Abstract
The particle number size distribution (PNSD) of atmospheric particles not only provides information about sources and atmospheric processing of particles, but also plays an important role in determining regional lung dose. Owing to the importance of PNSD in understanding particulate pollution two short-term campaigns (March–June 2014) measurements of sub-micron PNSD were conducted at two urban background locations in Leicester, UK. At the first site, Leicester Automatic Urban Rural Network (AURN), the mean number concentrations of nucleation, Aitken, accumulation modes, the total particles, equivalent black carbon (eBC) mass concentrations were 2002, 3258, 1576, 6837 # cm−3, 1.7μgm−3, respectively, and at the second site, Brookfield (BF), were 1455, 2407, 874, 4737 # cm−3, 0.77μgm−3, respectively. The total particle number was dominated by the nucleation and Aitken modes, with both consisting of 77%, and 81% of total number concentrations at AURN and BF sites, respectively. This behaviour could be attributed to primary emissions (traffic) of ultrafine particles and the temporal evolution of mixing layer. The size distribution at the AURN site shows bimodal distribution at ~22nm with a minor peak at ~70nm. The size distribution at BF site, however, exhibits unimodal distribution at ~35nm. This study has for the first time investigated the effect of Easter holiday on PNSD in UK. The temporal variation of PNSD demonstrated a good degree of correlation with traffic-related pollutants (NOX, and eBC at both sites). The meteorological conditions, also had an impact on the PNSD and eBC at both sites. During the measurement period, the frequency of NPF events was calculated to be 13.3%, and 22.2% at AURN and BF sites, respectively. The average value of formation and growth rates of nucleation mode particles were 1.3, and 1.17cm−3s−1 and 7.42, and 5.3nmh−1 at AURN, and BF sites, respectively. It can suggested that aerosol particles in Leicester originate mainly from traffic and domestic heating emissions.
Highlights
Atmospheric aerosol particles are ubiquitous and have negative impacts on human health, air quality and global climate change (Lohmann and Feichter, 2005; Pope and Dockery, 2006; Stevens and Feingold, 2009)
This study reports on the first results of particle number size distribution (PNSD) measurements which were taken as part of the air quality monitoring network established across North West Europe as part of the JOint Air QUality INitiative (JOAQUIN, www.joaquin.eu), an INTERREG IVB funded European project, which aims at supporting health-oriented air quality policies in North-West Europe
The average concentrations of Nacu are higher than those studies at Automatic Urban Rural Network (AURN) site, whereas they are lower than those studies except in Harwell at BF site
Summary
Atmospheric aerosol particles are ubiquitous and have negative impacts on human health, air quality and global climate change (Lohmann and Feichter, 2005; Pope and Dockery, 2006; Stevens and Feingold, 2009). Current air quality standards are based on the particle mass concentrations. Current air quality measurements might be insufficient to permit assumptions to be drawn concerning the association between particle number and the detrimental health effects. New Considerations for Pm, Black Carbon and Particle Number Concentration for Air Quality. Particle Number Size Distributions in a Street. Canyon and Their Transformation into the Urban-Air Background: Measurements and a Simple Model.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
