Articles | Volume 23, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15835-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15835-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Dec 2023
Research article |
| 22 Dec 2023
| 22 Dec 2023
Is transport of microplastics different from mineral particles? Idealized wind tunnel studies on polyethylene microspheres
Eike Maximilian Esders
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Sebastian Sittl
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Inka Krammel
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Wolfgang Babel
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, Dr. Hans-Frisch-Str. 1–3, Bayreuth, Germany
Georg Papastavrou
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Christoph Karl Thomas
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, Dr. Hans-Frisch-Str. 1–3, Bayreuth, Germany
Related authors
Eike Maximilian Esders, Christoph Georgi, Wolfgang Babel, Andreas Held, and Christoph Karl Thomas
Aerosol Research, 2, 235–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-235-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-235-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study explores how tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics (MPs), move through the air. We focus on their journey in a wind tunnel to mimic atmospheric transport. Depending on the air speed and the height of their release, they move downwards or upwards. These results suggest that MPs behave like mineral particles and that we can expect MPs to accumulate where natural dust also accumulates in the environment, offering insights for predicting the spread and impacts of MPs.
Mohammad Abdoli, Reza Pirkhoshghiyafeh, and Christoph K. Thomas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2328, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2328, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
Short summary
Short summary
We used computer simulations to improve how fiber-optic cables measure wind direction. These heated cables have small cones attached to sense how air moves around them. We found that hollow cone designs detect airflow more accurately than earlier versions. This helps us better understand air movement near the ground and could improve the physical foundations of weather and climate models.
Andrew W. Seidl, Aina Johannessen, Alena Dekhtyareva, Jannis M. Huss, Marius O. Jonassen, Alexander Schulz, Ove Hermansen, Christoph K. Thomas, and Harald Sodemann
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-293, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-293, 2024
Preprint under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
ISLAS2020 set out to measure the stable water isotopic composition of Arctic moisture. By not only measuring at different sites around Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, but also measuring at variable heights above surface level, we aim to characterize processes that produce or modify the isotopic composition. We also collect precipitation samples from sites that were typically downstream of Ny-Ålesund, so as to capture the isotopic composition during removal from the atmospheric water cycle.
Eike Maximilian Esders, Christoph Georgi, Wolfgang Babel, Andreas Held, and Christoph Karl Thomas
Aerosol Research, 2, 235–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-235-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-235-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study explores how tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics (MPs), move through the air. We focus on their journey in a wind tunnel to mimic atmospheric transport. Depending on the air speed and the height of their release, they move downwards or upwards. These results suggest that MPs behave like mineral particles and that we can expect MPs to accumulate where natural dust also accumulates in the environment, offering insights for predicting the spread and impacts of MPs.
Julius Seidler, Markus N. Friedrich, Christoph K. Thomas, and Anke C. Nölscher
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 137–153, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-137-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-137-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Here, we study the transport of ultrafine particles (UFPs) from an airport to two new adjacent measuring sites for 1 year. The number of UFPs in the air and the diurnal variation are typical urban. Winds from the airport show increased number concentrations. Additionally, considering wind frequencies, we estimate that, from all UFPs measured at the two sites, 10 %–14 % originate from the airport and/or other UFP sources from between the airport and site.
Mohammad Abdoli, Karl Lapo, Johann Schneider, Johannes Olesch, and Christoph K. Thomas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 809–824, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-809-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-809-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we compute the distributed sensible heat flux using a distributed temperature sensing technique, whose magnitude, sign, and temporal dynamics compare reasonably well to estimates from classical eddy covariance measurements from sonic anemometry. Despite the remaining uncertainty in computed fluxes, the results demonstrate the potential of the novel method to compute spatially resolving sensible heat flux measurement and encourage further research.
Wolfgang Fischer, Christoph K. Thomas, Nikita Zimov, and Mathias Göckede
Biogeosciences, 19, 1611–1633, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1611-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1611-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Arctic permafrost ecosystems may release large amounts of carbon under warmer future climates and may therefore accelerate global climate change. Our study investigated how long-term grazing by large animals influenced ecosystem characteristics and carbon budgets at a Siberian permafrost site. Our results demonstrate that such management can contribute to stabilizing ecosystems to keep carbon in the ground, particularly through drying soils and reducing methane emissions.
Karl Lapo, Anita Freundorfer, Antonia Fritz, Johann Schneider, Johannes Olesch, Wolfgang Babel, and Christoph K. Thomas
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 885–906, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-885-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-885-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The layer of air near the surface is poorly understood during conditions with weak winds. Further, it is even difficult to observe. In this experiment we used distributed temperature sensing to observe air temperature and wind speed at thousands of points simultaneously every couple of seconds. This incredibly rich data set can be used to examine and understand what drives the mixing between the atmosphere and surface during these weak-wind periods.
Teresa Vogl, Amy Hrdina, and Christoph K. Thomas
Biogeosciences, 18, 5097–5115, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5097-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5097-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The relaxed eddy accumulation technique is a method used for measuring fluxes of chemical species in the atmosphere. It relies on a proportionality factor, β, which can be determined using different methods. Also, different techniques for sampling can be used by only drawing air into the measurement system when vertical wind velocity exceeds a certain threshold. We compare different ways to obtain β and different threshold techniques to direct flux measurements for three different sites.
Marie-Louise Zeller, Jannis-Michael Huss, Lena Pfister, Karl E. Lapo, Daniela Littmann, Johann Schneider, Alexander Schulz, and Christoph K. Thomas
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3439–3452, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3439-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3439-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The boundary layer (BL) is well understood when convectively mixed, yet we lack this understanding when it becomes stable and no longer follows classic similarity theories. The NYTEFOX campaign collected a unique meteorological data set in the Arctic BL of Svalbard during polar night, where it tends to be highly stable. Using innovative fiber-optic distributed sensing, we are able to provide unique insight into atmospheric motions across large distances resolved continuously in space and time.
Olli Peltola, Karl Lapo, Ilkka Martinkauppi, Ewan O'Connor, Christoph K. Thomas, and Timo Vesala
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2409–2427, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2409-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2409-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluated the suitability of fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) for observing spatial (>25 cm) and temporal (>1 s) details of airflow within and above forests. The DTS measurements could discern up to third-order moments of the flow and observe spatial details of coherent flow motions. Similar measurements are not possible with more conventional measurement techniques. Hence, the DTS measurements will provide key insights into flows close to roughness elements, e.g. trees.
Karl Lapo, Anita Freundorfer, Lena Pfister, Johann Schneider, John Selker, and Christoph Thomas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 1563–1573, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1563-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1563-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Most observations of the atmosphere are
point observations, which only measure a small area around the sensor. This limitation creates problems for a number of disciplines, especially those that focus on how the surface and atmosphere exchange heat, mass, and momentum. We used distributed temperature sensing with fiber optics to demonstrate a key breakthrough in observing wind direction in a distributed way, i.e., not at a point, using small structures attached to the fiber-optic cables.
Armin Sigmund, Korbinian Freier, Till Rehm, Ludwig Ries, Christian Schunk, Anette Menzel, and Christoph K. Thomas
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12477–12494, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12477-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12477-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Air masses at the Schneefernerhaus mountain site at Zugspitze Mountain, Germany, were classified with respect to the atmospheric layer from which they originated and their degree of pollution. Measurements of several gases, particulate matter, and standard meteorological quantities indicated that polluted air was lifted to the site in 31 % of cases and clean air descended to the site in approximately 14 % cases while most of the remaining cases were ambiguous.
