Hygroscopicity

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Yafang Cheng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Hygroscopicity of organic compounds as a function of organic functionality water solubility molecular weight and oxidation level
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2021
    Co-Authors: Shuang Han, Haobo Tan, Juan Hong, Qingwei Luo, Qiaoqiao Wang, Jiangchuan Tao, Yaqing Zhou, Long Peng, Jingnan Shi, Yafang Cheng
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Hygroscopic properties of 23 organics including carboxylic acids, amino acids, sugars and alcohols were characterized using a Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HTDMA). We show that Hygroscopicity of organics varies widely with different functional groups and organics with additional functional groups are more hygroscopic. However, some compounds sharing the same molecular formula or functionality show quite different Hygroscopicity, demonstrating that other physico-chemical properties may contribute to their Hygroscopicity as well. If the organics are fully dissolved in water (solubility > 7× 10−1 g/ml), we found that their Hygroscopicity is mainly controlled by their molecular weight. For the organics that are not fully dissolved in water (slightly soluble: 5 × 10−4 g/ml

  • Hygroscopicity of amino acids and their effect on the water uptake of ammonium sulfate in the mixed aerosol particles
    Science of The Total Environment, 2020
    Co-Authors: Juan Hong, Yafang Cheng, Qiaoqiao Wang, Hanbing Xu, Hang Su
    Abstract:

    Abstract Amino acids are important water-soluble nitrogen-containing compounds in atmospheric aerosols. They can be involved in cloud formation due to their Hygroscopicity and have significant influences on the Hygroscopicity of inorganic compounds, which have not yet been well characterized. In this work, the hygroscopic properties of three amino acids, including aspartic acid, glutamine, and serine, as well as their mixtures with ammonium sulfate (AS) were investigated using a Hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA) system. The gradual water uptake of aspartic acid, glutamine and serine particles indicates that they exist as liquid phase at low RH. When mixing either aspartic acid or glutamine with AS by mass ratio of 1:3, we observed a clear phase transition but with a lower deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) with respect to that of pure AS. This suggests the crystallization of AS in the presence of each of these two amino acids. However, as the mass fractions of these two amino acids increased in the mixed particles, the deliquescence transition process was not obvious. In contrast, the crystallization of AS was efficiently hampered even at low content (i.e., 25% by mass) of serine in the mixed particles. The Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) method in general underestimated the hygroscopic growth of any mixtures at RH below 79% (prior to AS deliquescence), suggesting both amino acid and the partially dissolved AS contributed the overall Hygroscopicity at RH in this range. Relatively good agreements were reached between the measurements and model predictions using the Extended Aerosol Inorganic Model (E-AIM) assuming solid state AS in the mixed particles for 1:3 aspartic acid-AS and glutamine-AS systems. However, the model failed to simulate the water uptake behaviors of any other systems. It demonstrates that the interactions between components within the aerosols have a significant effect on the phase state of the mixed particles.

  • Hygroscopicity of amino acids and their effect on the water uptake of ammonium sulfate in the mixed aerosol particles
    Science of The Total Environment, 2020
    Co-Authors: Qingwei Luo, Haobo Tan, Shuang Han, Juan Hong, Qiaoqiao Wang, Jiangchuan Tao, Yafang Cheng
    Abstract:

    Abstract Amino acids are important water-soluble nitrogen-containing compounds in atmospheric aerosols. They can be involved in cloud formation due to their Hygroscopicity and have significant influences on the Hygroscopicity of inorganic compounds, which have not yet been well characterized. In this work, the hygroscopic properties of three amino acids, including aspartic acid, glutamine, and serine, as well as their mixtures with ammonium sulfate (AS) were investigated using a Hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA) system. The gradual water uptake of aspartic acid, glutamine and serine particles indicates that they exist as liquid phase at low RH. When mixing either aspartic acid or glutamine with AS by mass ratio of 1:3, we observed a clear phase transition but with a lower deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) with respect to that of pure AS. This suggests the crystallization of AS in the presence of each of these two amino acids. However, as the mass fractions of these two amino acids increased in the mixed particles, the deliquescence transition process was not obvious. In contrast, the crystallization of AS was efficiently hampered even at low content (i.e., 25% by mass) of serine in the mixed particles. The Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) method in general underestimated the hygroscopic growth of any mixtures at RH below 79% (prior to AS deliquescence), suggesting both amino acid and the partially dissolved AS contributed the overall Hygroscopicity at RH in this range. Relatively good agreements were reached between the measurements and model predictions using the Extended Aerosol Inorganic Model (E-AIM) assuming solid state AS in the mixed particles for 1:3 aspartic acid-AS and glutamine-AS systems. However, the model failed to simulate the water uptake behaviors of any other systems. It demonstrates that the interactions between components within the aerosols have a significant effect on the phase state of the mixed particles.

