THE BARCELONA URBAN BACKGROUND MONITORING SITE
Located within the grounds of the CID CSIC in Barcelona
(41° 23’14.28″N, 2°6’56.34″E, 77 meters amsl).
Previously, this site was installed at a nearby location, but was moved to its current location in January 2011, where it will remain.
Research
Research carried out at this site is included in the Air Quality and Exposure assessment research lines.
This research aims to:

Interpret the variability of levels, composition and physical properties of atmospheric aerosols at an urban location in the Western Mediterranean
Identify the source origin and atmospheric processes controlling aerosol levels and characteristics
To quantify the origin of PM components with special interest in organic aerosols and the urban contribution to mineral matter.
To support air quality action plans.
To provide a long-term time series of regulated and novel metrics as a relevant input to epidemiological and health impact assessment (HIA) studies performed within this research team and in collaboration with internationally recognised research centres.
To investigate the linkages between PM sources and health outcomes
Measurements
PMx levels and PM speciation measurements obtained in the framework of the national research projects are available since 2002
Parameter | Instrument | Time resolution | Starting year |
---|---|---|---|
Aerosols | |||
Ground measurements | |||
Online | |||
PMx Levels | Optical counters GRIMM 180 | 30′ | 2002 |
N # cm-3 | CPC 3787 TSI WCPC | 5′ | 2010 |
Size resolved N | SMPS 3936L72-N TSI | 5′ | 2004 |
Absorption coefficient | MAAP Caruso Thermo | 1′ | 2010 |
Absorption coefficient | AE33 Magee Aerosol doo | 1′ | 2016 |
Scattering coefficient | Nephelometer Aurora 3000 | 1′ | 2014 |
PM1 SO42- | ACSM -Aerodyne | 30′ | 2011 |
PM1 NO3- | ACSM -Aerodyne | 30′ | 2011 |
PM1 NH4+ | ACSM -Aerodyne | 30′ | 2011 |
PM1 Cl- | ACSM -Aerodyne | 30′ | 2011 |
PM1 Organics | ACSM -Aerodyne | 30′ | 2011 |
Gaseous compounds | |||
NOx | Model 42i-TL Chemiluminiscence | 2009 | |
CO | Teledyne 300 EU Gas filter correlation | 2009 | |
SO2 | Teledyne 100 EU UV fluorescence | 2009 | |
O3 | MCV 48AV UV photometry | 2009 | |
For more information of offline paremeters and instruments visit Measurements |