Saharan Dust Events Research Articles

Extreme Saharan dust events expand northward over the Atlantic and Europe, prompting record-breaking PM10 and PM2.5 episodes

Abstract. Unprecedented extreme Saharan dust (duxt) events have recently expanded northward from subtropical NW Africa to the Atlantic and Europe, with severe impacts on the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and continental Portugal. These six historic duxt episodes occurred on 3–5 and 22–29 February 2020, 15–21 February 2021, 14–17 January 2022, 29 January–1 February 2022, and 14–20 March 2022. We analyzed data of 341 governmental air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) in Spain (330) and Portugal (11), where PM10 and PM2.5 are measured with European norm (EN) standards, and found that during duxt events PM10 concentrations are underestimated due to technical limitations of some PM10 monitors meaning that they can not properly measure extremely high concentrations. We assessed the consistency of PM10 and PM2.5 data and reconstructed 1690 PM10 (1 h average) data points of 48 and 7 AQMSs in Spain and Portugal, respectively, by using our novel “duxt-r” method. During duxt events, 1 h average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were within the range 1000–6000 µg m−3 and 400–1200 µg m−3, respectively. The intense winds leading to massive dust plumes occurred within meteorological dipoles formed by a blocking anticyclone over western Europe and a cutoff low located to the southwest, near the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, or into the Sahara. These cyclones reached this region via two main paths: by deviating southward from the Atlantic mid-latitude westerly circulation or northward from the tropical belt. The analysis of the 2000–2022 PM10 and PM2.5 time series shows that these events have no precedent in this region. The 22–29 February 2020 event led to (24 h average) PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations within the range 600–1840 and 200–404 µg m−3, respectively, being the most intense dust episode ever recorded on the Canary Islands. The 14–20 March 2022 event led to (24 h average) PM10 and PM2.5 values within the range 500–3070 and 100–690 µg m−3 in southeastern Spain, 200–1000 and 60–260 µg m−3 in central Spain, 150–500 and 75–130 µg m−3 in the northern regions of mainland Spain, and within the ranges 200–650 and 30–70 µg m−3 in continental Portugal, respectively, being the most intense dust episode ever recorded in these regions. All duxt events occurred during meteorological anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere characterized by subtropical anticyclones shifting to higher latitudes, anomalous low pressure expanding beyond the tropical belt and amplified mid-latitude Rossby waves. New studies have reported on recent record-breaking PM10 and PM2.5 episodes linked to dipole-induced extreme dust events from North Africa and Asia in a paradoxical context of a multidecadal decrease in dust emissions, a topic that requires further investigation.

Biological and dust aerosols as sources of ice-nucleating particles in the eastern Mediterranean: source apportionment, atmospheric processing and parameterization

Abstract. Aerosol–cloud interactions in mixed-phase clouds (MPCs) are one of the most uncertain drivers of the hydrological cycle and climate change. A synergy of in situ, remote-sensing and modelling experiments were used to determine the source of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) for MPCs at Mount Helmos in the eastern Mediterranean. The influences of boundary layer turbulence, vertical aerosol distributions and meteorological conditions were also examined. When the observation site is in the free troposphere (FT), approximately 1 in ×106 aerosol particles serve as INPs around −25 °C. The INP abundance spans 3 orders of magnitude and increases in the following order: marine aerosols; continental aerosols; and, finally, dust plumes. Biological particles are important INPs observed in continental and marine aerosols, whereas they play a secondary, although important, role during Saharan dust events. Air masses in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) show both enriched INP concentrations and a higher proportion of INPs to total aerosol particles, compared with cases in the FT. The presence of precipitation/clouds enriches INPs in the FT but decreases INPs in the PBL. Additionally, new INP parameterizations are developed that incorporate the ratio of fluorescent-to-nonfluorescent or coarse-to-fine particles and predict >90 % of the observed INPs within an uncertainty range of a factor of 10; these new parameterizations exhibit better performance than current widely used parameterizations and allow ice formation in models to respond to variations in dust and biological particles. The improved parameterizations can help MPC formation simulations in regions with various INP sources or different regions with prevailing INP sources.