  • distinct diurnal variation in organic aerosol Hygroscopicity and its relationship with oxygenated organic aerosol
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2020
    Co-Authors: Ye Kuang, Yafang Cheng, Jiangchuan Tao, Pusheng Zhao, Gang Zhao, Yanyan Zhang, Jiayin Sun, Peng Cheng, Wenda Yang, Shaobin Zhang
    Abstract:

    Abstract. The Hygroscopicity of organic aerosol (OA) is important for investigation of its climatic and environmental impacts. However, the Hygroscopicity parameter κOA remains poorly characterized, especially in the relatively polluted environment on the North China Plain (NCP). Here we conducted simultaneous wintertime measurements of bulk aerosol chemical compositions of PM 2.5 and PM 1 and bulk aerosol Hygroscopicity of PM 10 and PM 1 on the NCP using a capture-vaporizer time-of-flight aerosol chemical speciation monitor (CV-ToF-ACSM) and a humidified nephelometer system which measures the aerosol light-scattering enhancement factor f(RH) . A method for calculating κOA based on f(RH) and bulk aerosol chemical-composition measurements was developed. We found that κOA varied in a wide range with significant diurnal variations. The derived κOA ranged from almost 0.0 to 0.25, with an average ( ±1σ ) of 0.08 ( ±0.06 ) for the entire study. The derived κOA was highly correlated with f44 (fraction of m∕z  44 in OA measured by CV-ToF-ACSM), an indicator of the oxidation degree of OA ( R=0.79 ), and the relationship can be parameterized as κ OA = 1.04 × f 44 - 0.02 ( κ OA = 0.3 × O : C - 0.02 , based on the relationship between the f44 and O∕C ratio for CV-ToF-ACSM). On average, κOA reached the minimum (0.02) in the morning near 07:30 local time (LT) and then increased rapidly, reaching the peak value of 0.16 near 14:30 LT. The diurnal variations in κOA were highly and positively correlated with those of mass fractions of oxygenated OA ( R=0.95 ), indicating that photochemical processing played a dominant role in the increase in κOA in winter on the NCP. Results in this study demonstrate the potential wide applications of a humidified nephelometer system together with aerosol composition measurements for investigating the Hygroscopicity of OA in various environments and highlight that the parameterization of κOA as a function of OA aging processes needs to be considered in chemical transport models for better evaluating the impacts of OA on cloud formation, atmospheric chemistry, and radiative forcing.

  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei over the amazon rain forest part 2 variability and characteristics of biomass burning long range transport and pristine rain forest aerosols
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Jorge Saturno, Thomas Klimach, Isabella Hrabě De Angelis, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted over a full seasonal cycle at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, March 2014–February 2015). In a preceding companion paper, we presented annually and seasonally averaged data and parametrizations (Part 1; Pohlker et al., 2016a). In the present study (Part 2), we analyze key features and implications of aerosol and CCN properties for the following characteristic atmospheric conditions: Empirically pristine rain forest (PR) conditions, where no influence of pollution was detectable, as observed during parts of the wet season from March to May. The PR episodes are characterized by a bimodal aerosol size distribution (strong Aitken mode with DAit ≈  70 nm and NAit ≈  160 cm −3 , weak accumulation mode with Dacc ≈  160 nm and Nacc≈  90 cm −3 ), a chemical composition dominated by organic compounds, and relatively low particle Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.12, κacc ≈  0.18). Long-range-transport (LRT) events, which frequently bring Saharan dust, African biomass smoke, and sea spray aerosols into the Amazon Basin, mostly during February to April. The LRT episodes are characterized by a dominant accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  80 nm, NAit ≈  120 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  180 nm, Nacc ≈  310 cm −3 ), an increased abundance of dust and salt, and relatively high Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.18, κacc ≈  0.35). The coarse mode is also significantly enhanced during these events. Biomass burning (BB) conditions characteristic for the Amazonian dry season from August to November. The BB episodes show a very strong accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  70 nm, NAit ≈  140 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  170 nm, Nacc ≈  3400 cm −3 ), very high organic mass fractions ( ∼  90 %), and correspondingly low Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.14, κacc ≈  0.17). Mixed-pollution (MPOL) conditions with a superposition of African and Amazonian aerosol emissions during the dry season. During the MPOL episode presented here as a case study, we observed African aerosols with a broad monomodal distribution ( D ≈  130 nm, NCN,10 ≈  1300 cm −3 ), with high sulfate mass fractions ( ∼  20 %) from volcanic sources and correspondingly high Hygroscopicity ( κ ≈  0.14, κ > 100 nm ≈  0.22), which were periodically mixed with fresh smoke from nearby fires ( D ≈  110 nm, NCN,10 ≈  2800 cm −3 ) with an organic-dominated composition and sharply decreased Hygroscopicity ( κ 150 nm ≈  0.10, κ > 150 nm ≈  0.20). Insights into the aerosol mixing state are provided by particle Hygroscopicity ( κ ) distribution plots, which indicate largely internal mixing for the PR aerosols (narrow κ distribution) and more external mixing for the BB, LRT, and MPOL aerosols (broad κ distributions). The CCN spectra (CCN concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) obtained for the different case studies indicate distinctly different regimes of cloud formation and microphysics depending on aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. The measurement results suggest that CCN activation and droplet formation in convective clouds are mostly aerosol-limited under PR and LRT conditions and updraft-limited under BB and MPOL conditions. Normalized CCN efficiency spectra (CCN divided by aerosol number concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) and corresponding parameterizations (Gaussian error function fits) provide a basis for further analysis and model studies of aerosol–cloud interactions in the Amazon.

