Articles | Volume 25, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12893-2025
© Author(s) 2025. 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-25-12893-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Oct 2025
Research article |
| 17 Oct 2025
| 17 Oct 2025
Modelling anthropogenic aerosol sources and secondary organic aerosol formation: a wintertime study in central Europe
Modeling of Atmospheric Processes Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Roland Schrödner
Modeling of Atmospheric Processes Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Ralf Wolke
Modeling of Atmospheric Processes Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Marie L. Luttkus
Modeling of Atmospheric Processes Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Shubhi Arora
Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Laurent Poulain
Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Radek Lhotka
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Petr Vodička
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Schwarz
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Petra Pokorna
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Jakub Ondráček
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Vladimir Ždímal
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Hartmut Herrmann
Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Ina Tegen
Modeling of Atmospheric Processes Department, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany
Related authors
No articles found.
Kajal Julaha, Vladimír Ždímal, Saliou Mbengue, David Brus, and Naděžda Zíková
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 17933–17951, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-17933-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-17933-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study used drones for vertical profiling of black carbon and particle number at rural and urban sites in Czechia. With aerosol drying, drone measurements matched with fixed instruments; without drying, black carbon was significantly overestimated. Rural profiles were more stratified in winter, while urban summer profiles were well-mixed. These findings can help improve air-quality monitoring and policies by capturing vertical pollution structures that ground stations cannot resolve.
Aino Ovaska, Elio Rauth, Daniel Holmberg, Paulo Artaxo, John Backman, Benjamin Bergmans, Don Collins, Marco Aurélio Franco, Shahzad Gani, Roy M. Harrison, Rakesh K. Hooda, Tareq Hussein, Antti-Pekka Hyvärinen, Kerneels Jaars, Adam Kristensson, Markku Kulmala, Lauri Laakso, Ari Laaksonen, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Colin O'Dowd, Jakub Ondracek, Tuukka Petäjä, Kristina Plauškaitė, Mira Pöhlker, Ximeng Qi, Peter Tunved, Ville Vakkari, Alfred Wiedensohler, Kai Puolamäki, Tuomo Nieminen, Veli-Matti Kerminen, Victoria A. Sinclair, and Pauli Paasonen
Aerosol Research, 3, 589–618, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-589-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-589-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We trained machine learning models to estimate the number of aerosol particles large enough to form clouds and generated daily estimates for the entire globe. The models performed well in many continental regions but struggled in remote and marine areas. Still, this approach offers a way to quantify these particles in areas that lack direct measurements, helping us understand their influence on clouds and climate on a global scale.
Laurence C. Windell, Saliou Mbengue, Petra Pokorná, Jaroslav Schwarz, André S. H. Prévôt, Manousos I. Manousakas, Stefanos Papagiannis, Jakub Ondráček, Roman Prokeš, and Vladimir Ždímal
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 7021–7038, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7021-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7021-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we compare the two most widely used online XRF monitors for ambient elemental analysis, the Xact625i and PX-375. We found strong correlations between the online instruments and the reference method (better so for the Xact625i), while in terms of absolute concentrations, some elements were over- and underestimated. Overall, we determined both instruments can be used as powerful tools to produce high-time resolution elemental data for use in air quality monitoring.
Vanessa Engelhardt, Dominik van Pinxteren, and Hartmut Herrmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5542, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5542, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
Short summary
Short summary
We analysed 15 years of air pollution and drought data in Saxony, Germany, to understand how ozone in the lower atmosphere harms forests, grasslands, and crops. The study shows that mountain forests continue to absorb ozone even in dry years, while grasslands and wheat lose productivity. These results reveal how climate stress and air pollution together threaten vegetation and crop yields.
Kuanyun Hu, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Kun Li, Harmut Herrmann, Jianlong Li, and Lin Du
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5303, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5303, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
This study reveals that summer aerosols over the Bohai and Yellow Seas are mainly influenced by coastal emissions. Despite a high proportion of marine air masses, molecular and isotopic analyses of aerosols show strong terrestrial characteristics. Biomass burning contributes 60–80 % of carbonaceous aerosols, while marine sources account for only ~ 20 %. The findings highlight that controlling coastal emissions within ~ 260 km is crucial for mitigating marginal sea pollution.
Sabine Lüchtrath, Sven Klemer, Florian Fröhlich, Darius Ceburnis, Dominik van Pinxteren, Hartmut Herrmann, Wolfgang Frenzel, and Andreas Held
Aerosol Research Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-37, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-37, 2025
Preprint under review for AR
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a new online method to measure water-soluble iron in airborne particles using spectrophotometry of the magenta iron-ferrozine complex. Two sampling systems were tested and worked reliably, though one underestimated iron due to shorter extraction time. The method is well suited for field applications and could support future improvements of atmospheric iron modeling.
Lukáš Bartík, Peter Huszár, Jan Peiker, Jan Karlický, Ondřej Vlček, and Petr Vodička
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 15301–15328, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-15301-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-15301-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates how to better understand and predict organic aerosols, which are tiny particles in the air that can affect our health and climate. By using advanced computer models, we examined the impact of different emissions and environmental conditions on these aerosols in Central Europe. Our findings show that including specific emissions significantly improved the accuracy of our predictions.
Donger Lai, Yanxin Bai, Zijing Zhang, Pui-Kin So, Yong Jie Li, Ying-Lung Steve Tse, Ying-Yeung Yeung, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, Jian Zhen Yu, Yuchen Wang, and Man Nin Chan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12569–12584, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12569-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Aqueous-phase •OH oxidation can potentially act as an important atmospheric sink for α-pinene-derived organosulfates (OSs). Such oxidation can also generate a variety of new OS products, and can be as a potential source for some atmospheric OSs with previously unknown origins.
Johannes Schneider, Christiane Schulz, Florian Rubach, Anna Ludwig, Jonas Wilsch, Philipp Joppe, Christian Gurk, Sergej Molleker, Laurent Poulain, Florian Obersteiner, Torsten Gehrlein, Harald Bönisch, Andreas Zahn, Peter Hoor, Nicolas Emig, Heiko Bozem, Stephan Borrmann, and Markus Hermann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 5103–5128, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5103-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-5103-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
An instrumented container laboratory is operated on regular commercial passenger flights to obtain a long-term representative dataset on the composition of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Here we report on the development of a fully automated aerosol mass spectrometer for this project. We present technical specifications, necessary modifications for the automation, instrument calibration and comparisons, detection limits, and the first in-flight data.
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12087–12100, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the complexation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) with glutamic acid under cloud water conditions and the effect on Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions and hydroxyl radical formation and their impact on amino acid oxidation.
Petr Vodička, Kimitaka Kawamura, Bhagawati Kunwar, Lin Huang, Dhananjay Kumar, Md. Mozammel Haque, Ambarish Pokhrel, Sangeeta Sharma, and Leonard Barrie
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 10215–10228, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10215-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10215-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Carbonate carbon (CC) is not negligible in Arctic total suspended particles (TSPs). If not considered, CC biases the contribution of elemental and organic carbon. CC content in TSPs was strongly reflected in the δ13C values of total carbon (TC). The carbon contribution from CaCO3 supports the strong dependence of CC and δ13C on Ca. Finally, two hypothetical CC sources were identified based on the analysis of air mass back trajectories: dust resuspension and marine microorganisms.
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9737–9764, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates how hematite in Sahara dust affects how dust particles interact with radiation. Using lidar data from Cabo Verde (2021–2022) and hematite content from atmospheric model simulations, the results show that a higher hematite fraction leads to a decrease in the particle backscattering coefficients in a spectrally different way. These findings can improve the representation of mineral dust in climate models, particularly regarding their radiative effect.
Lenka Suchánková, Jakub Ondráček, Naděžda Zíková, Petr Roztočil, Petr Vodička, Roman Prokeš, Ivan Holoubek, and Vladimir Ždímal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3800, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3800, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we show how aerosol particles in city air change their ability to scatter light when exposed to humidity, which affects the climate. Using a new, simpler tool, we found that in Prague's suburbs, these particles showed only a small change in light scattering, likely due to carbon-rich pollution that effectively absorbs light. Our method reduces measurement uncertainty and helps fill gaps in urban climate data.
Olenka Jibaja Valderrama, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Manuela van Pinxteren, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, and Hartmut Herrmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4066, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4066, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The present study explores the influence of biological activity in the photochemistry of the sea-surface microlayer (SML) and its implications for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the marine atmosphere. Experimental evidence of enhanced photochemical activity of carbonyl compounds in the SML is provided, particularly in periods of higher biological productivity, thereby offering new insights to integrate biological processes and photochemistry in the air-sea boundary.
Amavi N. Silva, Surandokht Nikzad, Theresa Barthelmeß, Anja Engel, Hartmut Hermann, Manuela van Pinxteren, Kai Wirtz, Oliver Wurl, and Markus Schartau
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4050, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4050, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted the first meta-analysis combining marine and freshwater studies to understand organic matter enrichment in the surface microlayer. Nitrogen-rich, particulate compounds are often enriched, with patterns varying by multiple factors. We recommend tracking both absolute concentrations and normalized enrichment patterns to better assess ecological conditions. Our study also introduces improved statistical methods for analyzing and comparing surface microlayer data.
Yaru Wang, Dominik van Pinxteren, Andreas Tilgner, Erik Hans Hoffmann, Max Hell, Susanne Bastian, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8907–8927, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8907-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8907-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric ground-level ozone (O3) is a global air quality pollutant and greenhouse gas. Long-term O3 trends from 16 stations in Saxony, Germany, were compared over three periods, revealing worsened O3 pollution over the last decade. O3 formation has been volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited at traffic and urban sites for the past 20 years. To mitigate O3 pollution, moderate nitrogen oxides and additional VOC controls, particularly in solvent use, should be prioritized in the coming years.