Large-Scale Network-Based Observations of a Saharan Dust Event across the European Continent in Spring 2022

Between 14 March and 21 April 2022, an extensive investigation of an extraordinary Saharan dust intrusion over Europe was performed based on lidar measurements obtained by the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). The dust episode was divided into two distinct periods, one in March and one in April, characterized by different dust transport paths. The dust aerosol layers were studied over 18 EARLINET stations, examining aerosol characteristics during March and April in four different regions (M-I, M-II, M-III, and M-IV and A-I, A-II, A-III, and A-IV, respectively), focusing on parameters such as aerosol layer thickness, center of mass (CoM), lidar ratio (LR), particle linear depolarization ratio (PLDR), and Ångström exponents (ÅE). In March, regions exhibited varying dust geometrical and optical properties, with mean CoM values ranging from approximately 3.5 to 4.8 km, and mean LR values typically between 36 and 54 sr. PLDR values indicated the presence of both pure and mixed dust aerosols, with values ranging from 0.20 to 0.32 at 355 nm and 0.24 to 0.31 at 532 nm. ÅE values suggested a range of particle sizes, with some regions showing a predominance of coarse particles. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) simulations from the NAAPS model indicated significant dust activity across Europe, with AOD values reaching up to 1.60. In April, dust aerosol layers were observed between 3.2 to 5.2 km. Mean LR values typically ranged from 35 to 51 sr at both 355 nm and 532 nm, while PLDR values confirmed the presence of dust aerosols, with mean values between 0.22 and 0.31 at 355 nm and 0.25 to 0.31 at 532 nm. The ÅE values suggested a mixture of particle sizes. The AOD values in April were generally lower, not exceeding 0.8, indicating a less intense dust presence compared to March. The findings highlight spatial and temporal variations in aerosol characteristics across the regions, during the distinctive periods. From 15 to 16 March 2022, Saharan dust significantly reduced UV-B radiation by approximately 14% over the ATZ station (Athens, GR). Backward air mass trajectories showed that the dust originated from the Western and Central Sahara when, during this specific case, the air mass trajectories passed over GRA (Granada, ES) and PAY (Payerne, CH) before reaching ATZ, maintaining high relative humidity and almost stable aerosol properties throughout its transport. Lidar data revealed elevated aerosol backscatter (baer) and PLDR values, combined with low LR and ÅE values, indicative of pure dust aerosols.

Atmospheric transport structures shaping the “Godzilla” dust plume

Saharan dust events, having great ecological and environmental impacts, are the largest producers of the world’s dust by far. Identifying the mechanisms by which the dust is transported across the Atlantic is crucial for obtaining a complete understanding of these important events. Of these events, the so-called “Godzilla” dust intrusion of June 2020 was the largest and most impactful in the last two decades and underwent a particularly interesting transport pattern. By uncovering dominant, organizing structures derived from the wind velocity fields, known as Lagrangian coherent structures, we demonstrate the ability to describe and qualitatively predict certain aspects related to the evolution of the dust plume as it traverses the atmosphere over the Atlantic. In addition, we identify regions of high hyperbolicity, leading to drastic changes in the shape of the plume and its eventual splitting. While these tools have been quite readily adopted by the oceanographic community, they have still yet to fully take hold in the atmospheric sciences and we aim to highlight some of the advantages over traditional atmospheric transport methods.

