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Monoterpenes react with nitrate radicals (NO 3 ), contributing substantially to nighttime organic aerosol (OA) production. In this study, the role of reactions of monoterpenes + NO 3 in forming biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) was examined using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, with extended emission profiles of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), species-specific representations of BSOA production from individual monoterpenes and updated aerosol yields for monoterpene + NO 3 . The model results were compared to detailed measurements from the Southern Oxidants and Aerosol Study (SOAS) at Centreville, Alabama. With the more detailed model, monoterpene-derived BSOA increased by ∼1 μg m −3  at night, accounting for one-third of observed less-oxidized oxygenated OA (LO-OOA), more closely agreeing with observations (lower error, stronger correlation). Implementation of a multigenerational oxidation approach resulted in the model capturing elevated OA episodes. With the aging model, aged semi-volatile organic compounds (ASVOCs) contributed over 60% of the monoterpene-derived BSOA, followed by SOA formation via nitrate radical chemistry, making up to 34% of that formed at night. Among individual monoterpenes, β-pinene and limonene contributed most to the monoterpene-derived BSOA from nighttime reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we use cluster analysis of long term particle size distribution data to expand an array of different shorter term atmospheric measurements, thereby gaining insights into longer term patterns and properties of Arctic aerosol. Measurements of aerosol number size distributions (9–915 nm) were conducted at Villum Research Station (VRS), Station Nord in North Greenland during a 5 year record (2012–2016). Alongside this, measurements of aerosol composition, meteorological parameters, gaseous compounds and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity were performed during different shorter occasions. K-means clustering analysis of particle number size distributions on daily basis identified several clusters. Clusters of accumulation mode aerosols (main size modes > 100 nm) accounted for 56% of the total aerosol during the sampling period (89–91% during February–April, 1–3% during June–August). By association to chemical composition, cloud condensation nuclei properties, and meteorological variables, three typical accumulation mode aerosol clusters were identified: Haze (32% of the time), Bimodal (14%) and Aged (6%). In brief: (1) Haze accumulation mode aerosol shows a single mode at 150 nm, peaking in February–April, with highest loadings of sulfate and black carbon concentrations. (2) Accumulation mode Bimodal aerosol shows two modes, at 38 nm and 150 nm, peaking in June–August, with the highest ratio of organics to sulfate concentrations. (3) Aged accumulation mode aerosol shows a single mode at 213 nm, peaking in September–October and is associated with cloudy and humid weather conditions during autumn. The three aerosol clusters were considered alongside CCN concentrations. We suggest that organic compounds, that are likely marine biogenic in nature, greatly influence the Bimodal cluster and contribute significantly to its CCN activity. This stresses the importance of better characterizing the marine ecosystem and the aerosol-mediated climate effects in the Arctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field campaign combined with numerical simulations was designed to better understand the emission sources and formation processes of organic aerosols (OA) in a subtropical environment. The field campaign measured total and water soluble organic carbon (OC) in aerosol, as well as its precursor gases in the Taipei metropolis and a nearby rural forest during the summer of 2011. A regional air-quality model modified with an additional secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation pathway was used to decipher the observed variations in OA, with focus on various formation pathways and the relative contributions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. According to the simulations, biogenic sources contributed to 60% and 72% of total OA production at the NTU (urban) and HL (rural) sites. The simulated fractions of SOA in total OA were 67% and 79% near the surface of NTU and HL, respectively, and these fractions increased with height and reach over 90% at the 1-km altitude. Estimated from the simulation results, aqueous-phase dicarbonyl uptake was responsible of 51% of OA production in the urban area, while the primary emissions, reversible partitioning of semi-volatile oxidation products, oligomerization of semi-volatile SOA in the particulate phase and acid-enhanced oxidation contributed to 33%, 10%, 5% and 1% respectively; in the rural area, the percentages