Total Dust Mass Research Articles

Magnetic properties and load of potentially toxic heavy metals carried by the coarse and fine fractions of indoor dust

The granulometric fractions of indoor dust, categorized as coarse (grain size of 1.00–0.071 mm) and fine (grain size <0.071 mm), were investigated to discern variations in their magnetic properties and contents of potentially toxic heavy metals. Monthly dust samples were gathered from January 2021 to December 2022 from a private apartment situated on the outskirts of a large urban agglomeration (Warsaw, Poland). To assess indoor dust, several magnetic parameters, including mass-specific magnetic susceptibility, were employed. Portable X-ray fluorescence measurements were utilized to evaluate the enrichment of granulometric fractions in harmful heavy metals. The study reveals a comparable composition of magnetic minerals irrespective of grain size (magnetite and metallic iron), with variations observed in the domain state of magnetic particles (contribution of single-domain (SD) grains to multi-domain (MD)). Seasonal fluctuations were predominantly noted in the distribution of the fine fraction's mass during the warm season (May–July). A notable increase was observed in the fine fraction's mass contribution to the total dust mass compared to the winter season (December and February). The fine fraction was highly enriched in toxic metals, including Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Sr. Pollution Load index is 6–8 for the fine fraction and 2–8 for the coarse fraction. The increase in the fine fraction mass induces linear changes in magnetic susceptibility, likely associated with the rise in anthropogenic magnetic particles. This finding holds significant implications for human health, as fine particles laden with toxic heavy metals can enter the human respiratory tract causing adverse health effects.

Modeling Dust Production, Growth, and Destruction in Reionization-era Galaxies with the CROC Simulations. II. Predicting the Dust Content of High-redshift Galaxies

We model the interstellar dust content of the reionization era with a suite of cosmological, fluid-dynamical simulations of galaxies with stellar masses ranging from ∼105 to 109 M ⊙ in the first 1.2 Gyr of the Universe. We use a post-processing method that accounts for dust creation and destruction processes, allowing us to systematically vary the parameters of these processes to test whether dust-dependent observable quantities of galaxies at these epochs could be useful for placing constraints on dust physics. We then forward model observable properties of these galaxies to compare to existing data. We find that we are unable to simultaneously match existing observational constraints with any one set of model parameters. Specifically, the models that predict the largest dust masses D/Z ≳ 0.1 at z = 5—because of high assumed production yields and/or efficient growth via accretion in the interstellar medium—are preferred by constraints on total dust mass and infrared (IR) luminosities, but these models produce far too much attenuation in the ultraviolet (UV), preventing them from matching observations of β UV. To investigate this discrepancy, we analyze the relative spatial distribution of stars and dust as probed by IR and UV emission, which appear to exhibit overly symmetric morphologies compared to existing data, likely due to the limitations of the stellar feedback model used in the simulations. Our results indicate that the observable properties of the dust distribution in high redshift galaxies are a particularly strong test of stellar feedback.

Into the thick of it: ALMA 0.45 mm observations of HL Tau at a resolution of 2 au

To comprehend the efficiency of dust evolution within protoplanetary disks, it is crucial to conduct studies of these disks using high-resolution observations at multiple wavelengths with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). In this work, we present high-frequency ALMA observations of the HL Tau disk using its Band 9 centered at a wavelength of 0.45 mm. These observations achieve the highest angular resolution in a protoplanetary disk to date, 12 milliarcseconds (mas), allowing the study of the dust emission at scales of 2 au. We used these data to extend the previously published multiwavelength analysis of the HL Tau disk, constraining the dust temperature, dust surface density, and maximum grain size throughout the disk. We performed this modeling for compact solid dust particles as well as for porous particles. Our new 0.45 mm data mainly trace optically thick emission, providing a tight constraint to the dust temperature profile. We derive maximum particle sizes of $ cm from the inner disk to $ au. Beyond this radius, we find particles between 300 mu m and 1 mm. The total dust mass of the disk is 2.1 J $ with compact grains, and it increases to 6.3 M$_ J $ assuming porous particles. Moreover, an intriguing asymmetry is observed at 32 au in the northeast inner part of the HL Tau disk at 0.45 mm. We propose that this asymmetry is the outcome of a combination of factors, including the optically thick nature of the emission, the orientation of the disk, and a relatively large dust scale height of the grains that is preferentially traced at 0.45 mm. To validate this, we conducted a series of radiative transfer models using the software RADMC-3D. Our models varying dust masses and scale heights successfully replicate the observed asymmetry in the HL Tau disk. If this scenario is correct, our measured dust mass within 32 au would suggest a dust scale height H/R$&gt;0.08$ for the inner disk. Finally, the unprecedented resolution allowed us to probe the dust emission down to scales of a few au for the first time. We observed an increase in brightness temperature inside the estimated water snowline, and we speculate whether this might indicate a traffic-jam effect in the inner disk. Our results show that 0.45 mm observations of protoplanetary disks can be used to robustly constrain the radial profile of their dust temperature. Additionally, the higher optical depths at this wavelength can be used to constrain the vertical scale height of the dust. Finally, these higher frequencies allow us to reach higher spatial resolutions, which have the potential to resolve the region within the water snowline in disks.

