10th International Aerosol Conference
September 2 - September 7, 2018
America's Center Convention Complex
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Abstract View


First Measurements from Smear Beijing Station: New Particle Formation in Urban Beijing and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Pollutants

CHAO YAN, Juha Kangasluoma, Federico Bianchi, Tommy Chan, Biwu Chu, Lubna Dada, Kaspar Rudolf Dällenbach, Yueyun Fu, Xucheng He, Liine Heikkinen, Heikki Junninen, Yiliang Liu, Yiqun Lu, Qingxin Ma, Pekka Rantala, Yonghong Wang, Gan Yang, Rujin Yin, Ying Zhou, Joni Kujansuu, Tuukka Petäjä, Yongchun Liu, Lin Wang, Jingkun Jiang, Markku Kulmala, University of Helsinki/BUCT

     Abstract Number: 1278
     Working Group: Air Quality in Megacities: from Sources to Control

Abstract
New particle formation (NPF) contributes a significant fraction to the total atmospheric particle load and affects the air quality. NPF proceeds via gas-to-particle conversion, which is governed by the availability of precursor vapors and existing particle surface area that the vapors can condense onto. In an urban environment, they are strongly affected by the local sources and micrometeorology. To obtain a comprehensive view on the processes governing air quality and NPF, long-term continuous measurements are needed. Continuous measurements allow monitoring of response of the atmosphere to the various forcers, which the short-term campaign-type measurements cannot observe.

Because of recent rapid urbanization of the developing countries such as China and India, severe air quality problems and haze episodes have taken place in large cities, such as Beijing and Delhi. The exact mechanisms responsible for the worst haze episodes still remain unclear, but they are linked to at least increased emissions from the industry, traffic and heating. To monitor the air quality in urban Beijing area, a new SMEAR Beijing station has been established close to the western third ring road at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology.

The current measurement capabilities of the station include inorganic trace gases, NO3 radicals, nitrous acid (HONO), volatile organic compounds, low-volatility vapors (H2SO4 and highly oxygenated organic compounds), particle and ion size distributions, particle chemical composition and meteorological parameters. The measurement has been started since Jan.12 2018, and will be continued throughout the year. We will present our results with two main focuses: First, the driving mechanism of NPF in Beijing, especially those cases during highly polluted conditions; Second, comprehensive analysis of source apportionment on VOC emissions, oxidation pathways, and aerosol chemical characteristics.