OPC-Pod: A New Sensor Payload to Measure Aerosol Particles for Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

Abstract Atmospheric aerosols affect human health and influence atmospheric and biological processes. Dust can be transported long distances in the atmosphere, and the mechanisms that influence dust transport are not fully understood. To improve the database for numerical models that simulate dust transport, measurements are needed that cover both the vertical distribution of the dust and its size distribution. In addition to measurements with crewed aircraft, uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) provide a particularly suitable platform for this purpose. In this paper, we present a payload for the small fixed-wing UAS of the type Multiple-Purpose Airborne Sensor Carrier 3 (MASC-3) for aerosol particle measurements that is based on the optical particle counter (OPC) OPC-N3 (Alphasense, United Kingdom), modified by the addition of a dryer and a passive aspiration system (OPC-Pod). Based on field tests with a reference instrument in Mannheim, Germany, wind tunnel tests, and a comparison measurement with the UAS-mounted aerosol particle measurement Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS) during a dust event over Cyprus, we show that the OPC-Pod can measure particle number concentrations in the range of 0.66–31 μm as well as particle size distributions. The agreement of the OPC-Pod with UCASS is good. Both instruments resolve a vertical profile of the Saharan dust event, with a prominent dust layer between 1500 and 2800 m MSL, with particle number concentrations up to 35 cm−3 for particles between 0.66 and 31 μm.

Characterization of dust aerosols from ALADIN and CALIOP measurements

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols have pronounced effects on climate at both regional and global scales, but the magnitude of these effects is subject to considerable uncertainties. A major contributor to these uncertainties is an incomplete understanding of the vertical structure of aerosol, largely due to observational limitations. Spaceborne lidars can directly observe the vertical distribution of aerosols globally and are increasingly used in atmospheric aerosol remote sensing. As the first spaceborne high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL), the Atmospheric LAser Doppler INstrument (ALADIN) on board the Aeolus satellite was operational from 2018 to 2023. ALADIN data can be used to estimate aerosol extinction and co-polar backscatter coefficients separately without an assumption of the lidar ratio. This study assesses the performance of ALADIN's aerosol retrieval capabilities by comparing them with Cloud-Aerosol LIdar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) measurements. A statistical analysis of retrievals from both instruments during the June 2020 Saharan dust event indicates consistency between the observed backscatter and extinction coefficients. During this extreme dust event, CALIOP-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) exhibited large discrepancies with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua measurements. Using collocated ALADIN observations to revise the dust lidar ratio to 63.5 sr, AODs retrieved from CALIOP are increased by 46 %, improving the comparison with MODIS data. The combination of measurements from ALADIN and CALIOP can enhance the tracking of aerosols' vertical transport. This study demonstrates the potential for spaceborne HSRL to retrieve aerosol optical properties. It highlights the benefits of spaceborne HSRL in directly obtaining the lidar ratio, significantly reducing uncertainties in extinction retrievals.

The influence of long-range transported Saharan dust on the inflammatory potency of ambient PM2.5 and PM10

Although desert dust promotes morbidity and mortality, it is exempt from regulations. Its health effects have been related to its inflammatory properties, which can vary between source regions. It remains unclear which constituents cause this variability. Moreover, whether long-range transported desert dust potentiates the hazardousness of local particulate matter (PM) is still unresolved. We aimed to assess the influence of long-range transported desert dust on the inflammatory potency of PM2.5 and PM10 collected in Cape Verde and to examine associated constituents.During a reference period and two Saharan dust events, 63 PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected at four sampling stations. The content of water-soluble ions, elements, and organic and elemental carbon was measured in all samples and endotoxins in PM10 samples. The PM-induced release of inflammatory cytokines from differentiated THP-1 macrophages was evaluated. The association of interleukin (IL)-1β release with PM composition was assessed using principal component (PC) regressions.PM2.5 from both dust events and PM10 from one event caused higher IL-1β release than PM from the reference period. PC regressions indicated an inverse relation of IL-1β release with sea spray ions in both size fractions and organic and elemental carbon in PM2.5. The PC with the higher regression coefficient suggested that iron and manganese may contribute to PM2.5-induced IL-1β release. Only during the reference period, endotoxin content strongly differed between sampling stations and correlated with inflammatory potency.Our results demonstrate that long-range transported desert dust amplifies the hazardousness of local air pollution and suggest that, in PM2.5, iron and manganese may be important. Our data indicate that endotoxins are contained in local and long-range transported PM10 but only explain the variability in inflammatory potency of local PM10. The increasing inflammatory potency of respirable and inhalable PM from desert dust events warrants regulatory measures and risk mitigation strategies.

