Journal Article

FZJ-2015-00628

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Organic aerosol concentration and composition over Europe: insights from comparison of regional model predictions with aerosol mass spectrometer factor analysis

Fountoukis, C. ; Megaritis, A. G. ; Skyllakou, K. ; Charalampidis, P. E. ; Pilinis, C. ; Denier van der Gon, H. A. C. ; Crippa, M. ; Canonaco, F. ; Mohr, C. ; Prévôt, A. S. H. ; Allan, J. D. ; Poulain, L. ; Petäjä, T. ; Tiitta, P. ; Carbone, S. ; Kiendler-Scharr, A.FZJ* ; Nemitz, E. ; O'Dowd, C. ; Swietlicki, E. ; Pandis, S. N. (Corresponding Author)

2014
EGU Katlenburg-Lindau

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8269  doi:10.5194/acp-14-9061-2014

Abstract: A detailed three-dimensional regional chemical transport model (Particulate Matter Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions, PMCAMx) was applied over Europe, focusing on the formation and chemical transformation of organic matter. Three periods representative of different seasons were simulated, corresponding to intensive field campaigns. An extensive set of AMS measurements was used to evaluate the model and, using factor-analysis results, gain more insight into the sources and transformations of organic aerosol (OA). Overall, the agreement between predictions and measurements for OA concentration is encouraging, with the model reproducing two-thirds of the data (daily average mass concentrations) within a factor of 2. Oxygenated OA (OOA) is predicted to contribute 93% to total OA during May, 87% during winter and 96% during autumn, with the rest consisting of fresh primary OA (POA). Predicted OOA concentrations compare well with the observed OOA values for all periods, with an average fractional error of 0.53 and a bias equal to −0.07 (mean error = 0.9 μg m−3, mean bias = −0.2 μg m−3). The model systematically underpredicts fresh POA at most sites during late spring and autumn (mean bias up to −0.8 μg m−3). Based on results from a source apportionment algorithm running in parallel with PMCAMx, most of the POA originates from biomass burning (fires and residential wood combustion), and therefore biomass burning OA is most likely underestimated in the emission inventory. The sensitivity of POA predictions to the corresponding emissions' volatility distribution is discussed. The model performs well at all sites when the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF)-estimated low-volatility OOA is compared against the OA with saturation concentrations of the OA surrogate species C* ≤ 0.1 μg m−3 and semivolatile OOA against the OA with C* > 0.1 μg m−3.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Troposphäre (IEK-8)

Research Program(s):

1. 233 - Trace gas and aerosol processes in the troposphere (POF2-233) (POF2-233)

Appears in the scientific report 2014

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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