Harry ten Brink

ECN part of TNO | ECN · ECN Environment & Energy Engineering

Mass concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) in New-Year’s nights can be high in the Netherlands because of the unconstrained use of consumer fireworks. In the study presented here the chemical compounds of the PM were determined. It is for the first time that this information was used to deduced the average composition of the explosive mixture /...

Elemental Carbon (EC) is a good indicator for aerosol air quality and a main component in global warming; therefore data on its historic concentration would be highly valuable for an assessment of historic levels. There were already major sources of EC in Europe in the early 20th century, but the component has only been measured since the late 1980...

The blackness of aerosol filter samples, meant as a proxy for particulate mass concentration, is the earliest parameter for which monitoring data exist. The Smoke Shade method (developed in the late 1910s) was the standardised approach to collect samples. The blackness was visually appraised by a comparison with a set of reference sheets covered wi...

Anthropogenic aerosol particles serve as extra Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN), increasing the cloud droplet number concentration and modifying the cloud properties. The influence of manmade aerosol is the highest in a marine environment due to a limited number of natural CCN. Marine stratocumulus-like clouds (MSC) are the most frequent cloud-type...

Air pollution by diesel traffic became a concern in the UK in the 1950s. Exposure levels were assessed via probing the light absorption of filter samples, which was translated to a mass concentration of “diesel smoke” (DS), based on the results of a measurements in the exhaust of a test diesel engine. We convert these DS values to concentrations of...

The below-cloud irradiance in the Netherlands increased by over 10 Wm−2 in the past half century. It was hypothesized that this could be due to a decrease in the aerosol serving as cloud condensation nuclei, on which the cloud droplets form, in the following way. With unchanged macrophysics, clouds with a lower number of droplets are less reflectiv...

Coefficient of Haze (CoH) was the official proxy for the mass concentration of particulate matter in the US from ca. 1950 onwards. Originally, a linearity between CoH and sample load was claimed, but although Ingram [1969] found that the relation between mass loading and the fraction of light absorbed by the sample was identical to the nonlinear cu...

Review of the "Science" in the e-book "The Rational Climate" P. Poyet version DEC 2020. This is section 2.3 "Let's get back to physics"; an enigma because physics was not addressed before Another issue is that in the mean time already several corrected versions appeared?! WHY Summarising the Science: the best literal compilation of the so-called "...

The visibility on New Year's nights in the Netherlands is low during stagnant weather. This is due to the scattering and absorption of light by the aerosol-smoke from the fireworks. We made an assessment of the responsible aerosol-species. The investigation took place during the New Year's night of 2009. Measurements were made at a regional site in...

Studies of individual inflammatory responses to exposure to air pollution are few but are important in defining the most sensitive markers in better understanding pathophysiological pathways in the lung. The goal of this study was to assess whether exposure to airborne particles is associated with oxidative stress in an epidemiological setting. The...

Observations of aerosol chemical composition in Cabauw, the Netherlands, are presented for two intensive measurement periods in May 2008 and March 2009. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and is compared to observations from aerosol size distribution measurements as well as compositio...

Observations of aerosol chemical composition in Cabauw, the Netherlands, are presented for two intensive measurement periods in May 2008 and March 2009. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and is compared to observations from aerosol size distribution measurements as well as compositio...

The climate system is complex. Although it is understood in qualitative terms, there are still many physical processes of which the impact on climate change is far from quantifiable. A well-known example of such a process is the interaction between cloud and rainfall formation, aerosols, radiation a... [more] The climate system is complex. Although...

The magnitude of the regional first Aerosol Indirect forcing Effect (AIE) was addressed. This is the increase in reflectivity of clouds due to manmade aerosol. Two approaches were followed: 1) modelling using generic knowledge on the interaction of aerosol and cloud, and 2) an experimental study on ... [more] The magnitude of the regional first Aer...

Supplementary Material: Black Carbon as an Additional Indicator of the Adverse Health Effects of Airborne Particles Compared with PM10 and PM2.5

Current air quality standards for particulate matter (PM) use the PM mass concentration [PM with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 μm (PM(10)) or ≤ 2.5 μm (PM(2.5))] as a metric. It has been suggested that particles from combustion sources are more relevant to human health than are particles from other sources, but the impact of policies directed at reduc...

To develop mitigation strategies for reducing concentrations of both PM2.5 and PM10, the origin of particulate matter (PM) needs to be established. An intensive, one-year measurement campaign from August 2007 to August 2008 was carried out to determine the composition of PM10 and PM2.5 at five locations in the Netherlands, aiming at reducing the un...

The concentrations of PM(10) mass, PM(2.5) mass and particle number were continuously measured for 18 months in urban background locations across Europe to determine the spatial and temporal variability of particulate matter. Daily PM(10) and PM(2.5) samples were continuously collected from October 2002 to April 2004 in background areas in Helsinki...

To develop mitigation strategies for reducing concentrations of both PM_2.5 (and PM₁₀), the origin of particulate matter (PM) needs to be established. An intensive, one-year measurement campaign from August 2007 to August 2008 was carried out to determine the composition of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 at five locations...

In May 2008, the measurement campaign IMPACT for observation of atmospheric aerosol and cloud properties was conducted in Cabauw, The Netherlands. With a nudged version of the coupled aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM we simulate the size distribution and chemical composition of the aerosol and the associated aerosol optical thickness (AOT) for the...

This report describes research on the presence and properties of secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) in the Netherlands, as executed within the BOP programme. SIA (ammonium, nitrate and sulphate) is important as it contains the major constituents of the particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5. In reference to the new EU Air Quality Directive , th...

This paper synthesizes data on aerosol (particulate matter, PM) physical and chemical characteristics, which were obtained over the past decade in aerosol research and monitoring activities at more than 60 natural background, rural, near-city, urban, and kerbside sites across Europe. The data include simultaneously measured PM10 and/or PM2.5 mass o...

In May 2008 the measurement campaign IMPACT for observation of atmospheric aerosol and cloud properties was conducted in Cabauw (The Netherlands). With a nudged version of the coupled aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM we simulate aerosol and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) for the campaign period. Synoptic scale meteorology is represented realistica...

This inventory describes scientific and political implications of current and future PM2.5 levels in the urban and industrialised region of Rijnmond (the Netherlands). The study further discusses possible consequences of the presence of PM2.5 in ambient air for the (urban) climate and human health. The work was executed in assignment of the DCMR (L...

We tested the feasibility of 14C analysis of carbon in PM in the Netherlands. This allows a first assessment of the sources of the carbon: PM-carbon that derives from modern sources has a 14C content similar to that of atmospheric carbon dioxide, while carbon that comes from (incomplete combustion) of fossil fuel does not contain 14C. Twenty filter...

Abstract Objectives: Misclassification of exposure related to the use of central sites may be larger for ultrafine particles than for particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm and ⩽10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) and may result in underestimation of health effects. This paper describes the relative strength of the association between outdoor and indoor exposure to ultrafi...

The report gives an overview and proceedings of the 2009 workshop on PM 2.5 organized by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) in cooperation with TNO. The aim of this workshop was, given the European standards for PM 2.5 , to discuss with a number of European experts the current state-of-knowledge concerning all aspects of PM 2.5 ....

This paper synthesizes data on aerosol (particulate matter, PM) physical and chemical characteristics, which were obtained over the past decade in aerosol research and monitoring activities at more than 60 natural background, rural, near-city, urban, and kerbside sites across Europe. The data include simultaneously measured PM10 and/or PM2.5 mass o...

Spraying seasalt into stratocumulus as cloud nuclei to increase the number of cloud droplets

Air quality transcends all scales with in the atmosphere from the local to the global with handovers and feedbacks at each scale interaction. Air quality has manifold effects on health, ecosystems, heritage and climate. In this review the state of scientific understanding in relation to global and regional air quality is outlined. The review discus...

Particulate matter (PM) in the Netherlands consists for 20 to 30% of carbon, according to measurements. This part of PM presently is believed to be especially associated with adverse health effects of PM. We found that the contribution of carbon to PM increased with 2 to 3 µg/m3 from rural to urban traffic measurement locations. The increment is at...

Misclassification of exposure related to the use of central sites may be larger for ultrafine particles than for particulate matter < or =2.5 microm and < or =10 microm (PM(2.5) and PM(10)) and may result in underestimation of health effects. This paper describes the relative strength of the association between outdoor and indoor exposure to ultraf...