WSOC in accumulation mode aerosols: Distribution and relationship with BrC light absorption at an urban background site

This paper presents the outcomes of a one-month long campaign (Jan 11, 2021 to Feb 11, 2021) of size segregated particulate matter (PM) in the accumulation mode (AM). Samples were collected at an urban background station (southeastern Iberian Peninsula) using a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). PM mass and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were subsequently measured. The main goals of this research were: (1) to explore differences in WSOC mass size distributions under different meteorological conditions and (2) to determine the most efficient size for light absorption by WSOC. For the second objective, measurements of absorption coefficients (σap,λ) were obtained by means of an Aethalometer (AE33). Significant differences in WSOC concentrations and σap,λ values during stagnation episodes compared to non-event days were observed. Increases in WSOC concentrations during these episodes were most likely associated with the photochemical production of secondary compounds (in small-size ranges of the AM) and with water uptake (in large-size ranges of the AM). The average σap,λ value during this type of event was 2.6 higher than for non-event days. No significant increases in WSOC levels were detected under Saharan dust events. The average contribution of BrC to light absorption at 370 nm was ∼35%, revealing a significant influence of BrC on the absorption process. High contributions from BrC to light absorption were associated with AAE values above 1.5 and, in general, with high WSOC concentrations. WSOC in the smallest size mode (0.25 μm) was mainly emitted from biomass burning (BB) and showed the highest light absorption efficiency.

Combined use of HYSPLIT model and MODIS aerosols optical depth to study the spatiotemporal circulation patterns of Saharan dust events over Central Europe

Mineral dust released from the desert region and transported into the atmosphere has a crucial impact on the Earth's climate system's biogeochemical cycle. It has serious adverse effects on human health. The Sahara is one of the world's dustiest areas. This investigation intends to uncover the underlying reasons for atmospheric dust dispersion throughout the year by tracking the dusttransport and deposition in Central Europe, focusing on arid areas of North Africa. In this paper, we use the GDAS (Global Data Assimilation System) archival meteorological database to compute the analytical forward trajectories and configure the particle concentrations using the HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model. Besides, we investigate the synoptic meteorological conditions of acute Saharan dust episodes to determine the dynamic atmospheric system during their onset. The forward trajectories reveal the seasonality of wind-blown dust throughout the year. Dust storms are typically more prevalent in the spring, with a second peak in the Summer. As a result, particle transport takes various paths as the seasons and climatic conditions change. The most dust-laden masses, which reach high altitudes from the source areas, are often transported to Central Europe, where their seasonal distribution is relatively similar to that of the studied African region. However, the intensity and frequency of Saharan dust events (SDEs) have significantly changed in the previous decades, with an increased number of intense winter storms. According to the synoptic analysis, this variability is strongly linked to two factors. (1) The intensity and lifetime variation of the Mediterranean cyclones and (2) Climate change triggered lee-side (Sharav) cyclogenesis modified by the topographic complexity of Atlas. This study also confirmed the effectiveness of the HYSPLIT model in simulating atmospheric dust after comparing it with annual aerosol optical depth measurements from MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data.

Chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosols at a high-altitude mountain site: a study of source apportionment

Abstract. The study of aerosols in high mountain regions is essential because particulate matter can play a role in altering the energy balance of high mountain regions, and aerosols can accelerate glacier melting in high mountain areas by darkening the ice surface, reducing its reflectivity (albedo). Studying aerosols in high mountain areas provides insights into long-range transport of pollutants, atmospheric dynamics, and climate change impacts. These regions can serve as valuable observatories for studying atmospheric processes. The main aim of this paper is to define the main sources of aerosols over an entire year of sampling at the Col Margherita Atmospheric Observatory (MRG; 46°22′0.059′′ N, 11°47′30.911′′ E; 2543 m a.s.l.), a high-altitude background site in the eastern Italian Alps. Here, we discuss the potential origins of more than 100 chemical markers (major ions, water-soluble organic compounds, trace elements, and rare earth elements) using different approaches. Some diagnostic ratios were applied, but source apportionment using positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to define the main inputs of PM10 collected at this high-altitude site, resulting in the identification of four factors: (1) Saharan dust events, (2) long-range marine/anthropogenic influence, (3) biogenic sources, and (4) biomass-burning and anthropogenic emissions. It can be inferred that, despite the distant location of the Col Margherita site, both regional pollution and long-range anthropogenic pollution have discernible effects on this area.

