Organic and elemental carbon aerosols at a suburban site

The study presents the analysis of measurement results for the ambient mass concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). The 24-h PM 2.5 samples were collected in the heating and non-heating seasons at two regional background sites in Southern Poland in 2011-2013. The percentage of the secondary organic and inorganic matter in PM 2.5 was calculated.Over the whole measurement period, the mean PM 2.5 concentration was 31.56 µg m -3 and 24.92 µg m -3 in Racibórz and Złoty Potok, respectively. Regardless of the season, the total carbon percentage in PM 2.5 was comparable at both sites and amounted ~40%. There were no visible seasonal variations in the secondary organic carbon (SOC) share in PM 2.5 . The mean percentage of the primary organic carbon (POC) in PM 2.5 was higher than the SOC percentage at both locations. The mean contribution of the water-soluble ions in the PM 2.5 mass was lower than the TC percentage, with values 20.35% (Złoty Potok) and 33.56% (Racibórz). The total share of the secondary ions (SO 4 2-, NO 3 -and NH 4 + ) in PM 2.5 was comparable in both measurement periods.It was shown that PM 2.5 at regional background sites in Southern Poland is significantly different than at similar stations across Europe. It is reflected by higher concentrations of PM 2.5 and its main components and lower percentage of the secondary ions in the PM 2.5 mass. The carbonaceous matter percentage in PM 2.5 is higher than in other parts of Europe.

Section: Carbonaceous Compounds Soc and Poc Contributionsmentioning

confidence: 55%

Chemical Compositions of PM2.5 at Two Non-Urban Sites from the Polluted Region in Europe

Błaszczak

Rogula–Kozłowska

Mathews

et al. 2016

“…The sampling site lies by the side of a road that carries mixed vehicular traffic, moderate (of the order of 1000 vehicles) during the day. The campus lies about 2 km north of the NH-2 which has dense vehicular traffic (100,000 vehicles) throughout the day and night (Kumar et al, 2007;Singla et al, 2011;Satsangi et al, 2012). The surrounding area is completely free of construction or tall tree which could obstruct wind flow.…”

Section: Sampling Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Soluble Ionic Species in Atmospheric Aerosols: Concentrations and Sources at Agra in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP)

Satsangi

Pachauri

Singla

et al. 2013

Self Cite

This study presents a comprehensive set of 2 years of data (January 2009-December 2010) on the chemical composition of ambient aerosols collected at a university campus in Agra, which lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The average concentration of total suspended particles (TSP) was 213. . The crustal source contribution was observed based on the ratios of various ions with respect to Ca in soil and aerosol. On the basis of backward trajectories and the associated concentrations of the ions, the aerosol samples were classified into sectors in relation to their origin to determine the related sources. The major sources of water soluble ions identified at Agra are biomass combustion and local soil.

“…Carbonaceous aerosol, which accounts for a substantial fraction of ambient aerosols (Yu and Yu, 2009), profoundly affects air quality, visibility, climate, and human health (Mark, 2001;Ye et al, 2003;Satsangi et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012;Cao et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013). It is a complex mixture, primarily containing organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) (Cao et al, 2003;Satsangi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is a complex mixture, primarily containing organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) (Cao et al, 2003;Satsangi et al, 2012). EC, often called black carbon and soot, which contains pure carbon and graphite carbon (Cao et al, 2003) and originates mainly from coal combustion, vehicle emission, and wood burning (Szidat et al, 2009;Jiang et al, 2011;Shen et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Organic Carbon and Elemental Carbon in the Ambient Air of Coking Plant

Liu

Lin

Bai

et al. 2015

To investigate the characteristics of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in the ambient air of coking plant, particulate matter samples were collected and analyzed. The OC and EC mass concentrations were in the range of 104.2-223.2 µg/m 3 and 93.7-237.8 µg/m 3 , respectively, which were much higher than those in the ambient air of industry, highway, and urban roadway tunnel. The OC concentrations did not significantly differ at the coke side and the machine side, whereas the EC concentration was significantly higher at the coke side. The OC/EC ratios ranged from 0.74 to 2.35, and coking was the primary source of OC and EC. Carbonaceous aerosol was a large component in the ambient air, and the total carbonaceous aerosol (TCA) accounted for 39.1%-73.0% of the total suspended particulates (TSP). TCA contributions to TSP were consistent at the coke side and the machine side, and both contributions were lower than those at other sampling sites. OC and EC emission control must be strengthened for improving coking plant air quality and reducing health hazards to coke-plant workers. OC-EC correlation was evident, with a correlation coefficient of 0.976 (p < 0.05) at the coke-oven top, coke side, and machine side, whereas no significant correlations were observed at sites downwind of the coke oven (p > 0.05).