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A comprehensive set of essential atmospheric variables have been measured in 2019 at the European Commission Atmospheric Observatory on the site of the historical EMEP-GAW station of the JRC in Ispra to continue the assessment of the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing that started in 1985. The variables measured at the Atmospheric Observatory in Ispra included greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4), radon (222Rn) activity concentration, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, NMHCs, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents), atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering absorption and extinction in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), and eutrophying and acidifying species (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+) wet deposition. On-line measurements data are visible in real time at http://abc-is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/. Vegetation atmosphere exchanges (CO2, O3, H2O and heat) were measured at our Mediterranean Forest Flux Station of San Rossore, backed up by meteorological and pedological measurements. All measurements are performed under international projects and programmes including ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System), ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds and Trace gases Research Infra-Structure), EMEP (co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the long range transmission of air pollutants in Europe) and GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch), each of which requires the use of standard methods and scales, and the participation in quality assurance activities. The JRC has a leading role in ACTRIS and EMEP regarding the quality assurance for carbonaceous aerosol measurements. Data obtained at the Atmospheric Observatory are submitted to international open data bases (www.europe-fluxdata.eu, fluxnet.ornl.gov, www.ingos-infrastructure.eu, ACTRIS Data Portal) and can be freely downloaded (partly in real-time) from these web sites. The data we produce are used in European wide assessments, for model inputs and validation, and for calibrating satellite airborne sensors. The European Commission Atmospheric Observatory 2019 report presents the data produced during the past year in the context of the previous years of measurements. All the essential in-situ and remote sensing measurements scheduled for 2019 were regularly performed across the year, except for short periods due to breakdowns or needed for maintaining and calibrating the equipment. Greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements have been performed at the JRC Ispra site since October 2007. Minimum values of CH4, N2O and SF6 measured in Ispra under clean air conditions are close to marine background values, while CO2 levels can even be lower than the Mace Head baseline due to the continental biospheric CO2 sink. Deviations from baseline concentrations provide information about regional and larger scale European greenhouse gas sources. ICOS-compliant GHG concentration measurements from the Atmospheric Observatory 100 m high tower started in December 2016. The new GHG laboratory received the ICOS certificate on 30 November 2018. For CH4 concentration, we derived a mean increasing trend of +7.3 ppb yr-1 between 2017 and 2019, in line with the observed global CH4 trend of +8.5 ± 1.6 ppb yr-1 during this period. For CO2 concentrations, we calculated a mean increasing trend of +1.4 ppm yr-1 between 2017 and 2019, compared to a global trend of +2.3 ± 0.5 ppm yr-1. The calculation of the CO2 trends at Ispra is however complicated by large seasonal variations in the biospheric CO2 fluxes. Atmospheric pollution has been characterised at the JRC-Ispra site since 1986. In 2019, the annual mean concentrations of SO2, NO2 and CO were similar to or less than during the previous years, which confirms the general trend of improvement in these air quality indicators over the last 3 decades. The concentrations of anthropogenic volatile hydrocarbons like benzene and toluene also dropped down by a factor of 2 compared to 20 years ago. In contrast, most O3 exposure indicators did not significantly improve in 2019 (in line with the trend observed since 2010), which can certainly not be explained only by the warm and sunny conditions occurring during several months this year. The concentration of PM2.5 mass and of most of its components (NO3-, SO42-, NH4+, POM and EC) further decreased in 2019 compared to 2018, and reached historical minima. PM2.5 average chemical composition was dominated by carbonaceous species (POM: 44%, EC: 6%), followed by secondary inorganics (NH4+: 8%, NO3-: 12%, SO42-: 12%). As previously observed, there was a clear increase of NO3- contribution to PM2.5 when shifting from cleaner (PM2.5 < 10 μg/m³) to more polluted periods (PM2.5 > 25 μg/m³) during both cold and warmer months. PM2.5 (from gravimetric analyses at 20% RH) annual mean mass concentration (13 μg/m³) was well below the EU annual limit value (25 μg/m³). The long-term time series of PM concentrations still suggests a decreasing trend of - 1.0 μg m-3 yr-1 over the last 3 decades. The increase in particle number concentration observed since 2014 (following a net decrease till 2011) stopped after winter 2017, and the annual average (7000 cm-3) was in 2019 less than during previous years. The trends in aerosol physics and chemistry are reflected in the aerosol properties: The aerosol single scattering albedo (0.79 in 2019) has increased since 2014. The annual wet deposition fluxes of the main acidifying and eutrophying species NH4+, NO3-, and SO42- (1.5, 3.4, and 1.5 g m-2, respectively) was quite larger than during the previous years, and similar to the values during the 2000’s. Nine rain samples with pH vegetation net ecosystem exchange (NEE) data obtained in 2019 suggest that the pine tree forest was a smaller net sink for CO2 in 2019 (82 gC/m²) compared to previous years. Although NEE is directly measured, this result is still preliminary and need a thorough re-analysis before conclusions can be drawn., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

