Urban Atmospheric Particle Measurements

Funding: "MISTRA idébidrag", ACCENT and GMV

Objectives: Describing the urban aerosol by measurements and models, both in cold (i.e. Göteborg) and warm urban environments (e.g. Cairo , Nairobi and Mexico ).

Description: Aerosol particles are one class of air pollutants of great concern for human health in the urban environment. Complex transformation and dynamics of aerosol particles make it complicated but interesting to follow the life and fate of particles in the urban atmosphere. The temporal distribution of various activities in a city, in combination with climate variables, makes it hard to predict the composition of an urban aerosol over time. In some cities, the climate and topography can enhance the effect of emissions, e.g. from traffic. One such enhancement process is temperature inversion that stabilises the air masses, thus reducing turbulence and mixing. The effect of reduced mixing on an aerosol is a decreased deposition velocity, while coagulation and condensation of trace gases on pre-existing particles become more important. In addition to the effect of temperature inversion, Nordic sites exhibit low temperatures during winter time that can also have an impact on aerosol processes, e.g. by enhancing condensation of low volatile compounds. A major collaborative measurement campaign (GÖTE-2005) has been conducted, during winter conditions (2 Feb, 2 Mar 2005 ), in Göteborg, to investigate the drivers of air pollution. The measurements and all participants of this campaign is described at the GÖTE-2005. The GÖTE-measurements are now under evaluation and the results will be used to validate and improve regional and urban models.

By accurate and well described processes and composition for Swedish conditions, it is anticipate to use this knowledge for some urban sites in developing regions where the effect of air pollution is severe.

Links:

Johan Boman

GÖTE

Back to: Mattias Hallquist