New-particle formation, growth and climate-relevant particle production in Egbert, Canada: analysis from one year of size-distribution observations

Abstract

Abstract. Aerosol particle nucleation, or new-particle formation, is the dominant contributor to particle number in the atmosphere. However, these particles must grow through condensation of low-volatility vapors without coagulating with the larger, pre-existing particles in order to reach climate-relevant sizes (diameters larger than 50–100 nm), where the particles may affect clouds and radiation. In this paper, we use one year of size-distribution measurements from Egbert, Ontario, Canada to calculate the frequency of regional-scale new-particle formation events, new-particle formation rates, growth rates and the fraction of new particles that survive to reach climate-relevant sizes. Regional-scale new-particle formation events occurred on 14–31% of the days (depending on the stringency of the classification criteria), with event frequency peaking in the spring and fall. New-particle formation rates and growth rates were similar to those measured at other mid-latitude continental sites. We calculate that roughly half of the climate-relevant particles (with diameters larger than 50–100 nm) at Egbert are formed through new-particle formation events. With the addition of meteorological and SO2 measurements, we find that new-particle formation often occurred under synoptic conditions associated with high surface pressure and large-scale subsidence that cause sunny conditions and clean-air flow from the north and west. However, new-particle formation also occurred when air flow came from the polluted regions to the south and southwest of Egbert. The nucleation rates tend to be faster during events under the polluted south/southwest flow conditions.