Simulations of New Particle Formation and Growth Processes at Eastern Mediterranean, with the MALTE-Box Model

Abstract

Simulations of New Particle Formation (NPF) events observed at Finokalia research station of the University of Crete were performed using MALTE-Box. The MALTE-box is a 0-d model that simulates chemical and aerosol dynamical processes with the use of a size-segregated aerosol model, UHMA (University Helsinki Multicomponent Aerosol Model). Measurements from Finokalia station and results from numerical simulations were used as input data in the model. Specifically, biogenic and anthropogenic emissions were taken from the global three-dimensional chemistry-transport model TM4-ECPL. Α case study was performed, during which an ‘‘event’’ and a ‘‘non event’’ week in August 2012 were simulated. During the ‘‘event’’ week new particle formation was detected at Finokalia station, whereas this didn’t happen during the ‘‘non event’’ week. During the ‘‘event week’’ the simulations of NPF capture the day that NPF is observed. However, they underestimate the growth rate of the newly formed particles when compared to observations. Simulations improve when measurements of monoterpenes at Finokalia station are used as input to the model that computes new particles growth rate by ELVOC and SVOC issued from monoterpenes chemistry.