Black Carbon Aerosol in the Industrial City of Xuzhou, China: Temporal Characteristics and Source Appointment

Wei Chen,Huimin Tian,Kai Qin

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2018.07.0245

Wei Chen, Huimin Tian + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2018.07.0245

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Black carbon (BC) aerosol in urban environments potentially affects the local environment, the regional climate cycle, and even human health. A two-year field measurement (May 2014 to July 2016) of BC and particulate matter in Xuzhou, a large industrial city and the economic center of Huaihai Economic Zone in central China, was conducted. The average annual concentrations of BC, PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 were 2.44 µg m–3, 56.6 µg m–3, 61.8 µg m–3, and 75.8 µg m–3, respectively. The highest daily average for the BC concentrations was 11.6 µg m–3, and more than 10% of the hourly BC measurements had concentrations above 5 µg m–3. All of the BC and PM concentrations displayed two diurnal peaks (during rush hours in the morning and in the evening) and one valley (in the afternoon). The overall BC concentrations, and the BC fractions in the PM were higher in winter and spring, whereas the overall PM concentrations were higher in winter and autumn. The backward trajectory analysis indicated that most of the high BC concentrations in Xuzhou were associated with north and northwest winds, and the potential source contribution function (PSCF) model proved that the provinces of central China were the most likely source regions. Our findings can be used to set appropriate atmospheric pollution control measures for these central provinces and to increase the accuracy of air quality forecasting.

Highlights

Aerosol is an important component in the atmospheric environment that affects the radiative balance of the earth (Kuang et al, 2015; Sun et al, 2018), human health (Janssen et al, 2013), and climate change (Xin et al, 2016; Che et al, 2018)
The backward trajectory analysis indicated that most of the high Black carbon (BC) concentrations in Xuzhou were associated with north and northwest winds, and the potential source contribution function (PSCF) model proved that the provinces of central China were the most likely source regions
The ratios of BC in PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 are shown in Fig. 6, demonstrating that the ratios of BC in particulate matters were usually less than 10%

Summary

Introduction

Aerosol is an important component in the atmospheric environment that affects the radiative balance of the earth (Kuang et al, 2015; Sun et al, 2018), human health (Janssen et al, 2013), and climate change (Xin et al, 2016; Che et al, 2018). Black carbon (BC, sometimes denoted as “soot”) is mainly formed during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (coal, etc.), biofuels, and biomass (Chen et al, 2016). Due to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles and the usage of coal as an energy source, China has become the largest producer of BC emissions, contributing approximately 17% of total global BC emissions (Chameides and Bergin, 2002). Particulate matter, on the other hand, has been deemed as the major reason for the air quality deterioration in the region of northern China and has become a serious health burden for urban residents (Song et al, 2017; Guo et al, 2018)

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