Atmospheric Monitoring Network

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Summary

The Atmospheric Monitoring Network is a unique infrastructure for atmospheric research located in northeastern Spain. It comprises a mobile unit and three fixed monitoring sites: Montseny (MSY; regional background; 720 m a.s.l.), Montsec (MSA; remote background; 1,590 m a.s.l.) and Barcelona–Palau Reial (BCN; urban background). BCN and MSY are National Facilities within ACTRIS, while MSY and MSA are part of the GAW network.

The network is a well-equipped infrastructure for the in situ characterization of aerosols (optical, physical and chemical, using both online and offline methods) and trace gases (NOx, SO₂, O₃ and CO). Access to the network enables research across different environments, linking air quality and climate research. It provides a unique research setting in the Western Mediterranean Basin, a region of particular interest for atmospheric research due to its high solar radiation, specific meteorological conditions, high emissions of anthropogenic and natural pollutants, and frequent dust outbreaks.