Tobias Linhardt, Joseph S. Levy, and Christoph K. Thomas
The Cryosphere, 13, 2203–2219, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2203-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2203-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents surface energy fluxes in an Antarctic polar desert in the summer season, comparing wetted soil at a water track with dominating dry soils. Elevated energy uptake, evaporation, and soil heat fluxes at the water track highlight the importance of wetted soils for water and energy cycling in polar deserts. This connection will grow more relevant, as wetted soils are expected to expand due to climate warming, with implications for landscape-scale hydrology and soil ecosystems.
Anne Klosterhalfen, Alexander Graf, Nicolas Brüggemann, Clemens Drüe, Odilia Esser, María P. González-Dugo, Günther Heinemann, Cor M. J. Jacobs, Matthias Mauder, Arnold F. Moene, Patrizia Ney, Thomas Pütz, Corinna Rebmann, Mario Ramos Rodríguez, Todd M. Scanlon, Marius Schmidt, Rainer Steinbrecher, Christoph K. Thomas, Veronika Valler, Matthias J. Zeeman, and Harry Vereecken
Biogeosciences, 16, 1111–1132, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1111-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1111-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
To obtain magnitudes of flux components of H2O and CO2 (e.g., transpiration, soil respiration), we applied source partitioning approaches after Scanlon and Kustas (2010) and after Thomas et al. (2008) to high-frequency eddy covariance measurements of 12 study sites covering various ecosystems (croplands, grasslands, and forests) in different climatic regions. We analyzed the interrelations among turbulence, site characteristics, and the performance of both partitioning methods.
Thomas Foken, Wolfgang Babel, and Christoph Thomas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 971–976, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-971-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-971-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Recently reported trends of carbon dioxide uptake pose the question of whether trends may be the result of the limited digitalization of gas analysers and sonic anemometers used in the 1990s. Modifying a 12 bit digitalization and the instrument error reported for the R2 and R3 sonic anemometers found elsewhere, the influence of these deficits in comparison to the now commonly used 16 bit digitalization were quantified. Both issues have an effect only on trace gas fluxes of small magnitude.
Kathrin Gatzsche, Wolfgang Babel, Eva Falge, Rex David Pyles, Kyaw Tha Paw U, Armin Raabe, and Thomas Foken
Biogeosciences, 15, 2945–2960, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The ecosystem is a significant sink of carbon dioxide. To quantify this sink, very complex and validated models are required. However, the comparison of modeled and measured energy and matter fluxes in a heterogeneous landscape is still a challenge. On the one hand, models must be applied for various surface types, while on the other hand the comparison of the fluxes is only possible based on the flux source areas. This paper treats the potential aggregation of modeled fluxes and its validation.
Armin Sigmund, Lena Pfister, Chadi Sayde, and Christoph K. Thomas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2149–2162, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2149-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2149-2017, 2017
W. Babel, T. Biermann, H. Coners, E. Falge, E. Seeber, J. Ingrisch, P.-M. Schleuß, T. Gerken, J. Leonbacher, T. Leipold, S. Willinghöfer, K. Schützenmeister, O. Shibistova, L. Becker, S. Hafner, S. Spielvogel, X. Li, X. Xu, Y. Sun, L. Zhang, Y. Yang, Y. Ma, K. Wesche, H.-F. Graf, C. Leuschner, G. Guggenberger, Y. Kuzyakov, G. Miehe, and T. Foken
Biogeosciences, 11, 6633–6656, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6633-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6633-2014, 2014
M. Li, W. Babel, K. Tanaka, and T. Foken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 221–229, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-221-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-221-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Aerosols | Research Activity: Laboratory Studies | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
Spectral optical properties of soot: laboratory investigation of propane flame particles and their link to composition
Determination of the atmospheric volatility of pesticides using Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols–chemical ionisation mass spectrometry
Insights into the real part of natural sea spray aerosol refractive index in the Pacific Ocean
Partitioning of ionic surfactants in aerosol droplets containing glutaric acid, sodium chloride, or sea salts
Measurement report: Investigation of Optical Properties of Different Fuels Diesel Exhaust by an Atmospheric Simulation Chamber experiment
Scattering properties and Lidar Characteristics of Asian Dust Particles Based on Realistic Shape Models
SOA yields from C10 alkanes and oxygenates and their relation to highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM)
Wind-driven emission of marine ice-nucleating particles in the Scripps Ocean-Atmosphere Research Simulator (SOARS)
The atmospheric settling of commercially sold microplastics
Measurement report: The ice-nucleating activity of lichen sampled in a northern European boreal forest
Viscosity of aqueous ammonium nitrate–organic particles: equilibrium partitioning may be a reasonable assumption for most tropospheric conditions
Role of sea spray aerosol at the air–sea interface in transporting aromatic acids to the atmosphere
Modeling the influence of carbon branching structure on secondary organic aerosol formation via multiphase reactions of alkanes
Technical note: Characterization of a single-beam gradient force aerosol optical tweezer for droplet trapping, phase transition monitoring, and morphology studies
Soot aerosols from commercial aviation engines are poor ice-nucleating particles at cirrus cloud temperatures
Contribution of brown carbon to light absorption in emissions of European residential biomass combustion appliances
Measurement report: Water diffusion in single suspended phase-separated aerosols
Water activity and surface tension of aqueous ammonium sulfate and D-glucose aerosol nanoparticles
Jet aircraft lubrication oil droplets as contrail ice-forming particles
A study on the influence of inorganic ions, organic carbon and microstructure on the hygroscopic property of soot
Insights into secondary organic aerosol formation from the day- and nighttime oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and furans in an oxidation flow reactor
Analysis of insoluble particles in hailstones in China
Influence of acidity on liquid–liquid phase transitions of mixed secondary organic aerosol (SOA) proxy–inorganic aerosol droplets
Deposition freezing, pore condensation freezing and adsorption: three processes, one description?
Measurements and calculations of enhanced side- and back-scattering of visible radiation by black carbon aggregates
Direct observation for relative-humidity-dependent mixing states of submicron particles containing organic surfactants and inorganic salts
Complex refractive index and single scattering albedo of Icelandic dust in the shortwave part of the spectrum
Volatility of aerosol particles from NO3 oxidation of various biogenic organic precursors
Saturation vapor pressure characterization of selected low-volatility organic compounds using a residence time chamber
Influence of the previous North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the spring dust aerosols over North China
HUB: a method to model and extract the distribution of ice nucleation temperatures from drop-freezing experiments
Size-dependent hygroscopicity of levoglucosan and D-glucose aerosol nanoparticles
Technical note: Sublimation of frozen CsCl solutions in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) – determining the number and size of salt particles relevant to sea salt aerosols
Microphysics of liquid water in sub-10 nm ultrafine aerosol particles
Comparing the ice nucleation properties of the kaolin minerals kaolinite and halloysite
Physicochemical properties of charcoal aerosols derived from biomass pyrolysis affect their ice-nucleating abilities at cirrus and mixed-phase cloud conditions
Reconsideration of surface tension and phase state effects on cloud condensation nuclei activity based on the atomic force microscopy measurement
Hygroscopicity and CCN potential of DMS-derived aerosol particles
Hybrid water adsorption and solubility partitioning for aerosol hygroscopicity and droplet growth
Experimental development of a lake spray source function and its model implementation for Great Lakes surface emissions
The effectiveness of the coagulation sink of 3–10 nm atmospheric particles
What caused the interdecadal shift in the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact on dust mass concentration over northwestern South Asia?
