Isotopic composition of organic carbon and elemental carbon in PM2.5 in Hangzhou, China

Abstract

In order to identify the sources of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in airborne PM2.5 in Hangzhou, OC and EC were oxidized to CO2 offline in two thermal steps, and their carbon isotope compositions were measured by mass spectrometer. Results showed that the average δ13COC values were −52.8‰, −48.1‰, −50.0‰ and −52.5‰ in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively, and the annual average value was −50.9‰ (−85.0‰ to −35.6‰), whereas δ13CEC values were −26.4‰, −26.9‰, −26.7‰ and −25.9‰ in the four seasons, and its annual value was −26.5‰ (−30.5‰ to −23.8‰). Large differences were found between isotope compositions of the two types of carbon. δ13COC values were much smaller than those of δ13CEC, and varied in a large range, and the ratios in both spring and winter were the smallest. δ13CEC varied in a small range, and its mean values in four seasons were nearly the same. This suggests that the carbon isotope compositions of OC and EC in PM2.5 can provide useful information in distinguishing their sources.