A. E. Aloyan

Air-quality modelling in the Lake Baikal region

In this paper, we assess the status of the air quality in the Lake Baikal region which is strongly influenced by the presence of anthropogenic pollution sources. We combined the local data, with global databases, remote sensing imagery and modelling tools. This approach allows to inventorise the air-polluting sources and to quantify the air-quality concentration levels in the Lake Baikal region to a reasonable level, despite the fact that local data are scarcely available. In the simulations, we focus on the month of July 2003, as for this period, validation data are available for a number of ground-based measurement stations within the Lake Baikal region.

On the influence of atmospheric chemical reactions on the ion composition of aerosol particles in the Baikal region

Monitoring data on the ion composition of aerosols and gas admixtures in the background and polluted atmosphere of the Lake Baikal region are presented. The ion composition and morphology of aerosols are affected by heterogeneous chemical reactions and variations in relative humidity. Two types of aerosol particles are revealed over this region. The fraction of solid particles recorded in most episodes includes primarily carbonates of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals. With increased atmospheric humidity, these particles are engaged in heterogeneous chemical reactions with gas-phase NH3 and H2SO4, proceeding through the phase of watering. As a result, the composition of these aerosols is changed, and a fraction of aqueous H2O/H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4 aerosol particles of a different composition is formed. On the basis of a physical and chemical analysis of monitoring data on the aerosol composition and concentrations of gas admixtures, the average aerosol-size distribution of different types is estimated. For the first time, the mean acidity of aqueous aerosol particles is estimated.

Dynamics of trace gases and aerosols in the atmosphere with consideration for heterogeneous processes

A combined mathematical model has been developed to reproduce space and time variations in the concentrations of multicomponent gas constituents and aerosols in the atmosphere on both regional and urban scales. This model contains blocks of transport of gas constituents and aerosols in the atmosphere with consideration for homogeneous binary nucleation, the kinetic processes of condensation/evaporation and coagulation, chemical processes occurring in both gas and liquid phases, and the processes of mass exchange during the gas-droplet (particle) interaction. A nonhydrostatic model of atmospheric mesoscale processes is used to calculate the fields of meteorological elements and turbulent characteristics. The generation of new-phase particles from precursor gases by the mechanism of homogeneous binary nucleation and their interaction with background aerosol are considered. The results of numerical experiments are compared with the data obtained from field observations of both space and time variations in the concentrations of gas constituents and aerosols and in the ionic content of aerosol particles over the Baikal region under the influence of emissions from powerful industrial sources.

Modeling aerosol dynamics during forest fires

A hydrodynamic model is used to reproduce the atmospheric circulation during forest fires. The dynamics is simulated with an improved model of free convection with allowance for heat flux emission from the fire area. Against the background of the atmospheric circulation patterns obtained, the problem of aerosol evolution and size distribution due to the forest’s combustible materials from the fire area was solved. The evolution of soot particles is described by solving the kinetic equations of condensation and coagulation. The results of numerical experiments to develop a process that considers water-vapor condensation in a moist atmosphere are presented.

Modeling the convective cloudiness and its impact on the atmospheric gaseous composition

A combined three-dimensional numerical model of convective cloudiness with detailed microphysics and a model of the transport of atmospheric trace gases with gas- and aqueous-phase chemistry were developed. We consider the main physical mechanisms responsible for the formation of midsized droplet clouds and the transport of gases with differing solubility therein. Test numerical calculations were performed to investigate the sensitivity of the cloud model to variations in input parameters, as well as the variability of the ion composition of cloud drops with regard to their size distribution. The results of numerical calculations are presented with a preliminary analysis.

Evaluation of source–receptor relationship for atmospheric pollutants using approaches of trajectory modelling, cluster, probability fields analyses and adjoint equations

In this paper, different approaches and models to evaluate source–receptor relationship for potential atmospheric pollutants on examples of source and receptor points/regions (the Euro–Arctic and North Pacific) are considered. The forward–backward trajectory modelling approach combined with statistical methods of cluster analysis and probability fields, and adjoint equations approach are discussed and illustrated. The combined consideration of the atmospheric transport pathways, airflow probability fields, and sensitivity functions of the source–receptor relationship as well as estimation of its spatial distribution and levels of joint impact/influence is presented. Based on the principal and adjoint equations for the regional transport of pollutants in the atmosphere a method for receptor sensitivity function assessments is considered and illustrated for an example study of Nordic countries regional sensitivity to radioactive contamination from hypothetical accidental releases.