Measurement report: An exploratory study of fluorescence and cloud condensation nuclei activity of urban aerosols in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Viscosity and physical state of sucrose mixed with ammonium sulfate droplets
Distribution and stable carbon isotopic composition of dicarboxylic acids, ketocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls in fresh and aged biomass burning aerosols
Time dependence of heterogeneous ice nucleation by ambient aerosols: laboratory observations and a formulation for models
Laboratory studies of ice nucleation onto bare and internally mixed soot–sulfuric acid particles
Enhanced soot particle ice nucleation ability induced by aggregate compaction and densification
Opinion: Insights into updating Ambient Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC
On the evolution of sub- and super-saturated water uptake of secondary organic aerosol in chamber experiments from mixed precursors
Johannes Heuser, Claudia Di Biagio, Jérôme Yon, Mathieu Cazaunau, Antonin Bergé, Edouard Pangui, Marco Zanatta, Laura Renzi, Angela Marinoni, Satoshi Inomata, Chenjie Yu, Vera Bernardoni, Servanne Chevaillier, Daniel Ferry, Paolo Laj, Michel Maillé, Dario Massabò, Federico Mazzei, Gael Noyalet, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Brice Temime-Roussel, Roberta Vecchi, Virginia Vernocchi, Paola Formenti, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, and Jean-François Doussin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6407–6428, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6407-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6407-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The spectral optical properties of combustion soot aerosols with varying black (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) content were studied in an atmospheric simulation chamber. Measurements of the mass spectral absorption cross section (MAC), supplemented by literature data, allowed us to establish a generalised exponential relationship between the spectral absorption and the elemental-to-total-carbon ratio (EC / TC) in soot. This relationship can provide a useful tool for modelling the properties of soot.
Olivia M. Jackson, Aristeidis Voliotis, Thomas J. Bannan, Simon P. O'Meara, Gordon McFiggans, Dave Johnson, and Hugh Coe
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6257–6272, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6257-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6257-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper details a novel method of measuring the volatility of pesticides using the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols coupled with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (FIGAERO-CIMS) calibrated using a set of poly(ethylene) glycols. This is compared to literature values and common models. The results show that the method used primarily matches current literature values. Additionally, a pesticide’s volatility as an indicator of the likelihood of atmospheric transport occurring is explored.
Chengyi Fan, Bishuo He, Shuqi Guo, Jie Qiu, and Chunsheng Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5761–5771, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5761-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5761-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Marine aerosols play a critical role in weather and climate, and their real part of the refractive index (RRI) is a key factor in their radiative effects. We present a study of RRI measurements using optical tweezer technology and find that the calculated results of RRI using the traditional method disagree with the measurements. A parameterization of the RRI and relative humidity relationship is proposed, and it will improve the radiation calculation in numerical models.
Alison Bain, Kunal Ghosh, Konstantin Tumashevich, Nønne L. Prisle, and Bryan R. Bzdek
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5633–5645, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5633-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5633-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We measure the surface tension of picoliter-volume droplets containing strong ionic surfactants and cosolutes and compare this to surface tension predictions using two independent surfactant partitioning models. Under high-water-activity conditions, experimental measurements and model predictions show no change when NaCl cosolute is replaced with sea salt. Model predictions show that total surfactant concentrations in the range of tens to hundreds of millimolar are required to lower the surface tension of accumulation-mode aerosol.
Silvia Giulia Danelli, Lorenzo Caponi, Marco Brunoldi, Matilde De Camillis, Dario Massabò, Federico Mazzei, Tommaso Isolabella, Annalisa Pascarella, Paolo Prati, Matteo Santostefano, Francesca Tarchino, Virginia Vernocchi, and Paolo Brotto
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1447, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1447, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines optical properties and the variability of the mass absorption coefficient of carbonaceous aerosols produced by the combustion of different fuels. Experiments, conducted in an atmospheric simulation chamber, tested different methods of sampling and analyzing carbonaceous aerosols, with a focus on workplace environments. Results highlight the need to understand the variability in aerosol optical properties for accurate monitoring and health and environmental impact assessments.
Anthony La Luna, Zhibo Zhang, Jianyu Zheng, Qianqian Song, Hongbin Yu, Jiachen Ding, Ping Yang, and Masanori Saito
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1117, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1117, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The lidar backscattering properties of Asian dust particles were studied using a discrete dipole approximation (DDA) model. Both the lidar ratio (LR) and depolarization ratio (DPR) exhibit an asymptotic trend with dust particle size. Two parameterization schemes were developed: one to estimate the DPR of a single dust particle given its size, and the other to estimate the DPR of dust particles with a lognormal particle size distribution given the effective radius.
Frans Graeffe, Kalle Kupi, Hilkka Timonen, and Mikael Ehn
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-910, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-910, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Alkanes are a major part of anthropogenic emissions in urban areas, and known for being capable of producing secondary organic aerosol (SOA). We measured SOA yields of seven alkanes and their oxygenated derivatives in oxidation flow reactor measurements to assess their role in SOA formation. In addition to quantified SOA yields, we observed that cyclic structure enhances SOA production. Furthermore, our observations indicate that multi-generational OH oxidation is important in the SOA formation.
Kathryn A. Moore, Thomas C. J. Hill, Chamika K. Madawala, Raymond J. Leibensperger III, Samantha Greeney, Christopher D. Cappa, M. Dale Stokes, Grant B. Deane, Christopher Lee, Alexei V. Tivanski, Kimberly A. Prather, and Paul J. DeMott
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3131–3159, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3131-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3131-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This article presents results from the first study in a new wind–wave channel at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The experiment tested how wind over the ocean surface influences production of sea spray particles, which are important for radiative forcing and cloud formation in the atmosphere. We found that particle concentration and chemical composition varied with wind speed and that variations were driven by changes in wind and wave breaking rather than seawater biology or chemistry.
Alina Sylvia Waltraud Reininger, Daria Tatsii, Taraprasad Bhowmick, Gholamhossein Bagheri, and Andreas Stohl
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-605, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-605, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Microplastics are transported over large distances in the atmosphere, but the shape-dependence of their atmospheric transport lacks investigation. We conducted laboratory experiments and atmospheric transport simulations to study the settling of commercially sold microplastics. We found that films settle up to 74 % slower and travel up to ~ 4x further than volume-equivalent spheres. Our work emphasizes the role of the atmosphere as a transport medium for commercial microplastics such as glitter.
Ulrike Proske, Michael P. Adams, Grace C. E. Porter, Mark A. Holden, Jaana Bäck, and Benjamin J. Murray
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 979–995, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-979-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-979-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) aid the freezing of water droplets in clouds and thus modify cloud properties. In a campaign in a Finnish boreal forest, biological INPs were observed, despite many of their potential biological sources being snow-covered. We sampled tree-dwelling lichens that were not covered in snow and tested their ice nucleation ability in the laboratory. We found that the lichen harbours INPs, which may be important in similar snowy environments.
Liviana K. Klein, Allan K. Bertram, Andreas Zuend, Florence Gregson, and Ulrich K. Krieger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13341–13359, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13341-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13341-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The viscosity of ammonium nitrate–sucrose–H2O was quantified with three methods ranging from liquid to solid state depending on the relative humidity. Moreover, the corresponding estimated internal aerosol mixing times remained below 1 h for most tropospheric conditions, making equilibrium partitioning a reasonable assumption.
Yaru Song, Jianlong Li, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Kun Li, and Lin Du
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5847–5862, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5847-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5847-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Aromatic acids can be transferred from seawater to the atmosphere through bubble bursting. The air–sea transfer efficiency of aromatic acids was evaluated by simulating SSA generation with a plunging jet. As a whole, the transfer capacity of aromatic acids may depend on their functional groups and on the bridging effect of cations, as well as their concentration in seawater, as these factors influence the global emission flux of aromatic acids via SSA.
Azad Madhu, Myoseon Jang, and Yujin Jo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5585–5602, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5585-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5585-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from branched alkanes (BAs) was simulated using the UNIPAR model, which predicted SOA growth via multiphase reactions of hydrocarbons, and compared with chamber data. Product distributions (PDs) of BAs were created by extrapolating PDs of linear alkanes (LAs). To account for methyl branching, an autoxidation reduction factor was applied to PDs. BAs in diesel fuel were shown to produce a higher proportion of SOA compared with LAs.
Xiangyu Pei, Yikan Meng, Yueling Chen, Huichao Liu, Yao Song, Zhengning Xu, Fei Zhang, Thomas C. Preston, and Zhibin Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5235–5246, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5235-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5235-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
An aerosol optical tweezer (AOT) Raman spectroscopy system is developed to capture a single aerosol droplet for phase transition monitoring and morphology studies. Rapid droplet capture is achieved and accurate droplet size and refractive index are retrieved. Results indicate that mixed inorganic/organic droplets are more inclined to form core–shell morphology when RH decreases. The phase transitions of secondary mixed organic aerosol/inorganic droplets vary with their precursors.
Baptiste Testa, Lukas Durdina, Peter A. Alpert, Fabian Mahrt, Christopher H. Dreimol, Jacinta Edebeli, Curdin Spirig, Zachary C. J. Decker, Julien Anet, and Zamin A. Kanji
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4537–4567, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4537-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4537-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Laboratory experiments on the ice nucleation of real commercial aviation soot particles are investigated for their cirrus cloud formation potential. Our results show that aircraft-emitted soot in the upper troposphere will be poor ice-nucleating particles. Measuring the soot particle morphology and modifying their mixing state allow us to elucidate why these particles are ineffective at forming ice, in contrast to previously used soot surrogates.
Satish Basnet, Anni Hartikainen, Aki Virkkula, Pasi Yli-Pirilä, Miika Kortelainen, Heikki Suhonen, Laura Kilpeläinen, Mika Ihalainen, Sampsa Väätäinen, Juho Louhisalmi, Markus Somero, Jarkko Tissari, Gert Jakobi, Ralf Zimmermann, Antti Kilpeläinen, and Olli Sippula
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3197–3215, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3197-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3197-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC) emissions were estimated, for residential wood combustion (RWC) from various northern European appliances, utilizing an extensive seven-wavelength aethalometer dataset and thermal–optical carbon analysis. The contribution of BrC370–950 to the absorption of visible light varied between 1 % and 21 %, and was linked with fuel moisture content and combustion efficiency. This study provides important information required for assessing the climate effects of RWC emissions.
Yu-Kai Tong, Zhijun Wu, Min Hu, and Anpei Ye
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2937–2950, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2937-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2937-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The interplay between aerosols and moisture is one of the most crucial atmospheric processes. However, to date, literature results on the influence of phase separation on water diffusion in aerosols are divergent. This work directly unveiled the water diffusion process in single suspended phase-separated microdroplets and quantitatively analyzed the diffusion rate and extent. The results show that diffusion limitations and certain molecule clusters existed in the phase-separated aerosols.
Eugene F. Mikhailov, Sergey S. Vlasenko, and Alexei A. Kiselev
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2971–2984, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2971-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2971-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Surface tension and water activity are key thermodynamic parameters determining the impact of atmospheric aerosols on human health and climate. However, these parameters are not well constrained for nanoparticles composed of organic and inorganic compounds. In this study, we determined for the first time the water activity and surface tension of mixed organic/inorganic nanodroplets by applying a differential Köhler analysis (DKA) to hygroscopic growth measurements.
Joel Ponsonby, Leon King, Benjamin J. Murray, and Marc E. J. Stettler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2045–2058, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2045-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2045-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol emissions from aircraft engines contribute to the formation of contrails, which have a climate impact as important as that of aviation’s CO2 emissions. For the first time, we experimentally investigate the freezing behaviour of water droplets formed on jet lubrication oil aerosol. We show that they can activate to form water droplets and discuss their potential impact on contrail formation. Our study has implications for contrails produced by future aircraft engine and fuel technologies.
Zhanyu Su, Lanxiadi Chen, Yuan Liu, Peng Zhang, Tianzeng Chen, Biwu Chu, Mingjin Tang, Qingxin Ma, and Hong He
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 993–1003, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-993-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-993-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, different soot particles were analyzed to better understand their behavior. It was discovered that water-soluble substances in soot facilitate water adsorption at low humidity while increasing the number of water layers at high humidity. Soot from organic fuels exhibits hygroscopicity influenced by organic carbon and microstructure. Additionally, the presence of sulfate ions due to the oxidation of SO2 enhances soot's hygroscopicity.
Abd El Rahman El Mais, Barbara D'Anna, Luka Drinovec, Andrew T. Lambe, Zhe Peng, Jean-Eudes Petit, Olivier Favez, Selim Aït-Aïssa, and Alexandre Albinet
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15077–15096, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15077-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15077-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) and furans are key precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) related to biomass burning emissions. We evaluated and compared the formation yields, and the physical and light absorption properties, of laboratory-generated SOAs from the oxidation of such compounds for both, day- and nighttime reactivities. The results illustrate that PAHs are large SOA precursors and may contribute significantly to the biomass burning brown carbon in the atmosphere.
Haifan Zhang, Xiangyu Lin, Qinghong Zhang, Kai Bi, Chan-Pang Ng, Yangze Ren, Huiwen Xue, Li Chen, and Zhuolin Chang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13957–13971, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13957-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13957-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This work is the first study to simultaneously analyze the number concentrations and species of insoluble particles in hailstones. The size distribution of insoluble particles for each species vary greatly in different hailstorms but little in shells. Two classic size distribution modes of organics and dust were fitted for the description of insoluble particles in deep convection. Combining this study with future experiments will lead to refinement of weather and climate models.
Yueling Chen, Xiangyu Pei, Huichao Liu, Yikan Meng, Zhengning Xu, Fei Zhang, Chun Xiong, Thomas C. Preston, and Zhibin Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10255–10265, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10255-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10255-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The impact of acidity on the phase transition behavior of levitated aerosol particles was examined. Our results revealed that lower acidity decreases the separation relative humidity of aerosol droplets mixed with ammonium sulfate and secondary organic aerosol proxy. Our research suggests that in real atmospheric conditions, with the high acidity found in many ambient aerosol particles, droplets encounter heightened impediments to phase separation and tend to display a homogeneous structure.
