Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 9 2 2009 10.5194/acpd-9-9117-2009 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9117/2009/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9117/2009/acpd-9-9117-2009.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9117/2009/acpd-9-9117-2009.pdf 9117 9150 2009-04-06 Vertical distribution of sub-micron aerosol chemical composition from North-Western Europe and the North-East Atlantic W. T. Morgan william.morgan@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk J. D. Allan K. N. Bower G. Capes J. Crosier P. I. Williams H. Coe Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK A synthesis of UK based airborne in-situ measurements of aerosol properties representing air masses from North-West Europe and the North-East Atlantic is presented. The major focus of the study is the vertical distribution of sub-micron aerosol chemical composition. Vertical profiles are derived from a Quadrupole Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (Q-AMS). Background sub-micron aerosol vertical profiles are identified and are primarily composed of organic matter and sulphate aerosol. Such background conditions occurred predominantly during periods associated with long-range air mass transport across the Atlantic. These instances may serve as useful model input of aerosol to Western Europe. Increased mass concentration episodes are coincident with European outflow and periods of stagnant/recirculating air masses. Such periods are characterised by significantly enhanced concentrations of nitrate aerosol relative to those of organic matter and sulphate. 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