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Atmospheric aerosols are a highly relevant component of the climate system affecting atmospheric radiative transfer and the hydrological cycle. As opposed to other key atmospheric constituents with climatic relevance, atmospheric aerosol particles are highly heterogeneous in time and space with respect to their size, concentration, chemical composition and physical properties. Many aspects of their life cycle are not understood, making them difficult to represent in climate models and hard to control as a pollutant. Aerosol-cloud interactions in particular are infamous as a major source of uncertainty in future climate predictions. Field measurements are an important source of information for the modeling community and can lead to a better understanding of chemical and microphysical processes. In this study, field data from urban, marine, and arid settings are analyzed and the impact of meteorological conditions on the evolution of aerosol particles while in the atmosphere is investigated. Particular attention is given to organic aerosols, which are a poorly understood component of atmospheric aerosols. Local wind characteristics, solar radiation, relative humidity and the presence or absence of clouds and fog are found to be crucial factors in the transport and chemical evolution of aerosol particles. Organic aerosols in particular are found to be heavily impacted by processes in the liquid phase (cloud droplets and aerosol water). The reported measurements serve to improve the process-level understanding of aerosol evolution in different environments and to inform the modeling community by providing realistic values for input parameters and validation of model calculations.

Student Number : 0318623R - PhD thesis - School of Geosciences - Faculty of Science / Physical and chemical properties of atmospheric particles are fundamental but not necessarily easily accessible parameters. Uncertainties in these parameters are responsible for some uncertainties associated with radiative impacts of aerosol particles in global climate models. The uncertainties pertain to limitations of sampling and measurement devices, difficulties in modelling aerosols (source strengths, spatial and temporal variability) and in understanding microphysical and optical properties of aerosol particles. Physical and chemical properties can be obtained at single-particle level by microscopy analyses of individual particles. Using refined analytical and interpretative techniques to derive some of these fundamental properties, aerosol particles collected in various field campaigns and laboratory experiments were investigated using two high resolution microscopes. The particles were collected during the LBA-EUSTACH, Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment part of European Studies on Trace Gases and Atmospheric Chemistry; SMOCC campaign, Smoke Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate; CTBH II, Cape Town Brown Haze II campaign; and a controlled combustion experiment. Microscopy techniques were compared and complemented with conventional techniques to characterise particle sizes, shapes, chemical compositions and mixing states. Particle size distributions were compared between geometric equivalent sizes measured from microscopes and aerodynamic equivalent diameters, while taking into account particle densities. Large differences were found between the particle sizing techniques. Microscopy sizes (3D) were systematically lower than expected, and depended on the relative humidity during particle sampling. Differences were attributed to loss of mass, presumably water adsorbed on particles. Losses were high and could not be accounted for by known humidity growth factors suggesting losses of other volatile compounds adsorbed on particles as well. Findings suggest that there are inherent problems in defining particle sizes with different sizing techniques, despite accounting for humidity growth of particles and particle density. For collected particles, there are mass losses on individual particles, as opposed to particle losses to walls during sampling. These losses will inevitably bias observed mass distributions derived from collected particles and hence their number-size distributions. Relatively young aggregated soot particles from wood combustion were investigated for particle morphology (fractality, specific mass) and dynamic properties. Based on a procedure that has been validated on modelled aggregates, several important parameters to characterise geometry and drag-to-mass relationship of aggregates were derived. Three techniques were used to derive fractal dimension of soot aggregates. Averaged fractal dimension was found to be Df = 1.82 ± 0.08. Dynamic shape factors of soot particles were 1.7 to 2.5 and increasing with mass of