Mária Lbadaoui-Darvas, Ari Laaksonen, and Athanasios Nenes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10057–10074, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10057-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10057-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Heterogeneous ice nucleation is the main ice formation mechanism in clouds. The mechanism of different freezing modes is to date unknown, which results in large model biases. Experiments do not allow for direct observation of ice nucleation at its native resolution. This work uses first principles molecular simulations to determine the mechanism of the least-understood ice nucleation mode and link it to adsorption through a novel modeling framework that unites ice and droplet formation.
Carynelisa Haspel, Cuiqi Zhang, Martin J. Wolf, Daniel J. Cziczo, and Maor Sela
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10091–10115, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10091-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10091-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Small particles, commonly termed aerosols, can be found throughout the atmosphere and come from both natural and anthropogenic sources. One important type of aerosol is black carbon (BC). In this study, we conducted laboratory measurements of light scattering by particles meant to mimic atmospheric BC and compared them to calculations of scattering. We find that it is likely that calculations underpredict the scattering by BC particles of certain polarizations of light in certain directions.
Chun Xiong, Binyu Kuang, Fei Zhang, Xiangyu Pei, Zhengning Xu, and Zhibin Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8979–8991, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8979-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8979-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In hydration, an apparent water diffusion hindrance by an organic surfactant shell was confirmed, raising the inorganic deliquescence relative humidity (RH) to a nearly saturated condition. In dehydration, phase separations were observed for inorganic surfactant systems, showing a strong dependence on the organic molecular
oxygen-to-carbon ratio. Our results could improve fundamental knowledge about aerosol mixing states and decrease uncertainty in model estimations of global radiative effects.
Clarissa Baldo, Paola Formenti, Claudia Di Biagio, Gongda Lu, Congbo Song, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Jean-Francois Doussin, Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova, Olafur Arnalds, David Beddows, A. Robert MacKenzie, and Zongbo Shi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7975–8000, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7975-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7975-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents new shortwave spectral complex refractive index and single scattering albedo data for Icelandic dust. Our results show that the imaginary part of the complex refractive index of Icelandic dust is at the upper end of the range of low-latitude dust. Furthermore, we observed that Icelandic dust is more absorbing towards the near-infrared, which we attribute to its high magnetite content. These findings are important for modeling dust aerosol radiative effects in the Arctic.
Emelie L. Graham, Cheng Wu, David M. Bell, Amelie Bertrand, Sophie L. Haslett, Urs Baltensperger, Imad El Haddad, Radovan Krejci, Ilona Riipinen, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7347–7362, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7347-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7347-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The volatility of an aerosol particle is an important parameter for describing its atmospheric lifetime. We studied the volatility of secondary organic aerosols from nitrate-initiated oxidation of three biogenic precursors with experimental methods and model simulations. We saw higher volatility than for the corresponding ozone system, and our simulations produced variable results with different parameterizations which warrant a re-evaluation of the treatment of the nitrate functional group.
Zijun Li, Noora Hyttinen, Miika Vainikka, Olli-Pekka Tikkasalo, Siegfried Schobesberger, and Taina Yli-Juuti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6863–6877, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6863-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6863-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The saturation vapor pressure (psat) of low-volatility organic compounds (LVOCs) governs their partitioning between the gas and particle phases. To estimate the psat of selected LVOCs, we performed particle evaporation measurements in a residence time chamber at a temperature setting relevant to atmospheric aerosol formation and conducted state-of-the-art computational calculations. We found good agreement between the experimentally measured and model-estimated psat values for most LVOCs.
Yan Li, Falei Xu, Juan Feng, Mengying Du, Wenjun Song, Chao Li, and Wenjing Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6021–6042, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6021-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6021-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
There is a significantly negative relationship between boreal winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and dust aerosols (DAs) in the eastern part of China (30–40°N, 105–120°E), which is not a DA source area but is severely affected by the dust events (DEs). Under the effect of the NAO negative phase, main atmospheric circulation during the DEs is characterized by variation of the transient eddy flux. The work is of reference value to the prediction of DEs and the understanding of their causes.
Ingrid de Almeida Ribeiro, Konrad Meister, and Valeria Molinero
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5623–5639, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5623-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5623-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Ice formation is a key atmospheric process facilitated by a wide range of aerosols. We present a method to model and interpret ice nucleation experiments and extract the distribution of the potency of nucleation sites. We use the method to optimize the conditions of laboratory sampling and extract distributions of ice nucleation temperatures from bacteria, fungi, and pollen. These reveal unforeseen subpopulations of nuclei in these systems and how they respond to changes in their environment.
Ting Lei, Hang Su, Nan Ma, Ulrich Pöschl, Alfred Wiedensohler, and Yafang Cheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4763–4774, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4763-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4763-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the hygroscopic behavior of levoglucosan and D-glucose nanoparticles using a nano-HTDMA. There is a weak size dependence of the hygroscopic growth factor of levoglucosan and D-glucose with diameters down to 20 nm, while a strong size dependence of the hygroscopic growth factor of D-glucose has been clearly observed in the size range 6 to 20 nm. The use of the DKA method leads to good agreement with the hygroscopic growth factor of glucose nanoparticles with diameters down to 6 nm.
Lubica Vetráková, Vilém Neděla, Kamila Závacká, Xin Yang, and Dominik Heger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4463–4488, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4463-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4463-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Salt aerosols are important to polar atmospheric chemistry and global climate. Therefore, we utilized a unique electron microscope to identify the most suitable conditions for formation of the small salt (CsCl) particles, proxies of the aerosols, from sublimating salty snow. Very low sublimation temperature and low salt concentration are needed for formation of such particles. These observations may help us to better understand polar spring ozone depletion and bromine explosion events.
Xiaohan Li and Ian C. Bourg
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2525–2556, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2525-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2525-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol particles with sizes smaller than 50 nm impact cloud formation and precipitation. Representation of this effect is hindered by limited understanding of the properties of liquid water in these particles. Our simulations of aerosol particles containing salt or organic compounds reveal that water enters a less cohesive phase at droplet sizes below 4 nm. This effect causes important deviations from theoretical predictions of aerosol properties, including phase state and hygroscopic growth.
Kristian Klumpp, Claudia Marcolli, Ana Alonso-Hellweg, Christopher H. Dreimol, and Thomas Peter
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1579–1598, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1579-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1579-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The prerequisites of a particle surface for efficient ice nucleation are still poorly understood. This study compares the ice nucleation activity of two chemically identical but morphologically different minerals (kaolinite and halloysite). We observe, on average, not only higher ice nucleation activities for halloysite than kaolinite but also higher diversity between individual samples. We identify the particle edges as being the most likely site for ice nucleation.
Fabian Mahrt, Carolin Rösch, Kunfeng Gao, Christopher H. Dreimol, Maria A. Zawadowicz, and Zamin A. Kanji
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1285–1308, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1285-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1285-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Major aerosol types emitted by biomass burning include soot, ash, and charcoal particles. Here, we investigated the ice nucleation activity of 400 nm size-selected particles of two different pyrolyis-derived charcoal types in the mixed phase and cirrus cloud regime. We find that ice nucleation is constrained to cirrus cloud conditions, takes place via pore condensation and freezing, and is largely governed by the particle porosity and mineral content.
