Equivalent Black Carbon Research Articles

Variability of black carbon mass concentrations, sub-micrometer particle number concentrations and size distributions: results of the German Ultrafine Aerosol Network ranging from city street to High Alpine locations

This work reports the first statistical analysis of multi-annual data on tropospheric aerosols from the German Ultrafine Aerosol Network (GUAN). Compared to other networks worldwide, GUAN with 17 measurement locations has the most sites equipped with particle number size distribution (PNSD) and equivalent black carbon (eBC) instruments and the most site categories in Germany ranging from city street/roadside to High Alpine. As we know, the variations of eBC and particle number concentration (PNC) are influenced by several factors such as source, transformation, transport and deposition. The dominant controlling factor for different pollutant parameters might be varied, leading to the different spatio-temporal variations among the measured parameters. Currently, a study of spatio-temporal variations of PNSD and eBC considering the influences of both site categories and spatial scale is still missing. Based on the multi-site dataset of GUAN, the goal of this study is to investigate how pollutant parameters may interfere with spatial characteristics and site categories.

Driving Factors of Aerosol Properties Over the Foothills of Central Himalayas Based on 8.5 Years Continuous Measurements

AbstractThis study presents analysis of in situ measurements conducted over the period 2005–2014 in the Indian Himalayas to give a thorough overview of the factors and causes that drive aerosol properties. Aerosol extensive properties (namely, particle number concentration, scattering coefficient, equivalent black carbon, PM2.5, and PM10) have 1.5–2 times higher values in the early to late afternoon than during the night, and a strong seasonality. The interannual variability is ±20% for both PM2.5 and total particle number concentration. Analysis of the data shows statistically significant decreasing trends of −2.3 μg m−3 year−1 and −2.7 μg m−3 year−1 for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, over the study period. The mountainous terrain site (Mukteshwar, MUK) is primarily under the influence of air from the plains. This is due to convective transport processes that are enhanced by local and mesoscale topography, leading to pronounced valley/mountain winds and consequently to atmospheric boundary layer air lifting from the plains below. The transport from plains is evident in seasonal‐diurnal patterns observed at MUK. The timing of the patterns corresponds with changes in turbulence and water vapor (q). According to our analysis, using these as proxies is a viable method for examining boundary layer influence in the absence of direct atmospheric boundary layer height measurements. Comparing the measurements with climate models shows that even regional climate models have problems capturing the orographic influence accurately at MUK, highlighting the importance of long‐term direct measurements at multiple points to understand aerosol behavior in mountainous areas.

Quantification of source specific black carbon scavenging using an aethalometer and a disdrometer

Aerosol black carbon (BC) is the second strongest contributor to global warming, after CO2, and it is linked to many adverse health effects. A sampling campaign of 15 months was carried out in León (Spain) in order to evaluate the scavenging of BC with an ensemble aethalometer-disdrometer. The aethalometer provides the concentration of equivalent black carbon (eBC), and the disdrometer, the raindrop size distribution. A total of seventy-five rain events were studied and in 73% of them there was an effective (eBCinitial > eBCfinal) scavenging, with a mean decrease of 48 ± 37% in long rain events (>8 h) and 39 ± 38% in short rain events. The scavenging of BC is strongly related to its source. Thus, the scavenging coefficient (SC) mean value of the BC from fossil fuel (eBCff) for short and long rain events was 5.1 10−5 and 1.3 10−5 s−1, respectively. For the BC from biomass burning (eBCbb), the SC values were 1.6 10−4 and 2.8 10−5 s−1 in short and long events, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the SC and the number of drops with diameters between 0.375 and 2.5 mm. Rain scavenging of eBC was analyzed depending on the air mass origin obtaining an effective scavenging for air masses from Atlantic, Arctic and Africa. A linear model (R2 = 0.72) was built to estimate the ΔeBC values with variables from an aethalometer, a disdrometer and a weather station: eBC concentration before rain, swept volume and precipitation accumulated. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test confirmed the goodness of fit of the model to the measured data.