Vikram Pratap, Christopher J. Hennigan, Bastian Stieger, Andreas Tilgner, Laurent Poulain, Dominik van Pinxteren, Gerald Spindler, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8871–8889, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8871-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8871-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we characterize trends in aerosol pH and its controlling factors during the period 2010–2019 at the Melpitz research station in eastern Germany. We find strong trends in aerosol pH and major inorganic species in response to changing emissions. We conduct a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the aerosol system and discuss implications for controlling particulate matter in the region.
Yifan Yang, Thomas Müller, Laurent Poulain, Samira Atabakhsh, Bruna A. Holanda, Jens Voigtländer, Shubhi Arora, and Mira L. Pöhlker
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8637–8655, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8637-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8637-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Black carbon (BC) is the major atmospheric aerosol that can absorb light and influence climate. We measured the physical properties of BC at a background site in Germany. In summer, BC particles were smaller and the mixture with other atmospheric components occurred during the daytime. In winter, emissions from residential heating significantly influenced BC's properties. Understanding these characteristics of BC can help to improve the accuracy of aerosol optic simulation.
Anisbel Leon-Marcos, Moritz Zeising, Manuela van Pinxteren, Sebastian Zeppenfeld, Astrid Bracher, Elena Barbaro, Anja Engel, Matteo Feltracco, Ina Tegen, and Bernd Heinold
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 4183–4213, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4183-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4183-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study represents the primary marine organic aerosol (PMOA) emissions, focusing on their sea–atmosphere transfer. Using the FESOM2.1–REcoM3 model, concentrations of key organic biomolecules were estimated and integrated into the ECHAM6.3–HAM2.3 aerosol–climate model. Results highlight the influence of marine biological activity and surface winds on PMOA emissions, with reasonably good agreement with observations improving aerosol representation in the southern oceans.
Ludovico Di Antonio, Claudia Di Biagio, Paola Formenti, Aline Gratien, Vincent Michoud, Christopher Cantrell, Astrid Bauville, Antonin Bergé, Mathieu Cazaunau, Servanne Chevaillier, Manuela Cirtog, Patrice Coll, Barbara D'Anna, Joel F. de Brito, David O. De Haan, Juliette R. Dignum, Shravan Deshmukh, Olivier Favez, Pierre-Marie Flaud, Cecile Gaimoz, Lelia N. Hawkins, Julien Kammer, Brigitte Language, Franck Maisonneuve, Griša Močnik, Emilie Perraudin, Jean-Eudes Petit, Prodip Acharja, Laurent Poulain, Pauline Pouyes, Eva Drew Pronovost, Véronique Riffault, Kanuri I. Roundtree, Marwa Shahin, Guillaume Siour, Eric Villenave, Pascal Zapf, Gilles Foret, Jean-François Doussin, and Matthias Beekmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3161–3189, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3161-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3161-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The spectral complex refractive index (CRI) and single scattering albedo were retrieved from submicron aerosol measurements at three sites within the greater Paris area during the ACROSS field campaign (June–July 2022). Measurements revealed urban emission impact on surrounding areas. CRI full period averages at 520 nm were 1.41 – 0.037i (urban), 1.52 – 0.038i (peri-urban), and 1.50 – 0.025i (rural). Organic aerosols dominated the aerosol mass and contributed up to 22 % of absorption at 370 nm.
Shravan Deshmukh, Laurent Poulain, Birgit Wehner, Silvia Henning, Jean-Eudes Petit, Pauline Fombelle, Olivier Favez, Hartmut Herrmann, and Mira Pöhlker
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 741–758, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-741-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-741-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol hygroscopicity has been investigated at a sub-urban site in Paris; analysis shows the sub-saturated regime's measured hygroscopicity and the chemically derived hygroscopic growth, shedding light on the large effect of external particle mixing and its influence on predicting hygroscopicity.
Pamela A. Dominutti, Jean-Luc Jaffrezo, Anouk Marsal, Takoua Mhadhbi, Rhabira Elazzouzi, Camille Rak, Fabrizia Cavalli, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Aikaterini Bougiatioti, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Despina Paraskevopoulou, Ian Mudway, Athanasios Nenes, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Catherine Banach, Steven J. Campbell, Hana Cigánková, Daniele Contini, Greg Evans, Maria Georgopoulou, Manuella Ghanem, Drew A. Glencross, Maria Rachele Guascito, Hartmut Herrmann, Saima Iram, Maja Jovanović, Milena Jovašević-Stojanović, Markus Kalberer, Ingeborg M. Kooter, Suzanne E. Paulson, Anil Patel, Esperanza Perdrix, Maria Chiara Pietrogrande, Pavel Mikuška, Jean-Jacques Sauvain, Katerina Seitanidi, Pourya Shahpoury, Eduardo J. d. S. Souza, Sarah Steimer, Svetlana Stevanovic, Guillaume Suarez, P. S. Ganesh Subramanian, Battist Utinger, Marloes F. van Os, Vishal Verma, Xing Wang, Rodney J. Weber, Yuhan Yang, Xavier Querol, Gerard Hoek, Roy M. Harrison, and Gaëlle Uzu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 177–195, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-177-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-177-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, 20 labs worldwide collaborated to evaluate the measurement of air pollution's oxidative potential (OP), a key indicator of its harmful effects. The study aimed to identify disparities in the widely used OP dithiothreitol assay and assess the consistency of OP among labs using the same protocol. The results showed that half of the labs achieved acceptable results. However, variability was also found, highlighting the need for standardisation in OP procedures.
Teemu Lepistö, Henna Lintusaari, Laura Salo, Ville Silvonen, Luis M. F. Barreira, Jussi Hoivala, Lassi Markkula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Jakub Ondracek, Kimmo Teinilä, Hanna E. Manninen, Sanna Saarikoski, Hilkka Timonen, Miikka Dal Maso, and Topi Rönkkö
Aerosol Research, 2, 271–289, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The performances of different particle lung-deposited surface area (LDSAal) measurement methods (Partector, ELPI+, SMPS/DMPS) were compared in ambient conditions. As LDSAal is a health-relevant metric and rather easy to utilise in air quality monitoring, it is crucial to know how the different methods agree, as there are clear differences in their operation. In all, a comparison of different methods can be complicated; still, the methods agree rather well in terms of local pollution (< 400 nm).
Shengqian Zhou, Ying Chen, Shan Huang, Xianda Gong, Guipeng Yang, Honghai Zhang, Hartmut Herrmann, Alfred Wiedensohler, Laurent Poulain, Yan Zhang, Fanghui Wang, Zongjun Xu, and Ke Yan
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 4267–4290, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-4267-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-4267-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a crucial natural reactive gas in the global climate system due to its great contribution to aerosols and subsequent impact on clouds over remote oceans. Leveraging machine learning techniques, we constructed a long-term global sea surface DMS gridded dataset with daily resolution. Compared to previous datasets, our new dataset holds promise for improving atmospheric chemistry modeling and advancing our comprehension of the climate effects associated with oceanic DMS.
Karam Mansour, Stefano Decesari, Darius Ceburnis, Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Lynn M. Russell, Marco Paglione, Laurent Poulain, Shan Huang, Colin O'Dowd, and Matteo Rinaldi
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 2717–2740, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2717-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2717-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We propose and evaluate machine learning predictive algorithms to model freshly formed biogenic methanesulfonic acid and sulfate concentrations. The long-term constructed dataset covers the North Atlantic at an unprecedented resolution. The improved parameterization of biogenic sulfur aerosols at regional scales is essential for determining their radiative forcing, which could help further understand marine-aerosol–cloud interactions and reduce uncertainties in climate models
Anil Kumar Mandariya, Junteng Wu, Anne Monod, Paola Formenti, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Mathieu Cazaunau, Stephan Mertes, Laurent Poulain, Antonin Berge, Edouard Pangui, Andreas Tilgner, Thomas Schaefer, Liang Wen, Hartmut Herrmann, and Jean-François Doussin
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-206, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2023-206, 2024
Publication in AMT not foreseen
Short summary
Short summary
An optimized and controlled protocol for generating quasi-adiabatic expansion clouds under simulated dark and light conditions was presented. The irradiated clouds clearly showed a gradual activation of seed particles into droplets. In contrast, non-irradiated clouds faced a flash activation. This paper will lay the foundation for multiphase photochemical studies implying water-soluble volatile organic compounds and particulate matter formation during cloud formation-evaporation cycles.
Andrea Cuesta-Mosquera, Kristina Glojek, Griša Močnik, Luka Drinovec, Asta Gregorič, Martin Rigler, Matej Ogrin, Baseerat Romshoo, Kay Weinhold, Maik Merkel, Dominik van Pinxteren, Hartmut Herrmann, Alfred Wiedensohler, Mira Pöhlker, and Thomas Müller
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2583–2605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2583-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2583-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study evaluated the air pollution and climate impacts of residential-wood-burning particle emissions from a rural European site. The authors investigate the optical and physical properties that connect the aerosol emissions with climate by evaluating atmospheric radiative impacts via simple-forcing calculations. The study contributes to reducing the lack of information on the understanding of the optical properties of air pollution from anthropogenic sources.
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Bernd Heinold, Julian Hofer, Ina Tegen, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 1271–1295, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-1271-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-1271-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Mineral dust aerosol particles vary greatly in their composition depending on source region, which leads to different physicochemical properties. Most atmosphere–aerosol models consider mineral dust aerosols to be compositionally homogeneous, which ultimately increases model uncertainty. Here, we present an approach to explicitly consider the heterogeneity of the mineralogical composition for simulations of the Saharan atmospheric dust cycle with regard to dust transport towards the Atlantic.
Sebastian Zeppenfeld, Manuela van Pinxteren, Markus Hartmann, Moritz Zeising, Astrid Bracher, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15561–15587, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15561-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15561-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Marine carbohydrates are produced in the surface of the ocean, enter the atmophere as part of sea spray aerosol particles, and potentially contribute to the formation of fog and clouds. Here, we present the results of a sea–air transfer study of marine carbohydrates conducted in the high Arctic. Besides a chemo-selective transfer, we observed a quick atmospheric aging of carbohydrates, possibly as a result of both biotic and abiotic processes.
