A European aerosol phenomenology - 7: high-time resolution chemical characteristics of submicron particulate matter across Europe

M. Bressi (1) , F. Cavalli (1) , J.P. Putaud (1) , R. Fröhlich (2) , J.-E. Petit (3, 4) , W. Aas (5) , M. Aijala (6) , Andres Alastuey (7) , J.D. Allan (8) , M. Aurela (9) , M. Berico , A. Bougiatioti , N. Bukowiecki , F. Canonaco , V. Crenn (3) , S. Dusanter (10, 11) , M. Ehn , M. Elsasser , H. Flentje , P. Graf , D.C. Green , L. Heikkinen , H. Hermann (12) , R. Holzinger , C. Hueglin , H. Keernik , A. Kiendler-Scharr , L. Kubelová , C. Lunder , M. Maasikmets , O. Makeš , A. Malaguti , N. Mihalopoulos , J.B. Nicolas (3, 4) , C. O’dowd , J. Ovadnevaite , E. Petralia , L. Poulain (12) , M. Priestman , Véronique Riffault (10, 11) , A. Ripoll , P. Schlag , J. Schwarz , J. Sciare (3) , J. Slowik (2) , Y. Sosedova (2) , I. Stavroulas , E. Teinemaa , M. Via , P. Vodička , P.I. Williams , A. Wiedensohler , D.E. Young , S. Zhang (10, 11) , O. Favez (13) , M.C. Minguillón , A.S.H. Prévôt (2)

1 IES - JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability
2 PSI - Paul Scherrer Institute
3 LSCE - Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette]
4 CAE - Chimie Atmosphérique Expérimentale
5 NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research
6 Helsingin yliopisto = Helsingfors universitet = University of Helsinki
7 IDAEA - Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research
8 SEAES - School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences [Manchester]
9 FMI - Finnish Meteorological Institute
10 IMT Lille Douai - Ecole nationale supérieure Mines-Télécom Lille Douai
11 CERI EE - IMT Nord Europe - Centre for Energy and Environment
12 TROPOS - Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research
13 INERIS - Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques

Similarities and differences in the submicron atmospheric aerosol chemical composition are analyzed from a unique set of measurements performed at 21 sites across Europe for at least one year. These sites are located between 35 and 62°N and 10° W – 26°E, and represent various types of settings (remote, coastal, rural, industrial, urban). Measurements were all carried out on-line with a 30-minute time resolution using mass spectroscopy based instruments known as Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitors (ACSM) and Aerosol Mass Spectrometers (AMS) and following common measurement guidelines. Data regarding organics, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium concentrations, as well as the sum of them called non-refractory submicron aerosol mass concentration ([NR-PM1]) are discussed. NR-PM1 concentrations generally increase from remote to urban sites. They are mostly larger in the mid-latitude band than in southern and northern Europe. On average, organics account for the major part (36-64%) of NR-PM1 followed by sulfate (12-44%) and nitrate (6-35%). The annual mean chemical composition of NR-PM1 at rural (or regional background) sites and urban background sites are very similar. Considering rural and regional background sites only, nitrate contribution is higher and sulfate contribution is lower in mid-latitude Europe compared to northern and southern Europe. Large seasonal variations in concentrations (μg/m³) of one or more components of NR-PM1 can be observed at all sites, as well as in the chemical composition of NR-PM1 (%) at most sites. Significant diel cycles in the contribution to [NR-PM1] of organics, sulfate, and nitrate can be observed at a majority of sites both in winter and summer. Early morning minima in organics in concomitance with maxima in nitrate are common features at regional and urban background sites. Daily variations are much smaller at a number of coastal and rural sites. Looking at NR-PM1 chemical composition as a function of NR-PM1 mass concentration reveals that although organics account for the major fraction of NR-PM1 at all concentration levels at most sites, nitrate contribution generally increases with NR-PM1 mass concentration and predominates when NR-PM1 mass concentrations exceed 40 μg/m³ at half of the sites.

Mots clés: Aerosol; Chemical composition; Mass spectrometry; Phenomenology

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Milieux et Changements globaux

M. Bressi, F. Cavalli, J.P. Putaud, R. Fröhlich, J.-E. Petit, et al.. A European aerosol phenomenology - 7: high-time resolution chemical characteristics of submicron particulate matter across Europe. Atmospheric environment: X, 2021, pp.100108. ⟨10.1016/j.aeaoa.2021.100108⟩. ⟨hal-03165423⟩