Measurement report: The chemical composition of and temporal variability in aerosol particles at Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, during the Year of Polar Prediction Second Special Observing Period
<p>The chemical composition, sources, and concentrations of aerosol particles vary on a seasonal basis in the Arctic. While existing research has focused on understanding the occurrence of aerosol particles during the Arctic winter and spring, less is known of their occurrence during the Arcti...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/14199/2021/acp-21-14199-2021.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>The chemical composition, sources, and concentrations of
aerosol particles vary on a seasonal basis in the Arctic. While existing
research has focused on understanding the occurrence of aerosol particles
during the Arctic winter and spring, less is known of their occurrence
during the Arctic summer. In this study, atmospheric aerosol particle
chemical composition and concentration were determined during July–September
2018 at Tuktoyaktuk, NT, Canada (69.4<span class="inline-formula"><sup>∘</sup></span> N, 133.0<span class="inline-formula"><sup>∘</sup></span> W), to
coincide with the Year of Polar Prediction's Second Special Observing
Period in the Arctic. The chemical composition of fine (PM<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2.5</sub></span>) and
coarse (PM<span class="inline-formula"><sub>10–2.5</sub></span>) aerosol filter samples suggests the ocean,
mineral and/or road dust, and combustion were sources of the sampled aerosol
particles. Mass concentrations of PM<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> and PM<span class="inline-formula"><sub>10</sub></span>, estimated from
optical particle counter measurements, remained within a similar range
during the study. However, elevated mass concentrations coincided
with a festival in the community of Tuktoyaktuk, suggesting local human
activity was an important source of aerosol particles. Mass concentrations
of PM<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span>, which promote negative health effects in humans, were
significantly lower at Tuktoyaktuk than the national air quality standard
recommended by the government of Canada. These measurements provide an
important baseline to compare with future measurements associated with the
assessment of aerosol chemistry and air quality in the Arctic.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |