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Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements

Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements

Published on: September 7, 2019

Validating a nondestructive optical method for apportioning colored particulate matter into black carbon and

Beizhan Yan¹, Daniel Kennedy, Rachel L Miller

¹Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York.

Atmospheric Environment (Oxford, England : 1994)

|November 30, 2011

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This study refines optical methods for measuring black carbon (BC) and second-hand smoke (SHS) in air samples. The improved technique accurately quantifies BC and SHS, enhancing air quality assessment.

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Atmospheric Science

Background:

Black carbon (BC) exposure is linked to adverse health effects, necessitating accurate measurement methods.
Existing optical methods for BC estimation often misattribute absorption from other colored particulate matter (PM).
Previous methods for distinguishing BC from second-hand smoke (SHS) lacked validation and optimization for complex samples.

Purpose of the Study:

To refine and validate an optical reflectance method for quantifying black carbon (BC) and second-hand smoke (SHS).
To characterize the spectral absorption of various PM components, including iron oxides and ammonium sulfate.
To assess the accuracy and reliability of the refined method compared to established techniques.

Main Methods:

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A lab-modified integrating sphere was used for continuous absorption measurements from 350 nm to 1000 nm.
The absorption spectra of ammonium sulfate, hematite, goethite, and magnetite were characterized on PM(2.5) filters.
Synthesized data and environmental samples were used to optimize wavelengths and validate the method against Aethalometer, Smoke-stain Reflectometer (SSR), and EC measurements.

Main Results:

Optimizing wavelength selection significantly reduced computational errors in apportionment models from over 10% to less than 2%.
The refined method accurately estimated airborne BC and SHS levels but was less sensitive to iron oxides and sulfate mass loadings.
Measurements showed high reproducibility for duplicate NYC samples (R(2) = 0.95) and strong correlation with EC (R(2) = 0.7).

Conclusions:

The validated optical method effectively quantifies black carbon (BC) from archived Teflon filters.
The technique shows promise for providing additional information on airborne particulate matter components.
This improved method enhances the assessment of BC and SHS exposure and their associated health risks.