GAW Longterm Aerosol Monitoring at the High-Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch

Duration: Continuous since 1995
Funding: GAW-CH coordinated by the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss)
Contact: Benjamin Brem (benjamin.brem@psi.ch) and Martin Gysel-Beer (martin.gysel@psi.ch)

Table of Contents

In 1988 the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) initiated an aerosol research programme at the high Alpine Research Station Jungfraujoch (3580 m asl). Since 1995 the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry at PSI has been responsible for the continuous aerosol measurements performed at Jungfraujoch within the Swiss contribution to the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program of the World Meteorological Organization. In Europe, the GAW program is tightly linked to the Aerosol, Clouds and Traces Gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS). This site also serves as a platform for international research projects to investigate aerosol processes and environmental impacts through e.g. their interaction with solar radiation or clouds.

The broader aim of our longterm observations and associated research projects performed at the high-altitude research station Jungfraujoch is to achieve a better understanding of the live-cycle of atmospheric aerosols and their climate and weather impacts. Given the location high up in the alps, its is possible to probe free tropospheric background aerosol and to investigate transport events of particles originating from within the polluted planetary boundary layer, where the vast majority of aerosol emissions occur. Specific topics include:

• An overview of more than 20 years of aerosol observation at the high altitude research station Jungfraujoch is given in Bukowiecki et al., 2016 (covers studies published until 2016)
• Spatial variation of aerosol properties on global scale (e.g. Laj et al., 2020) and trend analyses (e.g. Collaud Coen et al., 2020)
• Soot particle properties and associated ability to form cloud droplets (e.g. Motos et al., 2020; Motos et al., 2019)
• Provision of comprehensive data sets (e.g. Schmale et al., 2018; Schmale et al., 2017) for benchmarking of global model simulations (e.g. Fanourgakis et al., 2019)
• Processes shaping the aerosol particle size distributions, including new particle formation and subsequent growth (e.g. Bianchi et al. 2016; Tröstl et al., 2016; Herrmann et al., 2015)
• Various aspects of aerosol-cloud interactions in warm clouds (liquid water clouds), for example investigating the interplay of dynamics (updraft) and number concentration of potential cloud condensation nuclei in determining cloud droplet number concentration (e.g. Hoyle et al., 2016; Hammer et al., 2014). Aforementioned two parameters are intrinsically coupled through cloud peak supersaturation and cut-off diameter above which particles activate to form cloud droplet.
• Physico-chemical characterization of ice nucleating particles in mixed-phase and glaciated clouds (e.g. Kupiszewski et al., 2016; Lacher et al., in press)
• Aerosol chemical composition (e.g. Fröhlich et al., 2015)
• Properties of aerosols in distinct plumes from sources such as volcanoes or Saharan dust after intra- or intercontinental long-range transport (e.g. Bukowiecki et al., 2011; Collaud Coen et al., 2004)
• Vertical transport of pollutants from the boundary layer to the Jungfraujoch (e.g. Collaud Coen et al., 2011)
• Hygroscopic water uptake by particles as a function of relative humidity and their ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei (e.g. Kammermann et al., 2010; Jurányi et al., 2011)

Environmental impacts of atmospheric aerosols depend on many different physical, optical and chemical properties of the particles which are highly variable in time and space. Furthermore, many additional atmospheric parameters influence aerosol processes driving these impacts. In order to understand these processes and to quantify aerosol impacts, it is therefore of crucial importance to run multi-site and multi-parameter atmospheric observation networks and to make acquired data available to the research community.

Visualizations of current concentration and properties of aerosol particles observed at the Jungfraujoch research station are presented in near real-time at: https://www.psi.ch/en/lac/projects/last-72h-of-aerosol-data-from-jungfraujoch.

Quality controlled aerosol data are made available through the portal of the EBAS database infrastructure, which serves as international data center hosting atmospheric composition data from the GAW (https://www.gaw-wdca.org/) and several other observation networks.

The following aerosol parameters are measured on a continuous basis at the Jungfraujoch:

• Die Aerosol-Jäger vom Jungfraujoch - Interview with Benjamin Brem on more than 25 years aerosol research at Jungfraujoch
• High-ranking visitor on the Jungfraujoch Research Station - US Ambassador Scott Miller on visit during the "Jungfraujoch Carbon Balance Campaign"
• “Kleine Partikel, Grosse Auswirkung” in PROCLIM FLASH – Schweizer Zeitschrift zu Klima und Globalem Wandel, Swiss Academy of Sciences, Nr. 75, p. 20-21, Winter 2021. (German)
• "Forschen über den Wolken" in “5232 – Das Magazin des Paul Scherrer Instituts”, Issue 02-2019. (German)
• "Der Staubsauger der Sphinx" in Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 16.05.2015. (German)
• Information movie shown at the Jungfraujoch on occasion of the Jungfrau Railway Centenary (2012)

• Realtime visualization of aerosol parameters at Jungfraujoch.
• Aerosol, clouds and trace gase research infrastructure, ACTRIS.
• High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch & Gornergrat, HFSJG.
• The continuous aerosol measurements at Jungfraujoch are complemented by a series of intensive field campaigns where the interactions of aerosol particles with e.g. clouds are explored: CLACE campaigns.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Articles before 2012

Climatology of Aerosol Radiative Properties in the Free Troposphere.
Andrews, E., J. A. Ogren, P. Bonasoni, A. Marinoni, E. Cuevas, Rodríguez, J. Y. Sun, D. A. Jaffe, E. V. Fischer, U. Baltensperger, E. Weingartner, M. Collaud Coen, S. Sharma, A. M. Macdonald, W. R. Leaitch, N.-H. Lin, P. Laj, T. Arsov, I. Kalapov, A. Jefferson, and P. Sheridan, 2011
Atmos. Res., 102, 365-393, doi: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2011.08.017.


Number size distributions and seasonality of submicron particles in Europe 2008–2009.
Asmi, A., A. Wiedensohler, P. Laj, A.-M. Fjaeraa, K. Sellegri, W. Birmili, E. Weingartner, U. Baltensperger, V. Zdimal, N. Zikova, J.-P. Putaud, A. Marinoni, P. Tunved, H.-C. Hansson, M. Fiebig, N. Kivekäs, H. Lihavainen, E. Asmi, V. Ulevicius, P. P. Aalto, E. Swietlicki, A. Kristensson, N. Mihalopoulos, N. Kalivitis, I. Kalapov, G. Kiss, G. d. Leeuw, B. Henzing, R. M. Harrison, D. Beddows, C. O'Dowd, S. G. Jennings, H. Flentje, K. Weinhold, F. Meinhardt, L. Ries, and M. Kulmala, 2011
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5505-5538.


New particle formation and ultrafine charged aerosol climatology at a high altitude site in the Alps (Jungfraujoch, 3580 m a.s.l., Switzerland).
Boulon, J., K. Sellegri, H. Venzac, D. Picard, E. Weingartner, G. Wehrle, M. Collaud Coen, R. Bütikofer, E. Flückiger, U. Baltensperger, and P. Laj, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 9333-9349, doi: 10.5194/acp-10-9333-2010


Ground-based and airborne in-situ measurements of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic aerosol plume in Switzerland in spring 2010.
Bukowiecki, N., P. Zieger, E. Weingartner, Z. Jurányi, M. Gysel, B. Neininger, B. Schneider, C. Hueglin, A. Ulrich, A. Wichser, S. Henne, D. Brunner, R. Kaegi, M. Schwikowski, L. Tobler, F. G. Wienhold, I. Engel, B. Buchmann, T. Peter, and U. Baltensperger, 2011
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 10011-10030.


The influence of small aerosol particles on the properties of water and ice clouds.
Choularton, T. W., K. N. Bower, E. Weingartner, I. Crawford, H. Coe, M. W. Gallagher, M. Flynn, J. Crosier, P. Connolly, A. Targino, M. R. Alfarra, U. Baltensperger, S. Sjogren, B. Verheggen, J. Cozic, and M. Gysel, 2008
Faraday Discussions, 137, 205-222.


Long-term trend analysis of aerosol variables at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch.
Collaud Coen, M., E. Weingartner, S. Nyeki, J. Cozic, S. Henning, B. Verheggen, R. Gehrig, and U. Baltensperger, 2007
J. Geophys. Res., 112, D13213, doi: 10.1029/2006JD007995.