Jean-Philippe Putaud, Enrico Pisoni, Alexander Mangold, Christoph Hueglin, Jean Sciare, Michael Pikridas, Chrysanthos Savvides, Jakub Ondracek, Saliou Mbengue, Alfred Wiedensohler, Kay Weinhold, Maik Merkel, Laurent Poulain, Dominik van Pinxteren, Hartmut Herrmann, Andreas Massling, Claus Nordstroem, Andrés Alastuey, Cristina Reche, Noemí Pérez, Sonia Castillo, Mar Sorribas, Jose Antonio Adame, Tuukka Petaja, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Jarkko Niemi, Véronique Riffault, Joel F. de Brito, Augustin Colette, Olivier Favez, Jean-Eudes Petit, Valérie Gros, Maria I. Gini, Stergios Vratolis, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Evangelia Diapouli, Hugo Denier van der Gon, Karl Espen Yttri, and Wenche Aas
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10145–10161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10145-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10145-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Many European people are still exposed to levels of air pollution that can affect their health. COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 were used to assess the impact of the reduction in human mobility on air pollution across Europe by comparing measurement data with values that would be expected if no lockdown had occurred. We show that lockdown measures did not lead to consistent decreases in the concentrations of fine particulate matter suspended in the air, and we investigate why.
Fabian Senf, Bernd Heinold, Anne Kubin, Jason Müller, Roland Schrödner, and Ina Tegen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8939–8958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8939-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8939-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Wildfire smoke is a significant source of airborne atmospheric particles that can absorb sunlight. Extreme fires in particular, such as those during the 2019–2020 Australian wildfire season (Black Summer fires), can considerably affect our climate system. In the present study, we investigate the various effects of Australian smoke using a global climate model to clarify how the Earth's atmosphere, including its circulation systems, adjusted to the extraordinary amount of Australian smoke.
Samira Atabakhsh, Laurent Poulain, Gang Chen, Francesco Canonaco, André S. H. Prévôt, Mira Pöhlker, Alfred Wiedensohler, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6963–6988, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6963-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6963-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study focuses on the aerosol chemical variations found in the rural-background station of Melpitz based on ACSM and MAAP measurements. Source apportionment on both organic aerosol (OA) and black carbon (eBC) was performed, and source seasonality was also linked to air mass trajectories. Overall, three anthropogenic sources were identified in OA and eBC plus two additional aged OA. Our results demonstrate the influence of transported coal-combustion-related OA even during summer time.
Manuela van Pinxteren, Sebastian Zeppenfeld, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, Nadja Triesch, Sanja Frka, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6571–6590, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6571-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6571-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Important marine organic carbon compounds were identified in the Atlantic Ocean and marine aerosol particles. These compounds were strongly enriched in the atmosphere. Their enrichment was, however, not solely explained via sea-to-air transfer but also via atmospheric in situ formation. The identified compounds constituted about 50 % of the organic carbon on the aerosol particles, and a pronounced coupling between ocean and atmosphere for this oligotrophic region could be concluded.
Yuan Wang, Silvia Henning, Laurent Poulain, Chunsong Lu, Frank Stratmann, Yuying Wang, Shengjie Niu, Mira L. Pöhlker, Hartmut Herrmann, and Alfred Wiedensohler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15943–15962, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15943-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15943-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol particle activation affects cloud, precipitation, radiation, and thus the global climate. Its long-term measurements are important but still scarce. In this study, more than 4 years of measurements at a central European station were analyzed. The overall characteristics and seasonal changes of aerosol particle activation are summarized. The power-law fit between particle hygroscopicity factor and diameter was recommended for predicting cloud
condensation nuclei number concentration.
Bernd Heinold, Holger Baars, Boris Barja, Matthew Christensen, Anne Kubin, Kevin Ohneiser, Kerstin Schepanski, Nick Schutgens, Fabian Senf, Roland Schrödner, Diego Villanueva, and Ina Tegen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9969–9985, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9969-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9969-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The extreme 2019–2020 Australian wildfires produced massive smoke plumes lofted into the lower stratosphere by pyrocumulonimbus convection. Most climate models do not adequately simulate the injection height of such intense fires. By combining aerosol-climate modeling with prescribed pyroconvective smoke injection and lidar observations, this study shows the importance of the representation of the most extreme wildfire events for estimating the atmospheric energy budget.
Roland Vernooij, Patrik Winiger, Martin Wooster, Tercia Strydom, Laurent Poulain, Ulrike Dusek, Mark Grosvenor, Gareth J. Roberts, Nick Schutgens, and Guido R. van der Werf
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 4271–4294, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4271-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4271-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Landscape fires are a substantial emitter of greenhouse gases and aerosols. Previous studies have indicated savanna emission factors to be highly variable. Improving fire emission estimates, and understanding future climate- and human-induced changes in fire regimes, requires in situ measurements. We present a drone-based method that enables the collection of a large amount of high-quality emission factor measurements that do not have the biases of aircraft or surface measurements.
Marco Wietzoreck, Marios Kyprianou, Benjamin A. Musa Bandowe, Siddika Celik, John N. Crowley, Frank Drewnick, Philipp Eger, Nils Friedrich, Minas Iakovides, Petr Kukučka, Jan Kuta, Barbora Nežiková, Petra Pokorná, Petra Přibylová, Roman Prokeš, Roland Rohloff, Ivan Tadic, Sebastian Tauer, Jake Wilson, Hartwig Harder, Jos Lelieveld, Ulrich Pöschl, Euripides G. Stephanou, and Gerhard Lammel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8739–8766, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8739-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8739-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A unique dataset of concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated, oxygenated and nitrated derivatives, in total 74 individual species, in the marine atmosphere is presented. Exposure to these substances poses a major health risk. We found very low concentrations over the Arabian Sea, while both local and long-range-transported pollution caused elevated levels over the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf.
Lady Mateus-Fontecha, Angela Vargas-Burbano, Rodrigo Jimenez, Nestor Y. Rojas, German Rueda-Saa, Dominik van Pinxteren, Manuela van Pinxteren, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8473–8495, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8473-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8473-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study reports the chemical composition of regionally representative PM2.5 in an area densely populated and substantially industrialized, located in the inter-Andean valley, with the highest sugarcane yield in the world and where sugarcane is burned and harvested year round. We found that sugarcane burning is not portrayed as a distinguishable sample composition component. Instead, the composition analysis revealed multiple associations among sugarcane burning components and other sources.
Petra Pokorná, Naděžda Zíková, Petr Vodička, Radek Lhotka, Saliou Mbengue, Adéla Holubová Šmejkalová, Véronique Riffault, Jakub Ondráček, Jaroslav Schwarz, and Vladimír Ždímal
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5829–5858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5829-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5829-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
By examining individual episodes of high mass and number concentrations, we show that the seasonality in the physicochemical properties of aerosol particles was caused by the sources' diversity and was related to the different air masses and meteorology. We also confirmed the relation between particle size and age that is reflected in oxidation state and shape (difference in densities; effective vs. material). The results have general validity and thus transcend the study regional character.
Manuela van Pinxteren, Tiera-Brandy Robinson, Sebastian Zeppenfeld, Xianda Gong, Enno Bahlmann, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, Nadja Triesch, Frank Stratmann, Oliver Wurl, Anja Engel, Heike Wex, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5725–5742, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5725-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5725-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A class of marine particles (transparent exopolymer particles, TEPs) that is ubiquitously found in the world oceans was measured for the first time in ambient marine aerosol particles and marine cloud waters in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. TEPs are likely to have good properties for influencing clouds. We show that TEPs are transferred from the ocean to the marine atmosphere via sea-spray formation and our results suggest that they can also form directly in aerosol particles and in cloud water.
Kristina Glojek, Griša Močnik, Honey Dawn C. Alas, Andrea Cuesta-Mosquera, Luka Drinovec, Asta Gregorič, Matej Ogrin, Kay Weinhold, Irena Ježek, Thomas Müller, Martin Rigler, Maja Remškar, Dominik van Pinxteren, Hartmut Herrmann, Martina Ristorini, Maik Merkel, Miha Markelj, and Alfred Wiedensohler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5577–5601, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5577-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5577-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
A pilot study to determine the emissions of wood burning under
real-world laboratoryconditions was conducted. We found that measured black carbon (eBC) and particulate matter (PM) in rural shallow terrain depressions with residential wood burning could be much greater than predicted by models. The exceeding levels are a cause for concern since similar conditions can be expected in numerous hilly and mountainous regions across Europe, where approximately 20 % of the total population lives.
Ralf Döscher, Mario Acosta, Andrea Alessandri, Peter Anthoni, Thomas Arsouze, Tommi Bergman, Raffaele Bernardello, Souhail Boussetta, Louis-Philippe Caron, Glenn Carver, Miguel Castrillo, Franco Catalano, Ivana Cvijanovic, Paolo Davini, Evelien Dekker, Francisco J. Doblas-Reyes, David Docquier, Pablo Echevarria, Uwe Fladrich, Ramon Fuentes-Franco, Matthias Gröger, Jost v. Hardenberg, Jenny Hieronymus, M. Pasha Karami, Jukka-Pekka Keskinen, Torben Koenigk, Risto Makkonen, François Massonnet, Martin Ménégoz, Paul A. Miller, Eduardo Moreno-Chamarro, Lars Nieradzik, Twan van Noije, Paul Nolan, Declan O'Donnell, Pirkka Ollinaho, Gijs van den Oord, Pablo Ortega, Oriol Tintó Prims, Arthur Ramos, Thomas Reerink, Clement Rousset, Yohan Ruprich-Robert, Philippe Le Sager, Torben Schmith, Roland Schrödner, Federico Serva, Valentina Sicardi, Marianne Sloth Madsen, Benjamin Smith, Tian Tian, Etienne Tourigny, Petteri Uotila, Martin Vancoppenolle, Shiyu Wang, David Wårlind, Ulrika Willén, Klaus Wyser, Shuting Yang, Xavier Yepes-Arbós, and Qiong Zhang
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 2973–3020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-2973-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-2973-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Earth system model EC-Earth3 is documented here. Key performance metrics show physical behavior and biases well within the frame known from recent models. With improved physical and dynamic features, new ESM components, community tools, and largely improved physical performance compared to the CMIP5 version, EC-Earth3 represents a clear step forward for the only European community ESM. We demonstrate here that EC-Earth3 is suited for a range of tasks in CMIP6 and beyond.
