Particle Size and Mixing State of Freshly Emitted Black Carbon from Different Combustion Sources in China

Abstract

Modeling studies have highlighted that accurate simulations of radiative effect of black carbon (BC) require knowledge about the particle size and mixing state of freshly emitted BC from combustion sources. However, the information is absent in China due to lack of available measurements. In this study, we present the particle size and mixing state of fresh BC emitted from diesel vehicles (DV), brick kilns (BK), residential crop residue burnings (CR), and residential firewood burnings (FW) in September–October 2014 at North China Plain by field measurement. The mass median diameters of BC cores (whole particles including cores and coatings) above the limit of measurement (i.e., > 70 nm) from these sources are ∼155 (∼194), ∼230 (∼306), ∼250 (∼438) and ∼273 (∼426) nm, respectively, and corresponding size ratios (i.e., mixing state) are ∼1.25, ∼1.33, ∼1.75, and ∼1.56, respectively. Compared with the values commonly used in model based on the laboratory experiments and the field measurements in developed countries, larger particle sizes and higher mixing sate of freshly emitted BC in China may enhance their light absorption and cloud condensation nuclei activities during atmospheric transport. The available data could be used to improve future model development on radiative effect of BC in China.