Presentation Information
[AAS08-P13]Applicability of ground-based remote sensing as a proxy for identifying new particle formation events in winter 2026
*Jiyun Heo1, Yonghwan Lee2, Yongjoo Choi1, Greem Lee3, Seokjun Seo3 (1.Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 2.KOTITI Testing & Research Institute, 3.National Institute of Environmental Research)
Keywords:
New Particle Formation,Ground-based remote sensing,Aerosol optical depth
New Particle Formation (NPF) in the atmosphere is a phenomenon in which gaseous precursors are converted into nanometer-sized particles through photochemical reactions, representing the core process of secondary aerosol formation. Newly formed particles undergo subsequent growth to larger sizes, serving as a significant and often primary source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), which directly modulates Earth's radiative balance and climate change. Therefore, clearly identifying the NPF events is a critical step for predicting air quality and climate change. In-situ observations using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) are predominantly utilized to identify NPF events, however long-term monitoring is technically challenging and costly. To overcome these inherent constraints, it is imperative to develop and evaluate alternative observational methodologies such as ground-based optical networks. For this purpose, we conducted intensive measurements using SMPS, sun photometer, and Pandora at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Yongin (37.33°N, 127.26°E, 113m), Korea in winter of 2025. Based on NPF events identified from SMPS observation, we validated the developed NPF proxy which combines vertical column densities of trace gases (SO2, NO2, and HCHO) from Pandora with aerosol optical depth (AOD) from sun photometer. This local-scale validation of NPF events will be further extended to regional-scale monitoring using an indirect discrimination index derived from ground-based remote sensing data.