A comprehensive set of essential atmospheric variables have been measured in 2018 at the European Commission Atmospheric Observatory on the site of the historical EMEP-GAW station of the JRC in Ispra to continue the assessment of the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing that started in 1985. The variables we measure at the Atmospheric Observatory in Ispra include greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4), radon (222Rn) activity concentration, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, NMHCs, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents), atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering and absorption in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), eutrophying and acidifying species (sulphate, nitrate, ammonium) wet deposition. Vegetation - atmosphere exchanges (CO2, O3, H2O and heat) are measured at our Mediterranean Forest Flux Station of San Rossore, backed up by meteorological and pedological measurements., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

A comprehensive set of essential atmospheric variables have been measured since 1986 at the JRC-Ispra site to assess the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing. In 2017, all instruments have been moved at the new Atmospheric Observatory. The variables we measure include greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6), radon (222Rn) activity concentration, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutant (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents) concentrations, atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering and absorption in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), eutrophying and acidifying species (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+) wet deposition. Atmosphere-biosphere exchange fluxes are measured at the Mediterranean site of San Rossore., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

The concentrations of equivalent black carbon deriving from biomass burning [eBC]bb and fossil fuel combustion [eBC]ff have been estimated based on measurements of the aerosol light attenuation at several wavelengths (from infrared to ultraviolet) performed at the atmospheric observatory of the Joint Research Centre located in Ispra (Northern Italy). The data shows repeated seasonal cycles from 2004 to 2016, which suggests that winter time wood burning for domestic heating is the main biomass burning activity in this area. The [eBC]bb/[eBC]ff ratio has increased on average by +5%/yr over the 2007 – 2016 period. We compared these measurement-derived data with CO2 emissions estimated from EDGAR relative to biomass burning for domestic heating and fossil fuel combustion for transport (Diesel) and residential heating (coal + oil) in the 0.4°x0.4° area centred on Ispra. The data shows an increase in CO2 emissions from biomass burning compared to fossil fuel combustion from 2004 to 2008, and a rather constant ratio since then. There is no obvious correlation between the concentrations of [eBC] and the statistics on CO2 emissions from biofuel and fossil fuel combustion over the studied period. The impact of the economic crisis of 2009 on the use of biofuels for domestic heating cannot be rigorously demonstrated, neither from the measurement data nor from the emission inventory., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

A comprehensive set of essential atmospheric variables have been measured at the JRC-Ispra Atmosphere - Biosphere - Climate Integrated monitoring Station (ABC-IS) for several years to assess the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing. The variables we measure at the Atmospheric Observatory in Ispra include greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6), radon (222Rn) activity concentration, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutant (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents) concentrations, atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering and absorption in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), eutrophying and acidifying species (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+) wet deposition. Vegetation  atmosphere exchanges (CO2, O3, H2O and heat) are measured at our Forest Flux Station of San Rossore, backed up by meteorological and pedological measurements. The ABC-IS 2016 report presents the data produced during the past year in the context of the previous years of measurements., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

This report presents the EMEP activities in 2016 and 2017 in relation to transboundary fluxes of particulate matter, photo-oxidants, acidifying and eutrophying components, with focus on results for 2015. It presents major results of the activities related to emission inventories, observations and modelling. The report also introduces specific relevant research activities addressing EMEP key challenges, as well as technical developments of the observation and modelling capacities. An important topic this year is the transition to the new EMEP grid and resolution. For the first time, officially reported fine scale emissions (0.1◦×0.1◦ resolution) have been used in the EMEP MSC-W model runs for air pollution assessment. The impacts of this change on model results and its comparisons to observations are analyzed in this report.

