Search Results
Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): Uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution
2016, Pfeifer, Sascha, MĂ¼ller, Thomas, Weinhold, Kay, Zikova, Nadezda, dos Santos, Sebastiao Martins, Marinoni, Angela, Bischof, Oliver F., Kykal, Carsten, Ries, Ludwig, Meinhardt, Frank, Aalto, Pasi, Mihalopoulos, Nikolaos, Wiedensohler, Alfred
Aerodynamic particle size spectrometers are a well-established method to measure number size distributions of coarse mode particles in the atmosphere. Quality assurance is essential for atmospheric observational aerosol networks to obtain comparable results with known uncertainties. In a laboratory study within the framework of ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure Network), 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS model 3321, TSI Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) were compared with a focus on flow rates, particle sizing, and the unit-to-unit variability of the particle number size distribution. Flow rate deviations were relatively small (within a few percent), while the sizing accuracy was found to be within 10 % compared to polystyrene latex (PSL) reference particles. The unit-to-unit variability in terms of the particle number size distribution during this study was within 10 % to 20 % for particles in the range of 0.9 up to 3 µm, which is acceptable for atmospheric measurements. For particles smaller than that, the variability increased up to 60 %, probably caused by differences in the counting efficiencies of individual units. Number size distribution data for particles smaller than 0.9 µm in aerodynamic diameter should only be used with caution. For particles larger than 3 µm, the unit-to-unit variability increased as well. A possible reason is an insufficient sizing accuracy in combination with a steeply sloping particle number size distribution and the increasing uncertainty due to decreasing counting. Particularly this uncertainty of the particle number size distribution must be considered if higher moments of the size distribution such as the particle volume or mass are calculated, which require the conversion of the aerodynamic diameter measured to a volume equivalent diameter. In order to perform a quantitative quality assurance, a traceable reference method for the particle number concentration in the size range 0.5–3 µm is needed.
Influence of aerosol copper on HO2 uptake: A novel parameterized equation
2020, Song, Huan, Chen, Xiaorui, Lu, Keding, Zou, Qi, Tan, Zhaofeng, Fuchs, Hendrik, Wiedensohler, Alfred, Moon, Daniel R., Heard, Dwayne E., Baeza-Romero, MarĂa-Teresa, Zheng, Mei, Wahner, Andreas, Kiendler-Scharr, Astrid, Zhang, Yuanhang
Heterogeneous uptake of hydroperoxyl radicals (HO2) onto aerosols has been proposed to be a significant sink of HOx , hence impacting the atmospheric oxidation capacity. Accurate calculation of the HO2 uptake coefficient HO2 is key to quantifying the potential impact of this atmospheric process. Laboratory studies show that HO2 can vary by orders of magnitude due to changes in aerosol properties, especially aerosol soluble copper (Cu) concentration and aerosol liquid water content (ALWC). In this study we present a state-of-the-art model called MARK to simulate both gas- and aerosol-phase chemistry for the uptake of HO2 onto Cu-doped aerosols. Moreover, a novel parameterization of HO2 uptake was developed that considers changes in relative humidity (RH) and condensed-phase Cu ion concentrations and which is based on a model optimization using previously published and new laboratory data included in this work. This new parameterization will be applicable to wet aerosols, and it will complement current IUPAC recommendations. The new parameterization is as follows (the explanations for symbols are in the Appendix): (Formula presented) All parameters used in the paper are summarized in Table A1. Using this new equation, field data from a field campaign were used to evaluate the impact of the HO2 uptake onto aerosols on the ROx (=OH+HO2 CRO2) budget. Highly variable values for HO2 uptake were obtained for the North China Plain (median value <0.1). © 2020 Copernicus GmbH. All rights reserved.
Characterization of the planetary boundary layer during SAMUM-2 by means of lidar measurements
2017, GroĂŸ, Silke, Gasteiger, Josef, Freudenthaler, Volker, Wiegner, Matthias, GeiĂŸ, Alexander, Schladitz, Alexander, Toledano, Carlos, Kandler, Konrad, Tesche, Matthias, Ansmann, Albert, Wiedensohler, Alfred
Measurements with two Raman-depolarization lidars of the Meteorological Institute of the Ludwig-Maximilians- Universit¨at, M¨unchen, Germany, performed during SAMUM-2, were used to characterize the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over Praia, Cape Verde. A novel approach was used to determine the volume fraction of dust υd in the PBL. This approach primarily relies on accurate measurements of the linear depolarization ratio. Comparisons with independent in situ measurements showed the reliability of this approach. Based on our retrievals, two different phases could be distinguished within the measurement period of almost one month. The first (22–31 January 2008) was characterized by high aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the PBL and large υd > 95%. During the second phase, the AOD in the PBL was considerably lower and υd less than ∼40%. These findings were in very good agreement with ground based in situ measurements, when ambient volume fractions are considered that were calculated from the actual measurements of the dry volume fraction. Only in cases when dust was not the dominating aerosol component (second phase), effects due to hygroscopic growth became important.