Publication

Novel insights on new particle formation derived from a pan-european observing system

Dall’Osto, M.
; 
Beddows, D. C. S.
; 
Asmi, A.
; 
Poulain, L.
; 
Hao, L.
; 
Freney, E.
; 
Allan, J. D.
; 
Canagaratna, M.
; 
Crippa, M.
; 
Bianchi, F.
... show 10 more
Repository DOI
Publication Date
2018-01-24
Keywords
aerosol mass-spectrometer, positive matrix factorization, volatile organic-compounds, cloud condensation nuclei, sulfuric-acid, air-quality, size distributions, biogenic emissions, atmospheric nucleation, chemical-composition
Type
Article
Downloads
Show all metadata
Citation
Dall’Osto, M. Beddows, D. C. S.; Asmi, A.; Poulain, L.; Hao, L.; Freney, E.; Allan, J. D.; Canagaratna, M.; Crippa, M.; Bianchi, F.; de Leeuw, G.; Eriksson, A.; Swietlicki, E.; Hansson, H. C.; Henzing, J. S.; Granier, C.; Zemankova, K.; Laj, P.; Onasch, T.; Prevot, A.; Putaud, J. P.; Sellegri, K.; Vidal, M.; Virtanen, A.; Simo, R.; Worsnop, D.; O’Dowd, C.; Kulmala, M.; Harrison, Roy M. (2018). Novel insights on new particle formation derived from a pan-european observing system. Scientific Reports 8 ,
Abstract
The formation of new atmospheric particles involves an initial step forming stable clusters less than a nanometre in size (<similar to 1 nm), followed by growth into quasi-stable aerosol particles a few nanometres (similar to 1-10 nm) and larger (>similar to 10 nm). Although at times, the same species can be responsible for both processes, it is thought that more generally each step comprises differing chemical contributors. Here, we present a novel analysis of measurements from a unique multi-station ground-based observing system which reveals new insights into continental-scale patterns associated with new particle formation. Statistical cluster analysis of this unique 2-year multi-station dataset comprising size distribution and chemical composition reveals that across Europe, there are different major seasonal trends depending on geographical location, concomitant with diversity in nucleating species while it seems that the growth phase is dominated by organic aerosol formation. The diversity and seasonality of these events requires an advanced observing system to elucidate the key processes and species driving particle formation, along with detecting continental scale changes in aerosol formation into the future.
Funder
Publisher
Springer Nature
Publisher DOI
10.1038/s41598-017-17343-9
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland
cbn
Collections
Externally hosted open access publications with University of Galway authors (2)