Boundary layer Evolution Through Harmonization of Aerosol measurements at Ny-Ålesund research stations

Ny-Ålesund is the only Arctic site for aerosol study having two sampling sites, ZEP and GVB, located really close to each other but at different altitudes above sea level. This peculiarity is unique in the polar region and makes possible the study of the influence of the Arctic Boundary Layer (ABL) on aerosol properties. To obtain this information it is necessary (1) to collect measurements at high temporal resolution of chemical markers for local and long range transported aerosol, (2) to harmonize the sampling and analytical procedures between the two sites, (3) to obtain meteorological observations to model the height of ABL and study its structure. By the comparison of measurements and theory, the evolution of ABL along one year of measurements will be achieved. The multidisciplinary character of the project is therefore evident with participation of different expertises including chemistry, atmospheric physics and atmospheric modelling.
One of the main recommendations reported in the last SESS report 2020 is the data harmonization as well as development of long-term monitoring. The priority is to promote better coordination of observations at existing sites, in order to overcome the lack of common protocols to measure different parameters at different stations. This project transposes this recommendation by sustaining sampling campaigns where the comparability of measurements is the main aim. Common cut-off and/or the use of multiple size classes, temporal resolutions, sampling material, extraction and analysis procedures will be set at the GVB station in order to obtain comparable data with the ZEP measurements. The harmonization will also be performed on several chemical markers, such as BC, EC/OC, major ions, trace
elements, sugars, and mineralogy of single particles.

The overall project goal is to investigate the Arctic Boundary Layer (ABL) through the harmonization and synchronization of aerosol measurements performed at GVB and ZEP stations. These sites provide the perfect opportunity because GVB is representative of ground and marine level concentrations, while ZEP is considered to be above the local inversion layer most of the time. The differences in concentration levels and seasonal/interannual trends observed at the two sites can help to better understand the impact of local- and long range sources. Moreover, existing long-time datasets are present from 1993 at ZEP and from 2010 at GVB. Meteorological data obtained by CCT will be integrated to better understand the impact of local sources and long-range transport on ABL.
To this purpose, we aim to reach several objectives (Os):
O1 Harmonization of protocols for each measurement, co nsidering the different aspects such as sampling, analytical method, and timing.
This aim will be obtained also with an inter-comparison between the stations.
O2 Extension of “harmonized” results in the existing multi-years dataset in bo th stations to obtain an ABL evaluation with a statistical value.
O3 Imp roving the knowledge of sources, combining all multi-years measurements and applying different source apportionment approaches.
O4 Use a mu ltidisciplinary approach considering meteorological experimental and theoretical physical expertises to better define ABL characteristics.

The BETHA-NyÅ research was divided into three work packages (WP), organized in severa l Tasks (T) where the roles of each research unit (RU) are indicated.

WP1. Harmonization of aerosol measurements at GVB and ZEP stations

T1.1 Definition of a common protocol for ions, BC, EC/OC, trace elements and sugars between GAL and ZEP (UNIFI, ISP, UNIGE, INFN). 
The instrumental set-up and the sampling parameters at GAL were modified to better match the procedures used at ZEP. This harmonized protocol started on 21st February 2022 and the first sampling campaign until March 2023 was reported in a recent submitted paper, but this protocol is nowadays still applied. The main measurements performed at GVB and ZEP stations are major ions, BC, EC/OC, trace elements and sugars. 

T1.2 One year-all campaign with a common protocol for major ions (UNIFI), T1.3 for trace elements (UNIGE), T1.4 for EC/OC and sugars (INFN, ISP).
One year-all campaign was carried out from 21st February 2022 to March 2023. The samples were analysed for  ions (Na, NH4, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, NO3, SO4), several trace elements (As, C d, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V, Zn), EC/OC and sugars. The measurements of  EC/OC  were performed using low volume and high volume samplers for  intercomparison exercise in order to evaluate the comparability of both procedures (sampling + analytical methods) and to continue the historical data series. 

T1.5 One all-year campaign with a common protocol for eBC measurements (ISP)
eBC concentration is derived from light absorption coefficient measurements performed with a Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP) and an aethalometer at ZEP and with a Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) at GVB. BETHA-NyÅ optimize the eBC measurement protocol (and correction algorithm) at GVB through the comparison of one year of data collected with different instruments at the same site and with similar instruments at the two sites.

