Abstract
We introduce a new instrument for sampling the airborne particulate matter (PM) while monitoring the black carbon (BC) atmospheric concentration. The concentration of PM and BC are usually measured by separate instruments with possible systematics differences even in the collecting inlets. The new equipment is based on a low-volume sequential PM sampler, fully compliant with the EU-CEN and US-EPA regulatory standards, with a built-in optical BC monitor. The BC concentration is continuously measured during the sampling in the PM accumulated on the filter while the PM concentration can be obtained off-line by a standard gravimetric analysis. The optical set-up, upstream the collecting filter, is composed by a single wavelength light source (λ = 635 nm) and a photodiode, placed in way to receive the light backscattered by the filter surface at a fixed angle. The mechanical arrangement does not introduce any perturbation to the PM sampling. Thanks to an original calibration curve, the sample absorbance is deduced from the output signal of the photodiode. Finally, the BC concentration is obtained through the Mass Absorption Coefficient (MAC). After the sampling and the PM gravimetric determination, the same filter can be sent to other compositional analyses. Thermo-optical quantification of the Elemental and Organic Carbon (EC and OC) in the filter sample can thus be exploited to tune the MAC value to the PM composition of a particular site. The main features of the new instrument and the set of validation tests against other PM samplers and BC monitors of widespread use (i.e.,: Multi Angle Absorption Photometer and aethalometer) are detailed and discussed.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) included atmospheric particulate air pollution in the list of the most severe public health issues, mainly impacting in urban areas [1].Carbonaceous aerosols are a major component of atmospheric particulate matter with significant impacts on health as well as on the total environment [2]
The black carbon (BC) concentration is obtained through the Mass Absorption Coefficient (MAC)
While present regulations [3] are worldwide based on the monitoring of the atmospheric concentration of PM10 and PM2.5, the monitoring of the carbonaceous species inside the particulate matter (PM) is more and more requested, even in view of possible new metrics to adopt for human health protection [4]
Summary
Carbonaceous aerosols are a major component of atmospheric particulate matter with significant impacts on health as well as on the total environment [2]. Soot particles contribute to PM impact on human health; some effects are shared with other components but some works [6,7,8,9] suggested that there may be other specific impacts. Typical size range of soot particles is the fine fraction that means breathable particulate. These particles are suspected to be hazardous to human health, because they are sufficiently small to penetrate the membranes of the respiratory tract and enter the blood circulation or be transported along olfactory nerves into the brain [16,17]. A comprehensive and firm picture of the possible specific health effect of carbonaceous aerosol is still missing and good quality data are definitely necessary
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