This report describes the technical specifics of the ECN monitor 'Marga-C'. The monitor measures Black Carbon (soot) in air which is held responsible for adverse health effects. The scientific motivation for its development is given. This is followed by a description of the various technical systems including sampling and optical properties. The us...

Scientific objectives Assessment of the role of carbonaceous and nitrate aerosol in the formation of cloud droplets in regional air Comparison of Nitrate and carbonaceous measurements between the MARGA Sizer and AMS instrument The experiments have been carried out in the cloud-chamber of ECN. This facility can be operated at supersaturations as low...

The Indirect Aerosol Effect (IAE) has a maximum in coastal regions like The Netherlands (Roelofs, 2006). The responsible manmade CCN are thought to be dominated by the component sulphate. The concentration of sulphate is drastically declining at the moment and as a consequence the regional IAE should fade out. The projection of a drastic decline in...

Analysis of a set of field blanks showed quite a variation in the OC-values. The average was 68 ug with an SD of 31 ug. The mentioned value for a total filter corresponds to a concentration of OC of 1.3 ug m-3. This translates into a value of Organic Matter (OM) of close to 2 ug m-3.

In het Nederlandse Beleidsondersteunend Programma Fijnstof (BOP) is onderzoek uitgevoerd naar de bijdrage van elementair koolstof (EC) en organisch koolstof (OC) aan de stedelijke achtergrond van PM2.5 en PM10. Hieruit is geconcludeerd dat de toename van EC en OC in de stedelijke achter- grond het gevolg is van verkeersemissies. Deze jaargemid- del...

We followed the concentration of nitrate and sulphate in size-segregated aerosol. In the evaluation we focused on the data in the smallest aerosol, that is, in particles with an (aerodynamic) diameter smaller than 0.18 μm. The average ratio of nitrate to sulphate in this range was 0.6. The nitrate was present in the form of the semi-volatile ammoni...

Here, we present a new automated instrument for semicontinuous gradient measurements of water-soluble reactive trace gas species (NH3, HNO3, HONO, HCl, and SO2) and their related aerosol compounds (NH4+, NO3-, Cl-, SO4(2-)). Gas and aerosol samples are collected simultaneously at two heights using rotating wet-annular denuders and steam-jet aerosol...

We present results of measurements with an Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight (HR-ToF) Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) performed during the EUCAARI Intensive Measurement Period at Cabauw Tower (IMPACT) campaign in May 2008. Three distinct meteorological situations were observed during the measurement period from 28th of April to 30th of May. I...

Air quality transcends all scales with in the atmosphere from the local to the global with handovers and feedbacks at each scale interaction. Air quality has manifold effects on health, ecosystems heritage and, climate. In this review the state of scientific understanding in relation to global and regional air quality is outlined. The review discus...

Fijn stof vormt een probleem voor de gezondheid. Om de negatieve effecten van fijn stof op de gezondheid tegen te gaan is op Europees niveau regelgeving vastgesteld. Nederland is in Europa een van de landen waar relatief hoge concentraties fijn stof voorkomen en grenswaarden worden overschreden. De bepaling van huidige fijnstofniveaus is onzeker en...

Carbon compounds account for a large fraction of airborne particulate matter (‘carbonaceous aerosols’). Their presence raises a number of scientific questions dealing with climate issues and possible effects on human health. This review describes the current state of knowledge with respect to the ambient concentrations levels (elemental carbon, org...

This report describes the development and testing of a cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) parameterization in the KNMI regional climate model RACMO2. This requires the parameterization of the cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) as a function of aerosol loading to allow the computation of the so called indirect aerosol radiative forcing effect. F...

aerosol chemistry

The number of ultrafine particles in urban air may be more health relevant than the usually measured mass of particles smaller than 2.5 or 10 μm. Epidemiological studies typically assess exposure by measurements at a central site. Limited information is available about how well measurements at a central site reflect exposure to ultrafine particles....

The EC/OC Workshop, a preparatory workshop for the future standard measurement method, was held in Ispra, Italy on 10th and 11th February 2008. More than 70 participants from 20 countries took part in this workshop and contributed to the discussion related to the main tasks: - giving the general background on determination and quantification of ele...

