Important fossil source contribution to brown carbon in Beijing during winter

Citations Over TimeTop 1% of 2017 papers

Abstract

Organic aerosol (OA) constitutes a substantial fraction of fine particles and affects both human health and climate. It is becoming clear that OA absorbs light substantially (hence termed Brown Carbon, BrC), adding uncertainties to global aerosol radiative forcing estimations. The few current radiative-transfer and chemical-transport models that include BrC primarily consider sources from biogenic and biomass combustion. However, radiocarbon fingerprinting here clearly indicates that light-absorbing organic carbon in winter Beijing, the capital of China, is mainly due to fossil sources, which contribute the largest part to organic carbon (OC, 67 ± 3%) and its sub-constituents (water-soluble OC, WSOC: 54 ± 4%, and water-insoluble OC, WIOC: 73 ± 3%). The dual-isotope (Δ14C/δ13C) signatures, organic molecular tracers and Beijing-tailored emission inventory identify that this fossil source is primarily from coal combustion activities in winter, especially from the residential sector. Source testing on Chinese residential coal combustion provides direct evidence that intensive coal combustion could contribute to increased light-absorptivity of ambient BrC in Beijing winter. Coal combustion is an important source to BrC in regions such as northern China, especially during the winter season. Future modeling of OA radiative forcing should consider the importance of both biomass and fossil sources.

Related Papers

• A Study of Motivations and the Change of Motivations of College Volunteers in Beijing Olympic Games——Taking Volunteers in Beijing Normal University as an Example(2010)
• Beijing Citizen's Living Changes in 20 Years——Analysis Based on the Time Allocation Investigation(2007)
• → Evaluating to Beijing diagnosis related groups(2011)1 cited
• → Sport Event and City Image: 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Case(2010)
• Investigation report on current operating situation of Beijing breakfast program(2004)