Relating aerosol mass spectra to composition and nanostructure of soot particles

The composition and carbon nanostructure of soot are important parameters influencing health and climate effects, and the efficacy of soot mitigation technologies. We used laser-vaporization, electron-ionization aerosol mass spectrometry (or SP-AMS) to systematically investigate relationships between aerosol mass spectra, carbon nanostructure (HRTEM), and composition (thermal-optical carbon analysis) for soot with varying physicochemical properties. SP-AMS refractory black carbon concentrations (based on C≤5+ clusters) were correlated to elemental carbon (r = 0.98, p < 10−8) and equivalent black carbon (aethalometer) concentrations. The SP-AMS large carbon (C≥6+, midcarbons and fullerene carbons) fraction was inversely correlated to fringe length (r = −0.97, p = 0.028) and linearly correlated to the fraction of refractory organic carbon that partially pyrolize during heating (r = 0.89, p < 10−4). This refractory organic carbon material was incompletely detected with conventional aerosol mass spectrometry (flash vaporization at 600 °C). This suggests that (SP-AMS) refractory carbon cluster analysis provides insight to chemical bonding and nanostructures in refractory carbon materials, lowcarbons (C≤5+) indicate mature soot and large carbons indicate refractory organic carbon and amorphous nanostructures related to C5-components. These results have implications for assessments of soot particle mixing state and brown carbon absorption in the atmosphere and enable novel, on-line analysis of engineered carbon nanomaterials and soot characteristics relevant for climate and health.

Spatial, temporal and source study of black carbon in the atmospheric aerosols over different altitude regions in Southern India

Ambient equivalent black carbon (EBC) aerosol mass concentration is regularly observed over a period of 2 years (June 2014 to May 2016) at Kodaikanal, a high-altitude and Madurai, a semi-arid location to study its spatial and temporal characteristics and its sources. The diurnal variation of EBC had two peaks, early morning sharp peak that occurred between 06:00 and 09:00 h (LT) almost an hour after the local sunrise and the evening broad peak that occurred between 19:00 to 22:00 h (LT), while in Kodaikanal late afternoon peaks showed maximum contribution. The difference in the sunshine hours with respect to seasons also caused an effect on the EBC concentration. The mean seasonal values of EBC over Kodaikanal are 2.58 ± 0.15 μg m−3, 1.98 ± 0.19 μg m−3, 1.01 ± 0.19 μg m−3 and 2.48 ± 0.15 μg m−3 and over Madurai 8.97 ± 2.34 μg m−3, 4.69 ± 2.14 μg m−3, 6.70 ± 3.83 μg m−3 and 3.34 ± 2.53 μg m−3 during winter, summer, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The effects of meteorological parameters on EBC at the two stations are investigated and it is found that wind speed and rainfall plays a major role. Source identification is done by calculating absorption Angstrom exponent (α). The absorption Angstrom exponent values ranged from 0.99 to 1.15 with the average value of 1.05 for Madurai and a range from 0.54 to 1.92 with an average value of 1.43 for Kodaikanal, indicating that the major sources of EBC on the study site are from biomass burning and fossil fuel burning sources.

Black carbon aerosols over urban and high altitude remote regions: Characteristics and radiative implications

Temporal and seasonal variabilities in black carbon (BC) mass concentrations, equivalent BC from fossil fuel (BCff) and wood burning (BCwb) are investigated using multiwavelength aethalometer measurements made over urban (Ahmedabad) and high altitude remote (Gurushikhar) sites in western India during 2015–2016. BC, BCff and BCwb mass concentrations exhibit strong diurnal variation over Ahmedabad compared to Gurushikhar. Annual mean contribution of BCff to total BC mass concentration is estimated to be 80 and 72% respectively over Ahmedabad and Gurushikhar, which indicates the dominance of fossil fuel emissions. To delineate the impact of BC aerosols on the Earth-atmosphere radiation budget aerosol radiative forcing due to composite aerosols, and BC aerosols alone is estimated. Maximum atmospheric forcing due to BC is observed during December (15 Wm−2) and November (8 Wm−2) over Ahmedabad and Gurushikhar respectively, because BC mass concentration is highest in the respective months. Surface composite forcing is higher during postmonsoon (−27 Wm−2) and premonsoon (−16 Wm−2) over Ahmedabad and Gurushikhar respectively due to high aerosol optical depths. BC aerosols contribute ≃ 60% to the shortwave atmospheric forcing. The present study shows that the large spatial and temporal variation in BC mass concentrations over an urban and high altitude remote site can produce significant regional variabilities in aerosol radiative effects.

