Real-Time Measurement of Aerosol Black Carbon During the Carbonaceous Species Methods Comparison Study

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Abstract
During the Carbonaceous Species Methods Comparison Study, we used the aethalometer, an instrument developed at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory that measures the concentration of aerosol black carbon [BC] in real time. Measurements were taken from August 12 to 21, 1986, with a 1-minute time base and were grouped to show 1-hour and multihour concentrations. We found concentrations generally ranging from 1 to 10 μ [BC] m−3, usually increasing in the morning hours. We also observed short-duration (2–15 minute) peaks in the black carbon concentration that could be directly attributed to the activity of vehicles in a delivery area less than 50 m from the study site. We conclude that mobile sources were the major contributor to the short- and medium-term variability of aerosol black carbon measured at this site.