A comprehensive set of essential atmospheric variables have been measured at the JRC-Ispra Atmosphere -Biosphere - Climate Integrated monitoring Station (ABC-IS) for several years to detect the impact of European policies and international conventions on air pollution and climate forcing. The variables we measure include greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6), radon (222Rn)activity concentration, short-lived gaseous and particulate pollutants (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5 and its main ionic and carbonaceous constituents), atmospheric particle micro-physical characteristics (number concentration and size distribution) and optical properties (light scattering and absorption in-situ, light scattering and extinction vertical profiles remotely), eutrophying and acidifying species (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+) wet deposition, and vegetation  atmosphere exchanges (CO2, O3, H2O and heat), backed up by meteorological and pedological measurements. All the measurements performed at ABC-IS are made under international projects and programs like InGOS (Integrated non-CO2 Greenhouse gas Observation System), ACTRIS (the EU research Infra-Structure for the observation of Aerosols, Clouds and TRace gases), EMEP (co-operative Program for Monitoring and Evaluation of the long range transmission of air pollutants in Europe) and GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch), which implies the use of standard methods and scales, and the participation in quality assurance activities. The JRC has a leading role in ACTRIS and EMEP regarding the quality assurance for carbonaceous aerosol measurements. All the data obtained at ABC-IS are submitted to international open data bases (www.europe-fluxdata.eu, fluxnet.ornl.gov, www.ingos-infrastructure.eu, ebas.nilu.no,) and can be freely downloaded from these web sites. The data we produce are used in European wide assessments, for model inputs and validation, and for calibrating satellite airborne sensors. The ABC-IS 2015 report presents the data produced during the past year in the context of the previous years of measurements., JRC.C.5-Air and Climate

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability provides long-term observations of the atmosphere within international programs and research projects. These observations are performed from the research infrastructure named ABC-IS: Atmosphere – Biosphere – Climate Integrated monitoring Station. Most measurements are performed at the JRC-Ispra site, but observations are also carried out from two other platforms: the forest station in San Rossore, and a ship cruising in the Western Mediterranean sea. This document reports about the measurement programs, the equipment which is deployed, the data quality assessment, and the results obtained for each site. Our observations are presented, compared to each other, as well as to historical data obtained over close to 30 years at the Ispra site., JRC.H.2-Air and Climate

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability provides long-term observations of the atmosphere within international programs and research projects. These observations are performed from the research infrastructure named ABC-IS: Atmosphere – Biosphere – Climate Integrated monitoring Station. Most measurements are performed at the JRC-Ispra site, but observations are also carried out from two other platforms: the forest station in San Rossore, and a ship cruising in the Western Mediterranean sea. This document reports about the measurement programs, the equipment which is deployed, the data quality assessment, and the results obtained for each site. Our observations are presented, compared to each other, as well as to historical data obtained over more than 25 years at the Ispra site., JRC.H.2-Air and Climate

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability provide long-term observations of the atmosphere within international programs and research projects. These observations are performed from the research infrastructure named ABC-IS: Atmosphere-Biosphere-Climate Integrated monitoring station. Most measurements are performed at the JRC-Ispra site. Observations are also carried out from two other platforms: the forest station in San Rossore, and a ship cruising in the Western Mediterranean sea. This document reports about measurement programs, the equipment which is deployed, and the data quality assessment for each site. Our observations are presented, compared to each other, as well as to historical data obtained over the past 25 years at the Ispra site., JRC.H.2-Air and Climate