Research and application of bag filter system for railway ballast bed coal suction vehicles: An optimization and application study.

The current bag filter system used by railway ballast bed coal suction vehicles for cleaning coal dust from railway tunnels has low operational efficiency and generates significant volumes of dust. This paper describes a simulation test unit designed to enhance the dust removal performance in railway tunnels. The flow field inside the simulation test unit is investigated under different operating conditions through numerical simulations, and the variations in air volume and working resistance, total dust collection efficiency, and optimal operating parameters of a pulse cleaning system are identified through a series of experiments. The numerical results show that the pulse cleaning system does not significantly affect the uniformity of the flow field distribution at the bottom of the filter cartridge during the process of operation. The experimental research indicates that the simulation test unit satisfies the design requirements, achieving an average total dust removal efficiency of 99.93%. A field application shows that the total dust mass concentration at the operator position can be reduced from 335.8 mg∙m-3 to 4.2 mg∙m-3, effectively improving the operating environment within the tunnel.

TOI-4201: An Early M Dwarf Hosting a Massive Transiting Jupiter Stretching Theories of Core Accretion* *This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.

We confirm TOI-4201 b as a transiting Jovian-mass planet orbiting an early M dwarf discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Using ground-based photometry and precise radial velocities from NEID and the Planet Finder Spectrograph, we measure a planet mass of 2.59−0.06+0.07 M J, making this one of the most massive planets transiting an M dwarf. The planet is ∼0.4% of the mass of its 0.63 M ⊙ host and may have a heavy-element mass comparable to the total dust mass contained in a typical class II disk. TOI-4201 b stretches our understanding of core accretion during the protoplanetary phase and the disk mass budget, necessitating giant planet formation to take place either much earlier in the disk lifetime or perhaps through alternative mechanisms like gravitational instability.

Exploring the interstellar medium of NGC 891 at millimeter wavelengths using the NIKA2 camera

In the framework of the IMEGIN Large Program, we used the NIKA2 camera on the IRAM 30-m telescope to observe the edge-on galaxy NGC 891 at 1.15 mm and 2 mm and at a FWHM of 11.1” and 17.6”, respectively. Multiwavelength data enriched with the new NIKA2 observations fitted by the HerBIE SED code (coupled with the THEMIS dust model) were used to constrain the physical properties of the ISM. Emission originating from the diffuse dust disk is detected at all wavelengths from mid-IR to mm. while mid-lR observations reveal warm dust emission from compact H II regions. Indications of mm excess emission have also been found in the outer parts of the galactic disk. Furthermore, our SED fitting analysis constrained the mass fraction of the small (&lt; 15 Å) dust grains. We found that small grains constitute 9.5% of the total dust mass in the galactic plane, but this fraction increases up to ~ 20% at large distances (|z| &gt; 3 kpc) from the galactic plane.

Quantitative analysis of the Martian atmospheric dust cycle: Transported mass, surface dust lifting and sedimentation rates

The atmospheric dust cycle on Mars plays a dominant role in the planetary radiative balance, atmospheric photochemistry escape, and redistribution of materials on the surface. Although this planetary dust cycle has been extensively modelled and characterized with both orbital and in situ observations, to date little is known about the total mass of dust that is circulated, the actual dust lifting and settling rates, and the main dust sources and sinks. Using orbital global and seasonal measurements of atmospheric dust opacity, a data reduction methodology that can describe the annual dust redistribution cycle on a planetary scale with 95% accuracy is presented. The method was applied to the 9.3 μm infrared observations of the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) aboard the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) during two full Martian Years (MY) 25 and 26, and partly MY 24 and MY 27, disregarding the global dust storm that occurred in MY 25. By comparison with terrestrial observations, a mass-to-extinction conversion factor of 1.9 ± 0.3 g m−2 is proposed, assuming a dust density of 2.6 g cm−3. The analysis shows an estimation of 400 1012 g of dust transported globally in the atmosphere for a typical Mars year, which is comparable to the minimum total annual mass of dust transported on Earth. The methodology proposed here is based on remote sensing and cannot disentangle completely local surface lifting and sedimentation rates from dust advection. However, this analysis provides upper bounds which can be compared with in-situ observations. The analysis of the dust sedimentation cycle suggests that the annual cycle might produce a dust layer of about 50–100 μm on the surface of some particular zones, as Valle Marineris or Meridiani Planum. This estimation agrees with in-situ observations of rovers on Mars. The potential dust sources are mainly located from latitudes of 20°S to 60°S. Our results find the 70% of the sources previously identified by the existing planetary circulation models. This kind of large-scale analysis can be applied to other remote sensing observations to refine these calculations and study the annual and geographical variability of the dust-mass transport on Mars.

The stratification of ISM properties in the edge-on galaxy NGC 891 revealed by NIKA2

Context. As the millimeter wavelength range remains a largely unexplored spectral region for galaxies, the IMEGIN large program aims to map the millimeter continuum emission of 22 nearby galaxies at 1.15 and 2 mm. Aims. Using the high-resolution maps produced by the NIKA2 camera, we explore the existence of very cold dust and take possible contamination by free–free and synchrotron emission into account. We study the IR-to-radio emission coming from different regions along the galactic plane and at large vertical distances. Methods. New observations of NGC 891, using the NIKA2 camera on the IRAM 30 m telescope, along with a suite of observations at other wavelengths were used to perform a multiwavelength study of the spectral energy distribution in the interstellar medium in this galaxy. This analysis was performed globally and locally, using the advanced hierarchical Bayesian fitting code, HerBIE, coupled with the THEMIS dust model. Results. Our dust modeling is able to reproduce the near-IR to millimeter emission of NGC 891, with the exception of an excess at a level of 25% obtained by the NIKA2 observations in the outermost parts of the disk. The radio continuum and thermal dust emission are distributed differently in the disk and galaxy halo. Different dusty environments are also revealed by a multiwavelength investigation of the emission features. Our detailed decomposition at millimeter and centimeter wavelengths shows that emission at 1 mm is purely originated by dust. Radio components become progressively important with increasing wavelengths. Finally, we find that emission arising from small dust grains accounts for ∼9.5% of the total dust mass, reaching up to 20% at large galactic latitudes. Shock waves in the outflows that shatter the dust grains might explain this higher fraction of small grains in the halo. Conclusions. NIKA2 observations have proven essential for a complete characterization of the interstellar medium in NGC 891. They have been critical to separate the dust, free–free, and synchrotron emission in the various emitting regions within the galaxy.

The IR Compactness of Dusty Galaxies Sets Star Formation and Dust Properties at z ∼ 0–2

The surface densities of gas, dust, and stars provide a window into the physics of star formation that, until the advent of high-resolution far-IR/submillimeter observations, has been historically difficult to assess among dusty galaxies. To study the link between IR surface densities and dust properties, we leverage the Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array archive to measure the extent of cold dust emission in 15 z ∼ 2 IR-selected galaxies selected on the basis of having available mid-IR spectroscopy from Spitzer. We use the mid-IR spectra to constrain the relative balance between dust heating from star formation and active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and to measure emission from polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), small dust grains that play a key role in the photoelectric heating of gas. In general, we find that dust-obscured star formation at high IR surface densities exhibits similar properties at low and high redshift, namely, local luminous IR galaxies (LIRGs) have comparable PAH luminosity to total dust mass ratios as high-z galaxies, and star formation at z ∼ 0–2 is more efficient at high IR surface densities despite the fact that our sample of high-z galaxies is closer to the main sequence than local LIRGs. High star formation efficiencies are coincident with a decline in the PAH-to-IR luminosity ratio reminiscent of the deficit observed in far-IR fine-structure lines. Changes in the gas and dust conditions arising from high star formation surface densities might help drive the star formation efficiency up. This could help explain the high efficiencies needed to reconcile star formation and gas volume densities in dusty galaxies at cosmic noon.

