 mono and dicarboxylic acids, levoglucosan and PAHs) was carried out on PM2.5 samples from the three sites, and PM10 from MI. Molecular markers were used in Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) modelling to estimate the contributions of primary sources to OC, and then PM mass from each source was reconstructed in MI, OB and ASC for different seasons. Estimates of the traffic (TR) source contribution to PM2.5 mass ranged from 4.1 (± 2.0) μg m(-3) during the summer, to 13.3 (± 6.7) μg m(-3) during the winter in MI. TR was the main primary source for PM2.5 concentrations in MI (17-24%). Its contribution was lower at the OB site (7-9%) and at the remote ASC site (3-4%). TR is a local source, while biomass burning (BB) is a diffuse regional source in Northern Italy: during fall and winter, BB was 25-30% and 27-31% of PM2.5 at MI and OB respectively. Other primary sources accounted for a small amount of the PM2.5, i.e. natural gas combustion (0-1%), plant debris (0-4%), road dust (RD=0-4%; but 15% at ASC during winter and 10% of PM10 at MI during summer) and sea salt (0-1%). Secondary inorganic+organic aerosol constituted the major part of the PM2.5 mass during spring and summer (50-65%) at the three sites.

Vertical profiles of aerosol number–size distribution and black carbon (BC) concentration were measured between ground-level and 500 m AGL over Milan. A tethered balloon was fitted with an instrumentation package consisting of the newly-developed micro-Aethalometer (microAeth® Model AE51, Magee Scientific, USA), an optical particle counter, and a portable meteorological station. At the same time, PM 2.5 samples were collected both at ground-level and at a high altitude sampling site, enabling particle chemical composition to be determined. Vertical profiles and PM 2.5 data were collected both within and above the mixing layer. Absorption coefficient ( b abs ) profiles were calculated from the Aethalometer data: in order to do so, an optical enhancement factor ( C ), accounting for multiple light-scattering within the filter of the new microAeth® Model AE51, was determined for the first time. The value of this parameter C (2.05 ± 0.03 at λ = 880 nm) was calculated by comparing the Aethalometer attenuation coefficient and aerosol optical properties determined from OPC data along vertical profiles. Mie calculations were applied to the OPC number–size distribution data, and the aerosol refractive index was calculated using the effective medium approximation applied to aerosol chemical composition. The results compare well with AERONET data. The BC and b abs profiles showed a sharp decrease at the mixing height (MH), and fairly constant values of b abs and BC were found above the MH, representing 17 ± 2% of those values measured within the mixing layer. The BC fraction of aerosol volume was found to be lower above the MH: 48 ± 8% of the corresponding ground-level values. A statistical mean profile was calculated, both for BC and b abs , to better describe their behaviour; the model enabled us to compute their average behaviour as a function of height, thus laying the foundations for valid parametrizations of vertical profile data which can be useful in both remote sensing and climatic studies.

This paper reviews the transformation processes that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) undergo in the atmosphere. These processes can take place both in the gas phase and in the particulate/aerosol one. Among the gas-phase processes, the most important ones are the daytime reaction with •OH and the nighttime reaction with •NO 3. The relative importance of the two processes depends on the particular PAH molecule. For instance, gaseous naphthalene is mainly removed from the atmosphere upon reaction with •OH, while gaseous phenanthrene is mainly removed by reaction with •NO 3. Oxy-, hydroxy-, and nitro-PAHs are the main transformation intermediates. Reaction with ozone and photolysis play a secondary role in the transformation of gaseous PAHs. The particle-associated processes are usually slower than the gas-phase ones, thus the gas-phase PAHs usually have shorter atmospheric lifetimes than those found on particulate. Due to the higher residence time on particulate when compared with the gas phase, direct or assisted photolysis plays a relevant role in the transformation of particle-associated PAHs. Among the other processes taking place in the condensed phase, nitration plays a very important role due to the health impact of nitro-PAHs, some of them being the most powerful mutagens found so far in atmospheric particulate extracts

INTRODUCTION Polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced by high-temperature reactions such as incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of fossil fuels and other organic materials. Studies have estimated that mobile sources are the major contributors to PAHs content of urban and suburban aerosol (Nielsen T., 1996). High concentrations of PM10 are associated to adverse health effects and PAHs, primarily adsorbed to fine particles, account for most of the mutagenic potency that can be assigned to specific compounds (Hanningan et al., 1998). PAHs can be found both in the gas and in the particulate phase, and for more volatile PAHs this is a function of temperature: PAHs with a higher molecular weight, which are more toxic, are always primarily associated with particulate phase (e.g B[a]P more than 90% in the particulate phase) (Odabasi M., 1999)

