Sophisticated Clean Air Strategies Required to Mitigate Against Particulate Organic Pollution

Abstract

Since the 1980’s, measures mitigating the impact of transboundary air pollution have been implemented successfully as evidenced in the 1980–2014 record of atmospheric sulphur pollution over the NE-Atlantic, a key region for monitoring background northern-hemisphere pollution levels. The record reveals a 72–79% reduction in annual-average airborne sulphur pollution (SO4 and SO2, respectively) over the 35-year period. The NE-Atlantic, as observed from the Mace Head research station on the Irish coast, can be considered clean for 64% of the time during which sulphate dominates PM1 levels, contributing 42% of the mass, and for the remainder of the time, under polluted conditions, a carbonaceous (organic matter and Black Carbon) aerosol prevails, contributing 60% to 90% of the PM1 mass and exhibiting a trend whereby its contribution increases with increasing pollution levels. The carbonaceous aerosol is known to be diverse in source and nature and requires sophisticated air pollution policies underpinned by sophisticated characterisation and source apportionment capabilities to inform selective emissions-reduction strategies. Inauspiciously, however, this carbonaceous concoction is not measured in regulatory Air Quality networks.

Phytoplankton Impact on Marine Cloud Microphysical Properties Over the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

“…The aforementioned values are roughly equivalent to the yearly mean radiative forcing estimated in global circulation models as a result of aerosol-cloud interaction over severely polluted regions (Bian & Prather, 2002;Jones et al, 1994;Menon et al, 2002;Rap et al, 2013;Zelinka et al, 2014). As observed from the MHD location, the NEA can be considered pristine 64% of the time (Grigas et al, 2017).…”

“…As observed from the MHD location, the NEA can be considered pristine 64% of the time (Grigas et al., 2017 ). In other model simulation studies, the occurrence of pristine air masses over the NEA is estimated to be even lower (Hamilton et al., 2014 ).…”

Seasonal Trends of Aerosol Hygroscopicity and Mixing State in Clean Marine and Polluted Continental Air Masses Over the Northeast Atlantic

“…MHD observation and research facility is located on the west coast of Ireland at 53°19′36″N, 9°54′14″W. Long‐term meteorological observations revealed that over 60% of the air masses are categorized as clean marine (Grigas et al., 2017; O'Connor et al., 2008; O'Dowd et al., 2014) with the remaining 40% being anthropogenically perturbed to varying degree. The contrasting air masses overpassing the West coast of Ireland are the result of a Hemispheric synoptic pattern in which the Polar jet guides low pressure systems toward Europe while high pressure systems guide polluted continental air over the otherwise clean marine environment.…”

“…Data were categorized according to MHD sector classification criteria which have been robustly validated through many years of continuous observations (O'Dowd et al, 2014;Grigas et al, 2017). The clean marine sector was defined by a wind direction within 190° to 300° sector and hourly BC concentration < 15 ng m -3 .…”

Atmospheric Submicron Particulate Matter (PM): An Emerging Global Environmental Concern

“…Numerous studies have shown that the spectrum of chemical species found are more often distinct between submicron and larger PM. For example, different studies from Switzerland, 20,23 South Africa, 24 Hong Kong, 25 Finland (Helsinki), 5 USA (Sacramento Valley), 23,26 Africa (Senegal), 23 China, 23 France, 23 Italy, 23 the Netherlands, 23 Spain 23 and 'Greater European Region 27 support dominance of one or more of such species like organics, sulfate, black carbon, nitrate, ammonium, chloride and iron in submicron PM, whereas, of other species like calcium in larger PM. Further, some of the major anions and cations have been majorly found to be part of submicron PM in Greece (Athens).…”