Chun Xiong, Xueyan Chen, Xiaolei Ding, Binyu Kuang, Xiangyu Pei, Zhengning Xu, Shikuan Yang, Huan Hu, and Zhibin Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 16123–16135, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-16123-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-16123-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Water surface tension is applied widely in current aerosol–cloud models but could be inappropriate in the presence of atmospheric surfactants. With cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement results of mixed inorganic salt and dicarboxylic acid particles, we concluded that surface tension reduction and phase state should be carefully considered in aerosol–cloud interactions. Our results could help to decease uncertainties in climate models.
Bernadette Rosati, Sini Isokääntä, Sigurd Christiansen, Mads Mørk Jensen, Shamjad P. Moosakutty, Robin Wollesen de Jonge, Andreas Massling, Marianne Glasius, Jonas Elm, Annele Virtanen, and Merete Bilde
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13449–13466, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13449-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13449-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Sulfate aerosols have a strong influence on climate. Due to the reduction in sulfur-based fossil fuels, natural sulfur emissions play an increasingly important role. Studies investigating the climate relevance of natural sulfur aerosols are scarce. We study the water uptake of such particles in the laboratory, demonstrating a high potential to take up water and form cloud droplets. During atmospheric transit, chemical processing affects the particles’ composition and thus their water uptake.
Kanishk Gohil, Chun-Ning Mao, Dewansh Rastogi, Chao Peng, Mingjin Tang, and Akua Asa-Awuku
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12769–12787, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12769-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12769-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Hybrid Activity Model (HAM) is a promising new droplet growth model that can be potentially used for the analysis of any type of atmospheric compound. HAM may potentially improve the representation of hygroscopicity of organic aerosols in large-scale global climate models (GCMs), hence reducing the uncertainties in the climate forcing due to the aerosol indirect effect.
Charbel Harb and Hosein Foroutan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11759–11779, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11759-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11759-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A model representation of lake spray aerosol (LSA) ejection from freshwater breaking waves is crucial for understanding their climatic and public health impacts. We develop an LSA emission parameterization and implement it in an atmospheric model to investigate Great Lakes surface emissions. We find that the same breaking wave is likely to produce fewer aerosols in freshwater than in saltwater and that Great Lakes emissions influence the regional aerosol burden and can reach the cloud layer.
Runlong Cai, Ella Häkkinen, Chao Yan, Jingkun Jiang, Markku Kulmala, and Juha Kangasluoma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11529–11541, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11529-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11529-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The influences of new particle formation on the climate and air quality are governed by particle survival, which has been under debate due to uncertainties in the coagulation sink. Here we measure the coagulation coefficient of sub-10 nm particles and demonstrate that collisions between the freshly nucleated and background particles can effectively lead to coagulation. We further show that the effective coagulation sink is consistent with the new particle formation measured in urban Beijing.
Lamei Shi, Jiahua Zhang, Da Zhang, Jingwen Wang, Xianglei Meng, Yuqin Liu, and Fengmei Yao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11255–11274, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11255-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11255-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Dust impacts climate and human life. Analyzing the interdecadal change in dust activity and its influence factors is crucial for disaster mitigation. Based on a linear regression method, this study revealed the interdecadal variability of relationships between ENSO and dust over northwestern South Asia from 1982 to 2014 and analyzed the effects of atmospheric factors on this interdecadal variability. The result sheds new light on numerical simulation involving the interdecadal variation of dust.
Bighnaraj Sarangi, Darrel Baumgardner, Benjamin Bolaños-Rosero, and Olga L. Mayol-Bracero
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9647–9661, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9647-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9647-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Here, the fluorescent characteristics and cloud-forming efficiency of aerosols at an urban site in Puerto Rico are discussed. The results from this pilot study highlight the capabilities of ultraviolet-induced fluorescence (UV-IF) measurements for characterizing the properties of fluorescing aerosol particles, as they relate to the daily evolution of primary biological aerosol particles. This work has established a database of measurements on which future, longer-term studies will be initiated.
Rani Jeong, Joseph Lilek, Andreas Zuend, Rongshuang Xu, Man Nin Chan, Dohyun Kim, Hi Gyu Moon, and Mijung Song
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8805–8817, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8805-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8805-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, the viscosities of particles of sucrose–H2O, AS–H2O, and sucrose–AS–H2O for OIRs of 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4 for decreasing RH, were quantified by poke-and-flow and bead-mobility techniques at 293 ± 1 K. Based on the viscosity results, the particles of binary and ternary systems ranged from liquid to semisolid, and even the solid state depending on the RH. Moreover, we compared the measured viscosities of ternary systems to the predicted viscosities with excellent agreement.
Minxia Shen, Kin Fai Ho, Wenting Dai, Suixin Liu, Ting Zhang, Qiyuan Wang, Jingjing Meng, Judith C. Chow, John G. Watson, Junji Cao, and Jianjun Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7489–7504, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7489-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7489-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Looking at characteristics and δ13C compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related compounds in BB aerosols, we used a combined combustion and aging system to generate fresh and aged aerosols from burning straw. The results showed the emission factors (EFaged) of total diacids of aging experiments were around an order of magnitude higher than EFfresh. This meant that dicarboxylic acids are involved with secondary photochemical processes in the atmosphere rather than primary emissions from BB.
Jonas K. F. Jakobsson, Deepak B. Waman, Vaughan T. J. Phillips, and Thomas Bjerring Kristensen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6717–6748, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6717-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6717-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Long-lived cold-layer clouds at subzero temperatures are observed to be remarkably persistent in their generation of ice particles and snow precipitation. There is uncertainty about why this is so. This motivates the present lab study to observe the long-term ice-nucleating ability of aerosol samples from the real troposphere. Time dependence of their ice nucleation is observed to be weak in lab experiments exposing the samples to isothermal conditions for up to about 10 h.
Kunfeng Gao, Chong-Wen Zhou, Eszter J. Barthazy Meier, and Zamin A. Kanji
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5331–5364, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5331-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5331-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Incomplete combustion of fossil fuel produces carbonaceous particles called soot. These particles can affect cloud formation by acting as centres for droplet or ice formation. The atmospheric residence time of soot particles is of the order of days to weeks, which can result in them becoming coated by various trace species in the atmosphere such as acids. In this study, we quantify the cirrus cloud-forming ability of soot particles coated with the atmospherically ubiquitous sulfuric acid.
Kunfeng Gao, Franz Friebel, Chong-Wen Zhou, and Zamin A. Kanji
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4985–5016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4985-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4985-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Soot particles impact cloud formation and radiative properties in the upper atmosphere where aircraft emit carbonaceous particles. We use cloud chambers to mimic the upper atmosphere temperature and humidity to test the influence of the morphology of the soot particles on ice cloud formation. For particles larger than 200 nm, the compacted (densified) samples have a higher affinity for ice crystal formation in the cirrus regime than the fluffy (un-compacted) soot particles of the same sample.
Joel Kuula, Hilkka Timonen, Jarkko V. Niemi, Hanna E. Manninen, Topi Rönkkö, Tareq Hussein, Pak Lun Fung, Sasu Tarkoma, Mikko Laakso, Erkka Saukko, Aino Ovaska, Markku Kulmala, Ari Karppinen, Lasse Johansson, and Tuukka Petäjä
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4801–4808, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4801-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4801-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Modern and up-to-date policies and air quality management strategies are instrumental in tackling global air pollution. As the European Union is preparing to revise Ambient Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC, this paper initiates discussion on selected features of the directive that we believe would benefit from a reassessment. The scientific community has the most recent and deepest understanding of air pollution; thus, its contribution is essential.