Black carbon emission and transport mechanisms to the free troposphere at the La Paz/El Alto (Bolivia) metropolitan area based on the Day of Census (2012)

Urban development, growing industrialization, and increasing demand for mobility have led to elevated levels of air pollution in many large cities in Latin America, where air quality standards and WHO guidelines are frequently exceeded. The conurbation of the metropolitan area of La Paz/El Alto is one of the fastest growing urban settlements in South America with the particularity of being located in a very complex terrain at a high altitude. As many large cities or metropolitan areas, the metropolitan area of La Paz/El Alto and the Altiplano region are facing air quality deterioration. Long-term measurement data of the equivalent black carbon (eBC) mass concentrations and particle number size distributions (PNSD) from the Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory Chacaltaya (CHC; 5240 m a.s.l., above sea level) indicated a systematic transport of particle matter from the metropolitan area of La Paz/El Alto to this high altitude station and subsequently to the lower free troposphere. To better understand the sources and the transport mechanisms, we conducted eBC and PNSDs measurements during an intensive campaign at two locations in the urban area of La Paz/El Alto from September to November 2012. While the airport of El Alto site (4040 m a.s.l.) can be seen as representative of the urban and Altiplano background, the road site located in Central La Paz (3590 m a.s.l.) is representative for heavy traffic-dominated conditions. Peaks of eBC mass concentrations up to 5 μg m−3 were observed at the El Alto background site in the early morning and evening, while minimum values were detected in the early afternoon, mainly due to thermal convection and change of the planetary boundary layer height. The traffic-related eBC mass concentrations at the road site reached maximum values of 10–20 μg m−3. A complete traffic ban on the specific Bolivian Day of Census (November 21, 2012) led to a decrease of eBC below 1 μg m−3 at the road site for the entire day. Compared to the day before and after, particle number concentrations decreased by a factor between 5 and 25 over the particle size range from 10 to 800 nm, while the submicrometer particle mass concentration dropped by approximately 80%. These results indicate that traffic is the dominating source of BC and particulate air pollution in the metropolitan area of La Paz/El Alto. In general, the diurnal cycle of eBC mass concentration at the Chacaltaya observatory is anti-correlated to the observations at the El Alto background site. This pattern indicates that the traffic-related particulate matter, including BC, is transported to higher altitudes with the developing of the boundary layer during daytime. The metropolitan area of La Paz/El Alto seems to be a significant source for BC of the regional lower free troposphere. From there, BC can be transported over long distances and exert impact on climate and composition of remote southern hemisphere.

Assessment of wood burning versus fossil fuel contribution to wintertime black carbon and carbon monoxide concentrations in Athens, Greece

Abstract. The scope of this study was to estimate the contribution of fossil fuel and wood burning combustion to black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) during wintertime, in Athens. For that purpose, in situ measurements of equivalent black carbon (eBC) and CO were simultaneously conducted in a suburban and an urban background monitoring site in Athens during the 3 months of winter 2014–2015. For the deconvolution of eBC into eBC emitted from fossil fuel (BCff) and wood burning (BCwb), a method based on the spectral dependency of the absorption of pure black carbon and brown carbon was used. Thereafter, BCwb and BCff estimated fractions were used along with measured CO concentrations in a multiple regression analysis, in order to quantify the contribution of each one of the combustion sources to the ambient CO levels. For a comparative analysis of the results, we additionally estimated the wood burning and fossil fuel contribution to CO, calculated on the basis of their CO ∕ NOx emission ratios. The results indicate that during wintertime BC and CO are mainly emitted by local sources within the Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA). Fossil fuel combustion, mainly from road traffic, is found to be the major contributor to both eBC in PM2.5 and CO ambient concentrations in AMA. However, wintertime wood burning makes a significant contribution to the observed eBC (of about 30 %) and CO concentrations (on average, 11 and 16 % of total CO in the suburban and urban background sites respectively). Both BC and CO from biomass burning (BCwb and COwb, respectively) present a clear diurnal pattern, with the highest concentrations during night-time, supporting the theory of local domestic heating being their main source.