During the ADRIMED (Aerosol Direct Radiative Impact on the regional climate in the Mediterranean region) special observation period (SOP-1a), conducted in June 2013 in the framework of the ChArMEx (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment) project, a moderate Saharan dust event swept the Western and Central Mediterranean Basin (WCMB) from west to east during a 9-day period between 16 and 24 June. This event was monitored from the ground by six EARLINET/ACTRIS (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network/Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure Network) lidar stations (Granada, Barcelona, Naples, Potenza, Lecce and Serra la Nave) and two ADRIMED/ChArMEx lidar stations specially deployed for the field campaign in Cap d’en Font and Ersa, in Minorca and Corsica Islands, respectively. The first part of the study shows the spatio-temporal monitoring of the dust event during its transport over the WCMB with ground-based lidar and co-located AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) Sun-photometer measurements. Dust layer optical depths, Ångström exponents, coarse mode fractions, linear particle depolarization ratios (LPDRs), dust layer heights and the dust radiative forcing estimated in the shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) spectral ranges at the bottom of the atmosphere (BOA) and at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) with the Global Atmospheric Model (GAME), have been used to characterize the dust event. Peak values of the AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 440 nm ranged between 0.16 in Potenza and 0.37 in Cap d’en Font. The associated Ångström exponent and coarse mode fraction mean values ranged from 0.43 to 1.26 and from 0.25 to 0.51, respectively. The mineral dust produced a negative SW direct radiative forcing at the BOA ranging from −56.9 to −3.5 W m−2. The LW radiative forcing at the BOA was positive, ranging between +0.3 and +17.7 W m-2. The BOA radiative forcing estimates agree with the ones reported in the literature. At the TOA, the SW forcing varied between −34.5 and +7.5 W m−2. In seven cases, the forcing at the TOA resulted positive because of the aerosol strong absorbing properties (0.83 < single-scattering albedo (SSA) < 0.96). The multi-intrusion aspect of the event is examined by means of air- and space-borne lidar measurements, satellite images and back trajectories. The analysis reported in this paper underline the arrival of a second different intrusion of mineral dust observed over southern Italy at the end of the considered period which probably results in the observed heterogeneity in the dust properties., Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project TEC2012-34575 and TEC2015-63832-P), Science and Innovation (project UNPC10-4E-442), Andalusia Regional Government through projects P12-RNM-2409 and P10-RNM-6299

EARLINET, the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network, is the first aerosol lidar network with the main goal to provide a comprehensive, quantitative, and statistically significant database for the aerosol distribution on a continental scale. Lidar measurements are systematically performed at each station and additional observations are performed to monitor special events. The data quality of the database is assured by intercomparisons at both instrument and algorithm levels. At present, the database is already useful to fill partially the gap in the aerosol vertical distribution knowledge, necessary for a better understanding of aerosol effects on climate and atmospheric processes. It will be useful to improve the quality of several satellite retrieval systems affected by the presence of aerosols, and in validation measurement campaign for future satellite missions like CALIPSO.

In order to studying the concentration and the chemical characterization of atmospheric particulate in the different season in all the Italian territory, inside the SITECOS project (PRIN 2004), a gravimetric sampling campaigns have been conducted. The PM10 and PM2.5 samplings were placed at the same time in different sites along the Italian peninsula. The sampling sites were: Bari, Taranto, Pollino (m.1800, remote site), Catania, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Capannori-LU, Prato, Montale-PT (rural site), Bologna and Monte Cimone (m.2100, remote site on Italian Apennines), Padua, Milan, San Colombano (m.2300, remote site on Italian Alps), Trieste and San Rocco a Muggia (TS). Daily PM2.5 and PM10 samples have been collected, to do a “sampling bank “, available for a further chemical / physical / toxicological characterization of atmospheric particulate Samples have been chemically characterized according to their main species: PAHs, inorganic ions and EC/OC in the PM2.5 samples; elements in the PM10 samples. In the Padana plain (Milan, Bologna, Padua) the PM concentration is uniform and a strong seasonal trend is observed, with the highest values in winter time and the lowest values in summer while PM concentration in S. Colombano and Monte Cimone sites show an opposite seasonality, with the highest values in summer and the lowest ones in winter. These data show a slight evolution during the winter’s day because of the height of the dispersion layer, in connection with microclimatic parameters; for example in Milan city during acute cases of pollution, the height is no more that 300m (Ferrero et al., 2006). Remote sites of S. Colombano and Monte Cimone in the winter time are above the boundary layer while during summer period they are on it. In the center of Italy PM seasonality concentration is less important while in the South Italy and in Sicily there is any seasonal trend. The reasons are, in part, linked to the different meteoclimatic features present in the Italian peninsula. Chemical composition data show a significant differences. In the North of Italy there is a strong seasonality of ionic component; in particular, during the winter, the Nitrate concentration is higher than the Sulfate one while the situation is opposed in summer. Ammonium does not show a strong seasonality, but it remains pretty constant; the same applies to Carbon. In the South of Italy cities, SO , NO 3 - and NH 4 + , primary component of inorganic ions, they do not show a seasonality with a Sulfate concentration that is always higher than Nitrates. In the center of Italy the seasonality is less marked thanks to the inorganic ions. Sulfate and Nitrate are similar from a percentage point of view. Also PAHs (expressed in weight/weight, quality of particulate), in the Padana plain, shows a strong seasonality, with a high percentage in the winter season and a lower one in summer (Ravindra et al., 2006). Over the year concentrations are constant in South of Italy, while in the center area, the seasonality is less strong. The vehicles traffic source is estimated to be one of the main PM source in the Padana plain, while in the South of Italy there are other sources like photochemistry reactivity, Saharan Dust events, etc. These results show a different role of PM sources along the Italian peninsula and they carry fundamental information for a correct management of the complex problem on a national scale. Ferrero, L., Lazzati, Z., Lo Porto, C., Perrone, M.G., Petraccone, S., Sangiorgi, G., Bolzacchini, E., (2006) Vertical distribution of particulate matter in the urban atmosphere of Milan. Poster. International Aerosol Conference 2006. Ravindra, K., Bencs, L., Wauters, E., Hoog, J., Deutsch, F., Roekens, E., Bleux, N., Berghmans, P., Van Grieken, R., (2006) Seasonal and sitespecific variation in vapour and aerosol phase PAHs over Flanders (Belgium) and their relation with anthropogenic activities. Atmospheric Environment 40 (2006) 771-785.