Influence of Saharan Dust on the Composition of Urban Aerosols in Palermo City (Italy)

The Mediterranean Basin is involved in a recurring phenomenon wherein air masses laden with dust from North Africa impact the southern regions of the European continent. Saharan dust has been associated with increased mortality and respiratory symptoms. Palermo is a large coastal city, and in addition to the impact of desert dust particles, it has a mixture of anthropogenic sources of pollutants. In this study, we collected Saharan dust samples during August 2022 and October 2023, following a high-intensity Saharan dust event, and measured concentrations of 33 major and trace elements as well as Rare Earth Elements (REE). The mineralogical characterization of the deposition dust collected during Saharan events revealed calcite, dolomite, quartz, and clay minerals. The presence of palygorskite is indicative of Saharan events. Seven elements (Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, Fe, K, and Na) account for 98% of the total analyzed inorganic burden. Elemental ratios are valuable tools in atmospheric sciences for estimating sources of air masses. The results highlight that the city of Palermo is mainly affected by dust from the north-western Sahara.

Atmospheric heating in the US from saharan dust: Tracking the June 2020 event with surface and satellite observations

In June 2020, a record level of Saharan dust was transported across the Atlantic Ocean impacting air quality in the Caribbean Basin and the United States (US). Satellite images showed the transport, while a series of ground-based monitoring stations captured the surface impacts as the Saharan dust was transported to the Caribbean basin and then moved into the Southern (Houston, Texas; WL), Eastern (Bone, North Carolina; APP) and Midwestern (Bondville, Illinois; BND) US. The present study characterizes the Saharan dust event (SDE) using a comprehensive set of satellite observations and in-situ measurements of particulate matter (PM), and aerosol optical properties (AOPs; σscat: scattering coefficient, σabs: absorption coefficient, SAE: scattering Ångström exponent and AAE: absorption Ångström exponent). The Saharan dust intrusion was identified at each site by a marked increase in σscat, and AAE and a simultaneous decrease in SAE. A maximum hourly average PM2.5 concentration and σscat (525 nm) of 97.5 μg m−3 and 190 Mm−1 was observed at WL during the SDE. The maximum hourly average σscat (550 nm) for PM10 size cut of 215 and 66.9 Mm−1 was observed at APP and BND, respectively, during the SDE. The AAE at each site reached above 1.3 with an average value of 1.39 ± 0.35, 3.34 ± 0.56 and 1.65 ± 0.27 at WL, APP, and BND, respectively, during the SDE, whereas the average SAE dropped below 0.5 at WL and APP and below 0.9 at BND. The results demonstrated that the identification of SDE using AOPs depends largely on the location of the measurement, which determines the background characteristics of a site. The results suggest that other intensive AOPs like asymmetry parameter (g) and single scattering albedo Ångström exponent (SSAAE) can also be exploited to characterize SDE. Aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) estimates indicate that the SDE resulted in the heating of the atmosphere (+5.37 to +11.8 W m−2) at the rate of 0.11–0.24 K day−1 at the US sites. This atmospheric heating from transported Saharan dust can alter the regional atmospheric dynamics and is relevant to understand potential changes in regional climate.