CESAR, the Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research, is the Dutch focal point for collaboration on climate monitoring and atmospheric research and is situated on the KNMI meteorological research site near Cabauw in the Netherlands. CESAR addresses challenging topics in atmospheric research, especially the questions that are related to the...

The BS data sets were quite variable both in time span and geographical coverage. In this report, all BS data were converted to BC data using the conversion relations given by Schaap and van der Gon (1997) for urban and background sites in the Netherlands. This conversion quite certainly depends on the total aerosol situation as well as on the loca...

Klimaatverandering grijpt diep op de samenleving in, maar de toekomstscenario's zijn nog niet zeker. We weten onvoldoende van de rol van bewolking en de hydrologische cyclus. Op het CESAR klimaatstation in Cabauw proberen we deze processen beter te begrijpen met geavanceerde meetapparatuur. We onderzoeken de interactie tussen wolken, aerosolen en s...

The associations between residential outdoor and ambient particle mass, fine particle absorbance, particle number (PN) concentrations, and residential and traffic determinants were investigated in four European urban areas (Helsinki, Athens, Amsterdam, and Birmingham). A total of 152 nonsmoking participants with respiratory diseases, not exposed to...

We measured the activation of nitrate-aerosol in our large flow-through cloud chamber. The chamber produces a number of cloud droplets that is representative for that in stratocumulus in our region. The experiments proceed as follows. Aerosol size-spectra are determined both in the air entering the cloud chamber and at the exit of the chamber. From...

The number of ultrafine particles may be a more health relevant characteristic of ambient particulate matter than the conventionally measured mass. Epidemiological time series studies typically use a central site to characterize human exposure to outdoor air pollution. There is currently very limited information how well measurements at a central s...

Sampling and analysis of carbonaceous compounds in particulate matter presents a number of difficulties related to artefacts during sampling and to the distinction between organic (OC) and elementalcarbon (EC) during analysis. Our study reports on a comparativeanalysis of OC, EC and WSOC (water-soluble organiccarbon) concentrations, as well as samp...

A 5-day Research School was held last November 2006 which was attended by 27 students from 12 different backgrounds in atmospheric chemistry and physics. The topics were diverse which included the role of atmospheric boundary layer processes in atmospheric chemistry. There was also emphasis on microphysical processes that lead to different chemical...

An instrument was developed for semi-continuous measurement of the size-distribution of submicron nitrate, ammonium, sulphate and chloride. Novel in the instrumentation is the size-classification, which is realised with a pre-separator that consists of a set of four parallel impactors. The cut-off diameters of the impactors are at 0.18, 0.32, 0.56...

Based on new findings of the WHO, policy attention in the EU regarding particulate matter has shifted from PM10 to the finer fraction (PM2.5).The Netherlands will probably not be able to meet all new standards for PM2.5 in time with current legislation. The new PM2.5 standards will, therefore, require the Netherlands to adapt its policies and updat...

This paper describes the contours of a Dutch monitoring and research site for climate change and related atmospheric processes. The station has large benefits for atmospheric science, both in The Netherlands and internationally. It provides a platform for collaboration in this important field, and will provide the routine observations needed to ass...

full text http://journals.lww.com/epidem/Fulltext/2006/11001/The_Relationship_Between_Central_Site,_Home.1232.aspx Introduction: Epidemiological time series studies typically assess exposure by measurements of air pollution at a fixed central site. Various studies have documented that this is a reasonable approach for fine particles (PM2.5), but v...

The impact of airborne particles on human health is currently seen as the most important environmental issue in Europe. Recent assessments showed an expected loss in life expectancy of about 9 months in the year 2000 (EU-25, central CAFE baseline estimate1) due to exposure to (ambient) PM2.5 mass. The revisions of the Air Quality Directive and its...

Attempts were made to measure the fraction of elemental carbon (EC) in ultrafine aerosol by modifying an Ambient Carbonaceous Particulate Monitor (ACPM, R&P 5400). The main modification consisted in placing a quartz filter in one of the sampling lines of this dual-channel instrument. With the filter all aerosol and EC contained in it is collected,...