The aim of the JRC-Ispra station for atmospheric research (45°49'N, 8°38'E) is to monitor atmospheric parameters (pollutant concentrations and fluxes, atmospheric particle chemical composition, number size distribution and optical properties) to contribute in assessing the impact of European policies on air pollution and climate change. The station has been operated continuously since November 1985, with a gap in gas phase data due to a severe breakdown of the data acquisition system in 2003 though. The measurements performed in 2006 led to annual averages of ca. 41 µg m-3 O3, 1.1 µg m-3 SO2, 21 µg m-3 NO2 and 33 µg m-3 PM10. Carbonaceous species (organic matter plus elemental carbon) are the main constituents of PM2.5 (> 50 %) followed by (NH4)2SO4 (10-20 %) and NH4NO3 (20-30 %). The measurements confirmed the seasonal variations observed over the previous years, mainly driven by meteorology rather than by changes in emissions. Aerosol physical and optical properties were also measured in 2006. The average particle number (from 6 nm to 10 µm) was about 10000 cm-3 in 2006. The mean (close to dry) aerosol single scattering albedo (a key parameter for determining the aerosol direct radiative forcing) was 0.79. Long-term trends (over 20 years) show decreases in sulfur concentrations and deposition, and in extreme ozone value occurrence frequency, although the latter was higher in compared to the last two years The decreasing trends in nitrogen oxides, reduced nitrogen species, and PM concentrations are much less pronounced., JRC.H.2-Climate change

