scholarly journals The determination of highly time resolved and source separated black carbon emission rates using radon as a tracer of atmospheric dynamics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asta Gregorič ◽  
Luka Drinovec ◽  
Irena Ježek ◽  
Janja Vaupotič ◽  
Matevž Lenarčič ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Carbon ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Emission Rate ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration ◽  
Atmospheric Radon

Abstract. We present a new method for the determination of the source specific black carbon emission rates. The methodology was applied in two different environments: an urban location in Ljubljana and a rural one in the Vipava valley (Slovenia, Europe), which differ in pollution sources and topography. The atmospheric dynamics was quantified using the atmospheric radon (222Rn) concentration to determine the mixing layer height for periods of thermally driven planetary boundary layer evolution. The black carbon emission rate was determined using an improved box model taking into account boundary layer depth and a horizontal advection term, describing the temporal and spatial exponential decay of black carbon concentration. The rural Vipava valley is impacted by a significantly higher contribution to black carbon concentration from biomass burning during winter (62 %) in comparison to Ljubljana (31 %). Results of the calculated black carbon emission rates in Ljubljana were in the range from 280 to 300 μg m−2 h−1 in spring and winter, respectively. Overall black carbon emission rate in Vipava valley were only 25 % lower compared to Ljubljana and were in the range from 210 to 240 μg m−2 h−1 in spring and winter, respectively. As expected, black carbon emissions from traffic prevail in Ljubljana and account for 80 % of emissions during winter; the traffic contribution in the Vipava valley was only 42 %. Different daily dynamics of biomass burning and traffic emissions was responsible for higher contribution of biomass burning to measured black carbon concentration, compared to the fraction of its emission rate. Coupling the high time resolution measurements of black carbon concentration with atmospheric radon concentration measurements can provide a useful tool for direct, highly time resolved measurements of the intensity of emission sources. Source specific emission rates can be used to assess the efficiency of pollution mitigation measures over longer time periods, thereby avoiding the influence of variable meteorology.

scholarly journals The determination of highly time-resolved and source-separated black carbon emission rates using radon as a tracer of atmospheric dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 14139-14162
Author(s):  
Asta Gregorič ◽  
Luka Drinovec ◽  
Irena Ježek ◽  
Janja Vaupotič ◽  
Matevž Lenarčič ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Carbon ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Emission Rate ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration ◽  
Atmospheric Radon

Abstract. We present a new method for the determination of the source-specific black carbon emission rates. The methodology was applied in two different environments: an urban location in Ljubljana and a rural one in the Vipava valley (Slovenia, Europe), which differ in pollution sources and topography. The atmospheric dynamics was quantified using the atmospheric radon (222Rn) concentration to determine the mixing layer height for periods of thermally driven planetary boundary layer evolution. The black carbon emission rate was determined using an improved box model taking into account boundary layer depth and a horizontal advection term, describing the temporal and spatial exponential decay of black carbon concentration. The rural Vipava valley is impacted by a significantly higher contribution to black carbon concentration from biomass burning during winter (60 %) in comparison to Ljubljana (27 %). Daily averaged black carbon emission rates in Ljubljana were 210 ± 110 and 260 ± 110 µgm-2h-1 in spring and winter, respectively. Overall black carbon emission rates in Vipava valley were only slightly lower compared to Ljubljana: 150 ± 60 and 250 ± 160 µgm-2h-1 in spring and winter, respectively. Different daily dynamics of biomass burning and traffic emissions was responsible for slightly higher contribution of biomass burning to measured black carbon concentration, compared to the fraction of its emission rate. Coupling the high-time-resolution measurements of black carbon concentration with atmospheric radon concentration measurements can provide a useful tool for direct, highly time-resolved measurements of the intensity of emission sources. Source-specific emission rates can be used to assess the efficiency of pollution mitigation measures over longer time periods, thereby avoiding the influence of variable meteorology.

scholarly journals Nitrogen oxides measurements in an Amazon site and enhancements associated with a cold front

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 2301-2331 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Cordova ◽  
K. Longo ◽  
S. Freitas ◽  
L. V. Gatti ◽  
P. Artaxo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Carbon ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Cold Front ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Background Concentration ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration ◽  
Measurement Period

