A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models
New-particle formation in the plumes of coal-fired power plants and other anthropogenic sulfur sources may be an important source of particles in the atmosphere. It remains unclear, however, how best to reproduce this formation in global and regional aerosol models with grid-box lengths that are ten...
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doaj-b558e3f89c664761b3cbb6a3a36d70272020-11-24T21:21:00ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242013-12-011323121171213310.5194/acp-13-12117-2013A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale modelsR. G. Stevens0J. R. Pierce1Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaNew-particle formation in the plumes of coal-fired power plants and other anthropogenic sulfur sources may be an important source of particles in the atmosphere. It remains unclear, however, how best to reproduce this formation in global and regional aerosol models with grid-box lengths that are tens of kilometres and larger. Based on the results of the System for Atmospheric Modelling (SAM), a large-eddy simulation/cloud-resolving model (LES/CRM) with online two-moment aerosol sectional (TOMAS) microphysics, we have developed a computationally efficient, but physically based, parameterization that predicts the characteristics of aerosol formed within sulfur-rich plumes based on parameters commonly available in global- and regional-scale models. Given large-scale mean meteorological parameters ((1) wind speed, (2) boundary-layer height and (3) downward shortwave radiative flux), (4) emissions of SO<sub>2</sub> and (5) NO<sub>x</sub> from the source, (6) mean background condensation sink, (7) background SO<sub>2</sub> and (8) NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations, and (9) the desired distance from the source, the parameterization will predict (1) the fraction of the emitted SO<sub>2</sub> that is oxidized to H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, (2) the fraction of that H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> that forms new particles instead of condensing onto pre-existing particles, (3) the mean mass per particle of the newly formed particles, and (4) the number of newly formed particles per kilogram SO<sub>2</sub> emitted. The parameterization we describe here should allow for more accurate predictions of aerosol size distributions and a greater confidence in the effects of aerosols in climate and health studies.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/13/12117/2013/acp-13-12117-2013.pdf |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
R. G. Stevens J. R. Pierce |
spellingShingle |
R. G. Stevens J. R. Pierce A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
author_facet |
R. G. Stevens J. R. Pierce |
author_sort |
R. G. Stevens |
title |
A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
title_short |
A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
title_full |
A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
title_fullStr |
A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
title_full_unstemmed |
A parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
title_sort |
parameterization of sub-grid particle formation in sulfur-rich plumes for global- and regional-scale models |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
issn |
1680-7316 1680-7324 |
publishDate |
2013-12-01 |
description |
New-particle formation in the plumes of coal-fired power plants and other
anthropogenic sulfur sources may be an important source of particles in the
atmosphere. It remains unclear, however, how best to reproduce this formation
in global and regional aerosol models with grid-box lengths that are tens of
kilometres and larger. Based on the results of the System for Atmospheric
Modelling (SAM), a large-eddy simulation/cloud-resolving model (LES/CRM) with
online two-moment aerosol sectional (TOMAS) microphysics, we have developed a
computationally efficient, but physically based, parameterization that
predicts the characteristics of aerosol formed within sulfur-rich plumes
based on parameters commonly available in global- and regional-scale models.
Given large-scale mean meteorological parameters ((1) wind speed, (2)
boundary-layer height and (3) downward shortwave radiative flux), (4)
emissions of SO<sub>2</sub> and (5) NO<sub>x</sub> from the source, (6) mean
background condensation sink, (7) background SO<sub>2</sub> and (8) NO<sub>x</sub>
concentrations, and (9) the desired distance from the source, the
parameterization will predict (1) the fraction of the emitted SO<sub>2</sub> that is
oxidized to H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, (2) the fraction of that H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> that forms new
particles instead of condensing onto pre-existing particles, (3) the mean mass
per particle of the newly formed particles, and (4) the number of newly
formed particles per kilogram SO<sub>2</sub> emitted. The parameterization we
describe here should allow for more accurate predictions of aerosol size
distributions and a greater confidence in the effects of aerosols in climate
and health studies. |
url |
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/13/12117/2013/acp-13-12117-2013.pdf |
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