Characterization of equivalent black carbon (EBC) at a regional background site in central Europe: Variability and source identification
Abstract
Black carbon (BC) is recognized to play an important role on adverse public health and in the Earth's climate system (Bond et al., 2013). It is the most efficient light-absorbing aerosol species in the visible spectrum emitted as primary pollutant from a variety of combustion related sources.
Although measurements of Equivalent Black Carbon (EBC) with multiple wavelength aethalometer have been used to provide insights regarding the influence of fossil fuel (traffic emissions) and wood smoke in ambient air (Sandradewi et al., 2008; Vaishya et al 2017), scarce studies have been reported in Eastern Central Europe using real-time EBC measurements.This study focuses on the seasonal, diurnal and weekly trends of EBC at a regional background site in Central Europeduring a 5-year measurement. Our aim is to identify the potential sources of EBC, especially the influence from fossil fuel and biomass burning