aggregates. In the regime 0.2 < Kn < 0.7 (Knudsen number, Kn = 2#21;/dmob) the mobility diameter dmob was observed to be proportional to the radius of gyration with a ratio dmob/2Rg = 0.81 ± 0.07. Specific surface area of aggregates was determined to be 70 ± 10 m2g−1 based on SEM image analysis. These parameters can be used directly in modelling microphysical behaviour of freshly formed soot particles from biomass combustion with fractal dimension of Df ≈ 1.80. Chemical composition and size distributions of particles were investigated on filter samples collected during intense winter brown haze episodes in Cape Town. The sampling technique offered the capability to characterise highly heterogeneous aerosols over a polluted urban environment. Based on morphology and elemental composition, particles were categorised into seven particle groups of: aggregated soot particles, mineral dust, sulphates (SO2− 4 ), sea-salt, tar balls/fly ash, rod-shaped particles associated with soot agglomerates and those that could not be attributed to any of these groups were labelled as ‘others’. Apportionments of chemical species were highly variable both spatially and temporally. These variations indicate lack of lateral mixing and dependence of particle chemical compositions on localised and point sources within the Cape Town area. Sulphate and aggregated soot particles were externally mixed with fractional number concentrations of 0− 82% and 11%−46%, respectively. Aerosol complex refractive indices were derived from the chemical apportionment and particle abundance determined in microscopy analyses. The refractive indices were combined with in-situ measurements of number-size distribution to determine optical properties of aerosols. Single scattering albedo, !0, varied from 0.61 to 0.94 with a mean value of 0.72±0.08. The !0 is much lower than is generally reported in literature, and this was attributed to high concentrations of highly absorbing anthropogenic soot observed in SEM analysis. The mean extinction coefficient #27;ep was 194 ± 195 Mm−1. #27;ep and !0 clearly demonstrated and explained quantitatively the visibility reduction due to particles in the Cape Town atmosphere, reduction observed as the brown haze phenomenon. In all the three case studies, microscopy single particle analysis played a critical role in advancing knowledge of understanding properties of aerosol particles in the atmosphere.

Aerosol particles are one of the major pollutants in outdoor and indoor air. Particulate matter (PM) can be harmful for works of art by causing soiling and chemical damage, depending on particle size and chemical composition. This study includes indoor/outdoor monitoring of air quality in five archives in the CR, representing different outdoor environments: Zlatá Koruna (rural), Třeboň (small town), Teplice (industrial area), and two archives (National Library - NL and National Archives - NA) in Prague (large city with traffic). The NL and the archives in Zlatá Koruna, Třeboň and Teplice are only naturally ventilated, while NA in Prague is equipped with ventilation and filtration system. The measurements were performed during 4 intensive campaigns in different seasons of the year at every location. The measurements included particle number/mass concentrations, size distributions and chemical composition. Additional measurements were carried out in 2 museums, a depository, and a church. The aim of this study is to investigate concentrations, sources, and chemical composition of PM in the indoor environment, and to establish the relationship between the indoor and outdoor environment. The results showed that concentrations of fine particles in the indoor environment of the NA in Prague were...

A região metropolitana de São Paulo apresenta problemas crônicos de poluição atmosférica. A poluição atmosférica em centros urbanos é comprovadamente prejudicial à saúde da população exposta, o que gera uma preocupação mundial acerca deste tema. Com o intuito de identificar e quantificar a contribuição de fontes e a importância das emissões veiculares na cidade de São Paulo, foram realizadas duas campanhas de amostragem em dois períodos distintos, analisadas por modelos receptores. O material particulado inalável foi coletado pelo Amostrador de Particulado Fino e Grosso (AFG) e Impactador em Cascata com Deposição Uniforme. Foram obtidas as concentrações de massa por meio de análise gravimétrica e composição elementar por Análise de Emissão de Raio-X Induzido por Partículas (PIXE). Monitores com alta resolução temporal realizaram diferentes medidas de material particulado e gases. O TEOM (Tapered Oscilating Monitor) realizou medidas de concentração de PM10, o Monitor de Carbono por meio de medidas térmicas obteve concentrações de carbono orgânico e black carbon e ainda o Aetalômetro, por absorção óptica, obteve