Aerosol Life Cycle

Dear Colleagues,

During recent years, the effects on human health which arise from emissions of particulate material have gained increasing attention. Whatever their source (natural or anthropogenic), airborne particles are transported over large distances (especially for the fine and ultrafine fraction) in the troposphere and cross different air masses. Many heterogeneous processes, such as particle coagulation, gas condensation, or surface reactivity, lead to changes not only to chemical composition, but also in the size and morphology of the particles. The aging of atmospheric particles affects their optical properties, so that light scattering is difficult to estimate, leading to significant uncertainties in predicting changes in atmospheric radiative forcing. In order to quantify the effect of aerosols on both climate and human health, we need to better quantify the interplay between sources and sinks of aerosol particle numbers and mass on large spatial scales. Most air quality-monitoring stations are located close to major urban areas, leaving large areas without operational observation. Satellite remote sensing is well suited for daily monitoring of the aerosol load, but the primary aerosol quantity derived from space-borne remote sensors is the integrated aerosol optical thickness, and ground measurements may be disconnected from columnar aerosols. In urban areas, aerosol concentration is strongly dependent on the daily evolution of the boundary layer and turbulent processes play a crucial role on vertical aerosol mixing. In the lower layers of the troposphere, the distribution of aerosols needs to be spatially resolved in order to understand the impact on pollution of local sources (urban and industrial) and long-range transport. In this context, in-situ measurements, models, and satellite observations should be viewed as a system, each component of which is necessary to better understand the aerosol life cycle.

Dr. Suzanne Crumeyrolle
Guest Editor

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• aerosol chemical, physical, and optical properties
• long range transport
• coagulation
• gas condensation
• surface reactivity