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Local vs. long-range sources of aerosol particles upon Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands): mineral chemistry and geochemical records

  • Environmental Changes in Arctic
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Abstract

Aerosol samplings were performed both at ground level and at different heights upon the Ny-Ålesund polar station in June–July 2012 using a tethered balloon equipped with a sampling pump and meteorological sensors. The samples were analyzed by ion chromatography and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the sources and the evolution of the aerosol particles in the planetary boundary layer. The results show the main contribution of long-range over local/regional transported particles and sediments in the aerosols in the period of interest. Among the long-range sources, a main contribution was represented by Siberian local soils and regional wildfires which provided typical particles (metal oxides, calcareous grains), and ion species (nss-K+, nss-SO4 2−) to the aerosols. Among the local sources, a main contribution was represented by fly ash emitted by the cruise ships frequently landing around Ny-Ålesund during summer. Another aspect which results from aerosol particle characterization is the clear stratification of the planetary boundary layer upon Ny-Ålesund. This typical feature, which has been already documented in spring on the same site (Moroni et al. 2015), is quite effective also in summertime despite the higher potential of local dust production and the lower atmospheric stability characterizing this period.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (PRIN-2009 project). The logistic assistance of the Polar Support Unit of the CNR Department of Earth and Environment (POLARNET) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Beatrice Moroni, David Cappelletti & Stefano Crocchianti

  2. Istituto di Scienze dell’Atmosfera e del Clima, CNR, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy

    Maurizio Busetto & Mauro Mazzola

  3. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Centro Ricerca POLARIS, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Luca Ferrero

  4. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia, 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Silvia Becagli, Rita Traversi & Roberto Udisti

Authors
  1. Beatrice Moroni
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  2. David Cappelletti
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  3. Luca Ferrero
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  4. Stefano Crocchianti
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  5. Maurizio Busetto
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  6. Mauro Mazzola
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  7. Silvia Becagli
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  8. Rita Traversi
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  9. Roberto Udisti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beatrice Moroni.

Additional information

This peer-reviewed article is a result of the multi and interdisciplinary research activities based at the Arctic Station “Dirigibile Italia”, coordinated by the “Dipartimento Scienze del Sistema Terra e Tecnologie per l’Ambiente” of the National Research Council of Italy.

Electronic supplementary material

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12210_2016_533_MOESM1_ESM.ppt

SEM micrographs of carbonate minerals: (a) calcite; (b) dolomite; (c) calcite submicrometric particles and dendritic aggregates (sample 10 Jul B). (PPT 6752 kb)

12210_2016_533_MOESM2_ESM.ppt

SEM micrographs of sodium chloride particles: (a) the primary precipitate from sea salt spray (P) is easily recognizable from transported particles for the regular shape and the surrounding halo due to water evaporation directly onto the filter; (b) aged chloride-depleted particle; (c) skeletonized particles produced by massive dissolution. (PPT 4171 kb)

12210_2016_533_MOESM3_ESM.ppt

SEM micrographs of mixed sulfate and chloride particles: (a) aggregates of externally mixed gypsum (Gy), sodium chloride (NaCl), and mixed sulfate particles (Na–K-Cl-S); (b) large individual particle of internally mixed sulfate and chloride with EDS spectrum; (c) surface coating of internally mixed sulfate precipitates over a sheet mineral with EDS spectrum. (PPT 8500 kb)

12210_2016_533_MOESM4_ESM.ppt

SEM micrograph of particles in sample 10 Jul B (a) with EDS spectrum of a metal oxide- calcite-phosphate-chloride aggregate (open star; b). (PPT 501 kb)

12210_2016_533_MOESM5_ESM.ppt

SEM micrographs of carbonaceous particles: (a) fresh soot particle aggregate; (b) aged soot aggregate; (c) spheroidal porous particle in sample 26 Jun G. (PPT 1251 kb)

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Moroni, B., Cappelletti, D., Ferrero, L. et al. Local vs. long-range sources of aerosol particles upon Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands): mineral chemistry and geochemical records. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 27 (Suppl 1), 115–127 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-016-0533-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-016-0533-7

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