concentrações de black carbon. Medidas de gases foram cedidas pela CETESB e obtidas pelo monitor DOAS (Diferential Optical Absortion Spectroscopy). Durante o período de inverno elevadas concentrações de poluentes foram observadas, superando o padrão nacional de qualidade do ar. O fator meteorológico apresentou-se determinante na modulação das concentrações de poluentes em uma escala temporária de dias. Os ciclos diurnos de compostos como particulado inalável, black carbon, CO, NOx e SO2 foram identificados e apresentaram perfis semelhantes. Suas variações diurnas são basicamente moduladas pelos processos de emissão e pela variação da Camada Limite Atmosférica. A análise de balanço de massa, de particulado fino, apresentou resultados semelhantes nos períodos de inverno e verão. Uma significativa fração de carbono orgânico representa a massa de Material Particulado Fino (MPF) de 44% e 35%, no inverno e verão respectivamente. As concentrações de black carbon contribuem com 21% e 28% e o material inorgânico foi estimado como sendo 32% e 40% da massa do MPF, no período de inverno e verão respectivamente. A Análise de Componentes Principais Absoluta da fração fina do particulado inalável mostrou que não há significativa alteração de fontes de poluentes de um período para outro. A emissão veicular representou cerca de 28% e 24% da massa do MPF no inverno e verão respectivamente, a fonte de ressuspensão de solo representou 25% e 30%, queima de óleo combustível explicou 18% e 21%, componentes de sulfatos contribuíram com 23% e 17% e o fator de emissão industrial com 5% e 6% da massa do MPF no inverno e verão respectivamente. A fração de particulado grosso é constituída basicamente por ressuspensão de solo representando 75% e 78% da massa do material particulado grosso (MPG), a fonte industrial, 16% e 14% e partículas de emissão marinha 11% e 6% da massa do MPG, no inverno e verão respectivamente. Foi identificada, durante toda a análise, a significativa responsabilidade do tráfego de veículos na emissão de partículas, gases e precursores de O3. Indiretamente o tráfego de veículos também apresentou contribuição por parte da ressuspensão de poeira do solo. Os processos de amostragem e analítico mostraram que é possível identificar quantitativamente as fontes de aerossol em um centro urbano como a cidade de São Paulo. / The urban air pollution issue is a concern in the entire world mostly because of its hazardous effect to human health. São Paulo metropolitan area is a very industrialized region with an intense traffic of vehicles. Its geographical and meteorological conditions are unfavorable to pollution dispersion, especially in the winter season. In order to achieve a better understanding of the air pollution sources and the importance of vehicle emissions, two sampling campaigns were carried out. Inhalable particulate matter was sampled using Stacked Filter Units separated in fine and coarse particulate modes, providing mass concentration and elemental composition by Particle Induce X-ray Emission (PIXE). Real time aerosol monitors provided PM10 aerosol concentration (TEOM), organic and elemental carbon concentration (Carbon Monitor 5400R&P) and black carbon concentration (Aethalometer). Measurements of gas concentrations were performed by Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS). High levels of pollutant concentrations were measured during the winter season. For several times the concentrations exceeded the national quality standard limit, reinforcing the importance of a better understanding of this process. A complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulates the air pollution of the urban area of São Paulo. The boundary layer and the direct emissions modulate the diurnal cycle obtained for PM10, black carbon, CO, NOx, SO2. Absolute Principal Components Analyses results showed a very good agreement in the identification of the sources for the winter and summer field campaigns, pointing that there is no significant change in the sources. Traffic Source represented 28% and 24% of the fine aerosol for winter and summer respectively. Resuspended soil dust accounted for 25% and 30%. Oil combustion source represented 18% and 21%. Sulfates explained 23% and 17% and finally industrial contributed with 5% and 6% of fine particulate matter, for winter and summer respectively. These five sources account for the fine mode particulate source apportionment. The resuspended soil dust accounted for (75-78%) of the coarse aerosol fraction. All analysis identified the responsability of the traffic of vehicles for the direct emission of several gases and particulate pollutants and for the resuspended soil dust. The sampling and analytical procedures showed that it is possible to perform a quantitative aerosol source apportionment in a complex urban area such as São Paulo.

