scholarly journals Intercomparison and characterization of 23 Aethalometers under laboratory and ambient air conditions: procedures and unit-to-unit variabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 3195-3216
Author(s):  
Andrea Cuesta-Mosquera ◽  
Griša Močnik ◽  
Luka Drinovec ◽  
Thomas Müller ◽  
Sascha Pfeifer ◽  
...  

Abstract. Aerosolized black carbon is monitored worldwide to quantify its impact on air quality and climate. Given its importance, measurements of black carbon mass concentrations must be conducted with instruments operating in quality-checked and ensured conditions to generate data which are reliable and comparable temporally and geographically. In this study, we report the results from the largest characterization and intercomparison of filter-based absorption photometers, the Aethalometer model AE33, belonging to several European monitoring networks. Under controlled laboratory conditions, a total of 23 instruments measured mass concentrations of black carbon from three well-characterized aerosol sources: synthetic soot, nigrosin particles, and ambient air from the urban background of Leipzig, Germany. The objective was to investigate the individual performance of the instruments and their comparability; we analyzed the response of the instruments to the different aerosol sources and the impact caused by the use of obsolete filter materials and the application of maintenance activities. Differences in the instrument-to-instrument variabilities from equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentrations reported at 880 nm were determined before maintenance activities (for soot measurements, average deviation from total least square regression was −2.0 % and the range −16 % to 7 %; for nigrosin measurements, average deviation was 0.4 % and the range −15 % to 17 %), and after they were carried out (for soot measurements, average deviation was −1.0 % and the range −14 % to 8 %; for nigrosin measurements, the average deviation was 0.5 % and the range −12 % to 15 %). The deviations are in most of the cases explained by the type of filter material employed by the instruments, the total particle load on the filter, and the flow calibration. The results of this intercomparison activity show that relatively small unit-to-unit variability of AE33-based particle light absorbing measurements is possible with well-maintained instruments. It is crucial to follow the guidelines for maintenance activities and the use of the proper filter tape in the AE33 to ensure high quality and comparable black carbon (BC) measurements among international observational networks.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Cuesta-Mosquera ◽  
Griša Močnik ◽  
Luka Drinovec ◽  
Thomas Müller ◽  
Sascha Pfeifer ◽  
...  

Abstract. Airborne black carbon particles are monitored in many networks to quantify its impact on air quality and climate. Given its importance, measurements of black carbon mass concentrations must be conducted with instruments operating in a quality checked and assured conditions to generate reliable and comparable data. According to WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch), intercomparisons against a reference instrument are a crucial part of quality controls in measurement activities (WMO, 2016). The WMO-GAW World Calibration Centre for Aerosol Physics (WCCAP) carried out several instrumental comparison and calibration workshops of absorption photometers in the frame of ACTRIS (European Research Infrastructure for the observation of Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases) and the COST Action COLOSSAL (Chemical On-Line cOmpoSition and Source Apportionment of fine aerosoL) in January and June 2019. The experiments were conducted to intercompare filter-based particle light absorption photometers, specifically aethalometers AE33 (Magee Scientific), which are operated by research institutions, universities or governmental entities across Europe. The objective was to investigate the individual performance of 23 instruments and their comparability, using synthetic aerosols in a controlled environment and ambient air from the Leipzig urban background. The methodology and results of the intercomparison are presented in this work. The observed instrument-to-instrument variabilities showed differences that were evaluated, before maintenance activities (average deviation from total least square regression: 1.1 %, range: −6 % to 16 %, for soot measurements; average deviation: 0.3 %, range: −14 % to 19 %, for nigrosin measurements), and after they were carried out (average deviation: 0.4 %, range: −8 % to 14 %, for soot measurements; average deviation: 1.1 %, range: −15 % to 11 %, for nigrosin measurements). The deviations are in most of the cases explained by the filter material, the total particles load on the filter, the performance of the flow systems and previous flow check and calibrations carried out with non-calibrated devices. The results of this intensive intercomparison activity show that relatively small unit-to-unit uncertainties of AE33-based particle light absorbing measurements are possible with functioning instruments. It is crucial to follow the guidelines for maintenance activities and the use of the proper filter tape in the AE33 to assure high quality and comparable BC measurements among international observational networks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Rachid Laref ◽  
Etienne Losson ◽  
Alexandre Sava ◽  
Maryam Siadat

