| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4442341 | Atmospheric Environment | 2007 | 13 Pages |
Size distributions and particle number concentrations of atmospheric aerosols in the size (diameter) range from 15 nm to 10μm were measured on board of a research ship during three cruises in China adjacent seas. The total particle number concentrations were in average around 4000cm-3 in Yellow Sea, 2000cm-3 in East China Sea and 1000cm-3 in South China Sea. The observed size distributions were fitted with two or three log-normal modes and the data were classified according to time, regions and calculated air mass back-trajectories. The size distribution spectra of air masses of polluted continental origin as their back-trajectories showed were characterized by single mode with total number concentrations between 1000 and 10000cm-3. The size distributions in marine air masses showed dual mode characteristics, one maximum at 40–60 nm and the other at 160–190 nm with total number concentrations below 1000cm-3. This type of dual mode was more pronounced at longer residence time of the air masses over the ocean. The burst of ultra-fine (UF) particles and the consequent growth processes were observed twice in Yellow Sea and possible reasons leading to these events are discussed. The particle growth rate (GR) was 3.4±0.93.4±0.9 and 3.5±1.6nmh-1, respectively (95% confidence interval), indicating that the UF particles can grow to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) within the next 1–2 days.