Les mécanismes de formation des nuages de glace arctiques durant la nuit polaire sont encore mal définis en raison de l’absence d’observations et de l’éloignement de cette région. Pourtant, leur influence sur les conditions météorologiques et sur le climat dans l’hémisphère nord est d’une importance primordiale ; et les connaissances sur la modification de leurs propriétés, liées à des processus d’interaction aérosol-nuage, doivent être améliorées. Les fortes concentrations d’aérosols en Arctique durant la nuit polaire sont associées au transport des aérosols anthropiques des latitudes moyennes jusqu’au pôle Nord. Les observations et les modèles montrent que cela peut conduire à un transport important de particules d’aérosol acidifiées. Les mesures en laboratoire et in situ montrent qu’à basse température (< -30°C), le revêtement d’acide sur les noyaux glaçogènes (IN) peut réduire leurs propriétés de nucléation de la glace. Par conséquent, leur concentration est réduite dans ces régions entraînant une plus faible concentration de plus gros cristaux de glace en raison d’une diminution de la compétition pour une humidité disponible similaire. De nombreuses mesures de terrain et par télédétection par satellite (CloudSat et CALIPSO) révèlent l’existence de deux types de nuages de glace (TIC) en Arctique durant la nuit polaire. Les nuages de glace de type 1 (TIC-1) ne sont visibles que par le lidar tandis que les nuages de glace de type 2 (TIC-2) sont perçus à la fois par le lidar et le radar. Les TIC-2 sont divisés en TIC-2A et TIC-2B. Les TIC-2A sont recouverts d’une fine couche de petits cristaux de glace non-précipitant (invisible par le radar) (TIC-1), tandis que les TIC-2B ne le sont pas. Ils sont caractérisés par une faible concentration de gros cristaux de glace. On suppose que la microstructure des TIC-2B est liée à l’acidification des aérosols. Pour vérifier cette hypothèse, des études de cas et des approches statistiques ont été combinées afin d’analyser le transport des aérosols et les propriétés des nuages de glace en Arctique. La première partie de la thèse enquête sur les propriétés microphysiques des TIC-1/2A et TIC-2B, en analysant des mesures aéroportées et satellitaires de cas spécifiques observés durant la campagne de mesures ISDAC (Alaska, Avril 2008). Pour la première fois, les microstructures des TIC-1/2A et TIC-2B en Arctique sont comparées en utilisant les observations in-situ des nuages. (...) La deuxième partie de la thèse enquête sur l’origine des masses d’air formant deux cas spécifiques de TICs ISDAC : TIC-1/2A (1 Avril 2008) et TIC-2B (15 Avril 2008), en utilisant des outils de trajectoire et des données satellitaires. / Arctic ice cloud formation during winter is poorly understood mainly due to the lack of observations and the remoteness of this region. Yet, their influence on Northern Hemisphere weather and climate is of paramount importance, and the modification of their properties, linked to aerosol-cloud interaction processes, needs to be better understood.Large concentration of aerosols in the Arctic during winter is associated to long-range transport of anthropogenic aerosols from the mid-latitudes to the Arctic. Observations and models show that this may lead to a significant transport of acidified aerosol particles. Laboratory and in-situ measurements show that at cold temperature (< -30°C), acidic coating may reduce the ice nucleating properties of ice nuclei (IN). Therefore, the IN concentration is reduced in these regions, resulting to a smaller concentration of larger ice crystals and because of the reduced competition for the same available moisture.Extensive measurements from ground-based sites and satellite remote sensing (CloudSat and CALIPSO) reveal the existence of two Types of Ice Clouds (TICs) in the Arctic during the polar night and early spring. The first Type of Ice Clouds (TIC-1) are visible only by the lidar while the second Type of Ice Clouds (TIC-2) are detected by both the lidar and radar. TIC-2 are divided into TIC-2A and TIC-2B. TIC-2A are topped by a cover of non-precipitating very small (radar-unseen) ice crystals (TIC-1), while TIC-2B are not. They are characterized by a low concentration of large ice crystals. It is hypothesized that the observed low concentration of large ice crystals, leading to precipitation (e.g. cloud regime TIC-2B), is linked to the acidification of aerosols. To check this, we are combining case studies and statistical approaches to analyse aerosol transport and cloud properties in the Arctic.The first part of the thesis investigate the microphysical properties of TIC-1/2A and TIC-2B, analysing airborne in-situ and satellite measurements of specific cases observed during the ISDAC campaign (Alaska, April 2008). For the first time, Arctic TIC-1/2A and TIC-2B microstructures are compared using in-situ cloud observations. Results show that the differences between them are confined in the upper part of the clouds where ice nucleation occurs. TIC-2B were characterized by fewer (< 10 L-1) and larger (> 110 μm) ice crystals, a larger ice supersaturation (> 15 %) and a fewer ice nuclei (IN) concentration (< 2 order of magnitude) when compared to TIC-1/2A. Ice crystal growth in TIC-2B clouds seems explosive whereas it seems more gradual in TIC-1/2A. It is hypothesized that these differences are linked to the number concentration and the chemical composition of aerosols. The second part of the thesis investigate the origin of air masses forming two specific cases ; TIC-1/2A (1 April 2008) and TIC-2B (15 April 2008), using trajectory tools and satellite data.(...)

