Effects of the City of Moscow on the Atmospheric Aerosol Characteristics in the Environs

N. O. Plaude, E. A. Stulov, N. A. Monakhova, M. V. Vychuzhanina, E. V. Sosnikova, and N. P. Grishina

On the data of 13-year (1994–2006) measurements, during January to June, of the atmospheric aerosol characteristics in Dolgoprudny, Moscow region, effects of the city of Moscow on aerosol contamination of the surface air is analyzed. A relative increase is estimated of concentrations of particles of various sizes within the diameter range of 0.01 to 10 μm under conditions of airflow from the city of Moscow, along with changes in concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei in the air. It is shown that percentage of the aerosol particles from Moscow in the total aerosol concentration within certain size ranges reaches 30% in winter months and 45% in summer ones. The aerosol transported from the city contains a significant amount of hygroscopic particles. The cloud nuclei concentration in June increases by a factor of 2 in the cases of airflow from the city.