Abstract
Abstract. Measurements of the ambient aerosol were performed at the Southern coast of Spain, within the framework of the DOMINO (Diel Oxidant Mechanisms In relation to Nitrogen Oxides) project. The field campaign took place from 20 November until 9 December 2008 at the atmospheric research station "El Arenosillo" (37°5'47.76" N, 6°44'6.94" W). As the monitoring station is located at the interface between a natural park, industrial cities (Huelva, Seville) and the Atlantic Ocean, a variety of physical and chemical parameters of aerosols and gas phase could be characterized in dependency on the origin of air masses. Backwards trajectories were examined and compared with local meteorology to classify characteristic air mass types for several source regions. Aerosol number and mass as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon concentrations were measured in PM1 and size distributions were registered covering a size range from 7 nm up to 32 μm. The chemical composition of the non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) was measured by means of an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (Aerodyne HR-ToF-AMS). Gas phase analyzers monitored various trace gases (O3, SO2, NO, NO2, CO2) and a weather station provided meteorological parameters. Lowest average submicron particle mass and number concentrations were found in air masses arriving from the Atlantic Ocean with values around 2 μg m−3 and 1000 cm−3. These mass concentrations were about two to four times lower than the values recorded in air masses of continental and urban origins. For some species PM1-fractions in marine air were significantly larger than in air masses originating from Huelva, a closely located city with extensive industrial activities. The largest fraction of sulfate (54%) was detected in marine air masses and was to a high degree not neutralized. In addition, small concentrations of methanesulfonic acid (MSA), a product of biogenic dimethyl sulfate (DMS) emissions, could be identified in the particle phase. In all air masses passing the continent the organic aerosol fraction dominated the total NR-PM1. For this reason, using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) four organic aerosol (OA) classes that can be associated with various aerosol sources and components were identified: a highly-oxygenated OA is the major component (43% OA) while semi-volatile OA accounts for 23%. A hydrocarbon-like OA mainly resulting from industries, traffic and shipping emissions as well as particles from wood burning emissions also contribute to total OA and depend on the air mass origin. A significant variability of ozone was observed that depends on the impact of different air mass types and solar radiation.
Highlights
Studying tropospheric aerosols is becoming increasingly important as they influence the Earth’s climate (IPCC, 2007), continental, urban and marine ecosystems and visibilityPublished by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.J.-M
The aim of our study is to evaluate typical values and the variability of aerosol, trace gas and meteorological parameters using measurements with the mobile laboratory (MoLa) at the interface of marine, urban and continentally influenced air masses in Southern Spain
The advantage compared to summer measurements in this region is a well-defined origin of air masses with lower disturbances by intensive photochemistry and recirculation periods, which, affect the aerosol and trace gas phenomenology and contribute to a more complex study scenario
Summary
Studying tropospheric aerosols is becoming increasingly important as they influence the Earth’s climate (IPCC, 2007), continental, urban and marine ecosystems and visibilityJ.-M. Diesch et al.: Variability of aerosol, gaseous pollutants and meteorological characteristics (Querol et al, 2009) In addition they can have a significant influence on human health (Pope and Dockery, 2006). To study the influence of natural and anthropogenic pollutants emitted by local and regional sources, measurement campaigns at remote sites are required where the complex mixture of components in the atmosphere can be observed. This mixture depends on the various source regions influencing the measurement site as well as their distance, since chemical and physical processing takes place in an air mass during transport. There are several large towns and cities, the largest of them Seville, important ports like the one of Huelva, as well as large agricultural plantations and forests
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