A região metropolitana de São Paulo apresenta problemas crônicos de poluição atmosférica. A poluição atmosférica em centros urbanos é comprovadamente prejudicial à saúde da população exposta, o que gera uma preocupação mundial acerca deste tema. Com o intuito de identificar e quantificar a contribuição de fontes e a importância das emissões veiculares na cidade de São Paulo, foram realizadas duas campanhas de amostragem em dois períodos distintos, analisadas por modelos receptores. O material particulado inalável foi coletado pelo Amostrador de Particulado Fino e Grosso (AFG) e Impactador em Cascata com Deposição Uniforme. Foram obtidas as concentrações de massa por meio de análise gravimétrica e composição elementar por Análise de Emissão de Raio-X Induzido por Partículas (PIXE). Monitores com alta resolução temporal realizaram diferentes medidas de material particulado e gases. O TEOM (Tapered Oscilating Monitor) realizou medidas de concentração de PM10, o Monitor de Carbono por meio de medidas térmicas obteve concentrações de carbono orgânico e black carbon e ainda o Aetalômetro, por absorção óptica, obteve concentrações de black carbon. Medidas de gases foram cedidas pela CETESB e obtidas pelo monitor DOAS (Diferential Optical Absortion Spectroscopy). Durante o período de inverno elevadas concentrações de poluentes foram observadas, superando o padrão nacional de qualidade do ar. O fator meteorológico apresentou-se determinante na modulação das concentrações de poluentes em uma escala temporária de dias. Os ciclos diurnos de compostos como particulado inalável, black carbon, CO, NOx e SO2 foram identificados e apresentaram perfis semelhantes. Suas variações diurnas são basicamente moduladas pelos processos de emissão e pela variação da Camada Limite Atmosférica. A análise de balanço de massa, de particulado fino, apresentou resultados semelhantes nos períodos de inverno e verão. Uma significativa fração de carbono orgânico representa a massa de Material Particulado Fino (MPF) de 44% e 35%, no inverno e verão respectivamente. As concentrações de black carbon contribuem com 21% e 28% e o material inorgânico foi estimado como sendo 32% e 40% da massa do MPF, no período de inverno e verão respectivamente. A Análise de Componentes Principais Absoluta da fração fina do particulado inalável mostrou que não há significativa alteração de fontes de poluentes de um período para outro. A emissão veicular representou cerca de 28% e 24% da massa do MPF no inverno e verão respectivamente, a fonte de ressuspensão de solo representou 25% e 30%, queima de óleo combustível explicou 18% e 21%, componentes de sulfatos contribuíram com 23% e 17% e o fator de emissão industrial com 5% e 6% da massa do MPF no inverno e verão respectivamente. A fração de particulado grosso é constituída basicamente por ressuspensão de solo representando 75% e 78% da massa do material particulado grosso (MPG), a fonte industrial, 16% e 14% e partículas de emissão marinha 11% e 6% da massa do MPG, no inverno e verão respectivamente. Foi identificada, durante toda a análise, a significativa responsabilidade do tráfego de veículos na emissão de partículas, gases e precursores de O3. Indiretamente o tráfego de veículos também apresentou contribuição por parte da ressuspensão de poeira do solo. Os processos de amostragem e analítico mostraram que é possível identificar quantitativamente as fontes de aerossol em um centro urbano como a cidade de São Paulo. / The urban air pollution issue is a concern in the entire world mostly because of its hazardous effect to human health. São Paulo metropolitan area is a very industrialized region with an intense traffic of vehicles. Its geographical and meteorological conditions are unfavorable to pollution dispersion, especially in the winter season. In order to achieve a better understanding of the air pollution sources and the importance of vehicle emissions, two sampling campaigns were carried out. Inhalable particulate matter was sampled using Stacked Filter Units separated in fine and coarse particulate modes, providing mass concentration and elemental composition