lnstitut für Sensorik und Elektronik

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Fine and ultrafine particles in the Zürich (Switzerland) area measured with a mobile laboratory: an assessment of the seasonal and regional variation throughout a year
(Copernicus, 24.09.2003) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Dommen, Josef; Prévôt, André S.H.; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs
On occasion of the project YOGAM (year of gas phase and aerosol measurements), the spatial and temporal variation of selected aerosol and gas phase parameters was assessed for the Zürich (Switzerland) area with a new mobile pollutant measurement laboratory. This assessment based on on-road measurements along a specified route on selected days during different seasons in 2001/2002, covering urban, suburban and rural regions. Special focus was put on the investigation and characterization of particles in the fine (particle diameter D<2.5 mm) and ultrafine (D<100 nm) size ranges. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that the variance of all considered fine and ultrafine aerosol parameters (i.e. particle background and total number concentration for particles larger than 3 nm, number concentrations in the size ranges 7-30 nm and 80-140 nm, as well as the active surface area concentration) was significantly larger for day-to-day than for spatial variation. However, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) found a similar regional pollution pattern within every single measuring day. Lowest particle background levels (D>3 nm) were found in rural areas at higher elevation (15 000 cmˉ³), while corresponding mean background values for urban and freeway-influenced areas were typically 35 000 cmˉ³ and >80 000 cmˉ³, respectively. Meteorology, i.e. prevailing weather conditions not only governed the day-to-day concentration variations in the selected area, but also influenced the formation of primary (directly traffic-related) and in few cases secondary (biogenic or anthropogenic) ultrafine particles. Overall, low temperatures regularly enhanced primary ultrafine particle formation in urban areas. There was a possible indication for relatively low number concentrations of secondary ultrafine particles during a few warm and sunny spring days. Mobile measurements as they were performed in this study have been shown to be suitable for pollutant assessments to obtain good information on spatial and day-to-day variability. For experimental studies concerning spatial resolution on a relatively short time scale (<1 day), a mobile measurement design may even be more appropriate than a network of stationary measuring sites.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Simultaneous dry and ambient measurements of aerosol size distributions at the Jungfraujoch
(Stockholm University Press, 01.01.2003) Nessler, R.; Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Henning, Silvia; Weingartner, Ernest; Calpini, Bertrand; Baltensperger, Urs
In a field campaign at the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch (JFJ, 3580 m asl), in-situ aerosol size distributions were measured simultaneously outdoor at ambient conditions (temperature T < -5 °C) and indoor at dry conditions (T ≈ 25 °C and relative humidity RH < 10%) by means of two scanning mobility particle sizers (SMPS). In addition, measurements of hygroscopic growth factors were performed with a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (H-TDMA). The measured growth factors, being a monotonic function of the relative humidity (RH), were fitted with a modified Köhler model. A comparison between dry and ambient size distributions shows two main features: First, the dry total number concentration is often considerably smaller (on average 28%) than the ambient total number concentration, and is most likely due to the evaporation of volatile material at the higher temperature. These particle losses mainly concern small particles (dry diameter D ≲ 100 nm), and therefore have only a minimal affect on the surface and volume concentrations. A slight correlation between ambient RH and the magnitude of particle loss was observed, but it was not possible to establish an empirical model for a quantification. Second, the dry number size distribution is shifted towards smaller particles, reflecting the hygroscopic behavior of the aerosols. To link the ambient and the dry size distributions we modeled this shift using the H-TDMA measurements and a modified Köhler model. The corrected dry surface and volume concentrations are in good agreement with the ambient measurements for the whole RH range, but the correction works best for RH < 80%. The results indicate that size distribution data measured at indoor conditions (i.e. dry and warm) may be successfully corrected to reflect ambient conditions, which are relevant for determining the impact of aerosol on climate.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
A mobile pollutant measurement laboratory - measuring gas phase and aerosol ambient concentrations with high spatial and temporal resolution
(Elsevier, 12/2002) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Dommen, Josef; Prévôt, André S.H.; Richter, Rene; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs
A mobile pollutant measurement laboratory was designed and built at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) for the measurement of on-road ambient concentrations of a large set of trace gases and aerosol parameters with high time resolution (<15 s for most instruments), along with geographical and meteorological information. This approach allowed for pollutant level measurements both near traffic (e.g. in urban areas or on freeways/main roads) and at rural locations far away from traffic, within short periods of time and at different times of day and year. Such measurements were performed on a regular base during the project year of gas phase and aerosol measurements (YOGAM). This paper presents data measured in the Zürich (Switzerland) area on a late autumn day (6 November) in 2001. The local urban particle background easily reached 50 000 cmˉ³, with additional peak particle number concentrations of up to 400 000 cmˉ³. The regional background of the total particle number concentration was not found to significantly correlate with the distance to traffic and anthropogenic emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. On the other hand, this correlation was significant for the number concentration of particles in the size range 50–150 nm, indicating that the particle number concentration in this size range is a better traffic indicator than the total number concentration. Particle number size distribution measurements showed that daytime urban ambient air is dominated by high number concentrations of ultrafine particles (nanoparticles) with diameters < 50 nm, which are immediately formed by traffic exhaust and thus belong to the primary emissions. However, significant variation of the nanoparticle mode was also observed in number size distributions measured in rural areas both at daytime and nighttime, suggesting that nanoparticles are not exclusively formed by primary traffic emissions. While urban daytime total number concentrations were increased by a factor of 10 compared to the nighttime background, corresponding factors for total surface area and total volume concentrations were 2 and 1.5, respectively.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Separation of volatile and non-volatile aerosol fractions by thermodesorption. instrumental development and applications
(Elsevier, 04/2001) Burtscher, Heinz; Baltensperger, Urs; Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Cohn, P.; Hüglin, Christoph; Mohr, Martin; Matter, Urs; Nyeki, Stephan; Schmatloch, Volker; Streit, Niklaus; Weingartner, Ernest
An instrument to remove volatile material from aerosol particles by thermal desorption is presented. The thermodesorber consists of a heated tube, where volatile material is desorbed from the particles, and a water- or air-cooled tube, consisting of activated charcoal. This last tube removes desorbed material and thus prevents it from re-adsorbing onto particles. Although designed for measuring particulate emissions from combustion processes it can also be applied to atmospheric aerosols. After theoretical and experimental determination of thermodesorber operating characteristics (temperature profile, losses, removal of desorbed material), examples of applications in several fields are given. Examples of atmospheric measurements at several remote and urban sites are presented. In combustion technology, the thermodesorber is applied to remove all volatile materials, allowing separation of volatile species and the non-volatile core (mainly elemental carbon) of combustion particles. Finally, the thermodesorber is used to study adsorption and desorption processes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on particles.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Real-time characterization of ultrafine and accumulation mode particles in ambient combustion aerosols
(Elsevier, 08/2002) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Kittelson, David B.; Watts, Winthrop F.; Burtscher, Heinz; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs
The diffusion charging sensor (DC), photoelectric aerosol sensor (PAS) and condensation particle counter (CPC) are real-time particle instruments that have time resolutions < 10s and are suitable for field use. This paper shows how the relative fraction of nuclei mode particles (D ≤ 50nm) in ambient combustion aerosols can be determined, along with the coverage degree of the respective accumulation mode particles with a modal diameter of ~ 100nm. Main tools for interpretation are the diameter of average surface DAve,S (obtained from CPC and DC measurements) and PAS/DC versus DAve,S scatter plots. Compared to the scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), which is a standard instrument for aerosol particle size distribution measurements, the presented method has a limited accuracy, but is substantially faster. Additionally, it is experimentally less demanding than SMPS measurements, especially for field applications.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
EUCAARI ion spectrometer measurements at 12 European sites – analysis of new particle formation events
(Copernicus, 25.08.2010) Manninen, Hanna E.; Nieminen, Tuomo; Asmi, Eija; Gagné, Stéphanie; Häkkinen, Silja; Lehtipalo, Katrianne; Aalto, Pasi Pekka; Vana, Marko; Mirme, Aadu; Mirme, Sander; Hõrrak, Urmas; Plass-Dülmer, Christian; Stange, Gert; Kiss, Gyula; Hoffer, András; Törő, N.; Moerman, Marcel; Henzing, Bas; de Leeuw, Gerrit; Brinkenberg, Marcel; Kouvarakis, Giorgos N.; Bougiatioti, Aikaterini; Mihalopoulos, Nikolaos; O'Dowd, Colin D.; Ceburnis, Darius; Arneth, Almut; Svenningsson, Brigitta; Swietlicki, Erik; Tarozzi, Leone; Decesari, Stefano; Facchini, Maria Cristina; Birmili, Wolfram; Sonntag, André; Wiedensohler, Alfred; Boulon, Julien; Sellegri, Karine; Laj, Paolo; Gysel, Martin; Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Weingartner, Ernest; Wehrle, Günther; Laaksonen, Ari; Hamed, Amar; Joutsensaari, Jorma; Petäjä, Tuukka; Kerminen, Veli-Matti; Kulmala, Markku
