Development and application of an experimental technique for the simulaneous quantification of atmospheric ultrafine particle composition and turbulent transport

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This proposal aims at contributing to an advanced quantitative understanding of key processes in atmospheric aerosol dynamics. Innovative instrumentation urgently required for direct in-situ measurements of atmospheric formation of ultrafine particles (secondary particle formation) and their distribution / redistribution will be developed and established. For this purpose, state-of-theart particle instrumentation (thermal desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry) will be modified and expanded for application in a micrometeorological technique (relaxed eddy accumulation). This unique development will allow for simultaneous quantification of the chemical composition and the turbulent transport of atmospheric nanoparticles in the ultrafine size range (below 10 nm diameter). Field deployment of the novel instrument will shed light on the chemistry involved in atmospheric particle formation and the associated surface-atmosphere exchange of particles. An improved fundamental understanding of the underlying processes is essential to elucidate the role of aerosol particles in atmospheric chemistry and the global climate system. With regard to air hygiene and public health, this proposal will also contribute to applications such as the design and implementation of effective control strategies to reduce the atmospheric aerosol burden.