Sudden Extreme Obscuration of a Sun-like Main-sequence Star: Evolution of the Circumstellar Dust around ASASSN-21qj

ASASSN-21qj is a distant Sun-like star that recently began an episode of deep dimming events after no prior recorded variability. Here we examine archival and newly obtained optical and near-infrared data of this star. The deep aperiodic dimming and absence of previous infrared excess are reminiscent of KIC 8462852 (“Boyajian’s Star”). The observed occultations are consistent with a circumstellar cloud of submicron-sized dust grains composed of amorphous pyroxene, with a minimum mass of 1.50 ± 0.04 × 10−9 M ⊕ derived from the deepest occultations, and a minimum grain size of assuming a power-law size distribution. We further identify the first evidence of near-infrared excess in this system from NEOWISE 3.4 and 4.6 μm observations. The excess emission implies a total circumstellar dust mass of around 10−6 M ⊕, comparable to the extreme, variable disks associated with terrestrial planet formation around young stars. The quasiperiodic recurrence of deep dips and the inferred dust temperature (ranging from 1800 to 700 K across the span of observations) independently point to an orbital distance of ≃0.2 au for the dust, supporting the occulting material and excess emission being causally linked. The origin of this extended, opaque cloud is surmised to be the breakup of one or more exocometary bodies.

The Subtle Effects of Mergers on Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies

Interactions and mergers play an important role in regulating the physical properties of galaxies, such as their morphology, gas content, and star formation rate (SFR). Controversy exists as to the degree to which these events, even gas-rich major mergers, enhance star formation activity. We study merger pairs selected from a sample of massive (M * ≥ 1010 M ⊙), low-redshift (z = 0.01–0.11) galaxies located in the Stripe 82 region of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, using stellar masses, SFRs, and total dust masses derived from a new set of uniformly measured panchromatic photometry and spectral energy distribution analysis. The dust masses, when converted to equivalent total atomic and molecular hydrogen, probe gas masses as low as ∼108.5 M ⊙. Our measurements delineate a bimodal distribution on the M gas–M * plane: the gas-rich, star-forming galaxies that trace the well-studied gas mass main sequence, and passive galaxies that occupy a distinct, gas-poor regime. These two populations, in turn, map into a bimodal distribution on the relation between SFR and gas mass surface density. Among low-redshift galaxies, galaxy mergers, including those that involve gas-rich and nearly equal-mass galaxies, exert a minimal impact on their SFR, specific SFR, or star formation efficiency. Starbursts are rare. The star formation efficiency of gas-rich, minor mergers even appears suppressed. This study stresses the multiple, complex factors that influence the evolution of the gas and its ability to form stars in mergers.

Characterization of the Ejecta from the NASA/DART Impact on Dimorphos: Observations and Monte Carlo Models

The NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft successfully crashed on Dimorphos, the secondary component of the binary (65803) Didymos system. Following the impact, a large dust cloud was released, and a long-lasting dust tail developed. We have extensively monitored the dust tail from the ground and the Hubble Space Telescope. We provide a characterization of the ejecta dust properties, i.e., particle size distribution and ejection speeds, ejection geometric parameters, and mass, by combining both observational data sets and using Monte Carlo models of the observed dust tail. The size distribution function that best fits the imaging data is a broken power law having a power index of –2.5 for particles of r ≤ 3 mm and –3.7 for larger particles. The particles range in size from 1 μm up to 5 cm. The ejecta is characterized by two components, depending on velocity and ejection direction. The northern component of the double tail, observed since 2022 October 8, might be associated with a secondary ejection event from impacting debris on Didymos, although is also possible that this feature results from the binary system dynamics alone. The lower limit to the total dust mass ejected is estimated at ∼6 × 106 kg, half of this mass being ejected to interplanetary space.