Mira L Pohlker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei over the amazon rain forest part 2 variability and characteristics of biomass burning long range transport and pristine rain forest aerosols
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Jorge Saturno, Thomas Klimach, Isabella Hrabě De Angelis, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted over a full seasonal cycle at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, March 2014–February 2015). In a preceding companion paper, we presented annually and seasonally averaged data and parametrizations (Part 1; Pohlker et al., 2016a). In the present study (Part 2), we analyze key features and implications of aerosol and CCN properties for the following characteristic atmospheric conditions: Empirically pristine rain forest (PR) conditions, where no influence of pollution was detectable, as observed during parts of the wet season from March to May. The PR episodes are characterized by a bimodal aerosol size distribution (strong Aitken mode with DAit ≈  70 nm and NAit ≈  160 cm −3 , weak accumulation mode with Dacc ≈  160 nm and Nacc≈  90 cm −3 ), a chemical composition dominated by organic compounds, and relatively low particle Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.12, κacc ≈  0.18). Long-range-transport (LRT) events, which frequently bring Saharan dust, African biomass smoke, and sea spray aerosols into the Amazon Basin, mostly during February to April. The LRT episodes are characterized by a dominant accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  80 nm, NAit ≈  120 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  180 nm, Nacc ≈  310 cm −3 ), an increased abundance of dust and salt, and relatively high Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.18, κacc ≈  0.35). The coarse mode is also significantly enhanced during these events. Biomass burning (BB) conditions characteristic for the Amazonian dry season from August to November. The BB episodes show a very strong accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  70 nm, NAit ≈  140 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  170 nm, Nacc ≈  3400 cm −3 ), very high organic mass fractions ( ∼  90 %), and correspondingly low Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.14, κacc ≈  0.17). Mixed-pollution (MPOL) conditions with a superposition of African and Amazonian aerosol emissions during the dry season. During the MPOL episode presented here as a case study, we observed African aerosols with a broad monomodal distribution ( D ≈  130 nm, NCN,10 ≈  1300 cm −3 ), with high sulfate mass fractions ( ∼  20 %) from volcanic sources and correspondingly high Hygroscopicity ( κ ≈  0.14, κ > 100 nm ≈  0.22), which were periodically mixed with fresh smoke from nearby fires ( D ≈  110 nm, NCN,10 ≈  2800 cm −3 ) with an organic-dominated composition and sharply decreased Hygroscopicity ( κ 150 nm ≈  0.10, κ > 150 nm ≈  0.20). Insights into the aerosol mixing state are provided by particle Hygroscopicity ( κ ) distribution plots, which indicate largely internal mixing for the PR aerosols (narrow κ distribution) and more external mixing for the BB, LRT, and MPOL aerosols (broad κ distributions). The CCN spectra (CCN concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) obtained for the different case studies indicate distinctly different regimes of cloud formation and microphysics depending on aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. The measurement results suggest that CCN activation and droplet formation in convective clouds are mostly aerosol-limited under PR and LRT conditions and updraft-limited under BB and MPOL conditions. Normalized CCN efficiency spectra (CCN divided by aerosol number concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) and corresponding parameterizations (Gaussian error function fits) provide a basis for further analysis and model studies of aerosol–cloud interactions in the Amazon.