Tommi Bergman, Risto Makkonen, Roland Schrödner, Erik Swietlicki, Vaughan T. J. Phillips, Philippe Le Sager, and Twan van Noije
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 683–713, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-683-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-683-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We describe in this paper the implementation of a process-based secondary organic aerosol and new particle formation scheme within the chemistry transport model TM5-MP version 1.2. The performance of the model simulations for the year 2010 is evaluated against in situ observations, ground-based remote sensing and satellite retrievals. Overall, the simulated aerosol fields are improved, although in some areas the model shows a decline in performance.
Matthew W. Christensen, Andrew Gettelman, Jan Cermak, Guy Dagan, Michael Diamond, Alyson Douglas, Graham Feingold, Franziska Glassmeier, Tom Goren, Daniel P. Grosvenor, Edward Gryspeerdt, Ralph Kahn, Zhanqing Li, Po-Lun Ma, Florent Malavelle, Isabel L. McCoy, Daniel T. McCoy, Greg McFarquhar, Johannes Mülmenstädt, Sandip Pal, Anna Possner, Adam Povey, Johannes Quaas, Daniel Rosenfeld, Anja Schmidt, Roland Schrödner, Armin Sorooshian, Philip Stier, Velle Toll, Duncan Watson-Parris, Robert Wood, Mingxi Yang, and Tianle Yuan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 641–674, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-641-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-641-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Trace gases and aerosols (tiny airborne particles) are released from a variety of point sources around the globe. Examples include volcanoes, industrial chimneys, forest fires, and ship stacks. These sources provide opportunistic experiments with which to quantify the role of aerosols in modifying cloud properties. We review the current state of understanding on the influence of aerosol on climate built from the wide range of natural and anthropogenic laboratories investigated in recent decades.
Nabil Deabji, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, Souad El Hajjaji, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Laurent Poulain, Sebastian Zeppenfeld, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 18147–18174, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18147-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18147-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Mountain and high-altitude sites provide representative data for the lower free troposphere, various pathways for aerosol interactions, and changing boundary layer heights useful in understanding atmospheric composition. However, only few studies exist in African regions despite diversity in both natural and anthropogenic emissions. This study provides detailed atmospheric studies in the northern African high-altitude region.
Clémence Rose, Martine Collaud Coen, Elisabeth Andrews, Yong Lin, Isaline Bossert, Cathrine Lund Myhre, Thomas Tuch, Alfred Wiedensohler, Markus Fiebig, Pasi Aalto, Andrés Alastuey, Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco, Marcos Andrade, Begoña Artíñano, Todor Arsov, Urs Baltensperger, Susanne Bastian, Olaf Bath, Johan Paul Beukes, Benjamin T. Brem, Nicolas Bukowiecki, Juan Andrés Casquero-Vera, Sébastien Conil, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Olivier Favez, Harald Flentje, Maria I. Gini, Francisco Javier Gómez-Moreno, Martin Gysel-Beer, Anna Gannet Hallar, Ivo Kalapov, Nikos Kalivitis, Anne Kasper-Giebl, Melita Keywood, Jeong Eun Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Adam Kristensson, Markku Kulmala, Heikki Lihavainen, Neng-Huei Lin, Hassan Lyamani, Angela Marinoni, Sebastiao Martins Dos Santos, Olga L. Mayol-Bracero, Frank Meinhardt, Maik Merkel, Jean-Marc Metzger, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Jakub Ondracek, Marco Pandolfi, Noemi Pérez, Tuukka Petäjä, Jean-Eudes Petit, David Picard, Jean-Marc Pichon, Veronique Pont, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Fabienne Reisen, Karine Sellegri, Sangeeta Sharma, Gerhard Schauer, Patrick Sheridan, James Patrick Sherman, Andreas Schwerin, Ralf Sohmer, Mar Sorribas, Junying Sun, Pierre Tulet, Ville Vakkari, Pieter Gideon van Zyl, Fernando Velarde, Paolo Villani, Stergios Vratolis, Zdenek Wagner, Sheng-Hsiang Wang, Kay Weinhold, Rolf Weller, Margarita Yela, Vladimir Zdimal, and Paolo Laj
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 17185–17223, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17185-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17185-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol particles are a complex component of the atmospheric system the effects of which are among the most uncertain in climate change projections. Using data collected at 62 stations, this study provides the most up-to-date picture of the spatial distribution of particle number concentration and size distribution worldwide, with the aim of contributing to better representation of aerosols and their interactions with clouds in models and, therefore, better evaluation of their impact on climate.
Sebastian Düsing, Albert Ansmann, Holger Baars, Joel C. Corbin, Cyrielle Denjean, Martin Gysel-Beer, Thomas Müller, Laurent Poulain, Holger Siebert, Gerald Spindler, Thomas Tuch, Birgit Wehner, and Alfred Wiedensohler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16745–16773, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16745-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16745-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The work deals with optical properties of aerosol particles in dried and atmospheric states. Based on two measurement campaigns in the rural background of central Europe, different measurement approaches were compared with each other, such as modeling based on Mie theory and direct in situ or remote sensing measurements. Among others, it was shown that the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratio is relative humidity dependent, and refinement with respect to the model input parameters is needed.
Stefano Galmarini, Paul Makar, Olivia E. Clifton, Christian Hogrefe, Jesse O. Bash, Roberto Bellasio, Roberto Bianconi, Johannes Bieser, Tim Butler, Jason Ducker, Johannes Flemming, Alma Hodzic, Christopher D. Holmes, Ioannis Kioutsioukis, Richard Kranenburg, Aurelia Lupascu, Juan Luis Perez-Camanyo, Jonathan Pleim, Young-Hee Ryu, Roberto San Jose, Donna Schwede, Sam Silva, and Ralf Wolke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15663–15697, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15663-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15663-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This technical note presents the research protocols for phase 4 of the Air Quality Model Evaluation International Initiative (AQMEII4). This initiative has three goals: (i) to define the state of wet and dry deposition in regional models, (ii) to evaluate how dry deposition influences air concentration and flux predictions, and (iii) to identify the causes for prediction differences. The evaluation compares LULC-specific dry deposition and effective conductances and fluxes.
Twan van Noije, Tommi Bergman, Philippe Le Sager, Declan O'Donnell, Risto Makkonen, María Gonçalves-Ageitos, Ralf Döscher, Uwe Fladrich, Jost von Hardenberg, Jukka-Pekka Keskinen, Hannele Korhonen, Anton Laakso, Stelios Myriokefalitakis, Pirkka Ollinaho, Carlos Pérez García-Pando, Thomas Reerink, Roland Schrödner, Klaus Wyser, and Shuting Yang
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5637–5668, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5637-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5637-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper documents the global climate model EC-Earth3-AerChem, one of the members of the EC-Earth3 family of models participating in CMIP6. We give an overview of the model and describe in detail how it differs from its predecessor and the other EC-Earth3 configurations. The model's performance is characterized using coupled simulations conducted for CMIP6. The model has an effective equilibrium climate sensitivity of 3.9 °C and a transient climate response of 2.1 °C.
Andreas Tilgner, Thomas Schaefer, Becky Alexander, Mary Barth, Jeffrey L. Collett Jr., Kathleen M. Fahey, Athanasios Nenes, Havala O. T. Pye, Hartmut Herrmann, and V. Faye McNeill
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13483–13536, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13483-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13483-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Feedbacks of acidity and atmospheric multiphase chemistry in deliquesced particles and clouds are crucial for the tropospheric composition, depositions, climate, and human health. This review synthesizes the current scientific knowledge on these feedbacks using both inorganic and organic aqueous-phase chemistry. Finally, this review outlines atmospheric implications and highlights the need for future investigations with respect to reducing emissions of key acid precursors in a changing world.
R. Anthony Cox, Markus Ammann, John N. Crowley, Paul T. Griffiths, Hartmut Herrmann, Erik H. Hoffmann, Michael E. Jenkin, V. Faye McNeill, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Christopher J. Penkett, Andreas Tilgner, and Timothy J. Wallington
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13011–13018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13011-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13011-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The term open-air factor was coined in the 1960s, establishing that rural air had powerful germicidal properties possibly resulting from immediate products of the reaction of ozone with alkenes, unsaturated compounds ubiquitously present in natural and polluted environments. We have re-evaluated those early experiments, applying the recently substantially improved knowledge, and put them into the context of the lifetime of aerosol-borne pathogens that are so important in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Markus Hartmann, Xianda Gong, Simonas Kecorius, Manuela van Pinxteren, Teresa Vogl, André Welti, Heike Wex, Sebastian Zeppenfeld, Hartmut Herrmann, Alfred Wiedensohler, and Frank Stratmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11613–11636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11613-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11613-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are not well characterized in the Arctic despite their importance for the Arctic energy budget. Little is known about their nature (mineral or biological) and sources (terrestrial or marine, long-range transport or local). We find indications that, at the beginning of the melt season, a local, biogenic, probably marine source is likely, but significant enrichment of INPs has to take place from the ocean to the aerosol phase.