Hydrocarbonates in atmospheric precipitation of Moscow: Monitoring data and analysis

Based on atmospheric precipitation monitoring data for Moscow, we have revealed a number of episodes when the content of hydrocarbonates repeatedly surpasses the equilibrium level. These facts are associated with the complex structure of precipitation, which is caused by differences in the chemical composition of condensation nuclei. As a result, the underlying surface involves two groups of drops with acidities of different nature. The acidity of the first (“metal”) group is determined by the carbonate equilibrium with atmospheric CO2 and dissolved carbonates of alkaline and alkaline earth metals. The acidity of the second (“ammonium”) group is characterized by the balance between ammonia absorbed from the air and atmospheric acids. Because of this, the precipitation acidity measured during the monitoring is regulated not only in the air but also in the condensate collector. The mixing of the metal and ammonium groups of precipitation is accompanied by only a partial conversion of hydrocarbonates into dissolved CO2. Its termination is hindered when CO2 actually ceases to enter the atmosphere due to mass-exchange deceleration. As a result, the content of hydrocarbonates in the collector exceeds the equilibrium level. Some estimates indicate that the acidity of the ammonia component of precipitation can be much higher than the acidity according to monitoring data. This should be taken into account in estimating the health and environmental impacts. The true level of acid rain hazard can be estimated only by measuring the acidity of individual drops, whereas the results obtained with modern tools of monitoring can underestimate this hazard.

Chlorine activation of the lower stratosphere at mid-latitudes: Impact on the ozone layer

The algorithm and the results of calculations of the dynamics of stratospheric ozone depletion at mid-latitudes are reported. The data were obtained based on numerical simulations of the dynamics of gas-phase and heterophase reactions involving Junge layer particles. The contribution of heterophase reactions to the ozone layer depletion is evaluated, and the necessity of considering them in predicting the recovery of the ozone layer in the XXI century is justified.

The role of sulfate aerosol in the formation of cloudiness over the sea

We estimate the impact of sulfate aerosols on cloudiness formation over the sea in the middle troposphere and the involvement of these particles in the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) in the lower stratosphere. The first of these problems is solved using a combined model of moist convection and the formation of cloudiness and sulfate aerosols in the troposphere and lower stratosphere over the sea, incorporating natural emissions of sulfur-containing compounds. We have found that a significant source of condensation nuclei in the troposphere is the photochemical transformation of biogenic dimethyl sulfide (in addition to NaCl). The results of numerical experiments indicate that the absence of sulfate aerosols hinders the cloudiness formation over the sea in the middle and upper troposphere. The problem of sulfate aerosol involvement in the formation of supercooled ternary solutions (STSs) (PSC Type Ib) in the lower stratosphere is solved using a mathematical model of global transport of multicomponent gas pollutants and aerosols in the atmosphere. Using the combined model, numerical experiments were performed for the winter season in both hemispheres. Sulfate aerosols were found to really participate in the formation of STS particles. Without their participation, the formation of STS particles in the lower stratosphere would be hindered. We present the results of numerical calculations and discuss the distribution of concentrations of gaseous nitric and sulfuric acids, as well as mass concentrations of these components in STS particles.

Acidity and mineral composition of precipitation in Moscow: Influence of deicing salts

Monitoring data and analysis of the variation in acidity and mineral composition of atmospheric precipitation in Moscow in 2012 are presented. We have found that the chloride anions in the precipitation are largely caused by chlorides of deicing salts. Here, the chloride anions, along with metal chlorides (components of deicing salts), are partly caused by dissolved hydrogen chloride. The appearance of hydrogen chloride in the atmosphere of Moscow has been shown to result from heterophase chemical reactions involving deicing salts. We have obtained preliminary estimates for the scales of the effect of these salts on the mineral composition and acidity of precipitations in Moscow.