Gas-phase composition and secondary organic aerosol formation from standard and particle filter-retrofitted gasoline direct injection vehicles investigated in a batch and flow reactor

Abstract. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) vehicles have recently been identified as a significant source of carbonaceous aerosol, of both primary and secondary origin. Here we investigated primary emissions and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from four GDI vehicles, two of which were also retrofitted with a prototype gasoline particulate filter (GPF). We studied two driving test cycles under cold- and hot-engine conditions. Emissions were characterized by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (gaseous non-methane organic compounds, NMOCs), aerosol mass spectrometry (sub-micron non-refractory particles) and light attenuation measurements (equivalent black carbon (eBC) determination using Aethalometers) together with supporting instrumentation. Atmospheric processing was simulated using the PSI mobile smog chamber (SC) and the potential aerosol mass oxidation flow reactor (OFR). Overall, primary and secondary particulate matter (PM) and NMOC emissions were dominated by the engine cold start, i.e., before thermal activation of the catalytic after-treatment system. Trends in the SOA oxygen to carbon ratio (O : C) for OFR and SC were related to different OH exposures, but divergences in the H : C remained unexplained. SOA yields agreed within experimental variability between the two systems, with a tendency for higher values in the OFR than in the SC (or, vice versa, lower values in the SC). A few aromatic compounds dominated the NMOC emissions, primarily benzene, toluene, xylene isomers/ethylbenzene and C3-benzene. A significant fraction of the SOA was explained by those compounds, based on comparison of effective SOA yield curves with those of toluene, o-xylene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene determined in our OFR, as well as others from literature. Remaining discrepancies, which were smaller in the SC and larger in the OFR, were up to a factor of 2 and may have resulted from diverse reasons including unaccounted precursors and matrix effects. GPF retrofitting significantly reduced primary PM through removal of refractory eBC and partially removed the minor POA fraction. At cold-started conditions it did not affect hydrocarbon emission factors, relative chemical composition of NMOCs or SOA formation, and likewise SOA yields and bulk composition remained unaffected. GPF-induced effects at hot-engine conditions deserve attention in further studies.

Characteristics and source apportionment of black carbon in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland

Black carbon is emitted from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuels and will detrimentally affect air quality, climate and human health. In this study, equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentrations were measured by using an aethalometer (AE33) at three different locations in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland from October 2015 to May 2017. One sampling site was located in an urban street canyon (SC, sampling period 18 months) and two of the sampling sites were located in suburban detached house (DH) areas (DH1, 13 months and DH2, 5 months). Based on the campaign averages, the eBC concentration levels were higher at the street canyon site (1690 ± 1520 ng/m3) than at the residential detached house areas (DH1 = 880 ± 1500 ng/m3 and DH2 = 1040 ± 2130 ng/m3). The contribution of eBC from fossil fuel (BCFF) and wood burning (BCWB) were estimated based on the spectral dependence of light absorption of different sources. The spectral behavior is described using absorption Ångström exponent (α) values for both fossil fuel (αFF) and wood burning (αWB) that were determined using concurrent wood burning tracer (levoglucosan) measurements. Based on the source apportionment, the contribution of BCWB to eBC was clearly higher at the detached house area sites DH1 (41 ± 14%) and DH2 (46 ± 15%) than at the urban street canyon site (15 ± 14%). A distinct seasonal dependency was observed in the eBC concentration levels at the detached house areas. The highest concentrations were detected during the cold seasons due to residential wood combustion. On the opposite, at the SC site, the concentration levels of eBC were rather constant throughout the campaign, being dominated by the BCFF emissions from close-by vehicular traffic. Substantial temporal and spatial variability in eBC concentrations and sources were observed within the Helsinki metropolitan area. eBC is shown to be closely tied to the characteristics of the measurement site, season, meteorological conditions and the time of the day.

Long-term black carbon variation in the South-Eastern Baltic Region in 2008–2015

Long-term continuous measurement data of equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentration over a period of 8 years (2008–2015) from the coastal – background site in Preila, Lithuania, have been analysed. The analysis performed with Preila data has shown that the average mean of eBC concentration was 750 ng/m 3 . A seasonal pattern was also observed with the highest eBC values (1170 ng/m 3 ) in winter gradually declining to the minimum concentration (380 ng/m 3 ) in summer. The frequency distribution of the data was fitted with lognormal modes. Cold and warm seasons were parameterised with three and two modes, respectively. Both the parametric and non-parametric trend analysis methods were applied in this research. A positive annual linear trend for the whole period was estimated to range from +1.97% to +5.35% per year. However, the second order trend had a maximum in 2013 and was declining during the last years of the analysed period, or, according to the t -test, had any statistically significant trend. Regional and long-range emissions of coal and biomass combustion are the main sources of the observed eBC in the Preila station during the cold seasons. This study presents the current situation of black carbon trends in the Baltic Sea region and will be helpful for assessing the policies of black carbon emissions in Europe. • Long-term measurement data of eBC concentration over a period of 2008–2015 in the SE Baltic Sea region have been analysed. • The concentration frequency count in cold and warm seasons were parameterised with three and two modes, respectively. • A second order trend for the whole period showed decrease inBC mass concentration for the second part of the period. • Increase in black carbon mass concentration during autumn season was found.

Contributions of carbonaceous particles from fossil emissions and biomass burning to PM10 in the Ruhr area, Germany

Recently, rising concentrations of PM emitted by biomass burning for residential heating purposes have been observed at sites throughout Europe. They are contributing to exceedances of the PM10 daily limit value and have been shown at some sites to even outrun PM reductions achieved by mitigation strategies focussing on traffic emissions.To assess the contribution of fossil and biogenic carbonaceous matter to PM10 mass we measured equivalent black carbon (eBC) by 7-wavelength Aethalometer, elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC) via thermo-optical analysis and levoglucosan by ion chromatography at two monitoring sites (one urban background and one traffic site) in the Ruhr area, Germany, over a period of 16 months (September 2013–December 2014).To achieve differentiation between concentrations of carbonaceous particulate matter (CM) emitted by fossil fuel combustion (CMfossil) and CM concentrations attributed to biomass burning (CMbiomass) the so-called “Aethalometer approach” (Sandradewi et al., 2008) mainly based on eBC measurements was applied. Another approach based on levoglucosan as a mono-tracer for biomass burning emissions was used for evaluation of the Aethalometer approach resulting in well correlated concentrations for both approaches within the heating period (r2 of 0.78 and 0.84, slope of 0.70 and 0.82 for urban background and traffic site, respectively). This confirms the general applicability of both methods. However, sensitivity studies regarding differing fixed factors applied in both approaches for converting eBC or levoglucosan to CM, respectively, showed that slight variation in pre-defined constants could result in CM bias by up to approximately 50%. As a consequence well-considered choice of these conversion factors is considered as crucial to warrant credibility of different CM values.Concentrations of CMfossil were found to be almost constant during the whole period whereas biomass emissions exhibited significant seasonal variability, leading to heating period/summer ratios of 2.82 and 2.51 at the urban background and traffic site, respectively. During the heating period concentrations of CMbiomass summed up to 2.8 μg/m3 (14.6% of PM10) at the urban background site compared to 2.2 μg/m3 (11.2% of PM10) at the traffic site - being in good agreement with those determined for other European sites. The PM10 share of CMbiomass was almost equal to CMfossil at the traffic site whilst at the urban background site contributions of fossil fuel emissions were even outrun during the colder months. Additionally, data from those two sites observed during the study indicate that emissions from biomass burning processes might be of similar relevance as fossil fuel emissions in terms of exceedances of the daily PM10 limit value.

Spatio-temporal trends and source apportionment of fossil fuel and biomass burning black carbon (BC) in the Los Angeles Basin

In this study, we evaluated the spatial and temporal trends of black carbon (BC) in the Los Angeles Basin between 2012–2013 and 2016–2017. BC concentrations were measured in seven wavelengths using Aethalometers (AE33) at four sites, including central Los Angeles (CELA), Anaheim, Fontana, and Riverside. Sources of BC were quantified using the equivalent black carbon (EBC) model. Results indicate that total BC concentrations nearly doubled in colder period compared to the warm period. Source apportionment results revealed that fossil fuel combustion has higher annual contributions (ranging from 82% in Riverside to 91% in CELA) than biomass burning (ranging from 9.3% in CELA to 18.7% in Riverside) to the total BC concentrations at all sites. This trend was more clearly observed at the sites closer to major freeways, such as CELA and Anaheim. The relative contribution of fossil fuel to total BC concentrations was higher in the warm period, whereas biomass burning had higher contributions in the colder period. The diurnal variation of fossil-fuel-originated BC (BCff) to the total BC concentrations revealed major rises during the traffic rush hours, especially in the warm period. In contrast, the fraction of BC originating from biomass burning (BCbb) peaked at nighttime, particularly in the cold period, reaching values as high as 25–30% of total BC concentration. Moreover, we observed a clear decrease in both absolute BC concentrations as well as relative contributions of BCff to total BC concentrations from 2012–2013 to 2016–2017, which can be attributed to the implementation of strict regulations in California to reduce transportation-related PM emissions. Results from the present study suggest that as these regulations become increasingly stricter, the relative contributions of traffic sources to BC also decrease, thereby making the impact of non-fossil fuel combustion sources, such as biomass burning, to the overall BC levels more significant.

Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Using Complementary Experimental Techniques

Airborne particulate matter (PM) pollutants were sampled from an urban background site in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The fine fraction (PM2.5) (particulates with aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 μm) was collected on 47-mm Teflon filters and analyzed using a combined set of non-destructive techniques in order to provide better understanding of the sources of pollutants and their interaction during transport in the atmosphere. These techniques included gravimetric analysis, equivalent black carbon (EBC), X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Generally, the PM2.5 concentrations are within the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency. The EBC content is in the range of 10–12% of the total PM concentration (2–4 µg m−3), while S (as ammonium sulfate), Ca (as calcite, gypsum, and calcium carbonate), Si (as quartz), Fe, and Al were the major sources of PM pollution. EBC, ammonium sulfate, Zn, V, and Mn originate from anthropogenic sources such as fossil fuel burning, traffic, and industrial emissions. Natural elements such as Ca, Fe, Al, Si, and Ti are due to natural sources such as crustal materials (enhanced during dust episodes) and sea salts. The average contribution of natural sources in the total PM2.5 mass concentration over the sampling period is about 40%, and the contribution of the secondary inorganic compounds is about 27% (mainly ammonium sulfate in our case). The remaining 22% is assumed to be secondary organic compounds.

Local and remote black carbon sources in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires

Equivalent black carbon (EBC) mass concentrations in the fine inhalable fraction of airborne particles (PM2.5) were determined using a 7-wavelength Aethalometer for 17 months, between November 2014 and March 2016, for a suburban location of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (MABA), Argentina. In addition to describing seasonal and diurnal black carbon (BC) cycles for the first time in this region, the relative contributions of fossil fuel and remote and local biomass burning were determined by distinguishing different carbonaceous components based on their effect on light attenuation for different wavelengths. Trajectory analyses and satellite-based fire products were used to illustrate the impact of long-range transport of particles emitted by non-local sources. EBC data showed a marked diurnal cycle, largely modulated by traffic variations and the height of the boundary layer, and a seasonal cycle with monthly median EBC concentrations (in μg/m3) ranging from 1.5 (February) to 3.4 (June). Maximum values were found during winter due to the combination of prevailingly stable atmospheric conditions and the increase of fossil fuel emissions, derived primarily from traffic and biomass burning from the domestic use of wood for heating. The use of charcoal grills was also detected and concentrated during weekends. The average contribution of fossil fuel combustion sources to EBC concentrations was 96%, with the remaining 4% corresponding to local and regional biomass burning. During the entire study period, only two events were identified during which EBC concentrations attributed to regional biomass burning accounted for over 50% of total EBC; these events demonstrate the relevance of agricultural and forestry activities that take place far from the city yet whose emissions can affect the urban atmosphere of the MABA.

Black Carbon Aerosol in Rome (Italy): Inference of a Long-Term (2001–2017) Record and Related Trends from AERONET Sun-Photometry Data