Anke Mutzel, Yanli Zhang, Olaf Böge, Maria Rodigast, Agata Kolodziejczyk, Xinming Wang, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8479–8498, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8479-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8479-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and particle growth from α-pinene, limonene, and m-cresol oxidation through NO3 and OH radicals and the effect of relative humidity. The formed SOA is comprehensively characterized with respect to the content of OC / EC, WSOC, SOA-bound peroxides, and SOA marker compounds. The findings present new insights and implications of nighttime chemistry, which can form SOA more efficiently than OH radical reaction during daytime.
Matthias Faust, Ralf Wolke, Steffen Münch, Roger Funk, and Kerstin Schepanski
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 2205–2220, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2205-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2205-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Trajectory dispersion models are powerful and intuitive tools for tracing air pollution through the atmosphere. But the turbulent nature of the atmospheric boundary layer makes it challenging to provide accurate predictions near the surface. To overcome this, we propose an approach using wind and turbulence information at high temporal resolution. Finally, we demonstrate the strength of our approach in a case study on dust emissions from agriculture.
Abdelwahid Mellouki, Markus Ammann, R. Anthony Cox, John N. Crowley, Hartmut Herrmann, Michael E. Jenkin, V. Faye McNeill, Jürgen Troe, and Timothy J. Wallington
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4797–4808, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4797-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4797-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Volatile organic compounds play an important role in atmospheric chemistry. This article, the eighth in the series, presents kinetic and photochemical data sheets evaluated by the IUPAC Task Group on Atmospheric Chemical Kinetic Data Evaluation. It covers the gas-phase reactions of organic species with four, or more, carbon atoms (≥ C4) including thermal reactions of closed-shell organic species with HO and NO3 radicals and their photolysis. These data are important for atmospheric models.
Nadja Triesch, Manuela van Pinxteren, Sanja Frka, Christian Stolle, Tobias Spranger, Erik Hans Hoffmann, Xianda Gong, Heike Wex, Detlef Schulz-Bull, Blaženka Gašparović, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 4267–4283, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4267-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-4267-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
To investigate the source of lipids and their representatives in the marine atmosphere, concerted measurements of seawater and submicrometer aerosol particle sampling were carried out on the Cabo Verde islands. This field study describes the biogenic sources of lipids, their selective transfer from the ocean into the atmosphere and their enrichment as part of organic matter. A strong enrichment of the studied representatives of the lipid classes on submicrometer aerosol particles was observed.
Laurent Poulain, Benjamin Fahlbusch, Gerald Spindler, Konrad Müller, Dominik van Pinxteren, Zhijun Wu, Yoshiteru Iinuma, Wolfram Birmili, Alfred Wiedensohler, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3667–3684, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3667-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3667-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present results from source apportionment analysis on the carbonaceous aerosol particles, including organic aerosol (OA) and equivalent black carbon (eBC), allowing us to distinguish local emissions from long-range transport for OA and eBC sources. By merging online chemical measurements and considering particle number size distribution, the different air masses reaching the sampling place were described and discussed, based on their respective chemical composition and size distribution.
Jinfeng Yuan, Robin Lewis Modini, Marco Zanatta, Andreas B. Herber, Thomas Müller, Birgit Wehner, Laurent Poulain, Thomas Tuch, Urs Baltensperger, and Martin Gysel-Beer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 635–655, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-635-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-635-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Black carbon (BC) aerosols contribute substantially to climate warming due to their unique light absorption capabilities. We performed field measurements at a central European background site in winter and found that variability in the absorption efficiency of BC particles is driven mainly by their internal mixing state. Our results suggest that, at this site, knowing the BC mixing state is sufficient to describe BC light absorption enhancements due to the lensing effect in good approximation.
Jing Dou, Peter A. Alpert, Pablo Corral Arroyo, Beiping Luo, Frederic Schneider, Jacinta Xto, Thomas Huthwelker, Camelia N. Borca, Katja D. Henzler, Jörg Raabe, Benjamin Watts, Hartmut Herrmann, Thomas Peter, Markus Ammann, and Ulrich K. Krieger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 315–338, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-315-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-315-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Photochemistry of iron(III) complexes plays an important role in aerosol aging, especially in the lower troposphere. Ensuing radical chemistry leads to decarboxylation, and the production of peroxides, and oxygenated volatile compounds, resulting in particle mass loss due to release of the volatile products to the gas phase. We investigated kinetic transport limitations due to high particle viscosity under low relative humidity conditions. For quantification a numerical model was developed.
Nadja Triesch, Manuela van Pinxteren, Anja Engel, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 163–181, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-163-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-163-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
To investigate the sources of free amino acids (FAAs) in the marine atmosphere, concerted measurements (the simultaneous investigation of seawater, size-segregated aerosol particles and cloud water) were performed at the Cabo Verde islands. This study describes the transfer of FAAs as part of organic matter from the ocean into the atmosphere on a molecular level. In the investigated marine environment, a high enrichment of FAAs in submicron aerosol particles and in cloud droplets was observed.
Cited articles
A3M Global Monitoring GmbH: COVID-19 pandemic – Poland, A3M Global Monitoring GmbH, https://global-monitoring.com/gm/page/events/epidemic-0001979.ebxN7jiczrLh.html?lang=en (last access: 5 July 2024), 2023. a
Alves Dias, P., Kanellopoulos, K., Medarac, H., Kapetaki, Z., Miranda Barbosa, E., Shortall, R., Czako, V., Telsnig, T., Vazquez Hernandez, C., Lacal Arantegui, R., Nijs, W., Gonzalez Aparicio, I., Trombetti, M., Mandras, G., Peteves, E., and Tzimas, E.: EU coal regions: opportunities and challenges ahead., Tech. rep., European Commission, LU, https://doi.org/10.2760/064809, 2018. a
Anderson, J. O., Thundiyil, J. G., and Stolbach, A.: Clearing the Air: A Review of the Effects of Particulate Matter Air Pollution on Human Health, Journal of Medical Toxicology, 8, 166–175, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-011-0203-1, 2011. a
Atabakhsh, S., Poulain, L., Chen, G., Canonaco, F., Prévôt, A. S. H., Pöhlker, M., Wiedensohler, A., and Herrmann, H.: A 1-year aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) source analysis of organic aerosol particle contributions from anthropogenic sources after long-range transport at the TROPOS research station Melpitz, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6963–6988, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6963-2023, 2023. a, b, c, d, e
Barthel, S., Tegen, I., and Wolke, R.: Do new sea spray aerosol source functions improve the results of a regional aerosol model?, Atmospheric Environment, 198, 265–278, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.10.016, 2019. a
Bartík, L., Huszár, P., Karlický, J., Vlček, O., and Eben, K.: Modeling the drivers of fine PM pollution over Central Europe: impacts and contributions of emissions from different sources, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4347–4387, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4347-2024, 2024. a, b, c
Beloconi, A. and Vounatsou, P.: Revised EU and WHO air quality thresholds: Where does Europe stand?, Atmospheric Environment, 314, 120110, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120110, 2023. a
Bergström, R., Denier van der Gon, H. A. C., Prévôt, A. S. H., Yttri, K. E., and Simpson, D.: Modelling of organic aerosols over Europe (2002–2007) using a volatility basis set (VBS) framework: application of different assumptions regarding the formation of secondary organic aerosol, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 8499–8527, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8499-2012, 2012. a
BMG: Coronavirus-Pandemie: Was geschah wann?, Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/chronik-coronavirus (last access: 13 June 2024), 2023. a
Brandt, J., Silver, J. D., Christensen, J. H., Andersen, M. S., Bønløkke, J. H., Sigsgaard, T., Geels, C., Gross, A., Hansen, A. B., Hansen, K. M., Hedegaard, G. B., Kaas, E., and Frohn, L. M.: Contribution from the ten major emission sectors in Europe and Denmark to the health-cost externalities of air pollution using the EVA model system – an integrated modelling approach, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 7725–7746, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-7725-2013, 2013. a
Bruns, E. A., Haddad, I. E., Slowik, J. G., Kilic, D., Klein, F., Baltensperger, U., and Prévôt, A. S. H.: Identification of significant precursor gases of secondary organic aerosols from residential wood combustion, Scientific Reports, 6, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep27881, 2016. a, b
Canagaratna, M., Jayne, J., Jimenez, J., Allan, J., Alfarra, M., Zhang, Q., Onasch, T., Drewnick, F., Coe, H., Middlebrook, A., Delia, A., Williams, L., Trimborn, A., Northway, M., DeCarlo, P., Kolb, C., Davidovits, P., and Worsnop, D.: Chemical and microphysical characterization of ambient aerosols with the aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer, Mass Spectrometry Reviews, 26, 185–222, https://doi.org/10.1002/mas.20115, 2007. a
