Articles | Volume 13, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2413-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2413-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 May 2020
Research article |
| 15 May 2020
| 15 May 2020
Laboratory evaluation of particle-size selectivity of optical low-cost particulate matter sensors
Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Helsinki, 00560, Finland
Timo Mäkelä
Climate System Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki,
00560, Finland
Minna Aurela
Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Helsinki, 00560, Finland
Kimmo Teinilä
Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Helsinki, 00560, Finland
Samu Varjonen
Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki,
00560, Finland
Óscar González
Fab Lab Barcelona, Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia,
Barcelona, 08005, Spain
Hilkka Timonen
Atmospheric Composition Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Helsinki, 00560, Finland
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Clouds and aerosol are important for weather and climate. Typically, pure water cloud droplets stay liquid until around −35 °C, unless they come into contact with ice-nucleating particles (INPs). INPs are a rare subset of aerosol particles. Using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), it is possible to collect aerosol particles and analyse their ice-nucleating ability. This study describes the test and validation of a sampling set-up that can be used to collect aerosol particles onto a filter.
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This study examined particle emissions from a large-scale biomass heating plant. Efficient flue gas cleaning, especially with bag-house filters, significantly reduced primary emissions. However, the potential for secondary aerosol formation was found to be 100–1000 times higher than primary emissions, highlighting the need for further research to support air quality and climate goals.
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Physical and chemical properties of particulate matter and concentrations of trace gases were measured in a street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, and an urban background site in January–February 2022 to investigate the effect of wintertime conditions on pollutants. State-of-the-art instruments and a mobile laboratory were used, and the measurement data were analysed further with modelling tools like positive matrix factorization and the Pollution Detection Algorithm.
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Joel Kuula, Juho Karhu, Tommi Mikkonen, Patrick Grahn, Aki Virkkula, Hilkka Timonen, Tuomas Hieta, and Markku Vainio
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The 3-month measurement campaign at Espoo, Finland, in spring 2023. The measurement campaign studied the effect of the noise barrier on pollutant concentration gradients on one side of a major highway. The studied pollutants included PM10, PM2.5, lung deposited surface area (LDSA), particle number concentration (PNC), NO2, and black carbon (BC). The noise barrier was found to be effective in reducing, especially the concentration of particulate pollutants.
J. Tapio Elomaa, Krista Luoma, Sami D. Harni, Aki Virkkula, Hilkka Timonen, and Tuukka Petäjä
Aerosol Research, 3, 293–314, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-293-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-293-2025, 2025
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Black carbon (BC) is a pollutant from combustion that affects the climate and is harmful to health. We tested four different small BC sensors with a reference in Helsinki. The sensors compared well with the reference. As a sensor network they were able to capture differences in BC. Changes in temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) caused error in the measurements. To reduce the effects of T and RH on BC sensors, more robust boxes should be developed, or corrections should be applied.
Fanni Mylläri, Niina Kuittinen, Minna Aurela, Teemu Lepistö, Paavo Heikkilä, Laura Salo, Lassi Markkula, Panu Karjalainen, Joel Kuula, Sami Harni, Katriina Kyllönen, Satu Similä, Katriina Jalkanen, Joakim Autio, Marko Palonen, Jouni Valtatie, Anna Häyrinen, Hilkka Timonen, and Topi Rönkkö
Aerosol Research Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-14, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-14, 2025
Revised manuscript under review for AR
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This study examined particle emissions from a large-scale biomass heating plant. Efficient flue gas cleaning, especially with bag-house filters, significantly reduced primary emissions. However, the potential for secondary aerosol formation was found to be 100–1000 times higher than primary emissions, highlighting the need for further research to support air quality and climate goals.
Kimmo Teinilä, Sanna Saarikoski, Henna Lintusaari, Teemu Lepistö, Petteri Marjanen, Minna Aurela, Heidi Hellén, Toni Tykkä, Markus Lampimäki, Janne Lampilahti, Luis Barreira, Timo Mäkelä, Leena Kangas, Juha Hatakka, Sami Harni, Joel Kuula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Jaakko Yli-Ojanperä, Ville Niemelä, Milja Jäppi, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Joonas Vanhanen, Liisa Pirjola, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuukka Petäjä, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
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Hector Navarro-Barboza, Jordi Rovira, Vincenzo Obiso, Andrea Pozzer, Marta Via, Andres Alastuey, Xavier Querol, Noemi Perez, Marjan Savadkoohi, Gang Chen, Jesus Yus-Díez, Matic Ivancic, Martin Rigler, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Stergios Vratolis, Olga Zografou, Maria Gini, Benjamin Chazeau, Nicolas Marchand, Andre S. H. Prevot, Kaspar Dallenbach, Mikael Ehn, Krista Luoma, Tuukka Petäjä, Anna Tobler, Jaroslaw Necki, Minna Aurela, Hilkka Timonen, Jarkko Niemi, Olivier Favez, Jean-Eudes Petit, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Christoph Hueglin, Nicolas Pascal, Aurélien Chauvigné, Sébastien Conil, Marco Pandolfi, and Oriol Jorba
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Brown carbon (BrC) absorbs ultraviolet (UV) and visible light, influencing climate. This study explores BrC's imaginary refractive index (k) using data from 12 European sites. Residential emissions are a major organic aerosol (OA) source in winter, while secondary organic aerosol (SOA) dominates in summer. Source-specific k values were derived, improving model accuracy. The findings highlight BrC's climate impact and emphasize source-specific constraints in atmospheric models.
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Aerosol Research, 3, 113–124, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-113-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-113-2025, 2025
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Short summary
We present a new photoacoustic instrument for simultaneous measurement of aerosol light absorption at multiple wavelengths. High performance is reached by using an optically read cantilever microphone, which allows for highly sensitive absorption measurements at a compact size. Performance in field conditions is demonstrated with black carbon monitoring at an air quality measurement station, where our results agree well with reference instruments deployed at the site.
Androniki Maragkidou, Tiia Grönholm, Laura Rautiainen, Juha Nikmo, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, Timo Mäkelä, Timo Anttila, Lauri Laakso, and Jaakko Kukkonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2443–2457, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2443-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2443-2025, 2025
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Joel Kuula, Juho Karhu, Tommi Mikkonen, Patrick Grahn, Aki Virkkula, Hilkka Timonen, Tuomas Hieta, and Markku Vainio
Aerosol Research, 3, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-1-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-1-2025, 2025
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Short summary
We developed a new method to measure how particles absorb light as they change in size, which is critical for understanding their climate impact. Our approach uses a sensitive instrument that measures light absorption directly from particles in real time. By pairing this with a device that sorts particles by size, we achieved accurate size-resolved measurements. Our findings closely match theoretical models, offering a promising tool for future research into how particles influence climate.
Sami D. Harni, Minna Aurela, Sanna Saarikoski, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Hanna Manninen, Ville Leinonen, Pasi Aalto, Phil K. Hopke, Tuukka Petäjä, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 12143–12160, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12143-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-12143-2024, 2024
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In this study, particle number size distribution data were used in a novel way in positive matrix factorization analysis to find aerosol source profiles in the area. Measurements were made in Helsinki at a street canyon and urban background sites between February 2015 and June 2019. Five different aerosol sources were identified. These sources underline the significance of traffic-related emissions in urban environments despite recent improvements in emission reduction technologies.
Martti Honkanen, Mika Aurela, Juha Hatakka, Lumi Haraguchi, Sami Kielosto, Timo Mäkelä, Jukka Seppälä, Simo-Matti Siiriä, Ken Stenbäck, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Pasi Ylöstalo, and Lauri Laakso
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The exchange of CO2 between the sea and the atmosphere was studied in the Archipelago Sea, Baltic Sea, in 2017–2021, using an eddy covariance technique. The sea acted as a net source of CO2 with an average yearly emission of 27.1 gC m-2 yr-1, indicating that the marine ecosystem respired carbon that originated elsewhere. The yearly CO2 emission varied between 18.2–39.2 gC m-2 yr-1, mostly due to the yearly variation of ecosystem carbon uptake.
Teemu Lepistö, Henna Lintusaari, Laura Salo, Ville Silvonen, Luis M. F. Barreira, Jussi Hoivala, Lassi Markkula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Jakub Ondracek, Kimmo Teinilä, Hanna E. Manninen, Sanna Saarikoski, Hilkka Timonen, Miikka Dal Maso, and Topi Rönkkö
Aerosol Research, 2, 271–289, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-271-2024, 2024
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The performances of different particle lung-deposited surface area (LDSAal) measurement methods (Partector, ELPI+, SMPS/DMPS) were compared in ambient conditions. As LDSAal is a health-relevant metric and rather easy to utilise in air quality monitoring, it is crucial to know how the different methods agree, as there are clear differences in their operation. In all, a comparison of different methods can be complicated; still, the methods agree rather well in terms of local pollution (< 400 nm).
Mikko Heikkilä, Krista Luoma, Timo Mäkelä, and Tiia Grönholm
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8927–8941, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8927-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8927-2024, 2024
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Black carbon (BC) concentration was measured from 211 ship exhaust gas plumes at a remote marine station. Emission factors of BC were calculated in grams per kilogram of fuel. Ships with an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) were found to have median BC emissions per fuel consumed 5 times lower than ships without an EGCS. However, this might be because of non-EGCS ships running at low engine loads rather than the EGCS itself. A local speed restriction would increase BC emissions of ships.
Patrick Grahn and Joel Kuula
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1242, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1242, 2024
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
A three-dimensional finite-element based method was used to calculate inertial deposition loss of aerosol particles in flow systems. The method was validated by comparing to known results published in literature. Loss in a geometrically complicated aerosol measurement instrument was calculated and compared to measurements. The method pinpoints the physical locations where particles are lost, which is helpful for improving the performance of aerosol instruments.
Jian Zhao, Valter Mickwitz, Yuanyuan Luo, Ella Häkkinen, Frans Graeffe, Jiangyi Zhang, Hilkka Timonen, Manjula Canagaratna, Jordan E. Krechmer, Qi Zhang, Markku Kulmala, Juha Kangasluoma, Douglas Worsnop, and Mikael Ehn
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1527–1543, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1527-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1527-2024, 2024
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Organic aerosol constitutes a significant portion of atmospheric fine particles but is less characterized due to its vast number of constituents. Recently, we developed a system for online measurements of particle-phase highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs). In this work, we systematically characterized the system, developed a new unit to enhance its performance, and demonstrated the essential role of thermograms in inferring volatility and quantifying HOMs in organic aerosols.
Magdalena Okuljar, Olga Garmash, Miska Olin, Joni Kalliokoski, Hilkka Timonen, Jarkko V. Niemi, Pauli Paasonen, Jenni Kontkanen, Yanjun Zhang, Heidi Hellén, Heino Kuuluvainen, Minna Aurela, Hanna E. Manninen, Mikko Sipilä, Topi Rönkkö, Tuukka Petäjä, Markku Kulmala, Miikka Dal Maso, and Mikael Ehn
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12965–12983, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12965-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12965-2023, 2023
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Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) form secondary organic aerosol that affects air quality and health. In this study, we demonstrate that in a moderately polluted city with abundant vegetation, the composition of HOMs is largely controlled by the effect of NOx on the biogenic volatile organic compound oxidation. Comparing the results from two nearby stations, we show that HOM composition and formation pathways can change considerably within small distances in urban environments.
Jonas Elm, Aladár Czitrovszky, Andreas Held, Annele Virtanen, Astrid Kiendler-Scharr, Benjamin J. Murray, Daniel McCluskey, Daniele Contini, David Broday, Eirini Goudeli, Hilkka Timonen, Joan Rosell-Llompart, Jose L. Castillo, Evangelia Diapouli, Mar Viana, Maria E. Messing, Markku Kulmala, Naděžda Zíková, and Sebastian H. Schmitt
Aerosol Research, 1, 13–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-1-13-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-1-13-2023, 2023
Ella Häkkinen, Jian Zhao, Frans Graeffe, Nicolas Fauré, Jordan E. Krechmer, Douglas Worsnop, Hilkka Timonen, Mikael Ehn, and Juha Kangasluoma
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 1705–1721, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1705-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1705-2023, 2023
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Highly oxygenated compounds contribute to the formation and growth of atmospheric organic aerosol and thus impact the global climate. Knowledge of their transformations and fate after condensing into the particle phase has been limited by the lack of suitable detection techniques. Here, we present an online method for measuring highly oxygenated compounds from organic aerosol. We evaluate the performance of the method and demonstrate that the method is applicable to different organic species.
Sanna Saarikoski, Heidi Hellén, Arnaud P. Praplan, Simon Schallhart, Petri Clusius, Jarkko V. Niemi, Anu Kousa, Toni Tykkä, Rostislav Kouznetsov, Minna Aurela, Laura Salo, Topi Rönkkö, Luis M. F. Barreira, Liisa Pirjola, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2963–2982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2963-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2963-2023, 2023
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This study elucidates properties and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and organic aerosol (OA) in a traffic environment. Anthropogenic VOCs (aVOCs) were clearly higher than biogenic VOCs (bVOCs), but bVOCs produced a larger portion of oxidation products. OA consisted mostly of oxygenated OA, representing secondary OA (SOA). SOA was partly associated with bVOCs, but it was also related to long-range transport. Primary OA originated mostly from traffic.
Lauriane L. J. Quéléver, Lubna Dada, Eija Asmi, Janne Lampilahti, Tommy Chan, Jonathan E. Ferrara, Gustavo E. Copes, German Pérez-Fogwill, Luis Barreira, Minna Aurela, Douglas R. Worsnop, Tuija Jokinen, and Mikko Sipilä
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 8417–8437, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8417-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-8417-2022, 2022
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Understanding how aerosols form is crucial for correctly modeling the climate and improving future predictions. This work provides extensive analysis of aerosol particles and their precursors at Marambio Station, Antarctic Peninsula. We show that sulfuric acid, ammonia, and dimethylamine are key contributors to the frequent new particle formation events observed at the site. We discuss nucleation mechanisms and highlight the need for targeted measurement to fully understand these processes.
Joel Kuula, Hilkka Timonen, Jarkko V. Niemi, Hanna E. Manninen, Topi Rönkkö, Tareq Hussein, Pak Lun Fung, Sasu Tarkoma, Mikko Laakso, Erkka Saukko, Aino Ovaska, Markku Kulmala, Ari Karppinen, Lasse Johansson, and Tuukka Petäjä
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 4801–4808, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4801-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-4801-2022, 2022
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Modern and up-to-date policies and air quality management strategies are instrumental in tackling global air pollution. As the European Union is preparing to revise Ambient Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC, this paper initiates discussion on selected features of the directive that we believe would benefit from a reassessment. The scientific community has the most recent and deepest understanding of air pollution; thus, its contribution is essential.
Pak Lun Fung, Martha A. Zaidan, Jarkko V. Niemi, Erkka Saukko, Hilkka Timonen, Anu Kousa, Joel Kuula, Topi Rönkkö, Ari Karppinen, Sasu Tarkoma, Markku Kulmala, Tuukka Petäjä, and Tareq Hussein
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 1861–1882, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1861-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1861-2022, 2022
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We developed an input-adaptive mixed-effects model, which was automatised to select the best combination of input variables, including up to three fixed effect variables and three time indictors as random effect variables. We tested the model to estimate lung-deposited surface area (LDSA), which correlates well with human health. The results show the inclusion of time indicators improved the sensitivity and the accuracy of the model so that it could serve as a network of virtual sensors.
Jutta Kesti, John Backman, Ewan J. O'Connor, Anne Hirsikko, Eija Asmi, Minna Aurela, Ulla Makkonen, Maria Filioglou, Mika Komppula, Hannele Korhonen, and Heikki Lihavainen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 481–503, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-481-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-481-2022, 2022
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In this study we combined aerosol particle measurements at the surface with a scanning Doppler lidar providing vertical profiles of the atmosphere to study the effect of different boundary layer conditions on aerosol particle properties in the understudied Arabian Peninsula region. The instrumentation used in this study enabled us to identify periods when pollution from remote sources was mixed down to the surface and initiated new particle formation in the growing boundary layer.
Martti Honkanen, Jens Daniel Müller, Jukka Seppälä, Gregor Rehder, Sami Kielosto, Pasi Ylöstalo, Timo Mäkelä, Juha Hatakka, and Lauri Laakso
Ocean Sci., 17, 1657–1675, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1657-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-17-1657-2021, 2021
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The exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) between the sea and the atmosphere is regulated by the gradient of CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) between the sea and the air. The daily variation of the seawater pCO2 recorded at the fixed station Utö in the Baltic Sea was found to be mainly biologically driven. Calculation of the annual net exchange of CO2 between the sea and atmosphere based on daily measurements of pCO2 carried out using the same sampling time every day could introduce a bias of up to 12 %.
Sanna Saarikoski, Jarkko V. Niemi, Minna Aurela, Liisa Pirjola, Anu Kousa, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14851–14869, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14851-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14851-2021, 2021
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This study presents the main sources of black carbon (BC) at two urban environments. The largest fraction of BC originated from biomass burning at the residential site (38 %) and from vehicular emissions (57 %) in the street canyon. Also, a significant fraction of BC was associated with urban background or long-range transport. The data are needed by modelers and authorities when assessing climate and air quality impact of BC as well as directing the emission legislation and mitigation actions.
Evelyn Freney, Karine Sellegri, Alessia Nicosia, Leah R. Williams, Matteo Rinaldi, Jonathan T. Trueblood, André S. H. Prévôt, Melilotus Thyssen, Gérald Grégori, Nils Haëntjens, Julie Dinasquet, Ingrid Obernosterer, France Van Wambeke, Anja Engel, Birthe Zäncker, Karine Desboeufs, Eija Asmi, Hilkka Timonen, and Cécile Guieu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10625–10641, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10625-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10625-2021, 2021
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In this work, we present observations of the organic aerosol content in primary sea spray aerosols (SSAs) continuously generated along a 5-week cruise in the Mediterranean. This information is combined with seawater biogeochemical properties also measured continuously along the ship track to develop a number of parametrizations that can be used in models to determine SSA organic content in oligotrophic waters that represent 60 % of the oceans from commonly measured seawater variables.
Magdalena Okuljar, Heino Kuuluvainen, Jenni Kontkanen, Olga Garmash, Miska Olin, Jarkko V. Niemi, Hilkka Timonen, Juha Kangasluoma, Yee Jun Tham, Rima Baalbaki, Mikko Sipilä, Laura Salo, Henna Lintusaari, Harri Portin, Kimmo Teinilä, Minna Aurela, Miikka Dal Maso, Topi Rönkkö, Tuukka Petäjä, and Pauli Paasonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9931–9953, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9931-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9931-2021, 2021
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To estimate the relative contribution of different sources to the particle population in an urban environment, we conducted simultaneous measurements at a street canyon and an urban background station in Helsinki. We investigated the contribution of traffic and new particle formation to particles with a diameter between 1 and 800 nm. We found that during spring traffic does not dominate the particles smaller than 3 nm at either of the stations.
Luis M. F. Barreira, Aku Helin, Minna Aurela, Kimmo Teinilä, Milla Friman, Leena Kangas, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Anu Kousa, Liisa Pirjola, Topi Rönkkö, Sanna Saarikoski, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6297–6314, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6297-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6297-2021, 2021
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We present results from the long-term measurements (5 years) of highly time-resolved atmospheric PM1 composition at an urban street canyon site. Overall, the results increased knowledge of the variability of PM1 concentration, composition, and sources in a traffic site and the implications for urban air quality. The investigation of pollution episodes showed that both local and long-range-transported pollutants can still cause elevated PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations in northern Europe.
Sami D. Seppälä, Joel Kuula, Antti-Pekka Hyvärinen, Sanna Saarikoski, Topi Rönkkö, Jorma Keskinen, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3215–3234, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3215-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3215-2021, 2021
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The effects of fuel sulfur content restrictions implemented by the International Maritime Organization in the Baltic Sea (in July 2010 and January 2015) on the particle properties of ship exhaust plumes and ambient aerosol were studied. The restrictions reduced the particle number concentrations and median particle size in plumes and number concentrations in ambient aerosol. These changes may improve human health in coastal areas and decrease the cooling effect of exhaust emissions from ships.
Krista Luoma, Jarkko V. Niemi, Minna Aurela, Pak Lun Fung, Aku Helin, Tareq Hussein, Leena Kangas, Anu Kousa, Topi Rönkkö, Hilkka Timonen, Aki Virkkula, and Tuukka Petäjä
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 1173–1189, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1173-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1173-2021, 2021
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This study combined black carbon measurements from 15 Finnish sites that represented different environments (traffic, detached housing area, urban background, and regional background). The seasonal and diurnal variations in the black carbon concentration were associated with local emissions from traffic and residential wood burning. The study observed decreasing trends in the black carbon concentration and associated them with decreases in traffic emissions.
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Short summary
Particle-size-dependent detection ranges of low-cost particulate matter sensors were evaluated in a laboratory experiment. Six different sensor models were evaluated altogether. The results showed that none of the sensor models adhered to the technical specifications provided by the manufacturers, and thus a high risk of sensor misuse is posed. It is paramount that the limitations regarding the particle size discrimination of low-cost sensors are acknowledged properly.
Particle-size-dependent detection ranges of low-cost particulate matter sensors were evaluated...