Abstract. An intensive atmospheric chemistry study was carried out in a pristine Amazonian forest site (Balbina), Amazonas state, Brazil during the 2001 wet season, as part of the LBA/CLAIRE 2001 (The Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia/Cooperative LBA Airborne Regional Experiment) field campaign. Measurements of nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were performed simultaneously with aerosol particles and black carbon concentrations and meteorological parameters observations. Very low trace gases and aerosol concentrations are typically observed at this pristine tropical site. During the measurement period, there was a three-day episode of enhancement of NO2 and black carbon concentration. NO2 concentration reached a maximum value of 4 ppbv, which corresponds to three times the background concentration observed for this site. Black carbon concentration increased from the approximated 100 ng/m3 average value to a 200 ng/m3 maximum during the same period. Biomass burning spots were detected southward, between latitudes 15 to 10° S, 5–6 days before this episode from GOES-8 WF_ABBA (Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm). An atmospheric numerical simulation of the whole measurement period was carried out using the RAMS model coupled to a biomass burning emission and transport model. The simulation results pictured a smoke transport event from Central Brazil associated to an approach of a mid-latitude cold front, reinforcing the hypothesis of biomass burning products being long-range transported from the South by the cold front and crossing the Equator. This transport event shows how the pristine atmosphere pattern in Amazonia is impacted by biomass burning emissions from sites very far away.

scholarly journals Traffic Density-Related Black Carbon Distribution: Impact of Wind in a Basin Town

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6490
Author(s):  
Borut Jereb ◽  
Brigita Gajšek ◽  
Gregor Šipek ◽  
Špela Kovše ◽  
Matevz Obrecht
Keyword(s):  
Black Carbon ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Carbon Distribution ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration ◽  
Low Wind Speeds ◽  
Temperature Inversions ◽  
Carbon Concentrations

Black carbon is one of the riskiest particle matter pollutants that is harmful to human health. Although it has been increasingly investigated, factors that depend on black carbon distribution and concentration are still insufficiently researched. Variables, such as traffic density, wind speeds, and ground levels can lead to substantial variations of black carbon concentrations and potential exposure, which is even riskier for people living in less-airy sites. Therefore, this paper “fills the gaps” by studying black carbon distribution variations, concentrations, and oscillations, with special emphasis on traffic density and road segments, at multiple locations, in a small city located in a basin, with frequent temperature inversions and infrequent low wind speeds. As wind speed has a significant impact on black carbon concentration trends, it is critical to present how low wind speeds influence black carbon dispersion in a basin city, and how black carbon is dependent on traffic density. Our results revealed that when the wind reached speeds of 1 ms−1, black carbon concentrations actually increased. In lengthy wind periods, when wind speeds reached 2 or 3 ms−1, black carbon concentrations decreased during rush hour and in the time of severe winter biomass burning. By observing the results, it could be concluded that black carbon persists longer in higher altitudes than near ground level. Black carbon concentration oscillations were also seen as more pronounced on main roads with higher traffic density. The more the traffic decreases and becomes steady, the more black carbon concentrations oscillate.

Comparing Seasonal Diffences of Black Carbon in Tibetan Plateau transported from South Asia using WRF-Chem

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuoqiu Wu ◽  
Xiaoyan Ma
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
Wet Deposition ◽  
Emission Inventory ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

<p>The melting of glaciers and snow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the Earth’s “Third Pole” and “World Water Tower”, is source of fresh water for hundreds of millions of people in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, but it is now suffering from an unprecedented crisis. The black carbon deposited on the surface of the glacier will reduce the snow albedo and absorb more solar radiation, leading to accelerated melting of ice and snow.Previous studies have shown that black carbon from South Asia is one of the main sources of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the transportation of black carbon to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau presents obviously seasonal differences.However, the transport of black carbon from South Asia to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in different seasons shows a completely opposite trend to wind field conditions.This study uses the WRF-Chem model to study the transmission mechanism of South Asian black carbon to the Tibetan Plateau in April (pre-monsoon), July (summer monsoon) and December (winter monsoon).MIX emission inventory and Peking University's global black carbon emission inventory (PKU-BC) were involved to analyze the seasonal distribution of black carbon concentration, dry and wet deposition in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and South Asia, and the distribution of BC concentration and wind field at different altitudes.Combined with the vertical distribution of BC concentration across the Himalayas, the transport mechanism of black carbon in South Asia to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in different seasons is studied.In the selected three months, December had the highest surface black carbon concentration in South Asia and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, while July had the lowest black carbon concentration; Mainly because of the large amount of wet deposition of black carbon brought about by the heavy precipitation in South Asia in July;According to the vertical distribution of black carbon,black carbon can climb up the hillside and eventually reach the southern slope of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in April. In July, black carbon is mainly distributed below 3km. In December, black carbon can be uplifted to 4-5km, and finally transported into Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.</p>

Trends of atmospheric black carbon concentration over the United Kingdom

2018 ◽  
Vol 178 ◽  
pp. 148-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Singh ◽  
Khaiwal Ravindra ◽  
Lokesh Sahu ◽  
Ranjeet Sokhi
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Carbon Concentration ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Black Carbon Concentration
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