Characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols analyzed using a multiwavelength thermal/optical carbon analyzer: A case study in Lanzhou City

Abstract

Characteristics of atmospheric carbonaceous aerosols in Lanzhou City from December 2014 to November 2015 are analyzed using a multiwavelength thermal/optical carbon analyzer. Results reveal that average concentrations of black carbon (BC) and organic carbon in atmospheric aerosols at Lanzhou are 6.7 and 25.4 µg m–3, respectively, showing obvious seasonality (higher in winter and lower in summer). This is consistent with findings in cities of northern China. Primary organic aerosols and secondary organic aerosols respectively account for approximately 60% and 17% of carbonaceous aerosols. No significant seasonality is found for secondary organic carbon, indicating that its potential sources do not vary significantly throughout the study period. The mass absorption cross-section (MAC632 nm) of BC is 7.1 m2 g−1, slightly higher than that of immediately emitted BC. MAC values of BC at different wavelengths vary drastically; they are higher for ultraviolet and visible light (8.5–10.2 m2 g–1) than for near-infrared light (4.9–5.7 m2 g–1). The aerosol absorption optical depth generally declines from the near-infrared to the near-ultraviolet region. The values are higher in winter than in summer, thus showing there are different contributions of BC deposition in different seasons. Brown carbon (BrC) has an Angstrom absorption exponent (AAE) value of approximately 2.75, which is similar to the AAE value of BrC generated by diesel combustion (2.3). The contribution of BrC to light absorption is as much as 34% at a wavelength of 635 nm. This study demonstrates that the multiwavelength thermal/optical carbon analyzer can quantify absorption properties of BrC in atmospheric aerosols. This can enhance understanding of carbonaceous aerosols and provide key parameters for simulations of climate models.