were 59%, 21%, 13%, 7% and 1%, respectively. Meteorological factors, including large-scale wind direction, local circulation and planetary boundary layer height, all have strong influences on the source contributions and diurnal variations of OA concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of atmospheric ultrafine particles (i.e. <100 nm, nanoparticles or PM0.1), PM2.5 and PM10 were studied at the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (LABS, 2862 m a.s.l., Taiwan) as part of the 7SEAS/Dongsha campaign. Sampling was conducted in July and August of 2009 and September to November of 2010, during which two 96-h and four 72-h PM samples were taken. Real-time particle size distributions were measured continuously from July to August of 2009 and July to November of 2010. PM0.1, PM2.5 and PM10 were collected by using two MOUDIs (micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor, MSP 110) and a Dichotomous PM10 sampler (Andersen SA-241) while real-time size distributions of particles of 5.5–350 nm in diameter were measured by an SMPS (scanning mobility particle sizer, TSI 3936). Filter samples were analyzed for gravimetric mass and chemical compositions, including organic carbon (OC), element carbon (EC), water-soluble ions and trace elements. Meteorology parameters and gaseous O3 and CO concentrations were also monitored along with the SMPS data for studying particle nucleation, condensation, SOA (secondary organic aerosol) formation and long-range air pollutant transport at the LABS. SMPS data showed that nanoparticle concentrations at the LABS remained relatively stable at low level (∼300–500 #/cm3) during the nighttime (22:00–04:00), increased during daytime, and reached a maximum (∼2000–4000 #/cm3) in the afternoon (12:00–16:00). The NMD (number median diameter) showed an opposite trend with the peak number concentrations observed in the afternoon corresponding to the smallest NMD (20–40 nm). These results indicate the dominance of local sources rather than the transport from other atmospheric air because that the lifetime of nanoparticles was only few minutes. Chemical analysis of filter samples showed that the concentrations of trace elements K and Mn, which serve as biomass burning markers, were elevated in the fine particle fractions during November 9–12th when the air mass passed through South and Southeast Asia prior to reaching the LABS. The concentrations of K and Mn would have been low if the aerosols had local origins The biomass burning derived K was found in all fine particle samples at the LABS suggesting that the free troposphere around Taiwan is frequently impacted by the long-range transport of biomass burning plumes via the westerly winds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The number size distributions of aerosol particles were measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) at a mid-latitude forest in Japan during 20–30 August 2010. Four days during the observation period experienced new particle formation (NPF) under the conditions of low condensation and coagulation sinks. The formation rate of new particles was calculated to be in the range between 0.2 and 1.0 cm−3 s−1 for the NPF events. The growth rates of the newly formed mode of aerosol particles ranged between 5.0 and 15.7 nm h−1. The backward air mass trajectories revealed that the NPF occurred in clean maritime air masses originated from the North Pacific, which is characterized with the low mass concentrations of aerosol components. The results from the classification analysis of backward air mass trajectories indicate that the maritime air mass conditions are frequent at this forest site and are primarily in summer season. Large increases in the number concentrations of accumulation mode particles (above 90 nm) were followed by the increased precipitation rates in the afternoon hours on the NPF event days. Therefore, the newly-formed particles would be involved in the convective cloud formation and precipitation over the studied region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A year-round study, which was conducted from November 2004 to November 2007, of atmospheric oxidised sulphur compounds (methanesulphonic acid (MSA) and sulphate) was carried out in the east Antarctic Plateau at Dome C (75° 06′ S, 123° 20′ E, 3220m a.s.l. and 1100km away from the nearest coast). The two sulphur-derived species exhibit a seasonal cycle characterised by maxima in the summer from November to March. Size-segregated sampling performed with Andersen 8-stage impactors revealed that SO4 2− and MSA have different size distributions in early summer (November) in comparison with mid-late summer (February). In November, the size distribution exhibited two distinct modes, the accumulation (0.4–0.7μm) and the micrometric mode (1.1–2.1μm), which is in contrast to February when only the accumulation mode was observed. The two modes