Nucleation events in the continental boundary layer:: Long-term statistical analyses of aerosol relevant characteristics -: art. no. 4667

[1] This paper reflects intensive data analyses from the Station for Measuring Forest Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II) field measurement station in Hyytiala, Finland, for the years 2000 and 2001. The results can be divided into two main parts: first, a study about common trends and correlation between concentration of particles with D-p = 3-6 nm and different parameters; and second, the calculation of different aerosol relevant characteristics. The first section of this work showed that we can differentiate between two kinds of variables: Solar radiation and the reciprocal condensation sink values correlate in their daily profiles with the number concentrations of the nucleation mode particles. Also, the daytime mean values (0900 to 1500 LT) of these parameters correlate during the 2 years with the small particles. Particle flux, vertical wind variance, or ozone are marginal correlated with the particle concentrations during single event days; however, they show the same yearly behavior as solar radiation or the reciprocal condensation sink values. In the second part the condensing vapor source rates and concentrations and the growth and the nucleation rates were calculated on the basis of measured monoterpenes and sulphur dioxide concentrations. Afterward, these values were compared with results obtained using measured particle number concentrations. The estimated oxidation products of monoterpenes are able to explain 8-50% from observed growth rates.