• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.727-734
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• 2018

In this study, real-time absorption coefficients of carbonaceous species in $PM_{2.5}$ was observed using a dual-spot 7-wavelength Aethalometer between November 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 at an urban site of Gwangju. In addition, 24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ samples were simultaneously collected at the same site and analyzed for organic carbon and elemental carbon (OC and EC) using the thermal-optical transmittance protocol. A main objective of this study was to estimate mass absorption cross section (MAC) values of black carbon (BC) particles at the study site using the linear regression between aethalometer-based absorption coefficient and filter-based EC concentration. BC particles observed at 880 nm is mainly emitted from combustion of fossil fuels, and their concentration is typically reported as equivalent BC concentration (eBC). eBC concentration calculated using MAC value of $7.77m^2/g$ at wavelength of 880 nm, which was proposed by a manufacturer, ranged from 0.3 to $7.4{\mu}g/m^3$ with an average value of $1.9{\pm}1.2{\mu}g/m^3$, accounting for 7.3% (1.5~20.9%) of $PM_{2.5}$. The relationship between aerosol absorption coefficients at 880 nm and EC concentrations provided BC MAC value of $15.2m^2/g$, ranging from 11.4 to $16.2m^2/g$. The eBC concentrations calculated using the estimated MAC of $15.2m^2/g$ were significantly lower than those reported originally from aethalometer, and ranged from 0.2 to $3.8{\mu}g/m^3$, with an average of $1.0{\pm}0.6{\mu}g/m^3$, accounting for 3.7% of $PM_{2.5}$ (0.8~10.7%). Result from this study suggests that if the MAC value recommended by the manufacturer is applied to calculate the equivalent BC concentration and radiative forcing due to BC absorption, they would result in significant errors, implying investigation of an unique MAC value of BC particles at a study site.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.205-216
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• 2017

Carbonaceous aerosols such as the equivalent black carbon (eBC), the elemental carbon (EC) and the organic carbon (OC) were monitored at the Seoul Olympic Park site ($37.521^{\circ}N$, $127.124^{\circ}E$) during the KORUS-AQ 2016 campaign using a Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP) and an OCEC Analyzer. Averaged mass concentrations of eBC, EC and OC were presented as $2.46{\pm}1.52{\mu}g/m^3$, $1.01{\pm}0.60{\mu}g/m^3$ and $4.85{\pm}2.60{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. OC/EC ratio and mass absorption cross-section (MAC) of light absorbing aerosols were calculated as 2.32 and $14.8m^2/g$, respectively. Diesel OC concentrations were estimated from a source profile of diesel vehicles as well. eBC mass concentrations measured from May $26^{th}$ to May $27^{th}$, 2016 showed 40% higher than averaged eBC mass concentrations during campaign period. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations measured in this period were also higher than average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations. High eBC concentrations were observed from May $29^{th}$ to May $31^{st}$, 2016 and from June $9^{th}$ to June $11^{th}$, 2016, possibly due to morning rush hour and the effect of temperature inversion at night. Diurnal variations of eBC, EC and Diesel OC showed a typical pattern of metropolitan area. In the weekend, however, diurnal variations of eBC, EC and Diesel OC mass concentrations were different from those measured in the weekday. It is expected that this study can help to understand the relationship between carbonaceous aerosols in a metropolitan area.