Atmospheric Chemistry Measurements at Whiteface Mountain, NY: Cloud Water Chemistry, Precipitation Chemistry, and Particulate Matter

James J Schwab,Oliver V Rattigan,Richard Brandt,Kenneth L Demerjian,Douglas Wolfe,Kevin L Civerolo,James E Dukett,Liquat Husain,Vincent Dutkewicz,H Dirk Felton,Paul Casson

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2015.05.0344

Abstract

ABSTRACTLong-term records of condensed-phase chemical data are presented from the Adirondack Mountain region of northern New York, USA. These data records are particularly valuable due to the combinations of aerosol, cloud, and precipitation measurements. Objectives of the research and this overview paper include the evaluation of emission reductions of regulated air pollutants and the observed effects on measured deposition, as well as the implications of changing pollutant concentration levels on human health and climate. Summer season cloud chemistry and year-round wet deposition and particulate matter data from two stations on Whiteface Mountain are presented to highlight some of the research and monitoring activities at this mountain location. Clear decreases in the anion concentrations and increases in pH over the past two decades have been observed in cloud and precipitation results. Large decreases in aerosol sulfate (> 80%) and aerosol optical black carbon (> 60%) have been observed for these species over the nearly 40 year summit observatory data record for these measurements, and decreases in PM2.5 mass, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium have also been recorded over the shorter 15 year period of measurement at the Marble Mountain Lodge level. The studies cited here highlight some of the past successes of air pollution regulation under the Clean Air Act and Amendments and pave the way for future progress in reducing air pollution.

Highlights

Condensed phase species in the atmosphere consist of solid and liquid particles in a wide range of sizes and compositions
We focus on the long-term measurements of condensed-phase chemistry – namely clouds, precipitation, and particulate matter, and provide valuable long term measurement data of cloud water, precipitation and ambient air species from this region covering an approximate 15 or longer year period
The primary focus of the cloud chemistry program at Whiteface has been the measurement of major inorganic ions, with a special emphasis on sulfate given the provisions of Title IV and Title IX of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Condensed phase species in the atmosphere consist of solid and liquid particles in a wide range of sizes and compositions. The smallest of these are aerosol species, produced from natural processes, and from many types of human influenced or anthropogenic activities. Aerosol sampling at Whiteface Mountain began in 1975 and has been continuous at the summit observatory since 1978 as described in a companion paper (Schwab et al, 2016). These samplers collect TSP (total suspended particles) on cellulose filters and are analyzed for mass, major ions and more recently, black carbon (BC).

METHOD

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

SUMMARY