by Particle Induce X-ray Emission (PIXE). Real time aerosol monitors provided PM10 aerosol concentration (TEOM), organic and elemental carbon concentration (Carbon Monitor 5400R&P) and black carbon concentration (Aethalometer). Measurements of gas concentrations were performed by Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS). High levels of pollutant concentrations were measured during the winter season. For several times the concentrations exceeded the national quality standard limit, reinforcing the importance of a better understanding of this process. A complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulates the air pollution of the urban area of São Paulo. The boundary layer and the direct emissions modulate the diurnal cycle obtained for PM10, black carbon, CO, NOx, SO2. Absolute Principal Components Analyses results showed a very good agreement in the identification of the sources for the winter and summer field campaigns, pointing that there is no significant change in the sources. Traffic Source represented 28% and 24% of the fine aerosol for winter and summer respectively. Resuspended soil dust accounted for 25% and 30%. Oil combustion source represented 18% and 21%. Sulfates explained 23% and 17% and finally industrial contributed with 5% and 6% of fine particulate matter, for winter and summer respectively. These five sources account for the fine mode particulate source apportionment. The resuspended soil dust accounted for (75-78%) of the coarse aerosol fraction. All analysis identified the responsability of the traffic of vehicles for the direct emission of several gases and particulate pollutants and for the resuspended soil dust. The sampling and analytical procedures showed that it is possible to perform a quantitative aerosol source apportionment in a complex urban area such as São Paulo.

En cas de rejets de polluants ou de radionucléides dans l’atmosphère, l’estimation du lessivage des particules d’aérosol atmosphérique par les précipitations est une donnée essentielle pour évaluer la contamination de la biosphère. De nombreuses études se sont déjà intéressées à ce processus de dépôt humide, mais la plupart d’entre elles sont d’ordre théoriques ou ont été menées en laboratoire. Cette étude a donc pour objectif d’améliorer la connaissance du potentiel de lessivage des particules d’aérosol par les précipitations par une approche expérimentale en conditions in situ. Durant plusieurs mois, trois sites aux environnements distincts en termes de climatologie et d’empoussièrement ambiant ont été instrumentés pour disposer d’une palette de situations précipitations/empoussièrement la plus variée possible. Un disdromètre laser et un granulomètre (compteur électrique et/ou optique) ont mesurés respectivement les caractéristiques des précipitations et les concentrations de particules à une résolution temporelle élevée et sur une large gamme de diamètre. L’utilisation de ce couplage instrumental original a permis de déterminer les potentiels de lessivage pour des particules de la gamme nanométrique à supermicronique et pour différents types de précipitations (chutes de neige et pluies avec des hyétogrammes spécifiques). Dans un premier temps, le coefficient de lessivage ᴧ (paramètre décrivant la cinétique du processus) a été calculé en considérant l’effet global d’une précipitation. Cette approche « macroscopique » est limitée par l’influence de processus « concurrents », tels que l’advection ou les sources d’émissions de particules à proximité des sites de mesures. Pour minimiser l’impact de ces processus sur nos résultats, une seconde méthodologie basée sur la résolution temporelle élevée de l’instrumentation utilisée a été définie. Par cette approche « intra-évènementielle », les coefficients de lessivage ᴧ sont calculés sur de courtes périodes de temps, permettant ainsi d’étudier l’influence de la variabilité du diamètre des particules et des caractéristiques des précipitations sur ces coefficients. Les résultats obtenus par les deux types d’approches ont mis en évidence la nécessité de prendre en compte le diamètre des particules et les