International round robin tests on the measurement of carbon in diesel exhaust particulates

Guillemin, Michel; Cachier, H.; Chini, Catherine; Dabill, David W.; Dahmann, D.; Diebold, F.; Fischer, Andrea; Fricke, Harald; Groves, John A.; Hebisch, R.; Houpillart, M.; Israël, G.W.; Mattenklott, Markus; Moldenhauer, W. C.; Sandino, Julián; Schlums, C.; Sutter, E. De; Tucek, E.

doi:10.1007/s004200050202

Cited by 22 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The precision of the results is primary linked to the sample heterogeneity and has been estimated to be in the range of 10%. This method gave comparable results as with various thermo-optical methods for a diesel soot intercomparison (Guillemin et al, 1997) and was in the range of ±1σ for BC and TC for the first stage round robin test for carbon aerosol (e.g. urban aerosols, Schmid et al, 2001).…”

Section: Thermal Methodsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Characterization of carbonaceous aerosols during the MINOS campaign in Crete, July–August 2001: a multi-analytical approach

Sciare¹,

Cachier²,

Oikonomou³

et al. 2003

Preprint

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Abstract. During the major part of the Mediterranean Intensive Oxidant Study (MINOS) campaign (summer 2001, Crete Isl.), the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) air was influenced by long range transport of biomass burning from the northern and western part of the Black Sea. During this campaign, carbonaceous aerosols were collected on quartz filters at a Free Tropospheric (FT) site, and at a MBL site together with size-resolved distribution of aerosols. Three Evolution Gas Analysis (EGA) protocols have been tested in order to better characterize the collected aged biomass burning smoke: A 2-step thermal method (Cachier et al., 1989) and a thermo-optical technique using two different temperature programs. The later temperature programs are those used for IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) and NIOSH 5040 (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). Artifacts were observed using the NIOSH temperature program and identified as interactions between carbon and dust deposited on the filter matrix at high temperature (T=550°C) under the pure helium step of the analysis. During the MINOS campaign, Black Carbon (BC) and Organic Carbon (OC) concentrations were on average respectively 1.19±0.56 and 3.62±1.08 μgC/m3 for the IMPROVE temperature program, and 1.09±0.36 and 3.75±1.24 μgC/m3 for the thermal method. Though these values compare well on average and the agreement between the Total Carbon (TC) measurements sample to sample was excellent (slope = 1.00, r2=0.93, n=56), important discrepancies were observed in determining BC concentrations from these two methods (average error of 33&plusmn22%). BC from the IMPROVE temperature program compared well with non-sea-salt potassium (nss-K) pointing out an optical sensitivity to biomass burning. On the other hand, BC from the thermal method showed a better agreement with non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO4), considered as a tracer for fossil fuel combustion during the MINOS campaign. The coupling between these two methods for determining BC brings here new insights on the origin of carbonaceous aerosols in a complex mixture of different sources. It brings also to our attention that important deviations in BC levels are observed using three widely used EGA techniques and most probably none of the EGA tested here are well adapted to fully characterize this aerosol mixture. Spherical, smooth and silico-aluminated fly-ash observed by Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope (ASEM) confirm the influence of coal combustion on the carbonaceous aerosol load throughout the campaign. A raw calculation based on BC/nss-SO4 mass ratio suggests that biomass burning could be responsible for half of the BC concentration recorded during the MINOS campaign. From the plot of BC as a function of TC, two linear correlations were observed corresponding to 2 times series (before and after 12 August). Such good correlations suggest, from a first look, that both BC and OC have similar origin and atmospheric transport. On the other hand, the plot of BC as a function of TC obtained from the 2-step thermal method applied to DEKATI Low Pressure Cascade Impactor samples does not show a similar correlation and points out a non conservative distribution of this ratio with 2 super micron modes enriched in OC, correlated with sea salt aerosols and probably originating from gas-to-particle conversion.

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Section: Thermal Methodsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Characterization of carbonaceous aerosols during the MINOS campaign in Crete, July–August 2001: a multi-analytical approach

Sciare¹,

Cachier²,

Oikonomou³

et al. 2003

Preprint

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“…(8) The conclusion was that ''intercomparison of results on pure diesel engine emissions is, in most cases, satisfactory, especially for EC and TC.'' (8, p.…”

Section: Verification Of Ec Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Occupational Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction

Burton

2003

AIHA Journal

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To assess the impact of the proposed American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value-time-weighted average to diesel particulate matter (DPM), 177 full-shift samples were taken in 23 workplaces under Canadian federal jurisdiction. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 5040 (Elemental Carbon: Diesel Exhaust) was used to assess exposure. Quality control tests were conducted prior to field sampling by taking air samples in the exhaust stream of two diesel engines mounted on a test bed and having them analyzed by two laboratories using the same thermal program. Field sampling results indicated that 77% of the elemental carbon (EC) levels were below the currently proposed limit of 20 microg/m(3), and 54% below 10 microg/m(3). The geometric mean concentration of EC was 24.4 microg/m(3) in high-activity and 4.0 microg/m(3) in low-activity work sites. Corresponding arithmetic mean concentrations were 41.4 and 8.4 microg/m(3), respectively. The ratio of EC to total carbon (TC) was close to 90% for all quality control samples. It was no higher than 50% for the field samples, and it varied significantly with EC concentration. Finally, results are presented from the analysis of 41 samples by a third laboratory using a thermal-optical method slightly different from NIOSH 5040. Even if one were to opt for EC as a surrogate for DPM, unless analysis details (particularly the thermal program) are specified, significant differences in the results can be expected. This could lead to problems for regulatory agencies and for epidemiologic research.

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“…(Round-robin tests are performed by the European Coordination Group on Diesel Soot Exposure (ECDSE) part of the CEN TC 137/WG2. Two previous round-robin tests (RRT1, RRT2) have been conducted and the results have been published [4]. )…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further round-robin tests to improve the comparability between laboratories of the measurement of carbon in diesel soot and in environmental samples

Guillemin¹,

Perret²,

Dabill

et al. 2001

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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It was expected that a significant improvement would be seen in the inter-laboratory dispersion by the use of a common standardized thermal desorption program, but the objectives of these RRTs were only partly reached. This paper provides new information that will be useful in the elaboration of a standardized procedure for the European Normalisation Centre (CEN TC 137 WG2--General requirements for measuring procedures).

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International round robin tests on the measurement of carbon in diesel exhaust particulates

Cited by 22 publications

References 3 publications

Characterization of carbonaceous aerosols during the MINOS campaign in Crete, July–August 2001: a multi-analytical approach

Characterization of carbonaceous aerosols during the MINOS campaign in Crete, July–August 2001: a multi-analytical approach

Occupational Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction

Further round-robin tests to improve the comparability between laboratories of the measurement of carbon in diesel soot and in environmental samples

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