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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
earth and planetary sciences
Characterisation of sub-micron particle number concentrations and formation events in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Volume 12, No. 9, Year 2012
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Description
South Africa holds significant mineral resources, with a substantial fraction of these reserves occurring and being processed in a large geological structure termed the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC). The area is also highly populated by informal, semi-formal and formal residential developments. However, knowledge of air quality and research related to the atmosphere is still very limited in the area. In order to investigate the characteristics and processes affecting sub-micron particle number concentrations and formation events, air ion and aerosol particle size distributions and number concentrations, together with meteorological parameters, trace gases and particulate matter (PM) were measured for over two years at Marikana in the heart of the western BIC. The observations showed that trace gas (i.e. SO2, NOx, CO) and black carbon concentrations were relatively high, but in general within the limits of local air quality standards. The area was characterised by very high condensation sink due to background aerosol particles, PM10 and O3 concentration. The results indicated that high amounts of Aitken and accumulation mode particles originated from domestic burning for heating and cooking in the morning and evening, while during daytime SO2-based nucleation followed by the growth by condensation of vapours from industrial, residential and natural sources was the most probable source for large number concentrations of nucleation and Aitken mode particles. Nucleation event day frequency was extremely high, i.e. 86% of the analysed days, which to the knowledge of the authors is the highest frequency ever reported. The air mass back trajectory and wind direction analyses showed that the secondary particle formation was influenced both by local and regional pollution and vapour sources. Therefore, our observation of the annual cycle and magnitude of the particle formation and growth rates during nucleation events were similar to results previously published for a semi-clean savannah site in South Africa. © 2012 Author(s).
Authors & Co-Authors
Hirsikko, Anne
Finland, Helsinki
Finnish Meteorological Institute
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Vakkari, Ville
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Tiitta, Petri T.
Finland, Kuopio
Itä-suomen Yliopisto
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Manninen, Hanna Elina
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Gagné, Stéphanie
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Canada, Gatineau
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canada, Halifax
Dalhousie University
Gagné, S.
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Canada, Gatineau
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canada, Halifax
Dalhousie University
Laakso, Heikki
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Kulmala, Markku
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Mirme, Aadu
Estonia, Tartu
Tartu Ülikool
Mirme, Sander
Estonia, Tartu
Tartu Ülikool
Mabaso, Desmond
Unknown Affiliation
Beukes, Johan Paul
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Laakso, Lauri
Finland, Helsinki
Finnish Meteorological Institute
South Africa, Potchefstroom
North-west University
Statistics
Citations: 52
Authors: 13
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.5194/acp-12-3951-2012
ISSN:
16807316
e-ISSN:
16807324
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Locations
South Africa