University of Helsinki “chasing preindustrial aerosols at Izaña” in the first access of the ATMO-ACCESS project

IARC is hosting the first TNA (TransNational Access) Observation campaign, under the umbrella of the ATMO-ACCESS project (Sustainable Access to Atmospheric Research Facilities, more info https://izana.aemet.es/atmo-access-isaf/), supported by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 – Research and Innovation Framework Programme (grant agreement No 101008004).
During April, May and June 2022 the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at University of Helsinki (https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/atmosphere-biosphere-cryosphere-interactions) ran the campaign “Chasing preindustrial aerosols at Izaña” for the understanding the gas precursors responsible for new partible formation (NPF) process in pristine conditions like in our station. For this purpose, the research team has installed in our Joseph M. Prospero Aerosols Laboratory a suite of instruments, including APi-TOF for ion clusters measurements, MION-APi-TOF for the H2SO4 and oxygenated organic molecules concentrations, Vocus-PTR-TOF for VOCs and oxidation products of DMS (dimethyl sulphide), and a combo NAIS-PSM for number concentration and size distribution of atmospheric ions and neutral particles with a mobility diameter of 0.8-42 nm and number concentration of particle with a mobility diameter of 1.25-2.5 nm.

From lelft to right: Diego Aliaga, Federico Bianchi – Group Leader, Natalia Prats – PI of ATMO-ACCESS project at IARC, Wei Huang – Project Leader, Jiali Shen, Myriam Agró, Ramón Ramos – Head of Scientific instrumentation and infraestructures at IARC, and Conchy Bayo – GAW technician support to IARC Aerosol Programme. At the background, Joseph M. Prospero Aerosols Laboratory building and snowy Teide mountain. (Photo credit: Observatory staff).

Access success story

  • What is the context of your research?

Aerosol particles cool down the atmosphere by scattering incoming radiation and acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). A significant fraction (>50%) of current CCN is estimated to stem from the formation of new particles. But the mechanisms governing new particle formation (NPF) are still poorly understood, especially when trying to understand preindustrial NPF. Our TNA project aimed to understand the mechanism responsible for the NPF occurring in a pristine preindustrial-like station, Izaña, where anthropogenic activity is very low, via conducting field measurements in Izaña with the deployment of a suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation.

  • Why did you apply to this call (if any)?

We would like to do measurements at the pristine site, Izaña Atmospheric Observatory (IZO; 2367 m a.s.l.), Tenerife, Canary Islands, to study preindustrial NPF process and its contribution to CCN budget. This call provides scientific services, administrative assistance, and collaboration on what we wanted to do at ISAF-(IZO), and that’s why we applied to this call.

  • What were the benefits/results of the access to the ATMO-ACCESS services
    for your project?

With the access to the ATMO-ACCESS services, we have successfully collected valuable datasets regarding the project scientific questions. We also received a lot of support on administrative/logistic practicalities (e.g. help on customs management, travel, accommodation, local transport, power with UPS and internet, setup/packing/shipment/storage, meteorological warnings to severe weather) and scientific-technical support (e.g. data use, purchase of chemicals and gas cylinders, facility usage training, trouble-shooting).

  • How was your experience as a user?

It was an amazing experience of this access! The contact of the host ISAF service and the IZO station staff including all scientists and technicians were always super nice, thoughtful and helpful on any questions/requirements from our side. Without them, the campaign would have not gone so well! Many many thanks!!

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