Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-16
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2025-16
02 Jun 2025
 | 02 Jun 2025
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal AR.

Long-term PM trends in southern Finland from three different measurement techniques

Ilona Ylivinkka, Helmi-Marja Keskinen, Lauri R. Ahonen, Liine Heikkinen, Pasi P. Aalto, Tuomo Nieminen, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Juho Aalto, Janne Levula, Jutta Kesti, Ekaterina Ezhova, Markku Kulmala, and Tuukka Petäjä

Abstract. Different particulate matter (PM) mass concentration measurements and their long-term trends were compared at the Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II, Hyytiälä, Finland). We compare three independent methods: 1) gravimetric method with a cascade impactor, 2) Synchronized Hybrid Ambient Real-time Particulate Monitor (SHARP), and 3) calculated PM concentration from combined Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) and Aerosol Particle Sizer (APS) particle number size distribution data. In all size classes (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10), the different methods show a good correlation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient approximately 0.8). The mass concentrations in all PM classes were the highest in summer and the lowest in autumn and winter. While all seasons and size classes showed declining trends for PM concentrations (from -0.012 to -0.064 µg m-3 y-1) between 2005 and 2020, the decline was smallest in summer, which follows the trends observed also in SO2 and NOx concentrations. These results underline both the summertime dominance of biogenic sources for the aerosol mass concentration in the rural boreal forest environment and the reduction of anthropogenic pollution due to the EU level restrictions for improved air quality.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Aerosol Research.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Ilona Ylivinkka, Helmi-Marja Keskinen, Lauri R. Ahonen, Liine Heikkinen, Pasi P. Aalto, Tuomo Nieminen, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Juho Aalto, Janne Levula, Jutta Kesti, Ekaterina Ezhova, Markku Kulmala, and Tuukka Petäjä

Status: open (until 14 Jul 2025)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
Ilona Ylivinkka, Helmi-Marja Keskinen, Lauri R. Ahonen, Liine Heikkinen, Pasi P. Aalto, Tuomo Nieminen, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Juho Aalto, Janne Levula, Jutta Kesti, Ekaterina Ezhova, Markku Kulmala, and Tuukka Petäjä

Data sets

PM mass at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala and T. Petaja https://doi.org/10.48597/C646-VCYX

SMEAR II Hyytiälä forest meteorology, greenhouse gases, air quality and soil J. Aalto et al. https://doi.org/10.23729/23dd00b2-b9d7-467a-9cee-b4a122486039

Pm10_mass at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala https://doi.org/10.48597/WK4E-86CP

Pm25_mass at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala https://doi.org/10.48597/V58J-WCD4

Pm1_mass at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala https://doi.org/10.48597/TC68-EPWP

Pm10_mass at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala and T. Petaja https://doi.org/10.48597/YTRF-XNKJ

Particle_number_size_distribution at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala and T. Petäjä https://doi.org/10.48597/UT8K-P44W

Particle_number_size_distribution at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala https://doi.org/10.48597/6W2N-UGMC

Particle_number_size_distribution at Hyytiälä M. Kulmala https://doi.org/10.48597/JFRB-5CHX

Ilona Ylivinkka, Helmi-Marja Keskinen, Lauri R. Ahonen, Liine Heikkinen, Pasi P. Aalto, Tuomo Nieminen, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Juho Aalto, Janne Levula, Jutta Kesti, Ekaterina Ezhova, Markku Kulmala, and Tuukka Petäjä

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Short summary
Three different particulate matter (PM) measurement techniques were compared in Finland, showing good correlation (R about 0.8). Although the measured PM concentrations were low, decreasing trends were observed in all seasons. The decrease followed the trends observed in concentrations of anthropogenic pollutants, resulting from the EU legislation to improve air quality. The highest PM concentrations were measured in summer, indicating of the dominance of organic compounds to the PM mass.
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