Cavalli, F., Viana, M., Yttri, K. E., Genberg, J., and Putaud, J.-P.: Toward a standardised thermal-optical protocol for measuring atmospheric organic and elemental carbon: the EUSAAR protocol, Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 3, 79–89, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-3-79-2010, 2010. a
Chen, G., Canonaco, F., Tobler, A., Aas, W., Alastuey, A., Allan, J., Atabakhsh, S., Aurela, M., Baltensperger, U., Bougiatioti, A., De Brito, J. F., Ceburnis, D., Chazeau, B., Chebaicheb, H., Daellenbach, K. R., Ehn, M., El Haddad, I., Eleftheriadis, K., Favez, O., Flentje, H., Font, A., Fossum, K., Freney, E., Gini, M., Green, D. C., Heikkinen, L., Herrmann, H., Kalogridis, A.-C., Keernik, H., Lhotka, R., Lin, C., Lunder, C., Maasikmets, M., Manousakas, M. I., Marchand, N., Marin, C., Marmureanu, L., Mihalopoulos, N., Močnik, G., Nęcki, J., O’Dowd, C., Ovadnevaite, J., Peter, T., Petit, J.-E., Pikridas, M., Matthew Platt, S., Pokorná, P., Poulain, L., Priestman, M., Riffault, V., Rinaldi, M., Różański, K., Schwarz, J., Sciare, J., Simon, L., Skiba, A., Slowik, J. G., Sosedova, Y., Stavroulas, I., Styszko, K., Teinemaa, E., Timonen, H., Tremper, A., Vasilescu, J., Via, M., Vodička, P., Wiedensohler, A., Zografou, O., Cruz Minguillón, M., and Prévôt, A. S.: European aerosol phenomenology – 8: Harmonised source apportionment of organic aerosol using 22 Year-long ACSM/AMS datasets, Environment International, 166, 107325, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107325, 2022. a
Clappier, A., Belis, C. A., Pernigotti, D., and Thunis, P.: Source apportionment and sensitivity analysis: two methodologies with two different purposes, Geosci. Model Dev., 10, 4245–4256, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-4245-2017, 2017. a
DWD: Deutschlandwetter im Februar 2021, online, https://www.dwd.de//DE/presse/pressemitteilungen/DE/2021/20210226_deutschlandwetter_februar2021_news.html (last access: 11 October 2023), 2021a. a
DWD: Deutschlandwetter im Maerz 2021, online, https://www.dwd.de//DE/presse/pressemitteilungen/DE/2021/20210330_deutschlandwetter_maerz2021_news.html (last access: 11 October 2023), 2021b. a
EEA: European city air quality viewer, https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/urban-air-quality/european-city-air-quality-viewer (last access: 15 February 2024), 2019. a
EEA: Europe's air quality status 2021, online, https://doi.org/10.2800/488115 (last access: 7 February 2024), 2022. a, b
Emery, C., Liu, Z., Russell, A. G., Odman, M. T., Yarwood, G., and Kumar, N.: Recommendations on statistics and benchmarks to assess photochemical model performance, Journal of the Air amp, Waste Management Association, 67, 582–598, https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2016.1265027, 2017. a
Fagerli, H., Benedictow, A., van Caspel, W., Gauss, M., Ge, Y., Jonson, J. E., Klein, H., Nyí ri, A., Simpson, D., Tsyro, S., Valdebenito, A., Wind, P., Aas, W., Hjellbrekke, A., Solberg, S., Tø rseth, K., Yttri, K. E., Matthews, B., Schindlbacher, S., Ullrich, B., Wankm
babshnbuller, R., Klimont, Z., Scheuschner, T., Kuenen, J. J. P., Hellén, H., Jaffrezo, J.-L., Tusha, D., Mothes, F., Salameh, T., van Drooge, B. L., and Wegener, R.: Transboundary particulate matter, photo-oxidants, acidifying and eutrophying components, Tech. rep., EMEP, https://emep.int/publ/reports/2023/EMEP_Status_Report_1_2023.pdf (last access: 11 October 2025), 2023. a
babshnbuller, R., Klimont, Z., Scheuschner, T., Kuenen, J. J. P., Hellén, H., Jaffrezo, J.-L., Tusha, D., Mothes, F., Salameh, T., van Drooge, B. L., and Wegener, R.: Transboundary particulate matter, photo-oxidants, acidifying and eutrophying components, Tech. rep., EMEP, https://emep.int/publ/reports/2023/EMEP_Status_Report_1_2023.pdf (last access: 11 October 2025), 2023. a
Forster, P. M., Forster, H. I., Evans, M. J., Gidden, M. J., Jones, C. D., Keller, C. A., Lamboll, R. D., Quéré, C. L., Rogelj, J., Rosen, D., Schleussner, C.-F., Richardson, T. B., Smith, C. J., and Turnock, S. T.: Current and future global climate impacts resulting from COVID-19, Nature Climate Change, 10, 913–919, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0883-0, 2020. a
Galmarini, S., Makar, P., Clifton, O. E., Hogrefe, C., Bash, J. O., Bellasio, R., Bianconi, R., Bieser, J., Butler, T., Ducker, J., Flemming, J., Hodzic, A., Holmes, C. D., Kioutsioukis, I., Kranenburg, R., Lupascu, A., Perez-Camanyo, J. L., Pleim, J., Ryu, Y.-H., San Jose, R., Schwede, D., Silva, S., and Wolke, R.: Technical note: AQMEII4 Activity 1: evaluation of wet and dry deposition schemes as an integral part of regional-scale air quality models, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15663–15697, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15663-2021, 2021. a, b
Galperin, M. and Sofiev, M.: The long-range transport of ammonia and ammonium in the Northern Hemisphere, Atmospheric Environment, 32, 373–380, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(97)00045-9, 1998. a
Gkatzelis, G. I., Gilman, J. B., Brown, S. S., Eskes, H., Gomes, A. R., Lange, A. C., McDonald, B. C., Peischl, J., Petzold, A., Thompson, C. R., and Kiendler-Scharr, A.: The global impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on urban air pollution, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 9, https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2021.00176, 2021. a
Gu, Y., Henze, D. K., Nawaz, M. O., Cao, H., and Wagner, U. J.: Sources of PM2.5‐Associated Health Risks in Europe and Corresponding Emission‐Induced Changes During 2005–2015, GeoHealth, 7, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GH000767, 2023. a
Guevara, M., Jorba, O., Tena, C., Denier van der Gon, H., Kuenen, J., Elguindi, N., Darras, S., Granier, C., and Pérez García-Pando, C.: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service TEMPOral profiles (CAMS-TEMPO): global and European emission temporal profile maps for atmospheric chemistry modelling, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 367–404, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-367-2021, 2021. a
Guion, A., Couvidat, F., Guevara, M., and Colette, A.: Country and species-dependent parameters for the Heating Degree Day method to distribute NOx and PM emissions from residential heating in the EU-27: application to air quality modelling and multi-year emission projections, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2911, 2024. a
Haarig, M., Ansmann, A., Engelmann, R., Baars, H., Toledano, C., Torres, B., Althausen, D., Radenz, M., and Wandinger, U.: First triple-wavelength lidar observations of depolarization and extinction-to-backscatter ratios of Saharan dust, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 355–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-355-2022, 2022. a, b, c
Hatch, L. E., Luo, W., Pankow, J. F., Yokelson, R. J., Stockwell, C. E., and Barsanti, K. C.: Identification and quantification of gaseous organic compounds emitted from biomass burning using two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1865–1899, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1865-2015, 2015. a
Heinold, B., Tegen, I., Schepanski, K., Tesche, M., Esselborn, M., Freudenthaler, V., Gross, S., Kandler, K., Knippertz, P., Müller, D., Schladitz, A., Toledano, C., Weinzierl, B., Ansmann, A., Althausen, D., Müller, T., Petzold, A., and Wiedensohler, A.: Regional modelling of Saharan dust and biomass-burning smoke: Part 1: Model description and evaluation, Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology, 63, 781, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0889.2011.00570.x, 2011. a, b
Hinneburg, D., Renner, E., and Wolke, R.: Formation of secondary inorganic aerosols by power plant emissions exhausted through cooling towers in Saxony, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 16, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-008-0081-5, 2008. a, b
Horník, Š., Pokorná, P., Vodička, P., Lhotka, R., Sýkora, J., Arora, S., Poulain, L., Herrmann, H., Schwarz, J., and Ždímal, V.: Positive matrix factorization of seasonally resolved organic aerosol at three different central European background sites based on nuclear magnetic resonance Aerosolomics data, Science of The Total Environment, 916, 170303, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170303, 2024. a, b
Hoshyaripour, A.: February 2021: A dusty month for Europe, The European Geosciences Union (EGU) Blogs, https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/as/2021/04/03/february-2021-a-dusty-month-for-europe/ (last access: 11 October 2023), 2021. a
Hovorka, J., Pokorná, P., Hopke, P., Křůmal, K., Mikuška, P., and Píšová, M.: Wood combustion, a dominant source of winter aerosol in residential district in proximity to a large automobile factory in Central Europe, Atmospheric Environment, 113, 98–107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.04.068, 2015. a
Huang, L., Zhu, Y., Zhai, H., Xue, S., Zhu, T., Shao, Y., Liu, Z., Emery, C., Yarwood, G., Wang, Y., Fu, J., Zhang, K., and Li, L.: Recommendations on benchmarks for numerical air quality model applications in China – Part 1: PM2.5 and chemical species, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21, 2725–2743, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2725-2021, 2021. a
IEA: Czech Republic 2021 Energy Policy Review, Tech. rep., International Energy Agency, https://www.iea.org/reports/czech-republic-2021 (last access: 11 October 2025), 2021. a
Im, U., Bianconi, R., Solazzo, E., Kioutsioukis, I., Badia, A., Balzarini, A., Baró, R., Bellasio, R., Brunner, D., Chemel, C., Curci, G., Denier van der Gon, H., Flemming, J., Forkel, R., Giordano, L., Jiménez-Guerrero, P., Hirtl, M., Hodzic, A., Honzak, L., Jorba, O., Knote, C., Makar, P. A., Manders-Groot, A., Neal, L., Pérez, J. L., Pirovano, G., Pouliot, G., San Jose, R., Savage, N., Schroder, W., Sokhi, R. S., Syrakov, D., Torian, A., Tuccella, P., Wang, K., Werhahn, J., Wolke, R., Zabkar, R., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Hogrefe, C., and Galmarini, S.: Evaluation of operational online-coupled regional air quality models over Europe and North America in the context of AQMEII phase 2. Part II: Particulate matter, Atmospheric Environment, 115, 421–441, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.08.072, 2015. a, b, c
Inness, A., Ades, M., Agustí-Panareda, A., Barré, J., Benedictow, A., Blechschmidt, A.-M., Dominguez, J. J., Engelen, R., Eskes, H., Flemming, J., Huijnen, V., Jones, L., Kipling, Z., Massart, S., Parrington, M., Peuch, V.-H., Razinger, M., Remy, S., Schulz, M., and Suttie, M.: The CAMS reanalysis of atmospheric composition, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3515–3556, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3515-2019, 2019. a
