Exploring the Variation between EC and BC in a Variety of Locations

Gbenga Oladoyin Salako; Philip K. Hopke; David D. Cohen; Bilkis A. Begum; Swapan K. Biswas; Gauri Girish Pandit; Yong-Sam Chung; Shamsiah Abd Rahman; Mohd Suhaimi Hamzah; Perry Davy; Andreas Markwitz; Dagva Shagjjamba; Sereeter Lodoysamba; Wanna Wimolwattanapun; Supamatthree Bunprapob

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2011.09.0150

Exploring the Variation between EC and BC in a Variety of Locations

Gbenga Oladoyin Salako¹, Philip K. Hopke ¹, David D. Cohen², Bilkis A. Begum³, Swapan K. Biswas³, Gauri Girish Pandit⁴, Yong-Sam Chung⁵, Shamsiah Abd Rahman⁶, Mohd Suhaimi Hamzah⁶, Perry Davy⁷, Andreas Markwitz⁷, Dagva Shagjjamba⁸, Sereeter Lodoysamba⁸, Wanna Wimolwattanapun⁹, Supamatthree Bunprapob⁹

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¹Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5708, USA
²Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Physics Division, Private Mail Bag 1, Menai 2234, NSW, Australia
³Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka (AECD), P.O. Box 164, Dhaka, Bangladesh
⁴Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
⁵Hanaro Center, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 150 Dukjin-dong, Yusung-ku, P.O. Box 105, Daejon 305-600, Korea
⁶Waste and Environmental Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
⁷Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), 30 Gracefield Road, P.O. Box 31-312, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
⁸National University of Mongolia, Ikh Surguuliin, P.O. Box 46/789, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
⁹Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), 16 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Received: December 29, 2016
Revised: December 29, 2016
Accepted: December 29, 2016
Download Citation: ||https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.09.0150

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Cite this article:
Salako, G.O., Hopke, P.K., Cohen, D.D., Begum, B.A., Biswas, S.K., Pandit, G.G., Chung, Y.S., Rahman, S.A., Hamzah, M.S., Davy, P., Markwitz, A., Shagjjamba, D., Lodoysamba, S., Wimolwattanapun, W. and Bunprapob, S. (2012). Exploring the Variation between EC and BC in a Variety of Locations. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 12: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.09.0150

ABSTRACT

Despite intensive research over the past three decades, a generally accepted standard method to measure black carbon (BC) or elemental carbon (EC) still does not exist. Data on BC and EC concentrations are method specific and can differ widely. This work was motivated by the lack of any prior study that established the variability between these two measures of carbonaceous particulate matter. Measurements of BC and EC were performed at different locations across Asia and the South Pacific in both urban and suburban locations. Filter samples were collected during the winter of 2007 to the winter of 2010 and analyzed for both BC and EC. EC was measured using the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE_A) protocol. Black carbon was measured by the EELS reflectometer (Diffusion Systems, Ltd). Bangladesh had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.93. Bangkok, Thailand on the other hand had the lowest correlation coefficient of 0.34. A review of previously reported source apportionment of BC concentrations in these locations showed that New Zealand had the highest percentage (82%) of BC from biomass while Mongolia had the lowest percentage of 3.1%. The fraction of BC emissions from diesel vehicles was found predominant in Mumbai, India with values as high as 80%. Mongolia had the lowest emission of BC from diesel vehicle (5.4%) with coal- and biomass-combustion being the dominant sources.

Keywords: Elemental carbon; Black carbon; Particulate matter; Light absorbing aerosols

ABSTRACT

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