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BC measurement activities at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Citation:
HAYS, M. D. BC measurement activities at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Presented at 23rd International Symposium on Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, Munster, GERMANY, September 04 - 08, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
prospecting abstract, international
Description:
Black carbon (BC)--sometimes referred to as soot, char, or elemental carbon (EC)--is a refractory form of light-absorbing carbon produced from incomplete combustion. Accurate measurement of BC in combustion source emissions is important for understanding anthropogenic climate forcing and the environmental effects of submicrometer aerosol particles. A variety of on- and off-line instrumental techniques are capable of measuring BC concentrations in source emissions aerosols. These include optical, thermal-optical, photo-acoustic, incandescence, Raman micro-spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques among others. The purpose of this session is to briefly describe available BC measurement techniques being used at the U.S. EPA and to provide an analysis of their benefits and limitations with regard to source emissions testing. The discussion will also include information about (i) how BC concentrations are operationally- and instrumentally-defined and (ii) how the presence of an extensive range of poorly defined chemical substances in aerosol particles--sometimes referred to as brown carbon or colored organics--may disrupt the current thinking about BC. Finally, a novel measurement framework for developing an appropriate regulatory definition of light-absorbing carbon relevant for reducing anthropogenic climate effects will be introduced.