Kaiser, J. W., Heil, A., Andreae, M. O., Benedetti, A., Chubarova, N., Jones, L., Morcrette, J.-J., Razinger, M., Schultz, M. G., Suttie, M., and van der Werf, G. R.: Biomass burning emissions estimated with a global fire assimilation system based on observed fire radiative power, Biogeosciences, 9, 527–554, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-527-2012, 2012. a
Karanasiou, A., Panteliadis, P., Perez, N., Minguillón, M., Pandolfi, M., Titos, G., Viana, M., Moreno, T., Querol, X., and Alastuey, A.: Evaluation of the Semi-Continuous OCEC analyzer performance with the EUSAAR2 protocol, Science of The Total Environment, 747, 141266, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141266, 2020. a
Karl, M., Dorn, H.-P., Holland, F., Koppmann, R., Poppe, D., Rupp, L., Schaub, A., and Wahner, A.: Product study of the reaction of OH radicals with isoprene in the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR, Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 55, 167–187, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-006-9034-x, 2006. a
Karl, M., Tsigaridis, K., Vignati, E., and Dentener, F.: Formation of secondary organic aerosol from isoprene oxidation over Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 7003–7030, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-9-7003-2009, 2009. a
Kranenburg, R., Segers, A. J., Hendriks, C., and Schaap, M.: Source apportionment using LOTOS-EUROS: module description and evaluation, Geosci. Model Dev., 6, 721–733, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-6-721-2013, 2013. a, b
Kuenen, J. J. P., Visschedijk, A. J. H., Jozwicka, M., and Denier van der Gon, H. A. C.: TNO-MACC_II emission inventory; a multi-year (2003–2009) consistent high-resolution European emission inventory for air quality modelling, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 10963–10976, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-10963-2014, 2014. a, b
Kwok, R., Napelenok, S., and Baker, K.: Implementation and evaluation of PM2.5 source contribution analysis in a photochemical model, Atmospheric Environment, 80, 398–407, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.08.017, 2013. a
Lhotka, R., Pokorná, P., Vodička, P., Zíková, N., Chen, G. I., Prévôt, A. S., Mbengue, S., Schwarz, J., and Ždímal, V.: Influence of meteorological conditions and seasonality on PM1 and organic aerosol sources at a rural background site, Atmospheric Environment, 121028, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121028, 2025. a, b, c, d, e
Liu, L., Hohaus, T., Franke, P., Lange, A. C., Tillmann, R., Fuchs, H., Tan, Z., Rohrer, F., Karydis, V., He, Q., Vardhan, V., Andres, S., Bohn, B., Holland, F., Winter, B., Wedel, S., Novelli, A., Hofzumahaus, A., Wahner, A., and Kiendler-Scharr, A.: Observational evidence reveals the significance of nocturnal chemistry in seasonal secondary organic aerosol formation, npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 7, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00747-6, 2024. a
Luttkus, M. L., Hoffmann, E. H., Poulain, L., Tilgner, A., and Wolke, R.: The Effect of Land Use Classification on the Gas‐Phase and Particle Composition of the Troposphere: Tree Species Versus Forest Type Information, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 127, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035305, 2022. a, b, c
Macuk, R.: Heating in Poland – Edition 2019, Forum Energii, https://www.forum-energii.eu/en/heating-in-poland-2019-edition (last access: 11 October 2025), 2019. a
Makeš, O., Schwarz, J., Vodička, P., Engling, G., and Ždímal, V.: Determination of PM1 Sources at a Prague Background Site during the 2012–2013 Period Using PMF Analysis of Combined Aerosol Mass Spectra, Atmosphere, 13, 20, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13010020, 2021. a
Matthias, V., Quante, M., Arndt, J. A., Badeke, R., Fink, L., Petrik, R., Feldner, J., Schwarzkopf, D., Link, E.-M., Ramacher, M. O. P., and Wedemann, R.: The role of emission reductions and the meteorological situation for air quality improvements during the COVID-19 lockdown period in central Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13931–13971, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13931-2021, 2021. a
Mbengue, S., Fusek, M., Schwarz, J., Vodička, P., Šmejkalová, A. H., and Holoubek, I.: Four years of highly time resolved measurements of elemental and organic carbon at a rural background site in Central Europe, Atmospheric Environment, 182, 335–346, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.03.056, 2018. a
Mbengue, S., Vodička, P., Komínková, K., Zíková, N., Schwarz, J., Prokeš, R., Suchánková, L., Julaha, K., Ondráček, J., Holoubek, I., and Ždímal, V.: Different approaches to explore the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on carbonaceous aerosols at a European rural background site, Science of The Total Environment, 892, 164527, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164527, 2023. a, b
Mircea, M., Calori, G., Pirovano, G., and Belis, C.: European guide on air pollution source apportionment for particulate matter with source oriented models and their combined use with receptor models, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, EUR 30082 EN, https://doi.org/10.2760/470628, 2020. a
Mozurkewich, M.: The dissociation constant of ammonium nitrate and its dependence on temperature, relative humidity and particle size, Atmospheric Environment. Part A. General Topics, 27, 261–270, https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-1686(93)90356-4, 1993. a
NFR-I: Annex I NFR reporting template, https://www.ceip.at/reporting-instructions/annexes-to-the-2023-reporting-guidelines (last access: 11 October 2025), 2023. a
Odum, J. R., Hoffmann, T., Bowman, F., Collins, D., Flagan, R. C., and Seinfeld, J. H.: Gas/Particle Partitioning and Secondary Organic Aerosol Yields, Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 2580–2585, https://doi.org/10.1021/es950943+, 1996. a, b
Odum, J. R., Jungkamp, T. P. W., Griffin, R. J., Flagan, R. C., and Seinfeld, J. H.: The Atmospheric Aerosol-Forming Potential of Whole Gasoline Vapor, Science, 276, 96–99, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.276.5309.96, 1997. a
Olivier, J. G. J., Bouwman, A. F., Van der Maas, C. W. M., Berdowski, J. J. M., Veldt, C., Bloos, J. P. J., H., V. A. J., Zandveld, P. Y. J., and Haverlag, J. L.: Description of EDGAR version 2.02.0: A set of global emission inventories ofgreenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances for all anthropogenicand most natural sources on a per country basis and on 1x1 grid, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Report no. 771060002/TNO-MEP report no. R96/119, (last access: 27 February 2024), 1996. a
OpenStreetMap contributors: OpenStreetMap, OpenStreetMap Foundation, https://www.openstreetmap.org (last access: 11 October 2025), available as open data under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) at https://www.openstreetmap.org, 2017. a
Pankow, J. F.: An absorption model of gas/particle partitioning of organic compounds in the atmosphere, Atmospheric Environment, 28, 185–188, https://doi.org/10.1016/1352-2310(94)90093-0, 1994. a
Pokorná, P., Schwarz, J., Krejci, R., Swietlicki, E., Havránek, V., and Ždímal, V.: Comparison of PM2.5 chemical composition and sources at a rural background site in Central Europe between 1993/1994/1995 and 2009/2010: Effect of legislative regulations and economic transformation on the air quality, Environmental Pollution, 241, 841–851, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.015, 2018. a
Pokorná, P., Zíková, N., Vodička, P., Lhotka, R., Mbengue, S., Holubová Šmejkalová, A., Riffault, V., Ondráček, J., Schwarz, J., and Ždímal, V.: Chemically speciated mass size distribution, particle density, shape and origin of non-refractory PM1 measured at a rural background site in central Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5829–5858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5829-2022, 2022. a, b, c, d
Poulain, L., Spindler, G., Birmili, W., Plass-Dülmer, C., Wiedensohler, A., and Herrmann, H.: Seasonal and diurnal variations of particulate nitrate and organic matter at the IfT research station Melpitz, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 12579–12599, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12579-2011, 2011. a, b, c, d, e
Poulain, L., Spindler, G., Grüner, A., Tuch, T., Stieger, B., van Pinxteren, D., Petit, J.-E., Favez, O., Herrmann, H., and Wiedensohler, A.: Multi-year ACSM measurements at the central European research station Melpitz (Germany) – Part 1: Instrument robustness, quality assurance, and impact of upper size cutoff diameter, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 4973–4994, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-4973-2020, 2020. a, b
Putaud, J.-P., Pisoni, E., Mangold, A., Hueglin, C., Sciare, J., Pikridas, M., Savvides, C., Ondracek, J., Mbengue, S., Wiedensohler, A., Weinhold, K., Merkel, M., Poulain, L., van Pinxteren, D., Herrmann, H., Massling, A., Nordstroem, C., Alastuey, A., Reche, C., Pérez, N., Castillo, S., Sorribas, M., Adame, J. A., Petaja, T., Lehtipalo, K., Niemi, J., Riffault, V., de Brito, J. F., Colette, A., Favez, O., Petit, J.-E., Gros, V., Gini, M. I., Vratolis, S., Eleftheriadis, K., Diapouli, E., Denier van der Gon, H., Yttri, K. E., and Aas, W.: Impact of 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns on particulate air pollution across Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10145–10161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10145-2023, 2023. a
Ramdahl, T.: Retene – a molecular marker of wood combustion in ambient air, Nature, 306, 580–582, https://doi.org/10.1038/306580a0, 1983. a
Rolph, G., Stein, A., and Stunder, B.: Real-time Environmental Applications and Display sYstem: READY, Environmental Modelling and Software, 95, 210–228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.06.025, 2017. a
Schättler, U., Doms, G., and Schraff, C.: COSMO-Model Version 5.05: A Description of the Nonhydrostatic Regional COSMO-Model – Part VII: User’s Guide, Deutscher Wetterdienst, https://doi.org/10.5676/DWD_pub/nwv/cosmo-doc_5.05_VII, 2018. a, b, c
Schauer, J. J., Kleeman, M. J., Cass, G. R., and Simoneit, B. R. T.: Measurement of Emissions from Air Pollution Sources. 3. C1−C29 Organic Compounds from Fireplace Combustion of Wood, Environmental Science and Technology, 35, 1716–1728, https://doi.org/10.1021/es001331e, 2001. a
