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| Titel |
Trends of particulate matter (PM2.5) and chemical composition at a regional background site in the Western Mediterranean over the last nine years (2002–2010) |
| VerfasserIn |
M. Cusack, A. Alastuey, N. Pérez, J. Pey, X. Querol |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1680-7316
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ; 12, no. 18 ; Nr. 12, no. 18 (2012-09-17), S.8341-8357 |
| Datensatznummer |
250011450
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/acp-12-8341-2012.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
The time variability and long term trends of PM2.5 (particulate matter
of diameter < 2.5 μm) at various regional background (RB) sites across
Europe are studied and interpreted in this work. Data on mean annual levels
of PM2.5 measured at Montseny (MSY, North East Spain) and various RB
sites in Spain and Europe are evaluated and compared, and subsequently
analysed for statistically significant trends. The MSY site registered
higher average PM2.5 levels than those measured at a selection of other
RB sites across Spain, Portugal, Germany and Scandinavia by percentage
compared to the mean of all the stations in these countries, but lower than
those measured in Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
Reductions in PM2.5 were observed across all stations in Spain and
Europe to varying degrees (7–49%). MSY underwent a statistically
significant reduction since measurements began, indicating a year-on-year
gradual decrease (−3.7 μg m−3, calculated from the final year of
data compared to the mean). Similar trends were observed in other RB sites
across Spain (−1.9 μg m−3). Reductions recorded in PM2.5
across Europe were varied, with many experiencing gradual, year-on-year
decreases (−1.8 μg m−3). These reductions have been attributed to
various causes: the introduction and implementation of pollution abatement
strategies in EU member states, the effect of the current economic crisis on
emissions of PM2.5 and the influence of meteorology observed during the
winters of 2009 and 2010. In addition, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO),
a large scale meteorological phenomenon most prevalent during winter, was
observed to influence the frequency of Saharan dust intrusions across the
Iberian Peninsula.
Chemical composition of PM2.5 at MSY is characterised by high levels of
organic matter (OM) and sulphate, followed by crustal material, nitrate and
ammonia. Sea Spray and elemental carbon (EC) comprised a minor part of the
total PM2.5 mass. Statistical trend analysis was performed on the
various chemical components of PM2.5 recorded at MSY to determine which
components were accountable for the decrease in PM2.5 concentration. It
is shown that OM underwent the largest decrease over the time period with a
statistically significant trend (−1.3 μg m−3 compared to the
mean), followed by sulphate (−0.8 μg m−3), ammonium
(−0.5 μg m−3) and nitrate (−0.4 μg m−3). Conversely, sea spray, EC and
crustal material reductions were found to be negligible. |
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