  • Long-term observations of cloud condensation nuclei over the Amazon rain forest – Part 2: Variability and characteristics of biomass burning, long-range transport, and pristine rain forest aerosols
    Copernicus Publications, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Jorge Saturno, Thomas Klimach, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Hrabě I. De Angelis, Samara Carbone
    Abstract:

    Size-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted over a full seasonal cycle at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, March 2014–February 2015). In a preceding companion paper, we presented annually and seasonally averaged data and parametrizations (Part 1; Pöhlker et al., 2016a). In the present study (Part 2), we analyze key features and implications of aerosol and CCN properties for the following characteristic atmospheric conditions:Empirically pristine rain forest (PR) conditions, where no influence of pollution was detectable, as observed during parts of the wet season from March to May. The PR episodes are characterized by a bimodal aerosol size distribution (strong Aitken mode with DAit  ≈  70 nm and NAit  ≈  160 cm−3, weak accumulation mode with Dacc  ≈  160 nm and Nacc ≈  90 cm−3), a chemical composition dominated by organic compounds, and relatively low particle Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.12, κacc  ≈  0.18).Long-range-transport (LRT) events, which frequently bring Saharan dust, African biomass smoke, and sea spray aerosols into the Amazon Basin, mostly during February to April. The LRT episodes are characterized by a dominant accumulation mode (DAit  ≈  80 nm, NAit  ≈  120 cm−3 vs. Dacc  ≈  180 nm, Nacc  ≈  310 cm−3), an increased abundance of dust and salt, and relatively high Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.18, κacc  ≈  0.35). The coarse mode is also significantly enhanced during these events.Biomass burning (BB) conditions characteristic for the Amazonian dry season from August to November. The BB episodes show a very strong accumulation mode (DAit  ≈  70 nm, NAit  ≈  140 cm−3 vs. Dacc  ≈  170 nm, Nacc  ≈  3400 cm−3), very high organic mass fractions ( ∼  90 %), and correspondingly low Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.14, κacc  ≈  0.17).Mixed-pollution (MPOL) conditions with a superposition of African and Amazonian aerosol emissions during the dry season. During the MPOL episode presented here as a case study, we observed African aerosols with a broad monomodal distribution (D  ≈  130 nm, NCN, 10  ≈  1300 cm−3), with high sulfate mass fractions (∼  20 %) from volcanic sources and correspondingly high Hygroscopicity (κ <  100 nm  ≈  0.14, κ >  100 nm ≈  0.22), which were periodically mixed with fresh smoke from nearby fires (D  ≈  110 nm, NCN, 10  ≈  2800 cm−3) with an organic-dominated composition and sharply decreased Hygroscopicity (κ <  150 nm ≈  0.10, κ >  150 nm ≈  0.20).Insights into the aerosol mixing state are provided by particle Hygroscopicity (κ) distribution plots, which indicate largely internal mixing for the PR aerosols (narrow κ distribution) and more external mixing for the BB, LRT, and MPOL aerosols (broad κ distributions).The CCN spectra (CCN concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) obtained for the different case studies indicate distinctly different regimes of cloud formation and microphysics depending on aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. The measurement results suggest that CCN activation and droplet formation in convective clouds are mostly aerosol-limited under PR and LRT conditions and updraft-limited under BB and MPOL conditions. Normalized CCN efficiency spectra (CCN divided by aerosol number concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) and corresponding parameterizations (Gaussian error function fits) provide a basis for further analysis and model studies of aerosol–cloud interactions in the Amazon.

  • ccn activity and organic Hygroscopicity of aerosols downwind of an urban region in central amazonia seasonal and diel variations and impact of anthropogenic emissions
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2017
    Co-Authors: Ryan Thalman, Mira L Pohlker, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Brett B Palm, Douglas A Day, Henrique M J Barbosa, Lizabeth M Alexander, Paulo Castillo, Chongai Kuang
    Abstract:

