Aerosols
Aerosols
On account of their aerodynamic properties, fine aerosol particulates (e.g., sulfate, nitrate and ammonium) are capable of traveling great distances from their primary sources with the aid of atmospheric transport. This means that domestic sources are not solely accountable for their concentration, as measured at a given background station. Such components are created from gaseous primary pollutants (such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ammonia) in the course of chemical transformation within thje atmosphere. The aerosol particles affect the atmospheres’s optical qualities, and through dry and wet settings – also influence the acidic load on the earth’s crust and biosphere.
The highest monthly average sulfate concentration during the year was measured in December in K-puszta, while the lowest values were observed in May at each station. The nitrate concentration follows a regular annual trend, being low in the summert months, albeit relatively high in the winter. The highest atmospheric ammonium concentration was recorded in November and December.
Examining the long-term variability of above mentioned components, it can be said that annual averages were higher in the late 1970s and the early 1980s than today. In the case of sulfate, unusually high values were recorded in 1993.
