Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols and Clouds in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Both atmospheric aerosols and clouds have significant impacts on health and climate. The study of both aerosols and clouds in Southeast Asia is important to understand the influence of anthropogenic emissions and long-range transport and how it impacts a convective region. The Cloud, Aerosol and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) field campaign was deployed in this unique laboratory to further scientific processes in the region. In preparation of the CAMP2Ex campaign the CAMP2Ex weatHEr and CompoSition Monitoring (CHECSM) study was enacted to gather long term aerosol data in preparation for the main field campaign. Weekly size-resolved aerosol measurements over a 16-month period were collect at Manila Observatory in Metro Manila to get a high temporal resolution of aerosols in a highly polluted megacity. The region has significant local emissions primarily from combustion sources (i.e. vehicle emissions), but also as significant transport of biomass burning emission during the southwest monsoon season, and aged aerosols and dust from Mainland Asia during the northeast monsoon season. These emissions and sources can have significant impact on health and visibility in the region. An in depth look at organic acids in the aerosol phase was examined which showed impacts of biomass burning from Borneo and Sumatra and significant local fresh emissions based on measured particulate matter and model results. Additional to aerosol studies clouds in the region were sampled and speciated for inorganic and organic compounds over a two month period. A significant number of cloud water samples were collected and speciated, but also a subset of the samples were analyzed for pH and total organic carbon (TOC). To the author’s knowledge these two studies are the first significant aerosol and cloud collection campaigns in the region yielding two unique datasets.