Es wurden Geschwindigkeitskostanten (in cm³ / (Molekül · s)) für die Reaktionen von OH Radikalen und Cl Atomen mit 1-Butanol, 1-Pentanol, Propionsäuremethylester (MPR), Bernsteinsäuredimethylester (DBE-4), Glutarsäuredimethylester (DBE-5), Adipinsäuredimethylester (DBE-6), Ameisensäurepropionsäureanhydrid (PRFA), Propionsäure (PRA) und Brenztraubensäuremethylester (MPYR) bei 298 K und 1 bar gemessen: k(OH+1-butanol) = (8,28 ± 0,85) 10-12 k(OH+1-pentanol) = (1,11 ± 0,11) 10-12 k(OH+MPR) = (9,29 ± 1,13) 10-13 k(OH+DBE-4) = (1,95 ± 0,27) 10-12 k(OH+DBE-5) = (2,18 ± 0,30) 10-12 k(OH+DBE-6) = (3,73 ± 0,59) 10-12 k(Cl+MPR) = (1,51 ± 0,22) 10-11 k(Cl+DBE-4) = (6,79 ± 0,93) 10-12 k(Cl+DBE-5) = (1,90 ± 0,33) 10-11 k(Cl+DBE-6) = (6,08 ± 0,86) 10-11 k(Cl+PRFA) = (2,89 ± 0,35) 10-12 k(Cl+PRA) = (4,72 ± 0,62) 10-12 k(Cl+MPYR) = (4,99 ± 0,96) 10-13 Die Produktstudien der OH-initiierten Oxidation in Gegenwart von NO ergaben folgende Produkte (molare Ausbeuten) für 1-Butanol: Butyraldehyd (BAL) 0,518 ± 0,071; Propionaldehyd (PAL) 0,234 ± 0,035; Acetaldeyd (AAL) 0,127 ± 0,022; HCHO 0,434 ± 0,024 und 4-Hydroxy-2-butanon 0,050 ± 0,010. Für 1-Pentanol: Valeraldehyd 0,405 ± 0,082; BAL 0,161 ± 0,037; PAL 0,081 ± 0,019; AAL 0,181 ± 0,042 und HCHO 0,251 ± 0,013. Die Produktstudien der Cl-initiierten Oxidation in Gegenwart von NO ergaben folgende Produkten für MPR: PRFA 0,099 ± 0,019; PRA 0,139 ± 0,027; CO 0,132 ± 0,026; MPYR 0,289 ± 0,057; AAL 0,077 ± 0,015; Methoxyformylperoxynitrat 0,083 ± 0,016; Methylglyoxylat 0,111 ± 0,022 and HCHO. Für DBE-4: Ameisensäurebersteinsäureanhydrid 0,341 ± 0,068; Bernsteinsäuremonomethylester 0,447 ± 0,111; CO 0,307 ± 0,061; Dimethyloxalacetat 0,176 ± 0,044 und Methoxyformylperoxynitrat 0,032-0,084. Relative rate coefficients (in cm³/ (molecule · s) units) were measured, at 298 K and 1 bar, for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, methyl propionate (MPR), dimethyl succinate (DBE-4), dimethyl glutarate (DBE-5), dimethyl adipate (DBE-6), formic propionic anhydride (PRFA), propionic acid (PRA) and methyl pyruvate (MPYR): k(OH+1-butanol) = (8.28 ± 0.85) 10-12 k(OH+1-pentanol) = (1.11 ± 0.11) 10-12 k(OH+MPR) = (9.29 ± 1.13) 10-13 k(OH+DBE-4) = (1.95 ± 0.27) 10-12 k(OH+DBE-5) = (2.18 ± 0.30) 10-12 k(OH+DBE-6) = (3.73 ± 0.59) 10-12 k(Cl+MPR) = (1.51 ± 0.22) 10-11 k(Cl+DBE-4) = (6.79 ± 0.93) 10-12> k(Cl+DBE-5) = (1.90 ± 0.33) 10-11 k(Cl+DBE-6) = (6.08 ± 0.86) 10-11 k(Cl+PRFA) = (2.89 ± 0.35) 10-12 k(Cl+PRA) = (4.72 ± 0.62) 10-12 k(Cl+MPYR) = (4.99 ± 0.96) 10-13 Product studies were performed on the OH initiated oxidation of the two alcohols, in the presence of NO. The products and the molar yield observed for 1-butanol + OH were: butanal 0.518 ± 0.071, propanal 0.234 ± 0.035, ethanal 0.127 ± 0.022, HCHO 0.434 ± 0.024 and 4-hydroxy-2-butanone 0.050 ± 0.010; for 1-pentanol + OH: pentanal 0.405 ± 0.082, butanal 0.161 ± 0.037, propanal 0.081 ± 0.019, ethanal 0.181 ± 0.042 and HCHO 0.251 ± 0.013. Cl atom initiated product studies were performed on methyl propionate and dimethyl succinate, in the presence of NO. The products and the molar yield observed for MPR + Cl were: PRFA 0.099 ± 0.019, PRA 0.139 ± 0.027, CO 0.132 ± 0.026, MPYR 0.289 ± 0.057, ethanal 0.077 ± 0.015, methoxy formyl peroxy nitrate 0.083 ± 0.016, methyl glyoxylate 0.111 ± 0.022 and HCHO; for DBE-4 + Cl: succinic formic anhydride 0.341 ± 0.068, mono-methyl succinate 0.447 ± 0.111, CO 0.307 ± 0.061, dimethyl oxaloacetate 0.176 ± 0.044, and methoxy formyl peroxy nitrate 0.032-0.084.

The functional group compositions of atmospheric aerosol water-soluble organic compounds were obtained employing proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy in a series of recent experiments in several areas of the world characterized by different aerosol sources and pollution levels. Here, we discuss the possibility of using (1)H NMR functional group distributions to identify the sources of aerosol in the different areas. Despite the limited variability of functional group compositions of atmospheric aerosol samples, characteristic (1)H NMR fingerprints were derived for three major aerosol sources: biomass burning, secondary formation from anthropogenic and biogenic VOCs, and emission from the ocean. The functional group patterns obtained in areas characterized by one of the above dominant source processes were then compared to identify the dominant sources for samples coming from mixed sources. This analysis shows that (1)H NMR spectroscopy can profitably be used as a valuable tool for aerosol source identification. In addition, compared to other existing methodologies, it is able to relate the source fingerprints to integral chemical properties of the organic mixtures, which determine their reactivity and their physicochemical properties and ultimately the fate of the organic particles in the atmosphere.