Identification and Characterization of Black Carbon Aerosol Sources in the East Baltic Region

Abstract

One-year continuous measurements of aerosol black carbon (BC) at the background site Preila (55°55′N, 21°00′E, 5 m a.s.l., Lithuania) were performed. Temporal and spatial evolution and transport of biomass burning (BB) and volcanic aerosols observed within this period were explained by the air mass backward trajectory analysis in conjunction with the fire detection data produced by the MODIS Rapid Response System and AERONET database. The surface measurements and analysis of the Angström exponent of the absorption coefficient done separately for shorter and longer wavelengths (i.e.,α=370–520 nm andα=660–950 nm) showed that high levels of aerosol BC were related to the transport of air masses rich in BB products from Ukraine caused by active grass burning. During the events the highest mean values of the Angström exponent of the absorption coefficientsα370–520andα590–950 nm were observed (2.4±0.1and1.5±0.1, resp.). The ash plume of the Grimsvötn eruption on May 21, 2011 offered an exceptional opportunity to characterize the volcanic aerosols. The largest ash plume (in terms of aerosol optical thickness) over Lithuania was observed at May 24/25, 2011. The highest values of the Angström exponent of the absorption coefficientsα370–520andα590–950 nm were reached (1.3±0.1and1.4±0.1, resp.).

Atmospheric inputs of volcanic iron around Heard and McDonald Islands, Southern ocean

“…Atmospheric BC can be emitted by combustion processes from anthropogenic activities, natural fires or volcanoes. 30 A background atmospheric BC concentration of 0–0.02 μg m −3 , indicating the absence of combustion emissions in aerosols, is recorded along most of the voyage track except aerosols A8 to A11 and aerosol A1. Aerosols A8 to A11 are associated with BC concentrations between 0.04–0.15 μg m −3 .…”

Atmospheric Black Carbon over the North Atlantic and the Russian Arctic Seas in Summer-Autumn Time

“…The highest BC concentrations were registered in the Baltic Sea in the area of intensive shi pping and situated close to areas with dense population (up to 258 ng/m 3 in sample 8 and 261 ng/m 3 in sample 11). BC concentrations in the Baltic Sea in June of 2011 have been reported to be 280 ng/m 3 on average [21]. Emission sensitivities calculated with FLEXPART showed that these high concentrations are probably attributed to anthropogenic BC originating from Northern European countries, rather than biomass burning in Eurasia.…”

An Exploratory Approach Using Regression and Machine Learning in the Analysis of Mass Absorption Cross Section of Black Carbon Aerosols: Model Development and Evaluation

“…where B can be either B abs or B scat and AE can be either AAE or SAE. AAE and SAE are calculated by fitting exponential curves on the measured B abs and B scat , respectively [68,69].…”