Aerosol–cloud–radiation interaction during Saharan dust episodes: the dusty cirrus puzzle

Abstract. Dusty cirrus clouds are extended optically thick cirrocumulus decks that occur during strong mineral dust events. So far they have mostly been documented over Europe associated with dust-infused baroclinic storms. Since today's global numerical weather prediction models neither predict mineral dust distributions nor consider the interaction of dust with cloud microphysics, they cannot simulate this phenomenon. We postulate that the dusty cirrus forms through a mixing instability of moist clean air with drier dusty air. A corresponding sub-grid parameterization is suggested and tested in the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic model with Aerosol and Reactive Trace gases (ICON-ART). Only with the help of this parameterization is ICON-ART able to simulate the formation of the dusty cirrus, which leads to substantial improvements in cloud cover and radiative fluxes compared to simulations without this parameterization. A statistical evaluation over six Saharan dust events with and without observed dusty cirrus shows robust improvements in cloud and radiation scores. The ability to simulate dusty cirrus formation removes the linear dependency on mineral dust aerosol optical depth from the bias of the radiative fluxes. For the six Saharan dust episodes investigated in this study, the formation of dusty cirrus clouds is the dominant aerosol–cloud–radiation effect of mineral dust over Europe.

WRF‐CHEM Simulations of Unhealthy PM10 Concentrations During Four Dust Events in Senegal

AbstractWinter season Saharan dust aerosols are transported into West Africa and pose as a natural hazard with individual dust events significantly reducing air quality. We simulate four multi‐day dust events using the Weather, Research and Forecasting Chemistry (WRF‐CHEM) in Senegal during December 2016, December 2017, February 2019, and March 2019. We use Geospatial Informational System mapping to estimate PM10 concentrations for the 14 administrative districts within Senegal. Saharan dust events are evaluated using surface PM10 concentrations at Dakar, Senegal, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer Aerosol Optical Depth, Aerosol Robotic Network, and the WRF‐CHEM model to evaluate dust concentrations across Senegal. We show that a north to south pressure gradient associated with the southward movement of the Azores high into North Africa are responsible for dust generation and transport into Senegal during 2016 and 2017. Conversely, Saharan depressions moving across the Sahara Desert are responsible for the two high‐impact dust events in February and March of 2019. Based on our analysis, the most severe of the four dust events impacting Senegal occurred in December 2017, with hazardous PM10 concentrations simulated for 7 days affecting an estimated 86% of Senegal's population. Furthermore, the February 2019 dust event occurred during the presidential elections, potentially exposing many voters to poor air quality. A network of surface dust observations and dust forecasts are critical for protecting the Sahelian public from dangerous dust events. Together, they allow for preventative measures to minimize harmful PM10 concentration exposure, especially for children under 5, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Case Study of the Saharan Dust Effects on PM10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in Budapest in March 2022

The Earth's climatic system is greatly dependent on atmospheric mineral dust. Dust particles are regarded as one of the less well-known contributors to recent climatic changes, much like other aerosol constituents. Fifty to seventy percent of the world's budget for mineral dust comes from the Sahara Desert areas. These sources can produce dust-loaded air masses that can travel great distances and affect many parts of the world including Europe, the Middle East, North and South America. In March 2022 Europe faced two Saharan Dust storms (14-19 and 28-31), that affected many countries including Hungary. We used registered measurements of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations from urban background air quality station in Budapest and MONARCH model to assess the effects of the two Saharan Dust storms on Budapest. As measured by daily average concentrations, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations rose by 12 µg/m3 and 10 µg/m3 respectively during the first Saharan Dust event (SDE1), and by 14 µg/m3 and 5 µg/m3 during the Second Saharan Dust event (SDE2). While the effects of both SDEs on PM10 were nearly identical, SDE1 had a greater impact on PM2.5 concentrations than SDE2. Moreover, the dust load arriving to Budapest as estimated by the MONARCH model was higher in the SDE1 (1.26 g/m3), and that was associated with high values of dust surface concentration and Dust optical depth (243.1 µg/m3 and 0.71).