    Abstract. During the Observations and Modeling of the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon2014/5) campaign, size-resolved cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra were characterized at a research site (T3) 60 km downwind of the city of Manaus, Brazil, in central Amazonia for 1 year (12 March 2014 to 3 March 2015). Particle Hygroscopicity (κCCN) and mixing state were derived from the size-resolved CCN spectra, and the Hygroscopicity of the organic component of the aerosol (κorg) was then calculated from κCCN and concurrent chemical composition measurements. The annual average κCCN increased from 0.13 at 75 nm to 0.17 at 171 nm, and the increase was largely due to an increase in sulfate volume fraction. During both wet and dry seasons, κCCN, κorg, and particle composition under background conditions exhibited essentially no diel variations. The constant κorg of ∼ 0. 15 is consistent with the largely uniform and high O : C value (∼ 0. 8), indicating that the aerosols under background conditions are dominated by the aged regional aerosol particles consisting of highly oxygenated organic compounds. For air masses strongly influenced by urban pollution and/or local biomass burning, lower values of κorg and organic O : C atomic ratio were observed during night, due to accumulation of freshly emitted particles, dominated by primary organic aerosol (POA) with low Hygroscopicity, within a shallow nocturnal boundary layer. The O : C, κorg, and κCCN increased from the early morning hours and peaked around noon, driven by the formation and aging of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and dilution of POA emissions into a deeper boundary layer, while the development of the boundary layer, which leads to mixing with aged particles from the residual layer aloft, likely also contributed to the increases. The hygroscopicities associated with individual organic factors, derived from PMF (positive matrix factorization) analysis of AMS (aerosol mass spectrometry) spectra, were estimated through multivariable linear regression. For the SOA factors, the variation of the κ value with O : C agrees well with the linear relationship reported from earlier laboratory studies of SOA Hygroscopicity. On the other hand, the variation in O : C of ambient aerosol organics is largely driven by the variation in the volume fractions of POA and SOA factors, which have very different O : C values. As POA factors have Hygroscopicity values well below the linear relationship between SOA Hygroscopicity and O : C, mixtures with different POA and SOA fractions exhibit a steeper slope for the increase in κorg with O : C, as observed during this and earlier field studies. This finding helps better understand and reconcile the differences in the relationships between κorg and O : C observed in laboratory and field studies, therefore providing a basis for improved parameterization in global models, especially in a tropical context.

  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei in the amazon rain forest part 1 aerosol size distribution Hygroscopicity and new model parametrizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Thomas Klimach, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a 1-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014–February 2015). The measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties characteristic of a remote central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S  =  0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S  =  1.10 % to 172 nm at S  =  0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit  =  0.14 ± 0.03), higher values for the accumulation mode (κAcc  =  0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean  =  0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter, κ, exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, only weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modeling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parametrization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.

  • long term observations of atmospheric aerosol cloud condensation nuclei concentration and Hygroscopicity in the amazon rain forest part 1 size resolved characterization and new model parameterizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Thomas Klimach, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Henrique M J Barbosa, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations as well as Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a one-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014 - February 2015). The presented measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties for a characteristic central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S = 0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The observed mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S = 1.10 % to 172 nm at S = 0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit = 0.14 ± 0.03), elevated values for the accumulation mode (κAcc = 0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean = 0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter κ exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modelling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parameterization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.

Xuguang Chi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei in the amazon rain forest part 1 aerosol size distribution Hygroscopicity and new model parametrizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Thomas Klimach, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a 1-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014–February 2015). The measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties characteristic of a remote central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S  =  0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S  =  1.10 % to 172 nm at S  =  0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit  =  0.14 ± 0.03), higher values for the accumulation mode (κAcc  =  0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean  =  0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter, κ, exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, only weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modeling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parametrization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.

  • long term observations of atmospheric aerosol cloud condensation nuclei concentration and Hygroscopicity in the amazon rain forest part 1 size resolved characterization and new model parameterizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Thomas Klimach, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Henrique M J Barbosa, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations as well as Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a one-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014 - February 2015). The presented measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties for a characteristic central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S = 0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The observed mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S = 1.10 % to 172 nm at S = 0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit = 0.14 ± 0.03), elevated values for the accumulation mode (κAcc = 0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean = 0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter κ exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modelling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parameterization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.

Russell W Wiener - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • continuous flow Hygroscopicity resolved relaxed eddy accumulation hy res rea method of measuring size resolved sodium chloride particle fluxes
    Aerosol Science and Technology, 2018
    Co-Authors: N Meskhidze, Markus D. Petters, Taylor M Royalty, B Phillips, K W Dawson, Robert E Reed, Jason P Weinstein, D Hook, Russell W Wiener
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACTThe accurate representation of aerosols in climate models requires direct ambient measurement of the size- and composition-dependent particle production fluxes. Here, we present the design, testing, and analysis of data collected through the first instrument capable of measuring Hygroscopicity-based, size-resolved particle fluxes using a continuous-flow Hygroscopicity-Resolved Relaxed Eddy Accumulation (Hy-Res REA) technique. The Hy-Res REA system used in this study includes a 3D sonic anemometer, two fast-response solenoid valves, two condensation particle counters, a scanning mobility particle sizer, and a Hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer. The different components of the instrument were tested inside the US Environmental Protection Agency's Aerosol Test Facility for sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particle fluxes. The new REA system design does not require particle accumulation, and therefore avoids the diffusional wall losses associated with long residence times of part...

