Levels of black carbon and their relationship with particle number levels—observation at an urban roadside in Taipei City

Abstract

Information on the relationship between black carbon (BC) and particle number levels in urban areas is limited. Therefore, investigating the relationship between BC and particle number levels in different particle size ranges at an urban area is worthwhile. This study used an aethalometer and scanning mobility particle sizer to measure the levels of BC and particle number simultaneously at an urban roadside in Taipei City. Measurement results show that hourly BC levels are 0.62-8.80 μg m(-3) (mean=3.50 μg m(-3)) and hourly particle number levels are 4.21 × 10(3)-4.64 × 10(4) particles cm(-3) (mean=2.00 × 10(4) particles cm(-3)) in Taipei urban area. The BC and particle number levels peak during morning (7:00-9:00) and evening (16:00-18:00) rush hours on weekdays. Low BC and particle number levels exist in the early morning hours. Time variations in BC levels are the same as those of particle number levels in this study, clearly indicating that BC and particles are likely released from the same emission source. Additionally, BC levels in the urban area are more strongly associated with ultrafine particle levels than with total particle number levels, particularly in the size range of 56-180 nm. According to measurement results, most BC in aerosols in urban areas can be in the ultrafine size range.