Evolution of newly formed aerosol particles in the continental boundary layer: A case study including OH and H2SO4 measurements

Abstract

An event of new particle formation is presented, based on simultaneous measurements of aerosol number size distributions, relevant gaseous components including H2SO4 and OH, and meteorological parameters. Measurements were conducted at Hohenpeissenberg, a rural continental mountain site in southern Germany. The event was observed under intense solar radiation, with total particle number concentrations increasing from 6000 to 25000 cm−3 within one hour, and ultrafine particles (3–11 nm) accounting for more than 50% of total number. Observed OH and H2SO4 concentrations reached maximum levels around 107 cm−3. A lower limit of the particle nucleation rate was estimated to be 3 cm−3·s−1, consistent with present models of ternary nucleation involving the H2SO4‐H2O‐NH3 system. Roughly 80% of the subsequent drop in ultrafine mode particle number concentration could be explained by coagulation. The observed particle growth rate of 2.1±0.1 nm/h was largely attributed to the condensation of measured H2SO4, assuming neutralization by ammonia.