Size distribution and ion composition of aerosol collected at Ny-Ålesund in the spring–summer field campaign 2013

Abstract

During the 2013 Arctic campaign, direct measurements and size-segregated samplings of atmospheric aerosol were carried out from March to September at the Gruvebadet observatory in Ny-Å lesund (78°56 0 N, 11°56 0 E; Svalbard Islands). Continuous size distribution measurements (104 size classes) were performed both in the nano-(TSI-SMPS system) and micro-metric (TSI-APS device) range with a resolution of 10 min. Aerosol sampling was carried out on daily basis (PM 10 fraction, 00:01-23:59 UTC) and with a 4-day resolution (four-stage cascade impactor). A back-trajectory analysis was performed for specific events to understand transport processes and possible source areas of aerosol reaching Ny-Å lesund. Aerosol samples were analyzed for ion composition (inorganic cations and anions, selected organic anions) by a threechromatograph system after extraction in ultra-sonic bath. Special attention was spent in identifying and interpreting the seasonal pattern of natural and anthropic chemical markers. Sea spray aerosol was evenly distributed along all the sampling period with maxima related to wind speed. Its size distribution peaks in 1.0-2.5 or 2.5-10 lm, depending on the transport conditions and distance from source areas. Anthropic sulfate dominates the spring aerosol load (Arctic Haze), both in acidic form (H 2 SO 4 ) and in partially or totally neutralized ammonium salts. Biogenic contributions, marked by methanesulfonic acid, are relatively relevant in late spring-early summer and are distributed in the finest aerosol fraction (\1.0 lm).

Chemical Composition of Aerosol over the Arctic Ocean from Summer ARctic EXpedition (AREX) 2011–2012 Cruises: Ions, Amines, Elemental Carbon, Organic Matter, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, n-Alkanes, Metals, and Rare Earth Elements

“…As concerning REEs, as one can see from Figures 15 and 16, they present average concentration levels ranging between 0.1 and 10 pg m −3 (the y-scale in both the figures is expressed as ng m −3 to be compared with the other plots), with Ce, La, Y, and Nd as the most abundant elements in this class. Such values are in agreement with the measurements of REEs in PM 10 aerosol collected at Ny-Ålesund, as reported by Giardi et al [77,131]. They all show a large variability of values, mainly related to the contribution of different crustal sources containing REEs, as shown in previous works [120].…”

“…Interestingly, all of them refer to the first part of the cruise (before July 8), involving the ocean areas located south of Spitsbergen, and probably more affected by heavy touristic and commercial ship traffic during the summer period. Ålesund, as reported by Giardi et al [77,131]. They all show a large variability of values, mainly related to the contribution of different crustal sources containing REEs, as shown in previous works [120].…”

Long-Term Performance Assessment of Low-Cost Atmospheric Sensors in the Arctic Environment

“…In order to compare AIRQino and GAL PM concentrations it was necessary to assign a particle density to the GAL data in order to derive a mass concentration from an aerosol volume size distribution. The density value was assigned following the available literature reporting particulate matter density in boreal areas, but studies done on airborne particulate matter in Svalbard show a large variability in the composition of PM in all size ranges [24,33]. This difference in composition, arisen from a high variability in dominant sources as function of the season [22,34] and ranging between chlorides to metal oxides and other species [33], would suggest that particles of different densities have been measured by the GAL and also by AIRQino.…”

“…The GAL is equipped with various aerosol sampling equipment [22,24] and in particular a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) model TSI 3034 and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) model TSI 3321 (TSI incorporated, MN, USA). The 54 channel SMPS detects nanometric particles with electrical mobility diameter between 10 and 487 nm, while the 52 channels APS detects micrometric particles with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter between 523 nm and 20.54 µm [24,25].…”

“…The GAL is equipped with various aerosol sampling equipment [22,24] and in particular a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) model TSI 3034 and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) model TSI 3321 (TSI incorporated, MN, USA). The 54 channel SMPS detects nanometric particles with electrical mobility diameter between 10 and 487 nm, while the 52 channels APS detects micrometric particles with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter between 523 nm and 20.54 µm [24,25]. The two instruments are connected to a common inlet following the European Supersites for Atmospheric Aerosol Research-European Research Infrastructure for the observation of Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases (EUSAAR-ACTRIS) protocol and measure aerosol size distribution [25].…”