Schell, B., Ackermann, I. J., Hass, H., Binkowski, F. S., and Ebel, A.: Modeling the formation of secondary organic aerosol within a comprehensive air quality model system, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 106, 28275–28293, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000384, 2001. a, b, c
Schepanski, K., Heinold, B., and Tegen, I.: Harmattan, Saharan heat low, and West African monsoon circulation: modulations on the Saharan dust outflow towards the North Atlantic, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 10223–10243, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-10223-2017, 2017. a
Schwarz, J., Chi, X., Maenhaut, W., Civis̆, M., Hovorka, J., and Smolík, J.: Elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric aerosols at downtown and suburban sites in Prague, Atmospheric Research, 90, 287–302, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2008.05.006, 2008. a
Schwarz, J., Cusack, M., Karban, J., Chalupníčková, E., Havránek, V., Smolík, J., and Ždímal, V.: PM2.5 chemical composition at a rural background site in Central Europe, including correlation and air mass back trajectory analysis, Atmospheric Research, 176–177, 108–120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.02.017, 2016. a
Seinfeld, J. H. and Pandis, S. N.: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Wiley-Interscience, [s.l.], 2. aufl. edn., ISBN 978-0-471-72018-8, description based upon print version of record, 2012.865, 2006 a
Simpson, D., Benedictow, A., Berge, H., Bergström, R., Emberson, L. D., Fagerli, H., Flechard, C. R., Hayman, G. D., Gauss, M., Jonson, J. E., Jenkin, M. E., Nyíri, A., Richter, C., Semeena, V. S., Tsyro, S., Tuovinen, J.-P., Valdebenito, Á., and Wind, P.: The EMEP MSC-W chemical transport model – technical description, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 7825–7865, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-7825-2012, 2012. a
Skjøth, C. A., Geels, C., Berge, H., Gyldenkærne, S., Fagerli, H., Ellermann, T., Frohn, L. M., Christensen, J., Hansen, K. M., Hansen, K., and Hertel, O.: Spatial and temporal variations in ammonia emissions – a freely accessible model code for Europe, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5221–5236, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5221-2011, 2011. a
Slabá, J.: Vládní boj proti pandemii: přehled opatření vydaných v souvislosti s pandemií onemocnění covid-19 v Česku v letech 2020 a 2021, Demografie, 64, 175–196, https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0303, 2022. a
Spindler, G., Teichmann, U., and Sutton, M. A.: Ammonia dry deposition over grassland-micrometeorological flux-gradient measurements and bidirectional flux calculations using an inferential model, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 127, 795–814, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.49712757305, 2001. a, b
Spindler, G., Gnauk, T., Grüner, A., Iinuma, Y., Müller, K., Scheinhardt, S., and Herrmann, H.: Size-segregated characterization of PM10 at the EMEP site Melpitz (Germany) using a five-stage impactor: a six year study, Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 69, 127–157, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-012-9233-6, 2012. a, b
Spindler, G., Grüner, A., Müller, K., Schlimper, S., and Herrmann, H.: Long-term size-segregated particle (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) characterization study at Melpitz – influence of air mass inflow, weather conditions and season, Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 70, 165–195, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-013-9263-8, 2013. a
Stein, A. F., Draxler, R. R., Rolph, G. D., Stunder, B. J. B., Cohen, M. D., and Ngan, F.: NOAAs HYSPLIT Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Modeling System, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 96, 2059–2077, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00110.1, 2015. a, b, c
Steinbrecher, R., Smiatek, G., Köble, R., Seufert, G., Theloke, J., Hauff, K., Ciccioli, P., Vautard, R., and Curci, G.: Intra- and inter-annual variability of VOC emissions from natural and semi-natural vegetation in Europe and neighbouring countries, Atmospheric Environment, 43, 1380–1391, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.09.072, 2009. a
Stockwell, W. R., Kirchner, F., Kuhn, M., and Seefeld, S.: A new mechanism for regional atmospheric chemistry modeling, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 102, 25847–25879, https://doi.org/10.1029/97JD00849, 1997. a
Tegen, I., Harrison, S. P., Kohfeld, K., Prentice, I. C., Coe, M., and Heimann, M.: Impact of vegetation and preferential source areas on global dust aerosol: Results from a model study, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 107, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000963, 2002. a
Theloke, J. and Friedrich, R.: Compilation of a database on the composition of anthropogenic VOC emissions for atmospheric modeling in Europe, Atmospheric Environment, 41, 4148–4160, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.12.026, 2007. a
Thunis, P., Clappier, A., Tarrason, L., Cuvelier, C., Monteiro, A., Pisoni, E., Wesseling, J., Belis, C., Pirovano, G., Janssen, S., Guerreiro, C., and Peduzzi, E.: Source apportionment to support air quality planning: Strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches, Environment International, 130, 104825, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.019, 2019. a, b, c
Tõnisson, L., Voigtländer, J., Weger, M., Assmann, D., Käthner, R., Heinold, B., and Macke, A.: Knowledge Transfer with Citizen Science: Luft-Leipzig Case Study, Sustainability, 13, 7855, https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147855, 2021. a
Turpin, B. J., Saxena, P., and Andrews, E.: Measuring and simulating particulate organics in the atmosphere: problems and prospects, Atmospheric Environment, 34, 2983–3013, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00501-4, 2000. a
US EPA Office of Research and Development: CMAQ (5.5), Zenodo [code], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13883210, 2024. a
van Pinxteren, D., Fomba, K. W., Spindler, G., Müller, K., Poulain, L., Iinuma, Y., Löschau, G., Hausmann, A., and Herrmann, H.: Regional air quality in Leipzig, Germany: detailed source apportionment of size-resolved aerosol particles and comparison with the year 2000, Faraday Discussions, 189, 291–315, https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fd00228a, 2016. a
van Pinxteren, D., Mothes, F., Spindler, G., Fomba, K. W., and Herrmann, H.: Trans-boundary PM10: Quantifying impact and sources during winter 2016/17 in eastern Germany, Atmospheric Environment, 200, 119–130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.11.061, 2019. a, b
van Pinxteren, D., Engelhardt, V., Mothes, F., Poulain, L., Fomba, K. W., Spindler, G., Cuesta-Mosquera, A., Tuch, T., Müller, T., Wiedensohler, A., Löschau, G., Bastian, S., and Herrmann, H.: Residential Wood Combustion in Germany: A Twin-Site Study of Local Village Contributions to Particulate Pollutants and Their Potential Health Effects, ACS Environmental Au, 4, 12–30, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00035, 2023. a, b
Wang, Z. S., Chien, C., and Tonnesen, G. S.: Development of a tagged species source apportionment algorithm to characterize three‐dimensional transport and transformation of precursors and secondary pollutants, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 114, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010846, 2009. a
Wiedenhaus, H.: Data for paper publication “Modeling Anthropogenic Aerosol Sources and Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation: A Wintertime Study in Central Europe”, in: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16406515, 2025. a
Wolke, R., Schröder, W., Schrödner, R., and Renner, E.: Influence of grid resolution and meteorological forcing on simulated European air quality: A sensitivity study with the modeling system COSMO–MUSCAT, Atmospheric Environment, 53, 110–130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.02.085, 2012. a, b, c, d, e
Wolke, R., Schrödner, R., and Wiedenhaus, H.: COSMO5.05-MUSCAT with non-reactive tagging module, Zenodo [code], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16947712, 2025. a
World Bank Group: The Global Health Cost of PM2.5 Air Pollution: A Case for Action Beyond 2021, International Development in Focus, https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1816-5, 2022. a
Yarwood, G., Morris, R. E., and Wilson, G. M.: Particulate Matter Source Apportionment Technology (PSAT) in the CAMx Photochemical Grid Model, in: Air Pollution Modeling and Its Application XVII, 478–492, Springer US, ISBN 9780387282558, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68854-1_52, 2007. a
Yee, L. D., Kautzman, K. E., Loza, C. L., Schilling, K. A., Coggon, M. M., Chhabra, P. S., Chan, M. N., Chan, A. W. H., Hersey, S. P., Crounse, J. D., Wennberg, P. O., Flagan, R. C., and Seinfeld, J. H.: Secondary organic aerosol formation from biomass burning intermediates: phenol and methoxyphenols, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 8019–8043, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-8019-2013, 2013. a
Zhang, Y., Chen, Y., Jiang, N., Wang, S., Zhang, R., Lv, Z., Hao, X., and Wei, Y.: Chemical-composition characteristics of PM1 and PM2.5 and effects on pH and light-extinction coefficients under different pollution levels in Zhengzhou, China, Journal of Cleaner Production, 409, 137274, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137274, 2023. a
Zíková, N. and Ždímal, V.: Long-Term Measurement of Aerosol Number Size Distributions at Rural Background Station Košetice, Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 13, 1464–1474, https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2013.02.0056, 2013. a
Zikova, N. and Zdimal, V.: Precipitation scavenging of aerosol particles at a rural site in the Czech Republic, Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology, 68, 27343, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v68.27343, 2016. a
Short summary
This study examines winter air quality in central Europe, focusing on the impact of domestic heating. Using a chemical transport model and measurements, it was found that the model underestimated organic particle concentrations. This was due to an underestimation of gases from domestic heating that form secondary organic particles. Improving the model by increasing these emissions and the particle formation led to better results, demonstrating the important role of heating emissions in winter.
This study examines winter air quality in central Europe, focusing on the impact of domestic...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint