Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
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2009
10.5194/acpd-9-9171-2009
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9171/2009/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9171/2009/acpd-9-9171-2009.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/9171/2009/acpd-9-9171-2009.pdf
9171
9220
2009-04-07
Particle number size distributions in urban air before and after volatilisation
W. Birmili
birmili@tropos.de
K. Heinke
M. Pitz
J. Matschullat
A. Wiedensohler
J. Cyrys
H.-E. Wichmann
A. Peters
Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (IfT), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Centre (IÖZ), TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU), German Research Center for Environment Health, Institute of Epidemiology, 85758 Neuherberg/Munich, Germany
University of Augsburg, Center for Science and Environment, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
Aerosol particle number size distributions (size range 0.003–10 μm) with and without using a
thermodenuder are measured continuously in the city of Augsburg, Germany. Here, the data between
2004 and 2006 are examined with respect to the governing anthropogenic sources and meteorological
factors. The two-year average particle number concentration in Augsburg was found to be
12 200 cm<sup>−3</sup>, similar to previous observations in other European cities. A seasonal analysis
yielded twice the total particle number concentrations in winter as compared to summer, a
consequence of more frequent inversion situations and particulate emissions in winter. The diurnal
variation of the size distribution is shaped by a remarkable increase in the morning along with the
peak traffic hours. After a mid-day decrease along with the onset of vertical mixing, an evening
increase in concentration could frequently be observed, suggesting a re-stratification of the urban
atmosphere. The mixed layer height turned out to be the most influential meteorological parameter
on particle size distribution. Its influence was greater than that of the geographical origin of
the synoptic-scale air masses.
<br><br>
By heating every second aerosol sample to 300°C in a thermodenuder, the volume fraction of
non-volatile compounds in the urban aerosol was retrieved. The obtained results compared well with
an independent measurement of the aerosol absorption coefficient (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup>=0.9). The balance of
particle number upstream and downstream of the thermodenuder suggests that all particles
>12 nm contain a non-volatile core at 300°C. As an artefact of the volatility
analysis, nucleation of particles smaller than 6 nm was observed in the cooling section of the
thermodenuder. An average diameter ratio of particles before and after volatilisation was
determined as a function of particle size. It indicated that particles >60 nm contain
significantly higher fractions of non-volatile compounds, most likely soot, than particles
<60 nm.
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