  • Continuous flow Hygroscopicity-resolved relaxed eddy accumulation (Hy-Res REA) method of measuring size-resolved sodium chloride particle fluxes
    2018
    Co-Authors: N Meskhidze, Taylor M Royalty, K W Dawson, Jason P Weinstein, B. N. Phillips, M. D. Petters, R. Reed, D. A. Hook, Russell W Wiener
    Abstract:

    The accurate representation of aerosols in climate models requires direct ambient measurement of the size- and composition-dependent particle production fluxes. Here, we present the design, testing, and analysis of data collected through the first instrument capable of measuring Hygroscopicity-based, size-resolved particle fluxes using a continuous-flow Hygroscopicity-Resolved Relaxed Eddy Accumulation (Hy-Res REA) technique. The Hy-Res REA system used in this study includes a 3D sonic anemometer, two fast-response solenoid valves, two condensation particle counters, a scanning mobility particle sizer, and a Hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer. The different components of the instrument were tested inside the US Environmental Protection Agency's Aerosol Test Facility for sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particle fluxes. The new REA system design does not require particle accumulation, and therefore avoids the diffusional wall losses associated with long residence times of particles inside the air collectors of traditional REA devices. A linear relationship was found between the sodium chloride particle fluxes measured by eddy covariance and REA techniques. The particle detection limit of the Hy-Res REA flux system is estimated to be ∼3 × 105 m−2 s−1. The estimated sodium chloride particle classification limit, for the mixture of sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particles of comparable concentrations, is ∼6 × 106 m−2 s−1. Copyright © 2018 American Association for Aerosol Research

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  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei over the amazon rain forest part 2 variability and characteristics of biomass burning long range transport and pristine rain forest aerosols
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Jorge Saturno, Thomas Klimach, Isabella Hrabě De Angelis, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted over a full seasonal cycle at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, March 2014–February 2015). In a preceding companion paper, we presented annually and seasonally averaged data and parametrizations (Part 1; Pohlker et al., 2016a). In the present study (Part 2), we analyze key features and implications of aerosol and CCN properties for the following characteristic atmospheric conditions: Empirically pristine rain forest (PR) conditions, where no influence of pollution was detectable, as observed during parts of the wet season from March to May. The PR episodes are characterized by a bimodal aerosol size distribution (strong Aitken mode with DAit ≈  70 nm and NAit ≈  160 cm −3 , weak accumulation mode with Dacc ≈  160 nm and Nacc≈  90 cm −3 ), a chemical composition dominated by organic compounds, and relatively low particle Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.12, κacc ≈  0.18). Long-range-transport (LRT) events, which frequently bring Saharan dust, African biomass smoke, and sea spray aerosols into the Amazon Basin, mostly during February to April. The LRT episodes are characterized by a dominant accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  80 nm, NAit ≈  120 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  180 nm, Nacc ≈  310 cm −3 ), an increased abundance of dust and salt, and relatively high Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.18, κacc ≈  0.35). The coarse mode is also significantly enhanced during these events. Biomass burning (BB) conditions characteristic for the Amazonian dry season from August to November. The BB episodes show a very strong accumulation mode ( DAit ≈  70 nm, NAit ≈  140 cm −3 vs. Dacc ≈  170 nm, Nacc ≈  3400 cm −3 ), very high organic mass fractions ( ∼  90 %), and correspondingly low Hygroscopicity ( κAit≈  0.14, κacc ≈  0.17). Mixed-pollution (MPOL) conditions with a superposition of African and Amazonian aerosol emissions during the dry season. During the MPOL episode presented here as a case study, we observed African aerosols with a broad monomodal distribution ( D ≈  130 nm, NCN,10 ≈  1300 cm −3 ), with high sulfate mass fractions ( ∼  20 %) from volcanic sources and correspondingly high Hygroscopicity ( κ ≈  0.14, κ > 100 nm ≈  0.22), which were periodically mixed with fresh smoke from nearby fires ( D ≈  110 nm, NCN,10 ≈  2800 cm −3 ) with an organic-dominated composition and sharply decreased Hygroscopicity ( κ 150 nm ≈  0.10, κ > 150 nm ≈  0.20). Insights into the aerosol mixing state are provided by particle Hygroscopicity ( κ ) distribution plots, which indicate largely internal mixing for the PR aerosols (narrow κ distribution) and more external mixing for the BB, LRT, and MPOL aerosols (broad κ distributions). The CCN spectra (CCN concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) obtained for the different case studies indicate distinctly different regimes of cloud formation and microphysics depending on aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. The measurement results suggest that CCN activation and droplet formation in convective clouds are mostly aerosol-limited under PR and LRT conditions and updraft-limited under BB and MPOL conditions. Normalized CCN efficiency spectra (CCN divided by aerosol number concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) and corresponding parameterizations (Gaussian error function fits) provide a basis for further analysis and model studies of aerosol–cloud interactions in the Amazon.