Yu Wang, Aristeidis Voliotis, Dawei Hu, Yunqi Shao, Mao Du, Ying Chen, Judith Kleinheins, Claudia Marcolli, M. Rami Alfarra, and Gordon McFiggans
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4149–4166, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4149-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4149-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol water uptake plays a key role in atmospheric physicochemical processes. We designed chamber experiments on aerosol water uptake of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from mixed biogenic and anthropogenic precursors with inorganic seed. Our results highlight this chemical composition influences the reconciliation of the sub- and super-saturated water uptake, providing laboratory evidence for understanding the chemical controls of water uptake of the multi-component aerosol.
Cited articles
Alexiadou, P., Foskolos, I., and Frantzis, A.: Ingestion of macroplastics by odontocetes of the Greek Seas, Eastern Mediterranean: Often deadly!, Mar. Pollut. Bull., 146, 67–75, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.055, 2019. a
Allen, S., Allen, D., Phoenix, V. R., Roux, G. L., Jiménez, P. D., Simonneau, A., Binet, S., and Galop, D.: Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a remote mountain catchment, Nat. Geosci., 12, 339–344, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0335-5, 2019. a
Allen, S., Allen, D., Baladima, F., Phoenix, V. R., Thomas, J. L., Le Roux, G., and Sonke, J. E.: Evidence of free tropospheric and long-range transport of microplastic at Pic du Midi Observatory, Nat. Commun., 12, 7242, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27454-7, 2021. a
Allen, S., Allen, D., Karbalaei, S., Maselli, V., and Walker, T. R.: Micro(nano)plastics sources, fate, and effects: What we know after ten years of research, J. Hazard. Mater. Adv., 6, 100057, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100057, 2022. a
Bank, M. S. and Hansson, S. V.: The Plastic Cycle: A Novel and Holistic Paradigm for the Anthropocene, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 7177–7179, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02942, 2019. a
Barnes, D. K. A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. C., and Barlaz, M.: Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments, Philos. T. Roy. Soc. B, 364, 1985–1998, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0205, 2009. a
Bergmann, M., Mützel, S., Primpke, S., Tekman, M. B., Trachsel, J., and Gerdts, G.: White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic, Science Advances, 5, eaax1157, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax1157, 2019. a
Boos, J.-P., Gilfedder, B. S., and Frei, S.: Tracking Microplastics Across the Streambed Interface: Using Laser-Induced-Fluorescence to Quantitatively Analyze Microplastic Transport in an Experimental Flume, Water Resour. Res., 57, e2021WR031064, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR031064, 2021. a
Brahney, J., Hallerud, M., Heim, E., Hahnenberger, M., and Sukumaran, S.: Plastic rain in protected areas of the United States, Science, 368, 1257–1260, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz5819, 2020. a, b
Bullard, J. E., Ockelford, A., O'Brien, P., and McKenna Neuman, C.: Preferential transport of microplastics by wind, Atmos. Environ., 245, 118038, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118038, 2021. a
Carlin, J., Craig, C., Little, S., Donnelly, M., Fox, D., Zhai, L., and Walters, L.: Microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tracts in birds of prey in central Florida, USA, Environ. Pollut., 264, 114633, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114633, 2020. a
Cheng, W., Dunn, P. F., and Brach, R. M.: Surface roughness effects onmicroparticle adhesion, J. Adhesion, 78, 929–965, https://doi.org/10.1080/00218460214510, 2002. a
Chia, R. W., Lee, J.-Y., Kim, H., and Jang, J.: Microplastic pollution in soil and groundwater: a review, Environ. Chem. Lett., 19, 4211–4224, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01297-6, 2021. a
Corn, M. and Stein, F.: Re-entrainment of Particles from a Plane Surface, Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 26, 325–336, https://doi.org/10.1080/00028896509342739, 1965. a
de Souza Machado, A. A., Lau, C. W., Till, J., Kloas, W., Lehmann, A., Becker, R., and Rillig, M. C.: Impacts of Microplastics on the Soil Biophysical Environment, Environ. Sci. Technol., 52, 9656–9665, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b02212, 2018. a
Donnelly-Greenan, E. L., Nevins, H. M., and Harvey, J. T.: Entangled seabird and marine mammal reports from citizen science surveys from coastal California (1997–2017), Mar. Pollut. Bull., 149, 110557, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110557, 2019. a
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Saad, M., Renault, N., Tassin, B., Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Saad, M., Renault, N., and Tassin, B.: Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris, Environ. Chem., 12, 592–599, https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14167, 2015. a
Du, H., Xie, Y., and Wang, J.: Microplastic degradation methods and corresponding degradation mechanism: Research status and future perspectives, J. Hazard. Mater., 418, 126377, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126377, 2021. a
Esders, E. M., Georgi, C., Babel, W., and Thomas, C. K.: Quantitative detection of aerial suspension of particles with a full-frame visual camera for atmospheric wind tunnel studies, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 56, 530–544, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2022.2048789, 2022. a
Esders, E. M., Babel, W., and Thomas, C. K.: Data example and code used in the publication “Is transport of microplastics different from that of mineral dust? Results from idealized wind tunnel studies”, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7936729, 2023. a
Evangeliou, N., Grythe, H., Klimont, Z., Heyes, C., Eckhardt, S., Lopez-Aparicio, S., and Stohl, A.: Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions, Nat. Commun., 11, 3381, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17201-9, 2020. a
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., and Law, K. L.: Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made, Science Advances, 3, e1700782, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700782, 2017. a
Gillette, D. A.: Production of dust that may be carried great distances, in: Geological Society of America Special Papers, Geological Society of America, vol. 186, 11–26, https://doi.org/10.1130/SPE186-p11, ISBN 978-0-8137-2186-6, 1981. a
Horton, A. A. and Dixon, S. J.: Microplastics: An introduction to environmental transport processes, WIREs Water, 5, e1268, https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1268, 2018. a
Ibrahim, A., Dunn, P., and Brach, R.: Microparticle detachment from surfaces exposed to turbulent air flow: Effects of flow and particle deposition characteristics, J. Aerosol Sci., 35, 805–821, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2004.01.002, 2004. a, b, c, d
Ibrahim, A. H., Dunn, P. F., and Brach, R. M.: Microparticle detachment from surfaces exposed to turbulent air flow: controlled experiments and modeling, J. Aerosol Sci., 34, 765–782, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-8502(03)00031-4, 2003. a, b, c, d
Iversen, J. D. and White, B. R.: Saltation threshold on Earth, Mars and Venus, Sedimentology, 29, 111–119, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1982.tb01713.x, 1982. a
Kassab, A. S., Ugaz, V. M., King, M. D., and Hassan, Y. A.: High Resolution Study of Micrometer Particle Detachment on Different Surfaces, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 47, 351–360, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2012.752789, 2013. a, b
Katija, K., Choy, C. A., Sherlock, R. E., Sherman, A. D., and Robison, B. H.: From the surface to the seafloor: How giant larvaceans transport microplastics into the deep sea, Science Advances, 3, e1700715, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700715, 2017. a
