Abstract
Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols (including black carbon (BC)) pose serious health issues and play significant roles in atmospheric radiative properties. Two-year measurements (2015–2016) of aerosol light absorption, combined with measurements of sub-micrometric particles, were continuously conducted in A Coruña (northwest (NW) Spain) to determine their light absorption properties: absorption coefficients (σabs) and the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE). The mean and standard deviation of equivalent black carbon (eBC) during the period of study were 0.85 ± 0.83 µg m−3, which are lower than other values measured in urban areas of Spain and Europe. High eBC concentrations found in winter are associated with an increase in emissions from anthropogenic sources in combination with lower mixing layer heights and frequent stagnant conditions. The pronounced diurnal variability suggests a strong influence from local sources. AAE had an average value of 1.26 ± 0.22 which implies that both fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning influenced optical aerosol properties. This also highlights biomass combustion in suburban areas, where the use of wood for domestic heating is encouraged, as an important source of eBC. All data treatment was gathered using SCALA© as atmospheric aerosol data management support software program.
Highlights
Atmospheric pollution supposes a risk factor for cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
The importance of Black carbon (BC) determination relies on the fact that BC and organic carbon are the constituents of particulate matter that are most likely to cause adverse health effects [6]
Mass concentrations presented concentrations typical of other suburban sites, and lower than other urban sites in Europe. They show seasonal variations, significantly higher in winter and autumn than in spring and summer. This behavior is the result of meteorological conditions during the studied period but can be linked to the seasonal variations in emissions, especially higher in winter due to biomass burning
Summary
Atmospheric pollution supposes a risk factor for cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The importance of BC determination relies on the fact that BC and organic carbon are the constituents of particulate matter that are most likely to cause adverse health effects [6] In this manner, the identification of its sources, which rely on the different optical properties of carbonaceous aerosols from different sources [7], is certainly very relevant. This is possible by a multi-wavelength determination of the absorption coefficient [8] using an aethalometer, manufactured by Magee Scientific [9,10] This instrument forms an important tool for source apportionment of carbonaceous aerosols since it is robust and easy to operate. It is necessary to use a suitable MAC (mass absorption cross-section) value [13] for the conversion of the light absorption coefficient into mass concentration
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