The Executive Editors and the Publisher of Atmospheric Environment take great pleasure in announcing the 2014 ''Haagen-Smit Prize'', designed to recognize outstanding papers published in Atmospheric Environment. The Prize is named in honor of Prof. Arie Jan Haagen-Smit, a pioneer in the field of air pollution and one of the first editors of the International Journal of Air Pollution, a predecessor to Atmospheric Environment.

The ''Haagen-Smit Prize'' is given annually to a maximum of two papers previously published in Atmospheric Environment and covering different science areas. Additional information about this award and the selection committee members can be found in https://earthscience.arc.nasa.gov/singh/. The nominating letters printed below describe the 2014 winning paper.

Nomination Letters

Prof. Jean-Philippe Putaud, European Commission Joint Research Centre, TP 123, I-21027 ISPRA (Va), Italy (jean.putaud@jrc.ec.europa.eu)

Jean-P. Putaud, Frank Raes, Rita Van Dingenen, Erika Brüggemann, M.-Cristina Facchini, Stefano Decesari, Sandro Fuzzi, Robert Gehrig, Cristoph Hüglin, Paolo Laj, Gundi Lorbeer, Willy Maenhaut, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Konrad Müller, Xavier Querol, Sergio Rodriguez, Jürgen Schneider, Gerald Spindler, Harry ten Brink, Kjetil Tørseth, Alfred Wiedensohler, A European aerosol phenomenology—2: chemical characteristics of particulate matter at kerbside, urban, rural and background sites in Europe, Atmos. Environ., 38, 16, 2579-2595, 2004.

This paper is nominated for the 2014 Haagen-Smit Prize in recognition of its excellent contribution to the studies of aerosol observations in different areas in Europe. With a record of over 400 citations, it is also one of the most frequently cited papers. Aerosols/Particulate Matter is of great concern with respect to human health and climate, and related issues as visibility. Over the last 2 decades a growing number of studies has been devoted to aerosols concerning all kind of aspects. Numerous observations on mass-concentrations, size distribution, chemical and optical properties have been performed and analyzed both campaign wise as well as in more regular networks. Specialized studies have been performed concerning the direct emissions as well as the precursors emissions of aerosols. Satellite observations of AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) have been carried out and assessed. And finally, many detailed modeling studies have been done for all kind of different regions in the world, using more applied oriented air quality models as well as science and process-driven chemical transport models. Most striking in these modeling studies is the general underestimation of model-results compared to observations, a still not really resolved issue.

A key aspect in model evaluation studies and in a better understanding of the processes which govern the behavior of aerosols in the atmosphere are aerosol observations. Around the year 2000 there was a clear lack, especially in Europe (less so in the US) of critically analyzed observations. Next to a critical assessment of the chemical composition, there was a great demand for the determination of the spatial representativeness of the observations, and a clear distinction in rural, urban and real hot spot/traffic locations was missing.

The paper by Jean-Philippe Putaud and his colleagues has clearly filled this gap of analysis to a large extent. This innovative and breakthrough paper has been essential in increasing our understanding of the spatial distribution of aerosol concentrations over Europe. The paper has served a key role in all chemical model evaluation studies performed in Europe since 2004, as can be seen by the large number of citations. The paper is also very well written, with many clear figures.

In conclusion, a very useful critical assessment of aerosol observations in different areas in Europe, with a carefully documented distinction between background, rural, urban, and hot-spot locations. I strongly recommend that the Haagen-Smit Prize be awarded to this pioneering paper.

Nominator: Peter Builtjes, TNO-Utrecht and Free Univ. of Berlin, Netherlands

Our congratulations go to the authors of the outstanding paper selected for the 2014 Prize. We would also very much like to thank all the nominators for their effort and note that unsuccessful nominations are eligible for consideration again next year. We further take this opportunity to acknowledge the consciences effort of the selection committee, made up of members from six countries, in arriving at a clear and timely decision.

H. B. Singh, C. Chan, A. Wiedensohler
Editors in Chief of Atmospheric Environment.

B. Keall
Executive Publisher, Elsevier