We present comprehensive results on continuous atmospheric cluster and particle measurements in the size range ~1–42 nm within the European Integrated project on Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality interactions (EUCAARI) project. We focused on characterizing the spatial and temporal variation of new particle formation events and relevant particle formation parameters across Europe. Different types of air ion and cluster mobility spectrometers were deployed at 12 field sites across Europe from March 2008 to May 2009. The measurements were conducted in a wide variety of environments, including coastal and continental locations as well as sites at different altitudes (both in the boundary layer and the free troposphere). New particle formation events were detected at all of the 12 field sites during the year-long measurement period. From the data, nucleation and growth rates of newly formed particles were determined for each environment. In a case of parallel ion and neutral cluster measurements, we could also estimate the relative contribution of ion-induced and neutral nucleation to the total particle formation. The formation rates of charged particles at 2 nm accounted for 1–30% of the corresponding total particle formation rates. As a significant new result, we found out that the total particle formation rate varied much more between the different sites than the formation rate of charged particles. This work presents, so far, the most comprehensive effort to experimentally characterize nucleation and growth of atmospheric molecular clusters and nanoparticles at ground-based observation sites on a continental scale.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Trace metals in ambient air. Hourly size-segregated mass concentrations determined by synchrotron-XRF
(American Chemical Society, 28.06.2005) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Hill, Matthias; Gehrig, Robert; Zwicky, Christoph N.; Lienemann, Peter; Hegedüs, Ferenc; Falkenberg, Gerald; Weingartner, Ernest; Baltensperger, Urs
Trace metals are ubiquitous in urban ambient air, with mass concentrations in the range of a few μg/m³ down to less than 100 pg/m³. To measure such low concentrations represents a challenge for chemical and physical analysis. In this study, ambient aerosol was collected in Zürich (Switzerland) in 1-h intervals and three size fractions (aerodynamic diameters 0.1−1 μm, 1−2.5 μm, and 2.5−10 μm), using a three-stage rotating drum impactor (RDI). The samples were analyzed by energy-dispersive Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR-XRF) to obtain size-segregated hourly elemental aerosol mass concentrations for Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb, along with S, Cl, and Ca under the selected experimental conditions. The high sensitivity of SR-XRF allowed for detection limits of <50 pg/m³ for most of the above elements, with a net analysis time of only 15 s per sample. The data obtained with this technique illustrate that there is a considerable gain of relevant information when time resolution for measurements is increased from 1 day to 1 h. The individual size fractions of a specific element may show significantly different short-term patterns.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Ground-based and airborne in-situ measurements of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic aerosol plume in Switzerland in spring 2010
(Copernicus, 04.10.2011) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Zieger, Paul; Weingartner, Ernest; Jurányi, Zsófia; Gysel, Martin; Neininger, Bruno; Schneider, Boris; Hueglin, Christoph; Ulrich, Andrea; Wichser, Adrian; Henne, Stephan; Brunner, Dominik; Kaegi, Ralf; Schwikowski, Margit; Tobler, Leonhard; Wienhold, Frank G.; Engel, Ilana; Buchmann, Brigitte; Peter, Thomas; Baltensperger, Urs
The volcanic aerosol plume resulting from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland in April and May 2010 was detected in clear layers above Switzerland during two periods (17–19 April 2010 and 16–19 May 2010). In-situ measurements of the airborne volcanic plume were performed both within ground-based monitoring networks and with a research aircraft up to an altitude of 6000 m a.s.l. The wide range of aerosol and gas phase parameters studied at the high altitude research station Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.) allowed for an in-depth characterization of the detected volcanic aerosol. Both the data from the Jungfraujoch and the aircraft vertical profiles showed a consistent volcanic ash mode in the aerosol volume size distribution with a mean optical diameter around 3 ± 0.3 μm. These particles were found to have an average chemical composition very similar to the trachyandesite-like composition of rock samples collected near the volcano. Furthermore, chemical processing of volcanic sulfur dioxide into sulfate clearly contributed to the accumulation mode of the aerosol at the Jungfraujoch. The combination of these in-situ data and plume dispersion modeling results showed that a significant portion of the first volcanic aerosol plume reaching Switzerland on 17 April 2010 did not reach the Jungfraujoch directly, but was first dispersed and diluted in the planetary boundary layer. The maximum PM10 mass concentrations at the Jungfraujoch reached 30 μgm−3 and 70 μgm−3 (for 10-min mean values) duri ng the April and May episode, respectively. Even low-altitude monitoring stations registered up to 45 μgm−3 of volcanic ash related PM10 (Basel, Northwestern Switzerland, 18/19 April 2010). The flights with the research aircraft on 17 April 2010 showed one order of magnitude higher number concentrations over the northern Swiss plateau compared to the Jungfraujoch, and a mass concentration of 320 (200–520) μgm−3 on 18 May 2010 over the northwestern Swiss plateau. The presented data significantly contributed to the time-critical assessment of the local ash layer properties during the initial eruption phase. Furthermore, dispersion models benefited from the detailed information on the volcanic aerosol size distribution and its chemical composition.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Deposition uniformity and particle size distribution of ambient aerosol collected with a rotating drum impactor