Surface concentration of black carbon (BC) is a key factor for the understanding of the impact of anthropogenic pollutants on human health. The majority of Italian cities lack long-term measurements of BC concentrations since such a metric is not regulated by EU legislation. This work attempts a long-term (2001–2017) inference of equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentrations in the city of Rome (Italy) based on sun-photometry data. To this end, aerosol light absorption coefficients at the surface are inferred from the ”columnar” aerosol aerosol light absorption coefficient records from the Rome Tor Vergata AERONET sun-photometer. The main focus of this work is to rescale aerosol light absorption columnar data (AERONET) to ground-level BC data. This is done by using values of mixing layer height (MLH) derived from ceilometer measurements and then by converting the absorption into eBC mass concentration through a mass–to–absorption conversion factor, the Mass Absorption Efficiency (MAE). The final aim is to obtain relevant data representative of the BC aerosol at the surface (i.e., in-situ)–so within the MLH– and then to infer a long-term record of “surface” equivalent black carbon mass concentration in Rome. To evaluate the accuracy of this procedure, we compared the AERONET-based results to in-situ measurements of aerosol light absorption coefficients ( α abs) collected during some intensive field campaigns performed in Rome between 2010 and 2017. This analysis shows that different measurement methods, local emissions, and atmospheric conditions (MLH, residual layers) are some of the most important factors influencing differences between inferred and measured α abs. As a general result, ”inferred” and ”measured” α abs resulted to reach quite a good correlation (up to r = 0.73) after a screening procedure that excludes one of the major cause of discrepancy between AERONET inferred and in-situ measured α abs: the presence of highly absorbing aerosol layers at high altitude (e.g., dust), which frequently affects the Mediterranean site of Rome. Long-term trends of “inferred” α abs, eBC, and of the major optical variables that control aerosol’s direct radiative forcing (extinction aerosol optical depth, AODEXT, absorption aerosol optical depth, AODABS, and single scattering albedo, SSA) have been estimated. The Mann-Kendall statistical test associated with Sen’s slope was used to test the data for long-term trends. These show a negative trend for both AODEXT (−0.047/decade) and AODABS (−0.007/decade). The latter converts into a negative trend for the α abs of −5.9 Mm−1/decade and for eBC mass concentration of −0.76 μ g / m 3 /decade. A positive trend is found for SSA (+0.014/decade), indicating that contribution of absorption to extinction is decreasing faster than that of scattering. These long-term trends are consistent with those of other air pollutant concentrations (i.e., PM2.5 and CO) in the Rome area. Despite some limitations, findings of this study fill a current lack in BC observations and may bear useful implications with regard to the improvement of our understanding of the impact of BC on air quality and climate in this Mediterranean urban region.

Chemical markers of biomass burning: Determination of levoglucosan, and potassium in size-classified atmospheric aerosols collected in Buenos Aires, Argentina by different analytical techniques

A study concerning the identification and quantification of key chemical markers of biomass burning namely, levoglucosan and potassium in size-fractionated airborne particulate matter was conducted. To perform a complete characterization of PM2.5 and PM10 samples collected in Buenos Aires, Argentina black carbon, metals and metalloids were also determined. Due to the particularly complex chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols several analytical techniques were employed. Levoglucosan was extracted from filters and determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). It was detected in a wide range of concentrations, from 2.0ngm−3 to 4.90μgm−3 (PM2.5) and 6.0ngm−3 to 1.86μgm−3 (PM10). Equivalent black carbon concentrations were determined by reflectromety and varied between 3.3 and 8.9μgm−3. Other tracer of biomass burning such as Potassium was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Potassium was mainly detected in the coarse fraction varying from <0.56 to 3.51μgm−3. In addition, 17 minor, major and trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, V and Zn) were determined by plasma-based techniques namely, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean concentrations (in ngm−3) of metals and metalloids varied from 1.57 (Hg) to 1688 (Al) for PM2.5 and 1.5 (Al) to 1502 (Hg) for PM10.

Spatial Characterization of Black Carbon Mass Concentration in the Atmosphere of a Southeast Asian Megacity: An Air Quality Case Study for Metro Manila, Philippines

Black carbon (BC) particles have gathered worldwide attention due to their impacts on climate and adverse health effects on humans in heavily polluted environments. Such is the case in megacities of developing and emerging countries in Southeast Asia, in which rapid urbanization, vehicles of obsolete technology, outdated air quality legislations, and crumbling infrastructure lead to poor air quality. However, since measurements of BC are generally not mandatory, its spatial and temporal characteristics, especially in developing megacities, are poorly understood. To raise awareness on the urgency of monitoring and mitigating the air quality crises in megacities, we present the results of the first intensive characterization experiment in Metro Manila, Philippines, focusing on the spatial and diurnal variability of equivalent BC (eBC). The average mass concentration of eBC at the urban background station (UBS) was 7.0 ± 4.8 µg m–3 while at roadside (RS), hourly concentrations reached maximum values of 138 µg m–3, levels that are significantly higher than in European cities. At RS, the diurnal cycles of eBC mass concentration were connected most strongly with traffic dynamics and street configuration, while a notable influence of planetary boundary layer evolution was observed in the UBS. Results of mobile measurements conducted multiple times along two fixed routes showed high spatial variability ranging from 3-80 µg m–3 within a 500-m radius. Alarmingly, the highest concentrations were found in the most crowded areas where people spend more than eight hours a day.