Saharan dust events at the Jungfraujoch: detection by wavelength dependence of the single scattering albedo and first climatology analysis.
Collaud Coen, M., E. Weingartner, D. Schaub, C. Hueglin, C. Corrigan, S. Henning, M. Schwikowski, and U. Baltensperger, 2004
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 4, 2465-2480.


Minimizing light absorption measurement artifacts of the Aethalometer: evaluation of five correction algorithms.
Collaud Coen, M. C., E. Weingartner, A. Apituley, D. Ceburnis, R. Fierz-Schmidhauser, H. Flentje, J. S. Henzing, S. G. Jennings, M. Moerman, A. Petzold, O. Schmid, and U. Baltensperger, 2010
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 3, 457-474, doi: 10.5194/amt-3-457-2010.


Black carbon enrichment in atmospheric ice particle residuals observed in lower tropospheric mixed phase clouds.
Cozic, J., S. Mertes, B. Verheggen, D. J. Cziczo, S. J. Gallavardin, S. Walter, U. Baltensperger, and E. Weingartner, 2008a
J. Geophys. Res., 113, doi:10.1029/2007JD009266.


Scavenging of black carbon in mixed phase clouds at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch.
Cozic, J., B. Verheggen, S. Mertes, P. Connolly, K. Bower, A. Petzold, U. Baltensperger, and E. Weingartner, 2007
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 7, 1797-1807.


Chemical composition of free tropospheric aerosol for PM1 and coarse mode at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch.
Cozic, J., B. Verheggen, E. Weingartner, J. Crosier, K. N. Bower, M. Flynn, H. Coe, S. Henning, M. Steinbacher, S. Henne, M. Collaud Coen, A. Petzold, and U. Baltensperger, 2008b
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 407-423.


Relating hygroscopicity and composition of organic aerosol particulate matter.
Duplissy, J., P. F. DeCarlo, J. Dommen, M. R. Alfarra, A. Metzger, I. Barmpadimos, A. S. H. Prevot, E. Weingartner, T. Tritscher, M. Gysel, A. C. Aiken, J. L. Jimenez, M. R. Canagaratna, D. R. Worsnop, D. R. Collins, J. Tomlinson, and U. Baltensperger, 2011
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 1155-1165.


Chemical composition and mixing-state of ice residuals sampled within mixed phase clouds.
Ebert, M., A. Worringen, N. Benker, S. Mertes, E. Weingartner, and S. Weinbruch, 2011
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 2805-2816.


Sampling and chemical analysis of ice crystals as a function of size.
Ehrman, S. H., M. Schwikowski, U. Baltensperger, and H. W. Gaggeler, 2001
Atmos. Env., 35, 5371-5376.


Measured and predicted aerosol light scattering enhancement factors at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch.
Fierz-Schmidhauser, R., P. Zieger, M. Gysel, L. Kammermann, P. F. DeCarlo, U. Baltensperger, and E. Weingartner, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 2319-2333.


Size-dependent aerosol activation at the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch (3580 m asl).
Henning, S., E. Weingartner, S. Schmidt, M. Wendisch, H. W. Gaggeler, and U. Baltensperger, 2002
Tellus, 54, 82-95.


Seasonal variation of water-soluble ions of the aerosol at the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch (3580 m asl).
Henning, S., E. Weingartner, M. Schwikowski, H. W. Gaggeler, R. Gehrig, K. P. Hinz, A. Trimborn, B. Spengler, and U. Baltensperger, 2003
J. Geophys. Res, 108, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002439.


In situ determination of atmospheric aerosol composition as a function of hygroscopic growth.
Herich, H., L. Kammermann, M. Gysel, E. Weingartner, U. Baltensperger, U. Lohmann, and D. J. Cziczo, 2008
J. Geophys. Res., 113, D16213, doi:10.1029/2008JD009954.


Aerosol single particle composition at the Jungfraujoch.
Hinz, K. P., A. Trimborn, E. Weingartner, S. Henning, U. Baltensperger, and B. Spengler, 2005
J. Aerosol Sci., 36, 123-145.


Aerosol processing in mixed-phase clouds in ECHAM5-HAM: Model description and comparison to observations.
Hoose, C., U. Lohmann, P. Stier, B. Verheggen, and E. Weingartner, 2008
J. Geophys. Res., 113, doi:10.1029/2007jd009251.


Measured and modelled cloud condensation nuclei concentration at the high alpine site Jungfraujoch.
Jurányi, Z., M. Gysel, E. Weingartner, P. F. DeCarlo, L. Kammermann, and U. Baltensperger, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 7891-7906, doi: 10.5194/acp-10-7891-2010


13-month climatology of the aerosol hygroscopicity at the free tropospheric site Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.).
Kammermann, L., M. Gysel, E. Weingartner, and U. Baltensperger, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 10717-10732, doi:10.5194/acp-10-10717-2010.


Study on the chemical character of water soluble organic compounds in fine atmospheric aerosol at the Jungfraujoch.
Krivacsy, Z., A. Gelencser, G. Kiss, E. Meszaros, A. Molnar, A. Hoffer, T. Meszaros, Z. Sarvari, D. Temesi, B. Varga, U. Baltensperger, S. Nyeki, and E. Weingartner, 2001a
J. Atmos. Chem., 39, 235-259.


Role of organic and blackcarbon in the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol at European background sites.
Krivacsy, Z., A. Hoffer, Z. Sarvari, D. Temesi, U. Baltensperger, S. Nyeki, E. Weingartner, S. Kleefeld, and S. G. Jennings, 2001b
Atmos. Env., 35, 6231–6244.


Single particle characterization of black carbon aerosols at a tropospheric alpine site in Switzerland.
Liu, D., M. Flynn, M. Gysel, A. Targino, I. Crawford, K. Bower, T. Choularton, Z. Jurányi, M. Steinbacher, C. Hüglin, J. Curtius, M. Kampus, A. Petzold, E. Weingartner, U. Baltensperger, and H. Coe, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 7389-7407, doi: 10.5194/acp-10-7389-2010


EUCAARI ion spectrometer measurements at 12 European sites – analysis of new-particle formation events.
Manninen, H. E., T. Nieminen, E. Asmi, S. Gagné, S. Häkkinen, K. Lehtipalo, P. Aalto, M. Vana, A. Mirme, S. Mirme, U. Hõrrak, C. Plass-Dülmer, G. Stange, G. Kiss, A. Hoffer, N. Töro, M. Moerman, B. Henzing, G. d. Leeuw, M. Brinkenberg, G. N. Kouvarakis, A. Bougiatioti, N. Mihalopoulos, C. O'Dowd, D. Ceburnis, A. Arneth, B. Svenningsson, E. Swietlicki, L. Tarozzi, S. Decesari, M. C. Facchini, W. Birmili, A. Sonntag, A. Wiedensohler, J. Boulon, K. Sellegri, M. G. P. Laj, N. Bukowiecki, E. Weingartner, G. Wehrle, A. Laaksonen, A. Hamed, J. Joutsensaari, T. Petäjä, V.-M. Kerminen, and M. Kulmala, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 7907-7927, doi: 10.5194/acp-10-7907-2010


Counterflow virtual impactor based collection of small ice particles in mixed-phase clouds for the physico-chemical characterisation of tropospheric ice nuclei: sampler description and first case study.
Mertes, S., B. Verheggen, S. Walter, M. Ebert, P. Connolly, E. Weingartner, J. Schneider, K. N. Bower, M. Inerle-Hof, J. Cozic, U. Baltensperger, and J. Heinzenberg, 2007
Aerosol Sci. Technol., 41, 848-864.


Simultaneous dry and ambient measurements of aerosol size distributions at the Jungfraujoch.
Nessler, R., N. Bukowiecki, S. Henning, E. Weingartner, B. Calpini, and U. Baltensperger, 2003
Tellus, 55, 808-819.


Adaptation of dry nephelometer measurements to ambient conditions at the Jungfraujoch.
Nessler, R., E. Weingartner, and U. Baltensperger, 2005a
Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 2219-2228.