Low-cost gas sensors detect pollutants gas at the parts-per-billion level and may be installed in small devices to densify air quality monitoring networks for the spread analysis of pollutants around an emissive source. However, these sensors suffer from several issues such as the impact of environmental factors and cross-interfering gases. For instance, the ozone (O3) electrochemical sensor senses nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and O3 simultaneously without discrimination. Alphasense proposes the use of a pair of sensors; the first one, NO2-B43F, is equipped with a filter dedicated to measure NO2. The second one, OX-B431, is sensitive to both NO2 and O3. Thus, O3 concentration can be obtained by subtracting the concentration of NO2 from the sum of the two concentrations. This technique is not practical and requires calibrating each sensor individually, leading to biased concentration estimation. In this paper, we propose Partial Least Square regression (PLS) to build a calibration model including both sensors’ responses and also temperature and humidity variations. The results obtained from data collected in the field for two months show that PLS regression provides better gas concentration estimation in terms of accuracy than calibrating each sensor individually.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 933-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Freutel ◽  
J. Schneider ◽  
F. Drewnick ◽  
S.-L. von der Weiden-Reinmüller ◽  
M. Crippa ◽  
...  

Abstract. During July 2009, a one-month measurement campaign was performed in the megacity of Paris. Amongst other measurement platforms, three stationary sites distributed over an area of 40 km in diameter in the greater Paris region enabled a detailed characterization of the aerosol particle and gas phase. Simulation results from the FLEXPART dispersion model were used to distinguish between different types of air masses sampled. It was found that the origin of air masses had a large influence on measured mass concentrations of the secondary species particulate sulphate, nitrate, ammonium, and oxygenated organic aerosol measured with the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer in the submicron particle size range: particularly high concentrations of these species (about 4 μg m−3, 2 μg m−3, 2 μg m−3, and 7 μg m−3, respectively) were measured when aged material was advected from continental Europe, while for air masses originating from the Atlantic, much lower mass concentrations of these species were observed (about 1 μg m−3, 0.2 μg m−3, 0.4 μg m−3, and 1–3 μg m−3, respectively). For the primary emission tracers hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol, black carbon, and NOx it was found that apart from diurnal source strength variations and proximity to emission sources, local meteorology had the largest influence on measured concentrations, with higher wind speeds leading to larger dilution and therefore smaller measured concentrations. Also the shape of particle size distributions was affected by wind speed and air mass origin. Quasi-Lagrangian measurements performed under connected flow conditions between the three stationary sites were used to estimate the influence of the Paris emission plume onto its surroundings, which was found to be rather small. Rough estimates for the impact of the Paris emission plume on the suburban areas can be inferred from these measurements: Volume mixing ratios of 1–14 ppb of NOx, and upper limits for mass concentrations of about 1.5 μg m−3 of black carbon and of about 3 μg m−3 of hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol can be deduced which originate from both, local emissions and the overall Paris emission plume. The secondary aerosol particle phase species were found to be not significantly influenced by the Paris megacity, indicating their regional origin. The submicron aerosol mass concentrations of particulate sulphate, nitrate, and ammonium measured during time periods when air masses were advected from eastern central Europe were found to be similar to what has been found from other measurement campaigns in Paris and south-central France for this type of air mass origin, indicating that the results presented here are also more generally valid.


Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Vesna Tomić-Spirić ◽  
Gordana Kovačević ◽  
Jelena Marinković ◽  
Janko Janković ◽  
Anđa Ćirković ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Many epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between black carbon (BC) and the exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. However, none of the studies in Serbia examined this relationship yet. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied to 523 ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region of Serbia between 2012–2014. Data regarding ED visits were routinely collected in the Health Center of Užice. The daily average concentrations of BC were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity, and air pressure). Results: Statistically significant associations were observed between ED visits for allergic rhinitis and 2-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.20; CI = 1.00–10.18; p = 0.049) and allergic asthma and 3-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.23; CI = 1.05–9.95; p = 0.041). Conclusion: Exposure to BC in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly during the heating season.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (24) ◽  
pp. 7637-7649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kanaya ◽  
Y. Komazaki ◽  
P. Pochanart ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
H. Akimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract. Mass concentrations of black carbon (BC) were determined in June 2006 at the top of Mount Tai (36.26° N, 117.11° E, 1534 m a.s.l.), located in the middle of Central East China, using four different instruments: a multi-angle absorption photometer (5012 MAAP, Thermo), a particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP, Radiance Research), an ECOC semi-continuous analyzer (Sunset Laboratory) and an Aethalometer (AE-21, Magee Scientific). High correlation coefficients (R2>0.88) were obtained between the measurements of the BC mass concentrations made using the different instruments. From the range of the slopes of the linear least-square fittings, we concluded that BC concentrations regionally-representative of the area were measured in a range with a maximum-to-minimum ratio of 1.5 (an exception was that the BC (PM2.5) concentrations derived from MAAP were ~2 times higher than the optical measurements (PM2.5) derived from the ECOC analyzer). While this range is significant, it is still sufficiently narrow to better constrain the large and highly uncertain emission rate of BC from Central East China. In detail, two optical instruments (the MAAP and the PSAP equipped with a heated inlet 400°C) tended to give higher concentrations than the thermal EC concentrations observed by the ECOC analyzer. The ratios of optical BC to thermal EC showed a positive correlation with the OC/EC ratio reported by the ECOC analyzer, suggesting two explanations. One is that the optical instruments overestimated BC concentrations in spite of careful cancellation of the scattering effect in the MAAP instrument and the expected evaporation of volatile species by heating the inlet of the PSAP instrument. The other is that the determined split points between OC and EC were too late when a large amount of OC underwent charring during the analysis, resulting in an underestimation of EC by the ECOC analyzer. High ratios of optical BC to thermal EC were recorded when the NOx/NOy ratio was low, implying the coating of the particles became thicker in an aged air mass and thus resulted in the optical instruments overestimating BC concentrations because of the lensing effect.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (13) ◽  
pp. 18109-18149 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Asmi ◽  
V. Kondratyev ◽  
D. Brus ◽  
T. Laurila ◽  
H. Lihavainen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Four years of continuous aerosol number size distribution measurements from an Arctic Climate Observatory in Tiksi Russia are analyzed. Source region effects on particle modal features, and number and mass concentrations are presented for different seasons. The monthly median total aerosol number concentration in Tiksi ranges from 184 cm-3 in November to 724 cm-3 in July with a local maximum in March of 481 cm-3. The total mass concentration has a distinct maximum in February–March of 1.72–2.38 μg m-3 and two minimums in June of 0.42 μg m-3 and in September–October of 0.36–0.57 μg m-3. These seasonal cycles in number and mass concentrations are related to isolated aerosol sources such as Arctic haze in early spring which increases accumulation and coarse mode numbers, and biogenic emissions in summer which affects the smaller, nucleation and Aitken mode particles. The impact of temperature dependent natural emissions on aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei numbers was significant. Therefore, in addition to the precursor emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds, the frequent Siberian forest fires, although far are suggested to play a role in Arctic aerosol composition during the warmest months. During calm and cold months aerosol concentrations were occasionally increased by nearby aerosol sources in trapping inversions. These results provide valuable information on inter-annual cycles and sources of Arctic aerosols.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 3549-3589 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lim ◽  
X. Faïn ◽  
M. Zanatta ◽  
J. Cozic ◽  
J.-L. Jaffrezo ◽  
...  

Abstract. Accurate measurement of black carbon (BC) mass concentrations in snow and ice is crucial for the assessment of climatic impacts. However, it is difficult to compare methods used to assess BC levels in the literature as they are not the same. The single particle soot photometer (SP2) method appears to be one of the most suitable to measure low concentrations of BC in snow and ice. However, deriving BC concentrations with SP2 is not straightforward and different measurement options may lead to different results. In this paper, we propose an optimized method for the quantification of refractory BC (rBC) in snow and ice samples using SP2. The paper reviews all the steps of rBC determination including SP2 calibration, correction for rBC particle aerosolization, and treatment of the samples. In addition, we compare the SP2 method and the thermal-optical method (Sunset organic carbon (OC)-elemental carbon (EC) aerosol analyzer with EUSAAR-2 protocol), using snow and firn samples with different characteristics from the Greenland Summit, the French Alps, the Caucasus, and the Himalayas. The EC : rBC ratio was 1.8 ± 1.2 for the Greenland site, 0.4 ± 0.2 for the Alpine site, 0.9 ± 0.3 for the Caucasus site, and 3.0 ± 1.2 for the Himalayan site. Careful investigation was undertaken of analytical uncertainties in both methods, concerning the analytical range of detection of BC, aerosolization correction for rBC, filtration efficiency of quartz fiber filter before EC analysis, the impact of dust, and pyrolyzed organic carbon artifacts during EC analysis. We conclude that the complexity of artifacts can lead to inaccurate rBC or EC determination. In particular, we observed significant under-estimation of EC due to incomplete filtration together with positive artifacts caused by OC. These results underline the need for careful assessment of the analytical technique and procedure for correct data interpretation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 14957-14990
Author(s):  
Y. Kanaya ◽  
Y. Komazaki ◽  
P. Pochanart ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
H. Akimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract. Mass concentrations of black carbon (BC) were determined in June 2006 at the top of Mount Tai (36.26° N, 117.11° E, 1534 m a.s.l.), located in the middle of Central East China, using four different instruments: a multi-angle absorption photometer (5012 MAAP, Thermo), a particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP, Radiance Research), an ECOC semi-continuous analyzer (Sunset Laboratory) and an Aethalometer (AE-21, Magee Scientific). High correlation coefficients (R2>0.88) were obtained between the measurements of the BC mass concentrations by the different instruments. From the range of the slopes of the linear least-square fittings, we concluded that the BC concentrations regionally-representative of the area were measured in a range with a maximum-to-minimum ratio of 1.5 (an exception was that the BC (PM2.5) concentrations derived from MAAP were ~2 times higher than the optical measurements (PM2.5) derived from the ECOC analyzer). This range is significant, but is still sufficiently narrow to better constrain the large and highly uncertain emission rate of BC from China. In detail, two optical instruments (the MAAP instrument and the PSAP instrument equipped with a heated inlet (400°C)) tended to give higher concentrations than the thermal EC concentrations observed by the ECOC analyzer. The ratios of optical BC to thermal EC showed a positive correlation with the OC/EC ratio reported by the ECOC analyzer, suggesting two possibilities. One is that the optical instruments overestimated BC concentrations in spite of careful cancellation of the scattering effect in the MAAP instrument and the expected evaporation of volatile species by heating the inlet of the PSAP instrument. The other is that the determined split points between OC and EC were too late when a large amount of OC underwent charring during the analysis, resulting in an underestimation of EC by the ECOC analyzer. High ratios of optical BC to thermal EC were recorded when the NOx/NOy ratio was low, implying the coating of the particles became thicker in the aged air mass and resulted in the optical instruments overestimating BC concentrations owing to the lensing effect.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 22199-22268 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Freutel ◽  
J. Schneider ◽  
F. Drewnick ◽  
S.-L. von der Weiden-Reinmüller ◽  
M. Crippa ◽  
...  