Aerosol Characterization with Long-Term AERONET Sun-Photometer Measurements in the Naples Mediterranean Area

We report on the characterization of columnar aerosol optical and microphysical properties in the Naples Mediterranean area over a period of five years by the ground-based sun–sky–lunar photometer operating at our observational station in the frame of the AERONET network. Statistical and climatological analyses of daily mean values of aerosol optical depth at 440 nm (AOD440) and Ångström exponent at 440/870 nm (α440/870) allowed for highlighting their typical seasonal behavior. In particular, we observe higher mean values of the AOD440 during summer or spring, which are consistent with an increased frequency of both Saharan dust transport events and biomass burning episodes affecting the measurement area in these periods of the year. Conversely, α440/870 does not show any typical seasonal trend. In order to gain information on the different aerosol contributions along the atmospheric column, the frequency distributions of AOD440 and α440/870 were analyzed and fitted by a superposition of Gaussian functions. The most populated modes are centered at α440/870 = 1.26 ± 0.07 and AOD440 = 0.16 ± 0.01. These values are associated with continental polluted aerosol mixed with sea salt aerosol and correspond to the background conditions typically observed in clear atmospheric conditions. Daily size distributions averaged over each month highlight that the fine aerosol component always prevails over the coarse fraction, except for the few months in which Saharan dust events are particularly frequent. Finally, the mean value of the SSA at 440 nm resulted as 0.94 ± 0.05, while the refractive index real and imaginary part were 1.47 ± 0.07 and (6.5 ± 0.2) × 10−3, respectively. These values are in agreement with those observed in other Mediterranean sites located in Southern Italy, evidencing a rather characteristic feature of the geographical region.

Temporal trends in ambient fine particulate matter and the impacts of COVID-19 on this pollutant in Grenada, West Indies

ABSTRACT Most Caribbean islands do not have air pollution surveillance programs. Those who live in these countries are exposed to ambient air pollution from a variety of sources including motor vehicles, ocean-going vessels, and Saharan dust. We conducted an air sampling exposure study in Grenada to describe daily changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, and during Saharan dust episodes. Further, we assessed the impacts of COVID-19 public health interventions on PM2.5 concentrations in 2020. Four fixed-site PurpleAir monitors were installed throughout Grenada, and one on the neighboring island of Carriacou. PM2.5 was measured between January 6 and December 31, 2020. We classified each of these days based on whether COVID-19 public health mitigation measures were in place or not. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize fluctuations in PM2.5, and we assessed the impacts of public health restrictions on PM2.5 using multivariate regression. The mean daily PM2.5 concentration in 2020 was 4.4 μg/m3. During the study period, the minimum daily PM2.5 concentration was 0.7 μg/m3, and the maximum was 20.4 μg/m3. Daily mean PM2.5 concentrations more than doubled on Saharan dust days (8.5 vs 3.6 μg/m3; p < 0.05). The daily mean PM2.5 concentrations were estimated to be 1.2 μg/m3 lower when COVID-19 restrictions were in effect. Ambient PM2.5 concentrations in Grenada are relatively low compared to other countries; however, Saharan dust episodes represent an important source of exposure. Low-cost sensors provide an opportunity to increase surveillance of air pollution in the Caribbean, however their value could be enhanced with the development of correction algorithms that more closely approximate values from reference-grade monitors. Implications: This study describes daily fluctuations in ambient PM2.5 concentrations in Grenada in 2020. Overall, concentrations of PM2.5 were low; however, we found that Saharan dust events cause daily exceedances in PM2.5 above the current 24-hr limits of the World Health Organization. Moreover, the constructed models suggest that public health interventions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 reduced PM2.5 concentrations by 27%.

Aerosol characteristics and polarimetric signatures for a deep convective storm over the northwestern part of Europe – modeling and observations

