Impacts of Future European Emission Reductions on Aerosol Particle Number Concentrations Accounting for Effects of Ammonia, Amines, and Organic Species

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05122
• Publication Date: 2017-11-29T21:34:00Z
• Authors: Jan Julin; Benjamin N. Murphy; David Patoulias; Christos Fountoukis; Tinja Olenius; Spyros N. Pandis; Ilona Riipinen
• Keywords: Particle (ecology)

Although they are currently unregulated, atmospheric ultrafine particles (<100 nm) pose health risks because of, e.g., their capability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. Ultrafine particles, often minor contributors particulate mass, typically dominate aerosol particle number concentrations. We simulated response of concentrations over Europe recent estimates future emission reductions and precursors. used chemical transport model PMCAMx-UF, with novel updates including state-of-the-art descriptions ammonia dimethylamine new formation (NPF) pathways condensation organic compounds onto particles. These processes had notable impacts on All three scenarios (current legislation, optimized emissions, maximum technically feasible reductions) resulted in substantial (10-50%) decreases median Europe. Consistent were predicted Central Europe, while Northern exhibited smaller or even increased Motivated by improved NPF for methylamines, we placed special focus potential improve air quality reducing agricultural which a major source these species. Agricultural controls showed promise concentrations, although change is nonlinear size.