Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments
Abstract Small aethalometers are frequently used to measure equivalent black carbon (eBC) mass concentrations in the context of personal exposure and air pollution mapping through mobile measurements (MM). The most widely used is the microAethalometer (AE51). Its performance in the laboratory and fi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.03.0113 |
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| author | Honey Dawn C. Alas Thomas Müller Kay Weinhold Sascha Pfeifer Kristina Glojek Asta Gregorič Griša Močnik Luka Drinovec Francesca Costabile Martina Ristorini Alfred Wiedensohler |
| author_facet | Honey Dawn C. Alas Thomas Müller Kay Weinhold Sascha Pfeifer Kristina Glojek Asta Gregorič Griša Močnik Luka Drinovec Francesca Costabile Martina Ristorini Alfred Wiedensohler |
| author_sort | Honey Dawn C. Alas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Small aethalometers are frequently used to measure equivalent black carbon (eBC) mass concentrations in the context of personal exposure and air pollution mapping through mobile measurements (MM). The most widely used is the microAethalometer (AE51). Its performance in the laboratory and field is well documented, however, there is not sufficient data in the context of its performance in different environments. In this investigation, we present the characterization of the performance of the AE51 through field unit-to-unit intercomparisons (IC), and against a reference absorption photometer from three MM campaigns conducted in drastically different environments. Five IC parameters were considered: i) study area, ii) location of IC, iii) time of day, iv) duration of IC, and v) correction for the filter-loading effect. We can conclude that it is crucial where and how long the IC have been performed in terms of the correlation between the mobile and reference instruments. Better correlations (R2 > 0.8, slope = 0.8) are achieved for IC performed in rural, and background areas for more than 10 minutes. In locations with more homogenous atmosphere, the correction of the loading effect improved the correlation between the mobile and reference instruments. In addition, a newer microAethalometer model (MA200) was characterized in the field under extreme cold conditions and correlated against another MA200 (R2 > 0.8, slope ≈ 1.0), AE51(R2 > 0.9, slope ≈ 0.9), and a stationary Aethalometer (AE33) across all wavelengths (R2 > 0.8, slope ≈ 0.7). For MA200, the loading effect was more pronounced, especially at the lower wavelengths, hence the correction of the loading effect is essential to improve the correlation against the AE33. The MA200 and AE51 proved to be robust and dependable portable instruments for MM applications. Real-world quality assurance of these instruments should be performed through field IC against reference instruments with longer durations in areas of slowly changing eBC concentration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb301f983dba4ebaa7bcf2291d051c94 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb301f983dba4ebaa7bcf2291d051c942025-08-20T03:10:57ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092020-09-0120122640265310.4209/aaqr.2020.03.0113Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric EnvironmentsHoney Dawn C. Alas0Thomas Müller1Kay Weinhold2Sascha Pfeifer3Kristina Glojek4Asta Gregorič5Griša Močnik6Luka Drinovec7Francesca Costabile8Martina Ristorini9Alfred Wiedensohler10Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchDepartment of Geography, Faculty of Arts, University of LjubljanaCenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Nova GoricaCenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Nova GoricaCenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Nova GoricaInstitute of Atmospheric Science and Climate, National Research CouncilDepartment of Bioscience and Territory, University of MoliseLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchAbstract Small aethalometers are frequently used to measure equivalent black carbon (eBC) mass concentrations in the context of personal exposure and air pollution mapping through mobile measurements (MM). The most widely used is the microAethalometer (AE51). Its performance in the laboratory and field is well documented, however, there is not sufficient data in the context of its performance in different environments. In this investigation, we present the characterization of the performance of the AE51 through field unit-to-unit intercomparisons (IC), and against a reference absorption photometer from three MM campaigns conducted in drastically different environments. Five IC parameters were considered: i) study area, ii) location of IC, iii) time of day, iv) duration of IC, and v) correction for the filter-loading effect. We can conclude that it is crucial where and how long the IC have been performed in terms of the correlation between the mobile and reference instruments. Better correlations (R2 > 0.8, slope = 0.8) are achieved for IC performed in rural, and background areas for more than 10 minutes. In locations with more homogenous atmosphere, the correction of the loading effect improved the correlation between the mobile and reference instruments. In addition, a newer microAethalometer model (MA200) was characterized in the field under extreme cold conditions and correlated against another MA200 (R2 > 0.8, slope ≈ 1.0), AE51(R2 > 0.9, slope ≈ 0.9), and a stationary Aethalometer (AE33) across all wavelengths (R2 > 0.8, slope ≈ 0.7). For MA200, the loading effect was more pronounced, especially at the lower wavelengths, hence the correction of the loading effect is essential to improve the correlation against the AE33. The MA200 and AE51 proved to be robust and dependable portable instruments for MM applications. Real-world quality assurance of these instruments should be performed through field IC against reference instruments with longer durations in areas of slowly changing eBC concentration.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.03.0113Portable instrumentsMobile monitoringBlack carbonInstrument intercomparisons |
| spellingShingle | Honey Dawn C. Alas Thomas Müller Kay Weinhold Sascha Pfeifer Kristina Glojek Asta Gregorič Griša Močnik Luka Drinovec Francesca Costabile Martina Ristorini Alfred Wiedensohler Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments Aerosol and Air Quality Research Portable instruments Mobile monitoring Black carbon Instrument intercomparisons |
| title | Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments |
| title_full | Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments |
| title_fullStr | Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments |
| title_short | Performance of microAethalometers: Real-world Field Intercomparisons from Multiple Mobile Measurement Campaigns in Different Atmospheric Environments |
| title_sort | performance of microaethalometers real world field intercomparisons from multiple mobile measurement campaigns in different atmospheric environments |
| topic | Portable instruments Mobile monitoring Black carbon Instrument intercomparisons |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.03.0113 |
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