An evaluation of three methods for measuring black carbon in Alert, Canada

Abstract. Absorption of sunlight by black carbon (BC) warms the atmosphere, which may be important for Arctic climate. The measurement of BC is complicated by the lack of a simple definition of BC and the absence of techniques that are uniquely sensitive to BC (e.g., Petzold et al., 2013). At the Global Atmosphere Watch baseline observatory in Alert, Nunavut (82.5° N), BC mass is estimated in three ways, none of which fully represent BC: conversion of light absorption measured with an Aethalometer to give equivalent black carbon (EBC), thermal desorption of elemental carbon (EC) from weekly integrated filter samples to give EC, and measurement of incandescence from the refractory black carbon (rBC) component of individual particles using a single particle soot photometer (SP2). Based on measurements between March 2011 and December 2013, EBC and EC are 2.7 and 3.1 times higher than rBC, respectively. The EBC and EC measurements are influenced by factors other than just BC, and higher estimates of BC are expected from these techniques. Some bias in the rBC measurement may result from calibration uncertainties that are difficult to estimate here. Considering a number of factors, our best estimate of BC mass in Alert, which may be useful for evaluation of chemical transport models, is an average of the rBC and EC measurements with a range bounded by the rBC and EC combined with the respective measurement uncertainties. Winter-, spring-, summer-, and fall-averaged (± atmospheric variability) estimates of BC mass in Alert for this study period are 49 ± 28, 30 ± 26, 22 ± 13, and 29 ± 9 ng m−3, respectively. Average coating thicknesses estimated from the SP2 are 25 to 40 % of the 160–180 nm diameter rBC core sizes. For particles of approximately 200–400 nm optical diameter, the fraction containing rBC cores is estimated to be between 10 and 16 %, but the possibility of smaller undetectable rBC cores in some of the particles cannot be excluded. Mass absorption coefficients (MACs) ± uncertainty at 550 nm wavelength, calculated from light absorption measurements divided by the best estimates of the BC mass concentrations, are 8.0 ± 4.0, 8.0 ± 4.0, 5.0 ± 2.5 and 9.0 ± 4.5 m2 g−1, for winter, spring, summer, and fall, respectively. Adjusted to better estimate absorption by BC only, the winter and spring values of MACs are 7.6 ± 3.8 and 7.7 ± 3.8 m2 g−1. There is evidence that the MAC values increase with coating thickness.

Annual Variability of Black Carbon Concentrations Originating from Biomass and Fossil Fuel Combustion for the Suburban Aerosol in Athens, Greece

The objective of this work was to assess the yearly contribution of fossil fuel combustion (BCff) and wood burning (BCwb) to equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentrations, in Athens, Greece. Measurements were conducted at a suburban site from March 2013 to February 2014 and included absorption coefficients at seven wavelengths and PM2.5 chemical composition data for key biomass burning markers, i.e., levoglucosan, potassium (K) and elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC). A well-documented methodology of corrections for aethalometer attenuation coefficients was applied with a resulting annual dataset of derived absorption coefficients for the suburban Athens’ atmospheric aerosol. The Aethalometer model was applied for the source apportionment of eBC. An optimum Ångström exponent for fossil fuel (αff) was found, based on the combined use of the model with levoglucosan data. The measured eBC concentrations were equal to 2.4 ± 1.0 μg m−3 and 1.6 ± 0.6 μg m−3, during the cold and the warm period respectively. The contribution from wood burning was significantly higher during the cold period (21 ± 11%, versus 6 ± 7% in the warm period). BCff displayed a clear diurnal pattern with a morning peak between 8 and 10 a.m. (during morning rush hour) and a second peak during the evening and night hours, due to the shallowing of the mixing layer. Regression analysis between BCwb concentrations and biomass burning markers (levoglucosan, K and OC/EC ratio) supported the validity of the results.