Climatology of New Particle Formation and Corresponding Precursors at Storm Peak Laboratory

Hallar, A. Gannet; Petersen, Ross; McCubbin, Ian B.; Lowenthal, D. H.; Lee, Shan‐Hu; Andrews, Elisabeth; Yu, Fangqun

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2015.05.0341

Cited by 27 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…In addition to the spring, the model predicts significant NPF in the fall (September-November) but unfortunately CN10 data is not available after Day 290. The predicted relatively high frequency of regional NPF events in the spring and fall is consistent with that derived from multiple-year NPF climatology analysis reported in Hallar et al (2016). As pointed out earlier, the pressure of SPL site (~690 mb) corresponds to the 7 th layer of the model which is around in the top of the boundary layer, consistent with the wellestablished almost daily transition from free-tropospheric to boundary layer air at the ridge-top site SPL (Obrist et al, 2008).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 76%

“…The SPL site is an ideal location for long-term research on chemistryaerosol-cloud-radiation interactions as the ridge-top location produces almost daily transition from free-tropospheric to boundary layer air and thus allows for time-extended measurements of free tropospheric, in-cloud, and boundary layer air (Borys and Wetzel, 1997;Lowenthal et al, 2002). Both long-term and short-term intensive aerosol measurements have been made in SPL (e.g., Hallar et al, 2011;Friedman et al, 2013;Hallar et al, 2013Hallar et al, , 2016. In the present study, we use long-term total number concentrations of particles larger than 10 nm (CN10) obtained with a stand-alone TSI (model 3010) condensation particle counter (CPC).…”

Section: Spl Site Information and Aerosol Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…in central France, Boulon et al (2011) showed that NPF occurred more frequently at the higher elevation. In this regard, NPF measurements at mountain top sites with various elevations (Hallar et al, 2016) provide a unique set of data that can help to advance our understanding of the altitudedependent NPF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vertical Profiles and Seasonal Variations of Key Parameters Controlling Particle Formation and Growth at Storm Peak Laboratory

Luo

Hallar

2016

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Here we compare model simulated number concentrations of condensation nuclei larger than 10 nm (CN10) in 2009 with those measured at the Storm Peak Laboratory (SPL), a high elevation mountain-top observatory in northwestern Colorado, US. We also investigate vertical profiles and seasonal variations of key parameters controlling particle formation and growth over this remote mountain-top site. The model overall captures absolute values of CN10 and their variations, especially in the spring months where regional scale new particle formation (NPF) occurred frequently. The model is able to predict the right magnitude of background CN10 values in July and August but it fails to reproduce the short-term spikes in CN10 and thus under-predicts the mean CN10 in these two months. The vertical profiles of key parameters relevant to NPF, including temperature and concentrations of SO 2 , secondary organic gases (SOG), OH, H 2 SO 4 and low volatility SOG, show clear seasonal variations that lead to relatively high frequency of NPF in the spring and fall. Vertically, high concentrations of precursors and aerosol number concentrations are generally confined to the boundary layer and lower troposphere.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Spl Site Information and Aerosol Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vertical Profiles and Seasonal Variations of Key Parameters Controlling Particle Formation and Growth at Storm Peak Laboratory

Luo

Hallar

2016

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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“…The frequency, intensity, and duration of NPF events is highly variable according to the location where they are observed. The occurrence and characteristics of NPF episodes depend on various factors, including the emission strength of precursors, the number concentration of the pre-existing aerosol population, and meteorological parameters (in particular solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity), which directly influence photo-chemical processes (Kulmala, 2003;Martin et al, 2010;Hallar et al, 2016). However, the relationship between these environmental parameters and the characteristics of NPF events is not fully understood and it is still a challenge to predict when an NPF event will take place and how intense it will be (Kulmala et al, 2004;Yu et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High occurrence of new particle formation events at the Maïdo high-altitude observatory (2150 m), Réunion (Indian Ocean)

et al. 2018

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Abstract. This study aims to report and characterise the frequent new particle formation (NPF) events observed at the Maïdo observatory, Réunion, a Southern Hemisphere site located at 2150 m (a.s.l.) and surrounded by the Indian Ocean. From May 2014 to December 2015, continuous aerosol measurements were made using both a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) and an air ion spectrometer (AIS) to characterise the NPF events down to the lowest particle-size scale. Carbon monoxide (CO) and black carbon (BC) concentrations were monitored, as well as meteorological parameters, in order to identify the conditions that were favourable to the occurrence of nucleation in this specific environment. We point out that the annual NPF frequency average (65 %) is one of the highest reported so far. Monthly averages show a bimodal variation in the NPF frequency, with a maximum observed during transition periods (autumn and spring). A high yearly median particle growth rate (GR) of 15.16 nm h −1 is also measured showing a bimodal seasonal variation with maxima observed in July and November. Yearly medians of 2 and 12 nm particle formation rates (J 2 and J 12 ) are 0.858 and 0.508 cm −3 s −1 , respectively, with a seasonal variation showing a maximum during winter, that correspond to low temperature and RH typical of the dry season, but also to high BC concentrations. We show that the condensation sink exceeds a threshold value (1.04 × 10 −3 s −1 ) with a similar seasonal variation than the one of the NPF event frequency, suggesting that the occurrence of the NPF process might be determined by the availability of condensable vapours, which are likely to be transported together with pre-existing particles from lower altitudes.

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“…Both aerosol size distribution and the aerosol chemical composition were shown to be fairly constant in time due to the long distance from aerosol sources, and, because of this consistency, climate relevant aerosol properties can be derived from these properties. Thirteen years of measurements of ultrafine (3-10 nm diameter) aerosols from Storm Peak Laboratory in Colorado were presented in Hallar et al (2016). Previous work has shown that frequent new particle formation occurs regularly at the site, and this long-term climatology of ultrafine aerosols clearly demonstrates a seasonal dependence on new particle formation at Storm Peak Laboratory, with a maximum during the spring season and a minimum in summer.…”

Section: Aerosol and Trace Gas Climatologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of the Special Issue “Selected Papers from the 2nd Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics at Mountain Sites Symposium”

Hallar

Andrews

Bukowiecki

et al. 2016

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Mountain sites provide a unique window on atmospheric chemistry and physics. These sites allow for continuous observations at high elevation, often in the free troposphere, where many important processes occur. Observations at these mountain sites allow for studies on long-range transport of pollution, cloud and precipitation processes, boundary layer ventilation and long-term observations of climate relevant gases and aerosols. However operating at mountain sites presents a unique set of challenges, and for this reason scientists doing research at these sites sought a forum to share knowledge on both the science and challenges of working at these sites.

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Climatology of New Particle Formation and Corresponding Precursors at Storm Peak Laboratory

Cited by 27 publications

References 57 publications

Vertical Profiles and Seasonal Variations of Key Parameters Controlling Particle Formation and Growth at Storm Peak Laboratory

Vertical Profiles and Seasonal Variations of Key Parameters Controlling Particle Formation and Growth at Storm Peak Laboratory

High occurrence of new particle formation events at the Maïdo high-altitude observatory (2150 m), Réunion (Indian Ocean)

Overview of the Special Issue “Selected Papers from the 2nd Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics at Mountain Sites Symposium”

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