Long-lasting activity of asteroid (248370) 2005 QN173

ABSTRACT We present the results of observations of asteroid (248370) QN173 obtained during July 2021–January 2022 with three telescopes. Our analysis revealed the presence of the dust tail for about half of a year. The direct images of the asteroid were obtained with broad-band filters. No emissions were revealed in the spectra, and the spectrum of the asteroid closely matched that of a C-type asteroid. Created colour and linear polarization variations along the tail were analysed. The asteroid demonstrated a redder colour compared to the Sun. Dramatic changes in dust productivity obtained in different filters were not detected. The g − r colour changes from 0.2m to 0.7m over the coma, and the linear polarization degree varies from about 1.2 per cent to 0.2 per cent and from −0.2 per cent to −1.5 per cent at the phase angle of 23.2° and 8.16°. The total dust mass ejected until the latest observation on October 10 is 4.2 × 107 kg, with a maximum rate of 2.6 kg s−1 based on the Monte Carlo modelling of the dust tail. The estimated asteroid size is 1.3 km. It is shown that large particles are concentrated around the nucleus, whereas smaller ones dominate in the tail. The evolution of (248370) QN173 orbit and the orbits of the sample of the 464 short-periodic comets were followed. Ten of them approached the asteroid’s orbit. These objects are not genetically related, despite very close distance of their orbits for a relatively long time.

Carbonaceous dust grains seen in the first billion years of cosmic time

Large dust reservoirs (up to approximately 108 M⊙) have been detected1–3 in galaxies out to redshift z ≃ 8, when the age of the Universe was only about 600 Myr. Generating substantial amounts of dust within such a short timescale has proven challenging for theories of dust formation4,5 and has prompted the revision of the modelling of potential sites of dust production6–8, such as the atmospheres of asymptotic giant branch stars in low-metallicity environments, supernova ejecta and the accelerated growth of grains in the interstellar medium. However, degeneracies between different evolutionary pathways remain when the total dust mass of galaxies is the only available observable. Here we report observations of the 2,175 Å dust attenuation feature, which is well known in the Milky Way and galaxies at z ≲ 3 (refs. 9–11), in the near-infrared spectra of galaxies up to z ≃ 7, corresponding to the first billion years of cosmic time. The relatively short timescale implied for the formation of carbonaceous grains giving rise to this feature12 suggests a rapid production process, possibly in Wolf–Rayet stars or supernova ejecta.

Near-infrared evolution of the equatorial ring of SN 1987A

We used adaptive optics imaging and integral field spectroscopy from the Very Large Telescope, together with images from the Hubble Space Telescope, to study the near-infrared (NIR) evolution of the equatorial ring (ER) of SN 1987A. We studied the NIR flux and morphology over time in order to lay the groundwork for James Webb Space Telescope observations of the system. We also studied the differences in the interacting ring structure and flux between optical, NIR, and other wavelengths, and between line and continuum emission, to constrain the underlying physical processes. For the most part, the evolution is similar in the NIR and optical. The morphology of the ER has been skewed toward the west side (with roughly two-thirds of the NIR emission originating there) since around 2010. A steady decline in the ER flux, broadly similar to the mid-infrared and the optical, has been ongoing since roughly this time as well. The expansion velocity of the ER hotspots in the NIR is fully consistent with the optical. However, continuum emission forms roughly 70% of the NIR luminosity, and has been stronger outside the hotspot-defined extent of the ER (relative to the hotspots themselves) than the optical emission or the NIR line emission since 2012–2013, suggesting a faster-expanding continuum component. We find that this outer NIR emission can have a significant synchrotron contribution. Even if emission from hot dust (~2000 K) is dominant within the ER, the mass of this dust must be vanishingly small (a few times 10−12 M⊙) compared to the total dust mass in the ER (≳10−5 M⊙) to account for the observed HKs flux. The NIR continuum emission, however, expands more slowly than the more diffuse 180-K dust emission that dominates in the MIR, indicating a different source, and the same hot dust component cannot account for the J-band emission.