Kern, W.: The Evolution of Silicon Wafer Cleaning Technology, J. Electrochem. Soc., 137, 1887, https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2086825, 1990. a, b
Kernchen, S., Löder, M. G. J., Fischer, F., Fischer, D., Moses, S. R., Georgi, C., Nölscher, A. C., Held, A., and Laforsch, C.: Airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition across the Weser River catchment, Sci. Total Environ., 818, 151812, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151812, 2022. a
Kim, Y., Wellum, G., Mello, K., Strawhecker, K. E., Thoms, R., Giaya, A., and Wyslouzil, B. E.: Effects of relative humidity and particle and surface properties on particle resuspension rates, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 50, 339–352, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2016.1152350, 2016. a
Klein, M. and Fischer, E. K.: Microplastic abundance in atmospheric deposition within the Metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany, Sci. Total Environ., 685, 96–103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.405, 2019. a
Kok, J. F., Parteli, E. J. R., Michaels, T. I., and Karam, D. B.: The physics of wind-blown sand and dust, Rep. Prog. Phys., 75, 106901, https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/75/10/106901, 2012. a, b
Lehmann, A., Leifheit, E. F., Gerdawischke, M., and Rillig, M. C.: Microplastics have shape- and polymer-dependent effects on soil aggregation and organic matter loss – an experimental and meta-analytical approach, Microplastics and Nanoplastics, 1, 7, https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-021-00007-x, 2021. a
Li, P., Wang, X., Su, M., Zou, X., Duan, L., and Zhang, H.: Characteristics of Plastic Pollution in the Environment: A Review, B. Environ. Contam. Tox., 107, 577–584, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02820-1, 2020. a
Materić, D., Kjær, H. A., Vallelonga, P., Tison, J.-L., Röckmann, T., and Holzinger, R.: Nanoplastics measurements in Northern and Southern polar ice, Environ. Res., 208, 112741, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112741, 2022. a
Meides, N., Menzel, T., Poetzschner, B., Löder, M. G. J., Mansfeld, U., Strohriegl, P., Altstaedt, V., and Senker, J.: Reconstructing the Environmental Degradation of Polystyrene by Accelerated Weathering, Environ. Sci. Technol., 55, 7930–7938, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c07718, 2021. a
Nizzetto, L., Futter, M., and Langaas, S.: Are Agricultural Soils Dumps for Microplastics of Urban Origin?, Environ. Sci. Technol., 50, 10777–10779, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04140, 2016. a
Rabinovich, Y. I., Adler, J. J., Esayanur, M. S., Ata, A., Singh, R. K., and Moudgil, B. M.: Capillary forces between surfaces with nanoscale roughness, Adv. Colloid Interfac., 96, 213–230, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-8686(01)00082-3, 2002. a
Rehm, R., Zeyer, T., Schmidt, A., and Fiener, P.: Soil erosion as transport pathway of microplastic from agriculture soils to aquatic ecosystems, Sci. Total Environ., 795, 148774, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148774, 2021. a
Rezaei, M., Riksen, M. J., Sirjani, E., Sameni, A., and Geissen, V.: Wind erosion as a driver for transport of light density microplastics, Sci. Total Environ., 669, 273–281, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.382, 2019. a, b
Rillig, M. C.: Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil?, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 6453–6454, https://doi.org/10.1021/es302011r, 2012. a
Rolf, M., Laermanns, H., Kienzler, L., Pohl, C., Möller, J. N., Laforsch, C., Löder, M. G. J., and Bogner, C.: Flooding frequency and floodplain topography determine abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil, Sci. Total Environ., 836, 155141, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155141, 2022. a
Shiu, R.-F., Chen, L.-Y., Lee, H.-J., Gong, G.-C., and Lee, C.: New insights into the role of marine plastic-gels in microplastic transfer from water to the atmosphere via bubble bursting, Water Res., 222, 118856, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118856, 2022. a
Shruti, V. C., Kutralam-Muniasamy, G., Pérez-Guevara, F., Roy, P. D., and Martínez, I. E.: Occurrence and characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in Mexico City, Sci. Total Environ., 847, 157601, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157601, 2022. a
Soltani, M. and Ahmadi, G.: On particle adhesion and removal mechanisms in turbulent flows, J. Adhes. Sci. Technol., 8, 763–785, https://doi.org/10.1163/156856194X00799, 1994. a
Stefánsson, H., Peternell, M., Konrad-Schmolke, M., Hannesdóttir, H., Ásbjörnsson, E. J., and Sturkell, E.: Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajökull Ice Cap, Sustainability, 13, 4183, https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084183, 2021. a
Thrift, E., Porter, A., Galloway, T. S., Coomber, F. G., and Mathews, F.: Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals, Sci. Total Environ., 842, 156679, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679, 2022. a
Thushari, G. G. N. and Senevirathna, J. D. M.: Plastic pollution in the marine environment, Heliyon, 6, e04709, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04709, 2020. a
Tian, X., Yang, M., Guo, Z., Chang, C., Li, J., Guo, Z., Wang, R., Li, Q., and Zou, X.: Plastic mulch film induced soil microplastic enrichment and its impact on wind-blown sand and dust, Sci. Total Environ., 813, 152490, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152490, 2022. a, b
Ugwu, K., Herrera, A., and Gómez, M.: Microplastics in marine biota: A review, Mar. Pollut. Bull., 169, 112540, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112540, 2021. a
Wang, F., Wang, Q., Adams, C. A., Sun, Y., and Zhang, S.: Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives, J. Hazard. Mater., 424, 127531, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127531, 2022. a
Weinstein, J. E., Crocker, B. K., and Gray, A. D.: From macroplastic to microplastic: Degradation of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a salt marsh habitat, Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 35, 1632–1640, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.3432, 2016. a
Windsor, F. M., Durance, I., Horton, A. A., Thompson, R. C., Tyler, C. R., and Ormerod, S. J.: A catchment-scale perspective of plastic pollution, Glob. Change Biol., 25, 1207–1221, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14572, 2019. a
Xu, B., Liu, F., Cryder, Z., Huang, D., Lu, Z., He, Y., Wang, H., Lu, Z., Brookes, P. C., Tang, C., Gan, J., and Xu, J.: Microplastics in the soil environment: Occurrence, risks, interactions and fate – A review, Crit. Rev. Env. Sci. Tec., 50, 2175–2222, https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2019.1694822, 2020. a
Yang, M., Tian, X., Guo, Z., Chang, C., Li, J., Guo, Z., Li, H., Liu, R., Wang, R., Li, Q., and Zou, X.: Effect of Dry Soil Aggregate Size on Microplastic Distribution and Its Implications for Microplastic Emissions Induced by Wind Erosion, Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett., 9, 618–624, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00338, 2022. a, b
Zhang, J., Ren, S., Xu, W., Liang, C., Li, J., Zhang, H., Li, Y., Liu, X., Jones, D. L., Chadwick, D. R., Zhang, F., and Wang, K.: Effects of plastic residues and microplastics on soil ecosystems: A global meta-analysis, J. Hazard. Mater., 435, 129065, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129065, 2022. a
Zhang, Y.: Atmospheric microplastics – A review on current status and perspectives, Earth Sci. Rev., 203, 103118, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103118, 2020. a, b
Short summary
Do microplastics behave differently from mineral particles when they are exposed to wind? We observed plastic and mineral particles in a wind tunnel and measured at what wind speeds the particles start to move. The results indicate that microplastics start to move at smaller wind speeds as they weigh less and are less sticky. Hence, we think that microplastics also move more easily in the environment.
Do microplastics behave differently from mineral particles when they are exposed to wind? We...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint