Cited by 36Atmospheric chemistry and aerosolsAir Quality Monitoring and ForecastingAtmospheric aerosols and clouds

Differences in Ozone and Particulate Matter Between Ground Level and 20 m Aloft are Frequent During Wintertime Surface‐Based Temperature Inversions in Fairbanks, Alaska

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Cesler‐Maloney, Meeta, Simpson, William R., Miles, Tate, Mao, Jingqiu, Law, Kathy S., Roberts, Tjarda J.·2022·Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres

Abstract

During winter in Fairbanks, Alaska, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) accumulates to large concentrations at breathing level; yet little is known about atmospheric composition aloft. To investigate vertical differences of pollutants, we measured PM 2.5 and ozone (O 3) at 3 and 20 m above ground level (AGL) in Fairbanks during winter (November 2019–March 2020). We measured temperature and PM 2.5 at 3, 6, 9, and 11 m AGL on a tower to quantify surface‐based temperature inversions (SBIs) and near‐surface PM 2.5 gradients. We defined SBIs as data with an 11 m minus 3 m temperature difference greater than 0.5°C. We observed the largest differences in PM 2.5 and O 3 when SBIs were present. During SBIs, PM 2.5 accumulated to large concentrations at 3 m but to a lesser extent at 20 m, demonstrating reduced vertical mixing. During SBIs, the median PM 2.5 concentration was 4.8 μg m−3 lower at 20 m than at 3 m. When PM 2.5 concentrations were large at 3 m, O 3 was often completely chemically removed (titrated) but was still present at 20 m. During SBIs, the O 3 mixing ratio was more than 2 nmol mol−1 larger at 20 m than at 3 m in 48% of the data. Results show that during SBIs, pollution in Fairbanks is mixed to altitudes below 20 m AGL and that the oxidation regime of the atmosphere changes from 3 to 20 m AGL as large differences in O 3 mixing ratios were measured during SBIs.

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Crossref · 10.1029/2021jd036215

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  • This stratification leads to formation of surface-based temperature inversions (SBIs) and elevated temperature inversion (EI) layers, which hinder horizontal and vertical dispersion of pollutants.

    “This stratification leads to formation of surface-based temperature inversions (SBIs) and elevated temperature inversion (EI) layers, which hinder horizontal and vertical dispersion of pollutants.26,31”

    From Estimating Power Plant Contributions to Surface Pollution in a Wintertime Arctic Environment (2025) · cites this paper as [26]

    The Introduction describes surface-based inversions (SBIs) in Fairbanks, and Section 4.3 reports that they hinder vertical mixing of pollution below 20 m. The Introduction also distinguishes elevated inversions from SBIs, but does not establish that elevated inversions hinder pollutant dispersion; the cited passages do not address horizontal dispersion. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Fairbanks, in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), is a sub-Arctic city subject to acute wintertime air pollution episodes.

    “Fairbanks, situated in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), is an example of a sub-Arctic city subject to acute wintertime air pollution episodes.26−28”

    From Estimating Power Plant Contributions to Surface Pollution in a Wintertime Arctic Environment (2025) · cites this paper as [26]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) places Fairbanks at 64.8°N, describes poor winter air quality, and gives an example of a 17-day pollution episode with elevated PM2.5. Our copy does not identify Fairbanks as being in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, so it does not support that geographic detail. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • The often very stable atmospheric conditions leading to a persistently stable boundary layer are characteristic of the wintertime high-latitude boundary layer and prevent an efficient vertical mixing of pollution.

    “Furthermore, the often very stable atmospheric conditions leading to a persistently stable boundary layer (SBL; for abbreviations see Appendix A) are characteristic of the wintertime high-latitude boundary layer and prevent an efficient vertical mixing of pollution (Cesler-Maloney et al., 2022;Malingowski et al., 2014;Salmond and McKendry, 2005).”

    From In situ vertical observations of the layered structure of air pollution in a continental high-latitude urban boundary layer during winter (2025) · cites this paper as Cesler-Maloney et al., 2022

    The Introduction reports that wintertime surface-based inversions are frequent and can persist during daytime in Fairbanks, Alaska. It also states that these inversions reduce vertical mixing, and Section 4.3 reports limited mixing of PM₂.₅ and O₃ across 20 m. The paper supports the claim for Fairbanks, but does not establish that persistently stable conditions are characteristic of high-latitude winter boundary layers generally. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Bourne, S. M. (2008). A climate perspective of observed and modeled surface-based temperature inversions in Alaska (Master's thesis). Univer- sity of Alaska Fairbanks. Retrieved from http://www.uaf.edu/asp/Students/theses/Bourne_SM.pdf
  2. Simpson, W., & Cesler-Maloney, M. (2020). Gas and particle data from Fairbanks during the winter of 2019/2020 [Dataset]. . Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11344

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Authors
Cesler‐Maloney, M., Simpson, W. R., Miles, T., Mao, J., Law, K. S., & Roberts, T. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks (US)
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • Université d'Orléans (FR)
Corresponding author
Simpson, William R.
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Published
2022-05-13
Volume
127
Issue
10
Pages
e2021JD036215
ISSN
  • 0148-0227 (ISSN-L)
  • 2169-897X
  • 2169-8996
OpenAlex
W4229370850
Cited by
36
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Atmospheric aerosols and clouds
Keywords
surface-based temperature inversion, PM2.5, ozone, vertical mixing, winter air pollution, Fairbanks, Alaska, ozone titration

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