Abstract. The Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform (TSMP) was extended with a chemical transport model and polarimetric radar forward operator to enable detailed studies of aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions. The model was used at kilometer-scale (convection-permitting) resolution to simulate a deep convective storm event over Germany which produced large hail, high precipitation, and severe damaging winds. The ensemble model simulation was, in general, able to capture the storm structure, its evolution, and the spatial pattern of accumulated precipitation. However, the model was found to underestimate regions of high accumulated precipitation (&gt; 35 mm) and convective area fraction in the early period of the storm. While the model tends to simulate too high reflectivity in the downdraft region of the storm above the melting layer (mostly contributed by graupel), the model also simulates very weak polarimetric signatures in this region, when compared to the radar observations. The above findings remained almost unchanged when using a narrower cloud drop size distribution (CDSD) acknowledging the missing feedback between aerosol physical and chemical properties and CDSD shape parameters. The kilometer-scale simulation showed that the strong updraft in the convective core produces aerosol-tower-like features, increasing the aerosol number concentrations and hence increasing the cloud droplet number concentration and reducing the mean cloud drop size. This could also be a source of discrepancy between the simulated polarimetric features like differential reflectivity (ZDR) and specific differential-phase (KDP) columns along the vicinity of the convective core compared to the X-band radar observations. However, the use of narrow CDSD did improve the simulation of ZDR columns. Besides, the evaluation of simulated trace gases and aerosols was encouraging; however, a low bias was observed for aerosol optical depth (AOD), which could be partly linked to an underestimation of dust mass in the forcing data associated with a Saharan dust event. This study illustrates the importance and the additional complexity associated with the inclusion of chemistry transport model when studying aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions. But, along with polarimetric radar data for model evaluation, it allows us to identify and better constrain the traditional two-moment bulk cloud microphysical schemes used in the numerical weather prediction models for weather and climate.

Air quality assessment in biosphere reserves close to emission sources. The case of the Spanish “Tablas de Daimiel” national park

This work shows that biosphere reserves, national parks and other protected natural areas require in situ tools to monitor and detect local and remote air pollution sources which are a threat to flora, fauna water and soil. Industries in surrounding areas, traffic and long-range transport of air pollution, can change with time and meteorology and so each national park should also have a historical database of the air quality in the site. This study reports surface measurements of ozone, NO, NO2, CO, SO2 and PM2.5 acquired from March 2020 to July 2021 in “Las Tablas de Daimiel”, a wetland Mediterranean National Park bordered by different cities and new industries in the field of the revalorization of agricultural wastes. Simultaneous data from a background station in a rural area isolated from air pollution are considered as reference.Twelve campaigns of one week duration were also performed to sample air in sorbent tubes to analyse volatile organic compounds from anthropogenic sources. Data are discussed considering meteorology, especially wind speed and direction together with the assessment of back-trajectories of air masses from distant sources. The results show that the effects of pollution from local and faraway sources on air quality in the park were weak. Thus, except for the high levels of ozone, with a mean value of 71 μg.m−3, measured mass loadings for pollutants were low and not in exceedance of the air quality standards. Saharan dust events were frequent and contributed to PM2.5 levels in the site. NOx and SO2 average concentrations (3.2 and 0.4 μg.m−3, respectively) were below the recommended critical levels for vegetation and all the quantified VOCs were found in average concentration levels below 0.5 μg.m−3.

Simultaneous Monitoring of Outdoor PAHs and Particles in a French Peri-Urban Site during COVID Restrictions and the Winter Saharan Dust Event

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate matter (PM) in air is known to provoke deleterious effects on human health. This work focused on the monitoring of PM and PAHs in the air over four weeks in a peri-urban site in Strasbourg (France), using a three-stage cascade impactor and a particle analyser allowing PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 discrimination. Meteorological conditions were monitored to study their influence on the pollutant levels. The average PM10 concentration of the cascade impactor and particle analyser varied from 11.8 to 80.2 µg/m3 and 10.6 to 220.2 µg/m3, respectively. The PAH total concentration ranged in 1.1–7.6 ng/m3 and a predominance of 5- and 6-ring PAHs was observed. PAHs were also more abundant in finer particles (PM1). Specifically, identified PAHs are traffic tracers suggesting that vehicular emission was one of its main sources. Two pollution episodes, associated with either a Saharan dust wind episode or traffic pollution, were observed, and led to PM10 and PM2.5 surpassing the daily limit values established by the European Union despite the traffic limitations according to the COVID restrictions. The total PAH concentrations were the highest during these periods suggesting PAHs might be bound to and transported via dust particles.