Simulated Observations of Star Formation Regions: Infrared Evolution of Globally Collapsing Clouds

A direct comparison between hydrodynamical simulations and observations is needed to improve the physics included in the former and to test biases in the latter. Post-processing radiative transfer and synthetic observations are now the standard way to do this. We report on the first application of the SKIRT radiative-transfer code to simulations of a star-forming cloud. The synthetic observations are then analyzed following traditional observational workflows. We find that in the early stages of the simulation, stellar radiation is inefficient in heating dust to the temperatures that are observed in Galactic clouds, thus the addition of an interstellar radiation field is necessary. The spectral energy distribution of the cloud settles rather quickly after ∼3 Myr of evolution from the onset of star formation, but its morphology continues to evolve for ∼8 Myr due to the expansion of H ii regions and the respective creation of cavities, filaments, and ridges. Modeling synthetic Herschel fluxes with one- or two-component modified blackbodies underestimates total dust masses by a factor of ∼2. However, spatially resolved fitting recovers up to about 70% of the intrinsic value. This “missing mass” is located in a very cold dust component with temperatures below 10 K, which does not contribute appreciably to the far-infrared flux. This effect could bias real observations if this dust exists in large amounts. Finally, we tested observational calibrations of the SFR based on infrared fluxes and concluded that they are in agreement when compared to the intrinsic SFR of the simulation averaged over ∼100 Myr.

Morphology of the gas-rich debris disk around HD 121617 with SPHERE observations in polarized light

Context. Debris disks are the signposts of collisionally eroding planetesimal circumstellar belts, whose study can put important constraints on the structure of extrasolar planetary systems. The best constraints on the morphology of such disks are often obtained from spatially resolved observations in scattered light. In this paper, we investigate the young (~16 Myr) bright gas-rich debris disk around HD 121617. Aims. We use new scattered light observations from VLT/SPHERE to characterize the morphology and the dust properties of the debris disk. From these properties, we can then derive constraints on the physical and dynamical environment of this system, for which significant amounts of gas have been detected. Methods. The disk morphology is constrained by linear polarimetric observations in the J band. Based on our modeling results and archival photometry, we also model the spectral energy distribution (SED) to put constraints on the total dust mass and dust size distribution. Finally, we explore different scenarios that could explain these new constraints. Results. We present the first resolved image in scattered light of the debris disk around HD 121617. We fit the morphology of the disk, finding a semi-major axis of 78.3 ± 0.2 au, an inclination of 43.1 ± 0.2°, and a position angle of the major axis with respect to north of 239.8 ± 0.3°, which is compatible with the previous continuum and CO detection with ALMA. Our analysis shows that the disk has a very sharp inner edge, possibly sculpted by a yet-undetected planet or gas drag. While less sharp, its outer edge is steeper than expected for an unperturbed disk, which could also be due to a planet or gas drag, but future observations probing the system farther from the main belt would help explore this possibility further. The SED analysis leads to a dust mass of 0.21 ± 0.02 M⊕ and a minimum grain size of 0.87 ± 0.12 μm, smaller than the blowout size by radiation pressure, which is not unexpected for very bright collisionally active disks.

Characteristics of thermally modified hardwood dust in determining workers’ occupational exposure

Thermal modification of wood changes its mechanical properties, generally reducing its strength, such that it is more easily chipped during processing than untreated hardwood. This study presents specific parameters used in the determination of mass concentration of thermally modified (TM) hardwood by gravimetric and photometric methods. An optical device, the Split 2, was used in the active mode, of which the holder of the inhalable dust IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) filter was the input part. Side-by-side determination of the respirable and inhalable mass concentration was made using the Higgins-Dewell respirable dust cyclone and an inhalable dust IOM sampler. Side-by-side determination of inhalable and total dust mass concentration was made using an IOM and open-faced (OF) filter holder to establish an IOM / OF sampling ratio. A correction factor of 1.16 was calculated for applying the photometric method as the ratio of mass concentration determined by gravimetric and photometric methods. Minimal concentrations of respirable and inhalable wood dust (geometric mean: cr = 0.058 mg/m3; cinh = 0.882 mg/m3) and a 12.76% share of respirable dust in the inhalable concentration cr / cinh, had a significant influence on the efficiency of the photometric method. The mass concentration obtained by IOM and OF samplers did not significantly differ (p = 0.36).