Effect of humidity on aerosol light absorption and its implications for extinction and the single scattering albedo illustrated for a site in the lower free troposphere.
Nessler, R., E. Weingartner, and U. Baltensperger, 2005b
J. Aerosol Sci., 36, 958-972.


Primary versus secondary contributions to particle number concentrations in the European boundary layer.
Reddington, C. L., K. S. Carslaw, D. V. Spracklen, M. G. Frontoso, L. Collins, J. Merikanto, A. Minikin, T. Hamburger, H. Coe, M. Kulmala, P. Aalto, H. Flentje, C. Plass-Dülmer, W. Birmili, A. Wiedensohler, B. Wehner, T. Tuch, A. Sonntag, C. D. O'Dowd, S. G. Jennings, R. Dupuy, U. Baltensperger, E. Weingartner, H.-C. Hansson, P. Tunved, P. Laj, K. Sellegri, J. Boulon, J.-P. Putaud, C. Gruening, E. Swietlicki, P. Roldin, J. S. Henzing, M. Moerman, N. Mihalopoulos, G. Kouvarakis, V. Ždímal, N. Zíková, A. Marinoni, P. Bonasoni, and R. Duchi, 2011
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 11, 18249-18318.


Hygroscopicity of the submicrometer aerosol at the high-alpine site Jungfraujoch, 3580 m a.s.l., Switzerland.
Sjogren, S., M. Gysel, E. Weingartner, M. R. Alfarra, J. Duplissy, J. Cozic, J. Crosier, H. Coe, and U. Baltensperger, 2008
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 5715-5729.


Explaining global surface aerosol number concentrations in terms of primary emissions and particle formation.
Spracklen, D. V., K. S. Carslaw, J. Merikanto, G. W. Mann, C. L. Reddington, S. Pickering, J. A. Ogren, E. Andrews, U. Baltensperger, E. Weingartner, M. Boy, M. Kulmala, L. Laakso, H. Lihavainen, N. Kivekas, M. Komppula, N. Mihalopoulos, G. Kouvarakis, S. G. Jennings, C. O'Dowd, W. Birmili, A. Wiedensohler, R. Weller, J. Gras, P. Laj, K. Sellegri, B. Bonn, R. Krejci, A. Laaksonen, A. Hamed, A. Minikin, R. M. Harrison, R. Talbot, and J. Sun, 2010
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 4775-4793, doi: 10.5194/acp-10-4775-2010


Characterization of size-fractionated aerosol from the Jungfraujoch (3580 m asl) using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF).
Streit, N., E. Weingartner, C. Zellweger, M. Schwikowski, H. W. Gaggeler, and U. Baltensperger, 2000
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 76, 1-16.


Influence of particle chemical composition on the phase of cold clouds at a high-alpine site in Switzerland.
Targino, A. C., H. Coe, J. Cozic, J. Crosier, I. Crawford, K. Bower, M. Flynn, M. Gallagher, J. Allan, B. Verheggen, E. Weingartner, U. Baltensperger, and T. Choularton, 2009
J. Geophys. Res., 114, 20.


Aerosol partitioning between the interstitial and the condensed phase in mixed-phase clouds.
Verheggen, B., J. Cozic, E. Weingartner, K. Bower, S. Mertes, P. Connolly, M. Gallagher, M. Flynn, T. Choularton, and U. Baltensperger, 2007
J. Geophys. Res, 112, doi:10.1029/2007JD008714R.


Hygroscopicity of aerosol particles at low temperatures. 1. New low-temperature H-TDMA instrument: Setup and first applications.
Weingartner, E., M. Gysel, and U. Baltensperger, 2002
Environ. Sci. Technol., 36, 55-62.


Seasonal and diurnal variation of aerosol size distributions (10 < D < 750 nm) at a high-alpine site (Jungfraujoch 3580 m asl)
Weingartner, E., S. Nyeki, and U. Baltensperger, 1999
J. Geophys. Res., 104, 26809-26820

Summertime NOy speciation at the Jungfraujoch, 3580 m above sea level, Switzerland.
Zellweger, C., M. Ammann, B. Buchmann, P. Hofer, M. Lugauer, R. Ruttimann, N. Streit, E. Weingartner, and U. Baltensperger, 2000
J. Geophys. Res., 105, 6655-6667.