Relationship between light absorption properties of black carbon and aerosol origin at a background coastal site

Haiyan Li; Chengfeng Liu; Hao Li; Guochen Wang; Xiaofei Qin; Jia Chen; Yanfen Lin; Juntao Huo; Qingyan Fu; Yusen Duan; Congrui Deng; Kan Huang

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163863

Relationship between light absorption properties of black carbon and aerosol origin at a background coastal site

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 15:886:163863. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163863. Epub 2023 May 2.

Authors

Haiyan Li¹, Chengfeng Liu¹, Hao Li¹, Guochen Wang¹, Xiaofei Qin¹, Jia Chen², Yanfen Lin³, Juntao Huo², Qingyan Fu², Yusen Duan², Congrui Deng¹, Kan Huang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Center for Atmospheric Chemistry Study, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
² State Ecologic Environmental Scientific Observation and Research Station for Dianshan Lake, Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai 200030, China.
³ State Ecologic Environmental Scientific Observation and Research Station for Dianshan Lake, Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai 200030, China. Electronic address: linyf@sheemc.cn.
⁴ Center for Atmospheric Chemistry Study, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP(3)), National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 202162, China. Electronic address: huangkan@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 37142044
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163863

Abstract

As a potent climate forcer, black carbon (BC) optical properties can have significant impacts on the regional meteorology and climate. To unveil the seasonal differences of BC and its contribution by various emission sources, a one-year continuous monitoring of atmospheric aerosols was conducted at a background coastal site in Eastern China. By comparing the seasonal and diurnal patterns between BC and elemental carbon, we observed that BC were evidently aged with varying extents among all four seasons. The light absorption enhancement of BC (E_abs) was calculated as 1.89 ± 0.46, 2.40 ± 0.69, 1.91 ± 0.60, and 1.34 ± 0.28, from spring to winter, respectively, indicating that BC was more aged in summer. Contrary to the negligible impact of pollution levels on E_abs, the patterns of air masses arriving to the sampling site had a significant impact on the seasonal optical characteristics of BC. Sea breezes evidently exhibited higher E_abs than land-sourced breezes, and BC was more aged and light-absorbing with an increased contribution of marine airflows. By applying a receptor model, we resolved six emission sources as ship emission, traffic emission, secondary pollution, coal combustion, sea salt, and mineral dust. The mass absorption efficiency of BC for each source was estimated, showing the highest from the ship emission sector. This explained the highest E_abs observed in summer and sea breezes. Our study highlights that curbing emission from shipping activities is beneficial for reducing the warming effect of BC in coastal areas, particularly in the context of future rapid development of international shipping.

Keywords: Black carbon; Coastal; Emission sources; Light absorption.

MeSH terms

Aerosols / analysis
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Carbon / analysis
China
Climate
Environmental Monitoring
Seasons
Soot / analysis

Substances

Air Pollutants
Carbon
Aerosols
Soot