Conference Agenda
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WG3: Measurement Techniques for PM from Various Sources
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1:45pm - 2:00pm
TH3-2: 1 Integrating Remote Sensing and Ground-Based Measurements to Analyze PM Concentrations 1Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI), Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129, Italy; 2National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Science and Climate, CNR-ISAC, Rome, Italy; 3ARPA Valle d’Aosta, Saint-Christophe, Italy Atmospheric aerosols impact air quality (AQ) and human health, with PM concentration being a key metric for regulatory limits. Their vertical distribution influences climate by affecting atmospheric stability. Lidar systems, both ground- and space-based, are increasingly used to complement in situ measurements, such as optical particle counters. This study examines aerosol concentration and atmospheric thermodynamics in Turin, a major pollution hotspot, by integrating data from various remote sensing and surface instruments. The analysis explores aerosol vertical distribution, temperature profiles, and precipitation patterns, offering a unique contribution to understanding AQ dynamics in this region, where similar studies are lacking.
2:00pm - 2:15pm
TH3-2: 2 An innovative approach measuring metal concentrations in airborne particulate matter 1Bruker Nano GmbH, Germany; 2Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany; 3National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Italy; 4Department of Physics and Astronomy, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy The European project MI-TRAP (MItigating TRansport-related Air Pollution in Europe) aims to establish a network of monitoring stations located near transport emission hotspots by employing innovative monitoring devices. An innovative approach to sampling and measuring PM is based on a new cascade impactor optimized for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) providing detection limits in the range of a few picograms absolute mass. Recently, a first campaign of the MI-TRAP project was scheduled. On-site TXRF measurements enabled the detection of toxic elements at low concentrations in the pg/m³ range. Results will be proven by reference-free synchrotron XRF.
2:15pm - 2:30pm
TH3-2: 3 Study of traffic-related air pollution using a low-cost sensor network in Toronto, Canada 1University of Toronto, Canada; 2A.U.G. Signals Ltd., Canada; 3Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Canada; 4Environment and Climate Change Canada This study evaluated a low-cost sensor (LCS) network across Toronto to enhance understanding of within-city variability of traffic-related air pollution. The network, established in 2023, spanned ~20 locations measuring PM2.5 and other gaseous pollutants. Field performance was assessed against reference monitors, with relative humidity significantly impacting PM2.5 accuracy. A time series method effectively isolated traffic signals for CO and NOx, but less so for PM2.5. A method placing two nodes on opposite sides of a road was shown to be able to capture and quantify traffic emissions. This work underscores the value of LCS networks in urban air quality monitoring.
2:30pm - 2:45pm
TH3-2: 4 Bipolar Charging of Sub-20 nm Particles: High-Accuracy Measurements of Particle Charge Fractions and Ion Mobility Distributions 1University of Helsinki; 2The Cyprus Institute; 3Atmose Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 4University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; 5University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 6Delft University of Technology We have optimized a method for measuring the singly charged fractions of sub-20 nm particles, building on the setup described in Bello et al. (2024). In this approach, the aerosol charge fraction is determined with an electrostatic precipitator, while a CPC and an electrometer are operated downstream in parallel. Although the method is restricted to particles smaller than 20 nm, it enables charge fraction measurements with relatively low particle losses, offering higher precision than the tandem-DMA setups typically used for the measurement of aerosol charge fractions.
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