Abstract
Abstract. We investigate the suitability of ELPI for condensation sink and ion sink measurements. The aim is to find the simple calibration factors by which the measured ELPI current can be converted to condensation or ion sinks. The calibration is based on DMPS and ELPI measurements within the period 15–25 May 2005 at a boreal forest site in Southern Finland. The values of condensation sink and ion sink were calculated from the DMPS size distributions using their theoretical definitions. After that the values were compared to theoretical and measured ELPI current, and calibration factors were specified. For condensation sink the calibration factor was found to be 7.27E-06 s−1 fA−1 and for ion sink 8.55E-06 s−1 fA−1. Simply by multiplying the total current of the outdoor ELPI by these factors, the values of condensation sink and ion sink can be measured.
Highlights
Aerosol particles are omnipresent in the Earth’s atmosphere and involved in many atmospheric prosecces affecting the global climate system
We have shown that electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI) is an instrument able to measure condensation sink and ion sink of atmospheric aerosol particles
We made calibrations based on the Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) and ELPI data measured in a boreal forest environment
Summary
Aerosol particles are omnipresent in the Earth’s atmosphere and involved in many atmospheric prosecces affecting the global climate system. The growth process of atmospheric aerosol particles is mainly condensational in the presence of condensable species, e.g. water and sulphuric acid with a low vapour pressure. In this respect, the concept of condensation sink (Pirjola et al, 1999; Kulmala et al, 2001) is useful. The surface-related quantities can be calculated from size distribution and concentration measured with (e.g.) Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) or Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS). We check this with experimental data and calculate calibration factors for both condensation sink and ion sink measurement
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