exhibited different speciation; in the finest mode, sulphate and methanesulphonate were present primarily in the acidic form, whereas they were present primarily as sodium or ammonium salts in the micrometric mode. The different size distributions and speciation patterns in the two months are related to different transport pathways from oceanic areas to the central Antarctic Plateau. In the early summer months, air masses came primarily from the Indian Ocean and lingered for a long time over the Antarctic continent. The transport of sulphur compounds is related to sea spray aerosols and the resulting condensation of H2SO4 and MSA over sea salt particles to form sodium salts. In contrast, a rapid transport of H2SO4 and MSA formed above the boundary layer over oceanic areas leads to higher concentrations of the acidic species in the fine fraction of aerosols reaching Dome C in February relative to other summer months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Organosulfates have recently been observed in ambient atmospheres as a component of aerosol organic matter. This study presents the first characterization of organosulfates in Asia and demonstrates their ubiquity and chemical diversity, yet minor contribution to fine particulate mass. Organosulfates were characterized in ambient aerosol by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, which allowed for experimental determination of molecular formulas and estimation of atmospheric abundance. Aerosols were analyzed from four sites spanning urban and remote locations, including Hanimaadhoo, Maldives, Gosan, Korea, Singapore, and Lahore, Pakistan. Semi-quantitative analysis yielded average estimates of OS accounting for less than 1% of PM2.5 mass, 2.3% of organic carbon, and 3.8% of total sulfate. The majority of the observed compounds were attributed to biogenic secondary organic aerosol from isoprene or monoterpenes. New organosulfates are also reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PM10 and PM1 aerosol samples were collected between February and October, 2010 at three sites in Berlin that were characterized by different vegetation influences. The aim of the study was to determine the spatial and seasonal variations of several, mainly biogenic secondary and primary tracers in an urban area. Selected tracers including isoprene and α-pinene markers, fatty acids and levoglucosan were detected with GC-MS. The highest median concentrations, up to 45.1ngm−3, were found for the combustion product levoglucosan. The concentration range of the secondary compounds was 0.3ngm−3 for the isoprene markers 2-methyltetrols up to 35.7ngm−3 for malic acid. The occurrence of these compounds was mainly affected by the seasons, which could be described by three patterns. Whereas secondary compounds were mainly characterized by significantly higher concentrations during the warmer months, levoglucosan showed significantly higher concentrations during the colder months. No significant concentration differences between the two periods were rather observed for the primary compounds but also for the α-pinene degradation product pinonic acid. The secondary compounds and levoglucosan could be associated with the fine mode (particles with an aerodynamic diameter (AD)<1μm), while primary compounds are rather associated with the coarse mode (AD>1μm). Spatial variations were emphasized with a tendency toward higher concentrations for most compounds at sites that were influenced by vegetation, especially evident for the PM10 fraction. Besides concentration differences, spatial variations could also be described by differences in seasonal behavior and the size distribution, indicating major complexity in the composition of biogenic PM within the city of Berlin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fungal spores constitute a sizeable fraction of coarse organic carbon (OC) in the atmospheric aerosol. In order to avoid tedious spore count methods, tracers for quantifying the spore-OC in atmospheric aerosol are sought. Arabitol and mannitol have been proposed as such tracers, since no other emission sources for these compounds have been reported. By parallel investigations of spore counts and tracer determinations from PM10 filter samples we could derive quantitative relationships between the amounts of tracer compounds and the numbers of spores in the atmosphere for different sites in the area of Vienna. We obtained over all average relationships of 1.2pgarabitolspore−1, with a range of 0.8–1.8, and 1.7pgmannitolspore−1, with a range of 1.2–2.4, with a clear site dependence. Thus, using these conversion factors from spore counts to spore-OC and spore-mass, along with analytical data for arabitol or mannitol in filter samples, the contribution of fungal spores to the OC and to the mass balance of atmospheric aerosol particles can be estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]