Vertical characterization of fine and coarse dust particles during an intense Saharan dust outbreak over the Iberian Peninsula in springtime 2021

Abstract. An intense and long-lasting Saharan dust outbreak crossed the Iberian Peninsula (IP) from the southwest (SW) to the northeast (NE) from 25 March until 7 April 2021. This work aims to assess the optical and mass contribution of both fine and coarse dust particles along their transport. Five Iberian lidar stations were monitoring the transport and evolution of the Saharan dust particles, i.e. El Arenosillo/Huelva, Granada, Torrejón/Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, and Évora in Portugal. The particular meteorological conditions determined the aerosol scenario along the overall dust event, differing in the first part of the event (25–31 March), in which the strongest dust incidence occurred on 29–31 March at the south and central stations and 1 April at Barcelona, from the second one (1–7 April). The use of the two-step POLIPHON algorithm showed the relevance of using polarized lidar measurements for separating the aerosol properties of dust fine and coarse particles as an added value. Both the fine dust (Df) and coarse dust (Dc) components of the total particle backscatter coefficient (total dust, DD = Dc + Df) were separately derived. The dust plume was well-mixed with height and no significant differences were found in the vertical structure of both the Dc and Df particle backscatter coefficients. From the beginning of the dust outbreak until 1 April, the vertical Df / DD mass ratio was nearly constant in time at each station and also in altitude with values of ∼ 10 %. Moreover, the mean dust optical depth at 532 nm was decreasing along that dust pathway, reporting values from SW to NE stations of 0.34 at El Arenosillo/Huelva, 0.28 at Granada, 0.20 at Évora, 0.28 at Torrejón/Madrid, and 0.14 at Barcelona, although its Df / DD ratio remained almost constant (28 %–30 %). A similar pattern was found for the total dust mass loading and its Df / DD ratio, i.e. mostly decreasing mean mass values were reported, being constant in its Df / DD ratio (∼ 10 %) along the SW–NE dust pathway. In addition, the episode-mean centre-of-mass height increased with latitude overall, showing a high variability, being greater than 0.5 km at the southern sites (El Arenosillo/Huelva, Granada, Évora) and ∼ 1.0 km at Torrejón/Madrid and Barcelona. However, despite the relatively high intensity of the dust intrusion, the expected ageing of the dust particles was hardly observed, by taking into account the minor changes found in the contribution and properties of the coarse and fine dust particles. This is on the basis that the IP is relatively close to the Saharan dust sources and then, under certain dust transport conditions, any potential ageing processes in the dust particles remained unappreciated. The following must be highlighted: the different relative contribution of the fine dust particles to the total dust found for their optical properties (∼ 30 %) associated with the radiative effect of dust, with respect to that for the mass features (∼ 10 %) linked to air quality issues, along the overall dust event by crossing the IP.

Metallicity–PAH Relation of MIR-selected Star-forming Galaxies in AKARI North Ecliptic Pole-wide Survey

We investigate the variation in the mid-infrared spectral energy distributions of 373 low-redshift (z < 0.4) star-forming galaxies, which reflects a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features. The relative strength of PAH emission is parameterized as q PAH, which is defined as the mass fraction of PAH particles in the total dust mass. With the aid of continuous mid-infrared photometric data points covering 7–24 μm and far-infrared flux densities, q PAH values are derived through spectral energy distribution fitting. The correlation between q PAH and other physical properties of galaxies, i.e., gas-phase metallicity (), stellar mass, and specific star-formation rate (sSFR) are explored. As in previous studies, q PAH values of galaxies with high metallicity are found to be higher than those with low metallicity. The strength of PAH emission is also positively correlated with the stellar mass and negatively correlated with the sSFR. The correlation between q PAH and each parameter still exists even after the other two parameters are fixed. In addition to the PAH strength, the application of metallicity-dependent gas-to-dust mass ratio appears to work well to estimate gas mass that matches the observed relationship between molecular gas and physical parameters. The result obtained will be used to calibrate the observed PAH luminosity-total infrared luminosity relation, based on the variation of MIR-FIR SED, which is used in the estimation of hidden star formation.