caractéristiques des précipitations pour modéliser fidèlement le lessivage des particules d’aérosol atmosphérique. En comparant les résultats des deux types de précipitations, la prédominance du lessivage par des chutes de neige par rapport au lessivage par la pluie a été illustrée. L’importance du diamètre des particules lessivées a été démontrée. Entre le mode « ultrafin » et le mode « grossiers », la variation du coefficient de lessivage est d’un ordre de grandeur (entre environ 2.10¯³et 2.10¯⁴ s¯¹). Le potentiel de lessivage minimum est obtenu pour des particules d’environ 100 nm, ce qui est cohérent avec la théorie du « Greenfield gap » (entre 0,1 et 1 µm). Pour les besoins de la modélisation, une paramétrisation robuste entre le coefficient de lessivage ᴧ et le diamètre des particules d’aérosol (de 10 nm à 10 µm) a été établie. Différentes relations entre le coefficient ᴧ et l’intensité pluviométrique sont proposées aussi pour différentes gammes de diamètre de particules et comparées notamment aux valeurs implémentées actuellement dans le modèle ldX utilisé à l’Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire. / In case of release of pollutant or radionuclides into the atmosphere, estimate of below-cloud scavenging of aerosol particles by precipitation (or washout) is an essential data to evaluate contamination of the biosphere. Many studies have already shown an interest to this wet deposition process, but most of them are theoretical or have been conducted in laboratories conditions. This study in situ conditions aims to improve knowledge of below-cloud scavenging of aerosol particles by precipitation. For several months, three sites with separate environments in terms of climate and ambient dust have been instrumented to have such a varied palette of precipitation/dust conditions as possible. A laser disdrometer and a granulomètre (electrical and/or optical counter) measure respectively precipitations characteristics and particles concentrations with a high temporal resolution (one minute). The use of this original instrumental coupling has allowed determining washout potentials for the nanometric size range of particles aerosol to the supermicronique size range and for different types of precipitation (snowfalls and rainfalls with specifics hyetograms).Initially, below-cloud scavenging coefficients ᴧ (parameter describing kinetic of this process) were calculated considering the gobal effet of a precipitation. This “macroscopic” approach is limited by the influence of “concurrent” processes, as advection or local emissions of aerosol particles close to the measurements sites. To minimise effect of these processes on our results, a second methodology based on the high temporal resolution of the instrumentation used was defined. With this “intra-event” approach, washout coefficients are calculated on short time scales, allowing study of impact of the variability of aerosol size and precipitations characteristics on these coefficients.Results obtained with the two approaches highlighted the need of considering particles diameter and characteristics of precipitation to model accurately below-cloud scavenging of aerosol particles. Comparing results for both type of precipitation, predomination of below-cloud scavenging by snowfalls compared with below-cloud scavenging by rainfalls was shown. The importance of the scavenged aerosol diameter was demonstrated. From the “ultrafine” size range to coarse mode of particles, below-cloud scavenging coefficient varies by an order of magnitude (from 2.10¯³ to 2.10¯⁴ s¯¹). Minimum potential is obtained for particles of about 100 nm, which is consistent with theory of “Greenfield gap” (from 0.1 to 1 µm). For modeling needs, a robust parametrization between washout coefficient ᴧ and aerosol particles diameter (from 10 nm to 10 µm) has been established. Also some relationships between coefficient ᴧ and rainfall intensity are proposed for different particles size range and compared in particular with values implemented in model ldX currently used at the French Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety.

