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Contributions of transported Prudhoe Bay oil field emissions to the aerosol population in Utqiagvik, Alaska

Journal Article · · Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online)

Abstract. Loss of sea ice is opening the Arctic to increasing development involving oil and gas extraction and shipping. Given the significant impacts of absorbing aerosol and secondary aerosol precursors emitted within the rapidly warming Arctic region, it is necessary to characterize local anthropogenic aerosol sources and compare to natural conditions. From August to September 2015 in Utqiagvik (Barrow), AK, the chemical composition of individual atmospheric particles was measured by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (0.13–4µm projected area diameter) and real-time single-particle mass spectrometry (0.2–1.5µm vacuum aerodynamic diameter). During periods influenced by the Arctic Ocean (70% of the study), our results show that fresh sea spray aerosol contributed ~20%, by number, of particles between 0.13 and 0.4µm, 40–70% between 0.4 and 1µm, and 80–100% between 1 and 4µm particles. In contrast, for periods influenced by emissions from Prudhoe Bay (10% of the study), the third largest oil field in North America, there was a strong influence from submicron (0.13–1µm) combustion-derived particles (20–50% organic carbon, by number; 5–10% soot by number). While sea spray aerosol still comprised a large fraction of particles (90% by number from 1 to 4µm) detected under Prudhoe Bay influence, these particles were internally mixed with sulfate and nitrate indicative of aging processes during transport. In addition, the overall mode of the particle size number distribution shifted from 76nm during Arctic Ocean influence to 27nm during Prudhoe Bay influence, with particle concentrations increasing from 130 to 920cm-3 due to transported particle emissions from the oil fields. The increased contributions of carbonaceous combustion products and partially aged sea spray aerosol should be considered in future Arctic atmospheric composition and climate simulations.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1460000
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1406691
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--126287
Journal Information:
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online), Journal Name: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Online) Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 17; ISSN 1680-7324
Publisher:
Copernicus Publications, EGUCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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