  • Long-term observations of cloud condensation nuclei over the Amazon rain forest – Part 2: Variability and characteristics of biomass burning, long-range transport, and pristine rain forest aerosols
    Copernicus Publications, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Jorge Saturno, Thomas Klimach, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Hrabě I. De Angelis, Samara Carbone
    Abstract:

    Size-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted over a full seasonal cycle at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO, March 2014–February 2015). In a preceding companion paper, we presented annually and seasonally averaged data and parametrizations (Part 1; Pöhlker et al., 2016a). In the present study (Part 2), we analyze key features and implications of aerosol and CCN properties for the following characteristic atmospheric conditions:Empirically pristine rain forest (PR) conditions, where no influence of pollution was detectable, as observed during parts of the wet season from March to May. The PR episodes are characterized by a bimodal aerosol size distribution (strong Aitken mode with DAit  ≈  70 nm and NAit  ≈  160 cm−3, weak accumulation mode with Dacc  ≈  160 nm and Nacc ≈  90 cm−3), a chemical composition dominated by organic compounds, and relatively low particle Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.12, κacc  ≈  0.18).Long-range-transport (LRT) events, which frequently bring Saharan dust, African biomass smoke, and sea spray aerosols into the Amazon Basin, mostly during February to April. The LRT episodes are characterized by a dominant accumulation mode (DAit  ≈  80 nm, NAit  ≈  120 cm−3 vs. Dacc  ≈  180 nm, Nacc  ≈  310 cm−3), an increased abundance of dust and salt, and relatively high Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.18, κacc  ≈  0.35). The coarse mode is also significantly enhanced during these events.Biomass burning (BB) conditions characteristic for the Amazonian dry season from August to November. The BB episodes show a very strong accumulation mode (DAit  ≈  70 nm, NAit  ≈  140 cm−3 vs. Dacc  ≈  170 nm, Nacc  ≈  3400 cm−3), very high organic mass fractions ( ∼  90 %), and correspondingly low Hygroscopicity (κAit ≈  0.14, κacc  ≈  0.17).Mixed-pollution (MPOL) conditions with a superposition of African and Amazonian aerosol emissions during the dry season. During the MPOL episode presented here as a case study, we observed African aerosols with a broad monomodal distribution (D  ≈  130 nm, NCN, 10  ≈  1300 cm−3), with high sulfate mass fractions (∼  20 %) from volcanic sources and correspondingly high Hygroscopicity (κ <  100 nm  ≈  0.14, κ >  100 nm ≈  0.22), which were periodically mixed with fresh smoke from nearby fires (D  ≈  110 nm, NCN, 10  ≈  2800 cm−3) with an organic-dominated composition and sharply decreased Hygroscopicity (κ <  150 nm ≈  0.10, κ >  150 nm ≈  0.20).Insights into the aerosol mixing state are provided by particle Hygroscopicity (κ) distribution plots, which indicate largely internal mixing for the PR aerosols (narrow κ distribution) and more external mixing for the BB, LRT, and MPOL aerosols (broad κ distributions).The CCN spectra (CCN concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) obtained for the different case studies indicate distinctly different regimes of cloud formation and microphysics depending on aerosol properties and meteorological conditions. The measurement results suggest that CCN activation and droplet formation in convective clouds are mostly aerosol-limited under PR and LRT conditions and updraft-limited under BB and MPOL conditions. Normalized CCN efficiency spectra (CCN divided by aerosol number concentration plotted against water vapor supersaturation) and corresponding parameterizations (Gaussian error function fits) provide a basis for further analysis and model studies of aerosol–cloud interactions in the Amazon.