T1.6 Inter-comparison exercises to extend the evaluation to the existing dataset (UNIFI, UNIGE, INFN, ISP)
Thanks to international collaboration, some samples collected at ZEP samples were analyzed using the same protocols used at GVB to compare the results and to evaluate the comparability of measurements.

WP2. Source apportionment - definition of sources and processes though innovative modelling approaches

Several papers was published on previous samples collected at GVB (see papers in "prodotti" section) to define sources and processes of Arctic aerosol. 

WP3. Definition of the impact of Arctic Boundary Layer on the aerosol composition integrating meteorological observations and aerosol measurements collected at different levels of the atmospheric column.

The BETHA-NyÅ project proved that aligning aerosol measurements from different altitudes in Ny-Ålesund is both feasible and scientifically useful.
Coordinated data from multiple stations revealed how boundary-layer dynamics shape aerosol composition.
Seasonal signals in sulfate and ammonium confirm Arctic Haze and long-range pollution transport.
Variations in biogenic markers and trace elements highlight local influences and vertical stratification.
Overall, the study shows the value of harmonized long-term observations for understanding a rapidly changing Arctic atmosphere.

Pubblished papers in international journals:

1. Ulgelmo, B., Feltracco, M., Pulimeno, S., Scalabrin, E., Barbante, C., Gambaro, A., & Barbaro, E. (2025). Haloacetic Acids as Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Arctic Aerosol. ACS ES&T Air, 2(5), 868-876. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsestair.4c00318

2. Paglione, M., Hao, Y., Decesari, S., Russo, M., Mansour, K., Mazzola, M., Fellin, D., Mazzanti, A., Tagliavini, E., Manousakas, M. I., Diapouli, E., Barbaro, E., Feltracco, M., Daellenbach, K. R., and Rinaldi, M.: Unraveling Arctic submicron organic aerosol sources: a year-long study by H-NMR and AMS in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-760, 2025.
https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2025/egusphere-2025-760/

3. Spagnesi, A., Barbaro, E., Cairns, W. R. L., Feltracco, M., Scoto, F., Gambaro, A., ... & Spolaor, A. (2025). Comparative analysis of sea salt species in snow samples from Svalbard using ICP-QMS and IC techniques. Applied Geochemistry, 106492. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088329272500215X

4. Barbaro, E., Feltracco, M., Ulgelmo, B., Spagnesi, A., Frassati, S., Mazzi, G., ... & Gambaro, A. (2024). First evidence of benzothiazoles in arctic aerosols: Seasonal trend and sources attribution. Science of The Total Environment, 957, 177722. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724078793

5. Grotti, M., Ardini, F., Vecchio, M. A., Mataloni, M., Bertinetti, S., Bruschi, F., ... & Vanhaecke, F. (2024). New insights into the sources of atmospheric lead reaching the Arctic by isotopic analysis of PM10 atmospheric particles and resuspended soils. Atmospheric Environment, 330, 120541. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231024002164#ack0010

6. Pulimeno, S., Bruschi, F., Feltracco, M., Mazzola, M., Gilardoni, S., Crocchianti, S., ... & Barbaro, E. (2024). Investigating the Presence of Biomass Burning Events at Ny-Ålesund: Optical and Chemical Insights from Summer-Fall 2019. Atmospheric Environment, 320, 120336. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231024000116

7. Marafante, M., Bertinetti, S., Carena, L., Fabbri, D., Malandrino, M., Vione, D., & Berto, S. (2024). Chemical characterization and speciation of the soluble fraction of Arctic PM10. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 416(6), 1389-1398. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-024-05131-0

8. Grotti, M., Vecchio, M. A., Gobbato, D., Mataloni, M., & Ardini, F. (2023). Precise determination of 204 Pb-based isotopic ratios in environmental samples by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 38(5), 1057-1064. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/ja/d2ja00424k

9. Gilardoni, S., Heslin-Rees, D., Mazzola, M., Vitale, V., Sprenger, M., and Krejci, R.: Drivers controlling black carbon temporal variability in the Arctic lower troposphere, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1376, 2023.  https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2023/egusphere-2023-1376/

10. Koziol, K., Kallenborn, R., Xie, Z., Larose, C., Spolaor, A., Barbaro, E., ... & Cappelletti, D. Harmonising Environmental Research and Monitoring of Priority Pollutants and Impurities in the Svalbard Atmosphere (HERMOSA). State of Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report 2022. 2023. hal-04291496 https://www.academia.edu/download/110366933/SESS2022_HERMOSA.pdf