Primary marine aerosol particles containing biogenic polymer microgels play a potential role for cloud formation in the pristine high Arctic summer. One of the major sources of the polymer gels in Arctic aerosol was suggested to be the surface water and more specifically, the surface microlayer (SML) of the open leads within the perennial sea ice as a result of bubble bursting at the air-sea interface.  Phytoplankton and/or ice algae are believed to be the main origins of the polymer gels. In this thesis, we examine the chemical composition of biogenic polymers, with focus on polysaccharides, in seawater and airborne aerosol particles collected during the Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Study (ASCOS) in the summer of 2008. The main results and findings include: A novel method using liquid chromatography coupling with tandem mass spectrometry was developed and applied for identification and quantification of polysaccharides. The enrichment of polysaccharides in the SML was shown to be a common feature of the Arctic open leads. Rising bubbles and surface coagulation of polymers are the likely mechanism for the accumulation of polysaccharides at the SML. The size dependencies of airborne polysaccharides on the travel-time since the last contact with the open sea are indicative of a submicron microgel source within the pack ice.  The similarity of polysaccharides composition observed between the ambient aerosol particles and those generated by in situ bubbling experiments confines the microgel source to the open leads. The demonstrated occurrence of polysaccharides in surface sea waters and in air, with surface-active and hygroscopic properties, has shown their potential to serve as cloud condensation nuclei and subsequently promote cloud-drop activation in the pristine high Arctic. Presumably this possibility may renew interest in the complex but fascinating interactions between marine biology, aerosol, clouds and climate. / At the time of doctoral defence, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript

Disertacija skirta smulkiosios aerozolio dalelių frakcijos šaltinių, fizikinių ir cheminių savybių įvertinimui kompleksiškai apjungiant įvairius tyrimo metodus. Darbe susieti elementinės ir organinės anglies koncentracijų pokyčiai su tolimąja oro masių pernaša, įvertinta regiono bei vietinių šaltinių įtaka bendrai aerozolio dalelių taršai. Aprašyti anglies turinčių aerozolio dalelių pasiskirstymai pagal dydį foninėse vietovėse ir miesto aplinkoje. Naudojant aerozolio masių spektrometrą Preilos atmosferos užterštumo tyrimų stotyje buvo identifikuotas biogeninis organinių medžiagų šaltinis, kuris vidutiniškai sudaro 15 % nuo organinių medžiagų masės, tačiau Šiaurės Atlanto oro masėje biogeninių medžiagų indėlis siekia net 50 %. Atlikus kompleksinę aerozolio ir stabiliųjų anglies izotopų masių spektrometrinę analizę buvo nustatyta, kad pirminis anglies turinčio aerozolio dalelių šaltinis mieste yra autotransportas, o Rūgšteliškio foninėje vietovėje – biomasės deginimas. Taip pat buvo nustatyta, kad Vilniuje dominavo antropogeninės antrinės organinės medžiagos (76 %), o Rūgšteliškyje vyravo biogeninės antrinės organinės medžiagos (apie 50%). Vertinant tolimosios oro masių pernašos įtaką vietinės kilmės aerozolio dalelių formavimuisi ir kaitai, buvo nustatyta, kad vulkaninės kilmės aerozolio dalelės turi įtakos submikroninės aerozolio dalelių frakcijos koncentracijai, cheminei sudėčiai ir pasiskirstymui pagal dydį. / The objective of the work was to investigate physical and chemical properties and sources of the atmospheric aerosol particles in the submicron fraction by combining different analytical techniques. The dependence of concentrations of organic and elemental carbon in different air masses was determined and the contribution of regional and local sources to the net aerosol particle pollution was estimated. Analysis of the size distribution of carbonaceous aerosol particles in background and urban areas was performed. Biogenic organic aerosol made up 15 % of the organic aerosol mass at the Preila atmospheric pollution research station, but in the North Atlantic air masses this factor was up to 50 %. Aerosol and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry has revealed that traffic is the primary source of aerosol particles in the city, while biomass burning is the primary source at the Rūgšteliškis background station. It was determined that secondary anthropogenic organic compounds were dominating (76 %) in Vilnius, while in Rūgšteliškis secondary biogenic organic compounds made up 50 % of the total organic aerosol mass. The influence of the long-range air mass transport on the local origin aerosol particle formation and transformation has been evaluated and it has been shown that volcanic aerosol particles can significantly change the concentration, chemical composition and size distribution of local aerosol particles in the submicron range.