Title: Modelling the impact of sea-salt particles on the exceedances of daily PM10 air quality standards in the Netherlands

Authors: J.A. Van Jaarsveld, D. Klimov

Addresses: Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), European Air Quality and Sustainability, P.O. Box 303, 3720 AH, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. ' VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: Particles generated at the sea surface contribute to PM10 levels in coastal areas. Current estimates suggest annual average contributions of up to 10 µg/m³ along the North Sea coast in the Netherlands. In this paper the generation of size-segregated sea salt particles is described as a function of meteorological parameters. These particles are fed into a model where transport and deposition processes are taken into account as a function of particle size and relative humidity. Modelled values are compared with daily measurements of Cl concentrations in air (particles < 3.5 µm, 7 locations) and monthly averages of wet Na+ deposition (particles < 100 µm, 14 locations). Results indicate a much lower impact on exceedances of the daily limit value than on annual average PM10 values.

Keywords: sea salt particles; The Netherlands; modelling; PM10; air quality; air pollution; transport processes; deposition processes; particle size; relative humidity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2011.038421

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2011 Vol.44 No.1/2/3/4, pp.217 - 225

Published online: 29 Apr 2015 *

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