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Seasonal variations in elemental carbon aerosol, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide: Implications for sources
Author(s) -
Antony Chen L.W.,
Doddridge Bruce G.,
Dickerson Russell R.,
Chow Judith C.,
Mueller Peter K.,
Quinn John,
Butler William A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl012354
Subject(s) - aerosol , environmental science , carbon monoxide , carbon dioxide , sulfur dioxide , atmospheric sciences , sulfur , environmental chemistry , carbon fibers , meteorology , chemistry , geography , materials science , geology , inorganic chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry , composite number , composite material , catalysis
As part of Maryland Aerosol Research and CHaracterization (MARCH‐Atlantic) study, measurements of 24‐hr average elemental carbon (EC) aerosol concentration were made at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, a suburban site within the Baltimore‐Washington corridor during July 1999, October 1999, January 2000, April 2000 and July 2000. Carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) were also measured nearly continuously over the period. Tight correlation between EC and CO in every month suggests common or proximate sources, likely traffic emissions. The EC versus CO slope varies in different seasons and generally increases with ambient temperature. The temperature dependence of EC/CO ratios suggests that EC source strength peaks in summer. By using the well established emission inventory for CO, and EC/CO ratio found in this study, EC emission over North America is estimated at 0.31±0.12 Tg yr −1 , on the low end but in reasonable agreement with prior inventories based on emission factors and fuel consumption.