(Taylor & Francis, 30.06.2009) Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Richard, Agnes; Furger, Markus; Weingartner, Ernest; Aguirre, Myriam; Huthwelker, Thomas; Lienemann, Peter; Gehrig, Robert; Baltensperger, Urs
Rotating drum impactors (RDI) are cascade type impactors used for size and time resolved aerosol sampling, mostly followed by spectrometric analysis of the deposited material. They are characterized by one rectangular nozzle per stage and are equipped with an automated stepping mechanism for the impaction wheels. An existing three-stage rotating drum impactor was modified, to obtain new midpoint cutoff diameters at 2.5 μm, 1 μm, and 0.1 μm, respectively. For RDI samples collected under ambient air conditions, information on the size-segregation and the spatial uniformity of the deposited particles are key factors for a reliable spectrometric analysis of the RDI deposits. Two aerodynamic particle sizers (APS) were used for the determination of the RDI size fractionation characteristics, using polydisperse laboratory room air as quasi-stable proxy for urban ambient air. This experimental approach was suitable for the scope of this study, but was subject to numerous boundary conditions that limit a general use. Aerodynamic stage penetration midpoint diameters were estimated to be 2.4 and 1.0 μm for the first two RDI stages. Additionally, the spatial uniformity and geometrical size distribution of the deposited aerosol were investigated using micro-focus synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (micro-SR-XRF) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The size distribution of the particles found on the TEM samples agreed well with the results from the APS experiments. The RDI deposits showed sufficient uniformity for subsequent spectrometric analysis, but in the 2.5–10 μm size range the particle area density was very low. All of the applied methods confirmed the theoretical cutoff values of the modified RDI and showed that compared to other cascade impactors, the determined stage penetration sharpness was rather broad for the individual impactor stages.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Spatial variation of aerosol optical properties around the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.)
(Copernicus, 08.08.2012) Zieger, Paul; Kienast-Sjögren, Erika; Starace, Michela; von Bismarck, Jonas; Bukowiecki, Nicolas; Baltensperger, Urs; Wienhold, Frank Gunther; Peter, Thomas; Ruhtz, Thomas; Collaud Coen, Martine; Vuilleumier, Laurent; Maier, Olaf; Emili, Emanuele; Popp, Christian; Weingartner, Ernest
This paper presents results of the extensive field campaign CLACE 2010 (Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment) performed in summer 2010 at the Jungfraujoch (JFJ) and the Kleine Scheidegg (KLS) in the Swiss Alps. The main goal of this campaign was to investigate the vertical variability of aerosol optical properties around the JFJ and to show the consistency of the different employed measurement techniques considering explicitly the effects of relative humidity (RH) on the aerosol light scattering. Various aerosol optical and microphysical parameters were recorded using in-situ and remote sensing techniques. In-situ measurements of aerosol size distribution, light scattering, light absorption and scattering enhancement due to water uptake were performed at the JFJ at 3580 m a.s.l.. A unique set-up allowed remote sensing measurements of aerosol columnar and vertical properties from the KLS located about 1500 m below and within the line of sight to the JFJ (horizontal distance of approx. 4.5 km). In addition, two satellite retrievals from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as well as back trajectory analyses were added to the comparison to account for a wider geographical context. All in-situ and remote sensing measurements were in clear correspondence. The ambient extinction coefficient measured in situ at the JFJ agreed well with the KLS-based LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) retrieval at the altitude-level of the JFJ under plausible assumptions on the LIDAR ratio. However, we can show that the quality of this comparison is affected by orographic effects due to the exposed location of the JFJ on a saddle between two mountains and next to a large glacier. The local RH around the JFJ was often higher than in the optical path of the LIDAR measurement, especially when the wind originated from the south via the glacier, leading to orographic clouds which remained lower than the LIDAR beam. Furthermore, the dominance of long-range transported Saharan dust was observed in all easurements for several days, however only for a shorter time period in the in-situ measurements due to the vertical structure of the dust plume. The optical properties of the aerosol column retrieved from SEVIRI and MODIS showed the same magnitude and a similar temporal evolution as the measurements at the KLS and the JFJ. Remaining differences are attributed to the complex terrain and simplifications in the aerosol retrieval scheme in general.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift

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