Evolution of size-segregated aerosol mass concentration during the Antarctic summer at Northern Foothills, Victoria Land

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) 2016-01, Vol.125, p.212-221
• Main Authors: Illuminati, Silvia, Bau, Sébastien, Annibaldi, Anna, Mantini, Caterina, Libani, Giulia, Truzzi, Cristina, Scarponi, Giuseppe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarctica; Direct gravimetric mass measurements; PM10; Size-segregated aerosol fractions; Tri-modal aerosol mass distribution
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.11.015

Within the framework of the Italian National Programm for Antarctic Research (PNRA), the first direct gravimetric measurements of size-segregated aerosol fractions were carried out at Faraglione Camp, ∼3-km far from the Italian station “M. Zucchelli” (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea), during the 2014–2015 austral summer. A six-stage high-volume cascade impactor with size classes between 10 μm and 0.49 μm, and, in parallel, for comparison purposes, a PM10 high-volume sampler (50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm) were used. A 10-day sampling strategy was adopted. Aerosol mass measurements were carried out before and after exposure by using a microbalance specifically designed for the filter weight and placed inside a glove bag in order to maintain stable temperature and humidity conditions during weighing sessions. Measured atmospheric concentrations (referred to the “actual air conditions” of mean temperature of 268 K and mean pressure of 975 hPa) of size-segregated aerosol fractions showed the following values, given as size range, means (interquartile range): Dp