  • ccn activity and organic Hygroscopicity of aerosols downwind of an urban region in central amazonia seasonal and diel variations and impact of anthropogenic emissions
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2017
    Co-Authors: Ryan Thalman, Mira L Pohlker, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Brett B Palm, Douglas A Day, Henrique M J Barbosa, Lizabeth M Alexander, Paulo Castillo, Chongai Kuang
    Abstract:

    Abstract. During the Observations and Modeling of the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon2014/5) campaign, size-resolved cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra were characterized at a research site (T3) 60 km downwind of the city of Manaus, Brazil, in central Amazonia for 1 year (12 March 2014 to 3 March 2015). Particle Hygroscopicity (κCCN) and mixing state were derived from the size-resolved CCN spectra, and the Hygroscopicity of the organic component of the aerosol (κorg) was then calculated from κCCN and concurrent chemical composition measurements. The annual average κCCN increased from 0.13 at 75 nm to 0.17 at 171 nm, and the increase was largely due to an increase in sulfate volume fraction. During both wet and dry seasons, κCCN, κorg, and particle composition under background conditions exhibited essentially no diel variations. The constant κorg of ∼ 0. 15 is consistent with the largely uniform and high O : C value (∼ 0. 8), indicating that the aerosols under background conditions are dominated by the aged regional aerosol particles consisting of highly oxygenated organic compounds. For air masses strongly influenced by urban pollution and/or local biomass burning, lower values of κorg and organic O : C atomic ratio were observed during night, due to accumulation of freshly emitted particles, dominated by primary organic aerosol (POA) with low Hygroscopicity, within a shallow nocturnal boundary layer. The O : C, κorg, and κCCN increased from the early morning hours and peaked around noon, driven by the formation and aging of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and dilution of POA emissions into a deeper boundary layer, while the development of the boundary layer, which leads to mixing with aged particles from the residual layer aloft, likely also contributed to the increases. The hygroscopicities associated with individual organic factors, derived from PMF (positive matrix factorization) analysis of AMS (aerosol mass spectrometry) spectra, were estimated through multivariable linear regression. For the SOA factors, the variation of the κ value with O : C agrees well with the linear relationship reported from earlier laboratory studies of SOA Hygroscopicity. On the other hand, the variation in O : C of ambient aerosol organics is largely driven by the variation in the volume fractions of POA and SOA factors, which have very different O : C values. As POA factors have Hygroscopicity values well below the linear relationship between SOA Hygroscopicity and O : C, mixtures with different POA and SOA fractions exhibit a steeper slope for the increase in κorg with O : C, as observed during this and earlier field studies. This finding helps better understand and reconcile the differences in the relationships between κorg and O : C observed in laboratory and field studies, therefore providing a basis for improved parameterization in global models, especially in a tropical context.

  • long term observations of cloud condensation nuclei in the amazon rain forest part 1 aerosol size distribution Hygroscopicity and new model parametrizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Florian Ditas, Thomas Klimach, Alessandro C De Araujo, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Abstract. Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations and Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a 1-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014–February 2015). The measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties characteristic of a remote central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S  =  0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S  =  1.10 % to 172 nm at S  =  0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit  =  0.14 ± 0.03), higher values for the accumulation mode (κAcc  =  0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean  =  0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter, κ, exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, only weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modeling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parametrization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.

  • long term observations of atmospheric aerosol cloud condensation nuclei concentration and Hygroscopicity in the amazon rain forest part 1 size resolved characterization and new model parameterizations for ccn prediction
    Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mira L Pohlker, Thomas Klimach, Joel Brito, Samara Carbone, Yafang Cheng, C. Pöhlker, Isabella Hrabe De Angelis, Henrique M J Barbosa, Xuguang Chi
    Abstract:

    Size-resolved long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations as well as Hygroscopicity were conducted at the remote Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the central Amazon Basin over a one-year period and full seasonal cycle (March 2014 - February 2015). The presented measurements provide a climatology of CCN properties for a characteristic central Amazonian rain forest site. The CCN measurements were continuously cycled through 10 levels of supersaturation (S = 0.11 to 1.10 %) and span the aerosol particle size range from 20 to 245 nm. The observed mean critical diameters of CCN activation range from 43 nm at S = 1.10 % to 172 nm at S = 0.11 %. The particle Hygroscopicity exhibits a pronounced size dependence with lower values for the Aitken mode (κAit = 0.14 ± 0.03), elevated values for the accumulation mode (κAcc = 0.22 ± 0.05), and an overall mean value of κmean = 0.17 ± 0.06, consistent with high fractions of organic aerosol. The Hygroscopicity parameter κ exhibits remarkably little temporal variability: no pronounced diurnal cycles, weak seasonal trends, and few short-term variations during long-range transport events. In contrast, the CCN number concentrations exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle, tracking the pollution-related seasonality in total aerosol concentration. We find that the variability in the CCN concentrations in the central Amazon is mostly driven by aerosol particle number concentration and size distribution, while variations in aerosol Hygroscopicity and chemical composition matter only during a few episodes. For modelling purposes, we compare different approaches of predicting CCN number concentration and present a novel parameterization, which allows accurate CCN predictions based on a small set of input data.