Characteristics of wintertime carbonaceous aerosols in two typical cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China: Insights from multiyear measurements

Abstract

In order to investigate the impact of “Blue Sky War” implemented during 2018–2020 on carbonaceous aerosols in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, China, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected simultaneously in Tianjin and Handan in three consecutive winters from 2018 to 2020. Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 were measured with the same thermal-optical methods and analysis protocols. Significant reductions in primary organic carbon (POC) and EC concentrations were observed both in Tianjin and Handan, with decreasing rates of 0.65 and 2.95 μg m−3 yr−1 for POC and 0.13 and 0.64 μg m−3 yr−1 for EC, respectively. The measured absorption coefficients of EC (babs, EC) also decreased year by year, with a decreasing rate of 1.82 and 6.16 Mm−1 yr−1 in Tianjin and Handan, respectively. The estimated secondary organic carbon (SOC) concentrations decreased first and then increased in both Tianjin and Handan, accounting for more than half of the total OC in winter of 2020–2021 and with increasing contributions especially in highly polluted days. SOC was recognized as one of key factors influencing EC light absorption. EC in the two cities was relatively more related to coal combustion and industrial sources. The reductions of primary carbonaceous components may be attributed to the air quality regulations targeting coal combustion and industrial sources emissions in BTH area. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis results indicated that the major source areas of OC and EC in Tianjin were the southwest region of the sampling site, while the southeast areas for Handan. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of air quality regulation in primary emissions in typical polluted cities in BTH region and highlighted the needs for further control and in-depth investigation of SOC formation along with implementation of air pollution control act in the future.