Abstract. During July 2009, a one-month measurement campaign was performed in the megacity of Paris. Amongst other measurement platforms, three stationary sites distributed over an area of 40 km in diameter in the greater Paris region enabled a detailed characterization of the aerosol particle and gas phase. Simulation results from the FLEXPART dispersion model were used to distinguish between different types of air masses sampled. It was found that the origin of air masses had a large influence on measured mass concentrations of the secondary species particulate sulphate, nitrate, ammonium, and oxygenated organic aerosol measured with the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer in the submicron particle size range: particularly high concentrations of these species (about 4 μg m−3, 2 μg m−3, 2 μg m−3, and 7 μg m−3, respectively) were measured when aged material was advected from continental Europe, while for air masses originating from the Atlantic, much lower mass concentrations of these species were observed (about 1 μg m−3, 0.2 μg m−3, 0.4 μg m−3, and 1–3 μg m−3, respectively). For the primary emission tracers hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol, black carbon, and NOx it was found that apart from diurnal source strength variations and proximity to emission sources, local meteorology had the largest influence on measured concentrations, with higher wind speeds leading to larger dilution and therefore smaller measured concentrations. Also the shape of particle size distributions was affected by wind speed and air mass origin. Quasi-Lagrangian measurements performed under connected flow conditions between the three stationary sites were used to estimate the influence of the Paris emission plume onto its surroundings, which was found to be rather small. Rough estimates for the impact of the Paris emission plume on the suburban areas can be inferred from these measurements: Volume mixing ratios of 1–14 ppb of NOx, and upper limits for mass concentrations of about 1.5 μg m−3 of black carbon and of about 3 μg m−3 of hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol can be deduced which originate from both, local emissions and the overall Paris emission plume. The secondary aerosol particle phase species were found to be not significantly influenced by the Paris megacity, indicating their regional origin. The submicron aerosol mass concentrations of particulate sulphate, nitrate, and ammonium measured during time periods when air masses were advected from eastern central Europe were found to be similar to what has been found from other measurement campaigns in Paris and South-Central France for this type of air mass origin, indicating that the results presented here are also more generally valid.


Author(s):  
Vesna Tomić Spirić ◽  
Gordana Kovačević ◽  
Jelena Marinković ◽  
Janko Janković ◽  
Anđa Ćirković ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Many epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between black carbon (BC) and the exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. However, none of the studies in Serbia examined this relationship so far. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied to 523 ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region of Serbia between 2012−2014. Data regarding ED visits were routinely collected in the Health Center of Užice. The daily average concentrations of BC were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity, and air pressure). Results: Statistically significant associations were observed between ED visits for allergic rhinitis and 2-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.20; CI = 1.00−10.18; p < 0.05) and allergic asthma and 3-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.23; CI = 1.05−9.95; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to BC in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly during the heating season.


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