BLACK CARBON HEALTH EFFECTS STUDIES

Motivation BC is a harmful pollutant with significant adverse effects on human health. The Aethalometer is a valuable tool in monitoring black carbon levels and aiding in healthrelated research. By providing accurate and real-time data, it supports efforts to understand and mitigate the health impacts of black carbon pollution. This application note provides an overview […]

AIRPORT BLACK CARBON EMISSIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE NEARBY LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Motivation Black Carbon (BC) is a major component of particulate matter (PM) emitted from incomplete combustion processes. Airports, with their high traffic of jet engines and ground support equipment, are significant sources of black carbon emissions. Monitoring of BC levels at airports is crucial for assessing environmental and health impacts. This application note outlines the […]

ADVANCED APPORTIONMENT OF CARBONACEOUS AEROSOLS

Motivation The advanced TC/BC(l) method can be used to study the influence of anthropogenic processes, such as fossil fuel combustion (traffic) or biomass burning (wildfires), on air quality and thus to study the impact of those processes on our daily life, e.g., climate change and public health.  

MOBILE MEASUREMENT OF BLACK CARBON

Motivation Mobile measurement of aerosol Black Carbon (BC) and Brown Carbon (BrC) allows for the mapping of air pollution sources and exposures at fine spatial scales on-road measurement of emissions and exposures or rapid deployment either between pre-defined fixed sites or to emergency situations. These capabilities complement traditional monitoring approaches for air pollution assessments.   […]

OFF GRID BLACK CARBON MONITORING

Motivation Carbonaceous aerosols are particulate matter ( produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Black Carbon (BC) is typically produced by high temperature combustion such as engine exhaust and industrial processes. Brown Carbon (BrC) is typically produced by lower temperature biomass combustion such as domestic cooking and heating stoves, forest fires, agricultural waste burning etc. […]

REAL TIME WILDFIRE SMOKE MONITORING

Motivation As the world’s climate becomes hotter and drier, wildfires are increasing in size, duration and severity.  Wildfire smoke can be transported for hundreds or thousands of kilometers in high concentrations.  It contains both “black” carbonaceous material (‘BC’) from high-temperature combustion; and “brown” material (‘BrC’) from smoldering, which contains an enormous range of organic compounds […]

STUDIES OF AEROSOL CARBONACEOUS MATTER

Motivation This Application Note describes the combination of the Carbonaceous Aerosol Speciation System (CASS) and an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). The ACSM is used for real-time monitoring of non-refractory aerosol particle mass and chemical composition.  It reports particulate ammonium, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and other organic species as “organic matter” (OM).  The ACSM is one component of […]

FOSSIL FUEL VS. BIOMASS BURNING BLACK CARBON

Motivation Atmospheric pollution represents a risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The two major contributions come from traffic emissions and biomass burning. On-road and off-road diesel engines account for ~70% of BC emissions in Europe, North America, and Latin America. In contrast, the burning of residential solid fuels, especially coal and biomass, […]

BLACK CARBON CAR EMISSION FACTORS

Motivation One of the main sources of air pollution is traffic. To estimate the traffic contribution to air pollution the emissions are calculated from the vehicle fleet composition and vehicle emission factors (EF). Since the emission factors depend on vehicle type (cars, heavy and light duty), engine maintenance, driving environment (city, highway, regional roads) and […]