Zeppelin-led study on the onset of new particle formation in the planetary boundary layer

Abstract

Abstract. We compared observations of aerosol particle formation and growth in different parts of the planetary boundary layer at two different environments that have frequent new particle formation (NPF) events. In summer 2012 we had a campaign in Po Valley, Italy (urban background), and in spring 2013 a similar campaign took place in Hyytiälä, Finland (rural background). Our study consists of three case studies of airborne and ground-based measurements of ion and particle size distribution from ∼1 nm. The airborne measurements were performed using a Zeppelin inside the boundary layer up to 1000 m altitude. Our observations show the onset of regional NPF and the subsequent growth of the aerosol particles happening almost uniformly inside the mixed layer (ML) in both locations. However, in Hyytiälä we noticed local enhancement in the intensity of NPF caused by mesoscale boundary layer (BL) dynamics. Additionally, our observations indicate that in Hyytiälä NPF was probably also taking place above the ML. In Po Valley we observed NPF that was limited to a specific air mass.

Particle Number Size Distribution of Wintertime Alpine Aerosols and Their Activation as Cloud Condensation Nuclei in the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China

“…Hua according to Equation . In this study, the fitted GR was 0.83 nm·h −1 , which was apparently lower than one on the ground areas and other mountain sites (Babu et al., 2016; Deng et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2009, 2011; Kanawade et al., 2014; Lampilahti et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2008; Minoura & Takekawa, 2005; Mönkkönen et al., 2005; Sebastian et al., 2021; Yue et al., 2009) (Table S2 in Supporting Information ). Generally, particle GRs in urban locations tend to be higher than those in rural or remote environments, but are still of the same order of magnitude of 1–10 nm·h −1 (Kerminen et al., 2018; H. Yu et al., 2017).…”

Simulation of the effects of low-volatility organic compounds on aerosol number concentrations in Europe

“…Field measurement data are available at https://ebas.nilu.no/ (last access: 11 January 2022; EBAS, 2022) and https://actris.nilu.no/ (last access: 11 January 2022; AC-TRIS). The zeppelin-relevant San Pietro Capofiume and Bologna data are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4660145 (Lampilahti et al, 2021b). The field datasets for Patras, Thessaloniki, and Costa Navarino can be obtained after request to the authors.…”

Look Up: Probing the Vertical Profile of New Particle Formation and Growth in the Planetary Boundary Layer With Models and Observations

“…Since Nilsson et al. (2001), studies have utilized airborne measurement platforms and found NPF occurring at various levels within the mixed layer and often near the top of the mixed layer (e.g., Boulon et al., 2011; Chen et al., 2018; Lampilahti, Leino, et al., 2021; Lampilahti, Manninen, et al., 2021; Leino et al., 2019; Nikandrova et al., 2018; Platis et al., 2016; Qi et al., 2019; Schobesberger et al., 2013; Wehner et al., 2007, 2010). These enhancements are still thought to be a result of the mechanisms (a–d) from Nilsson et al.…”