The continuous measurements of ambient elemental (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations in the total particulate matter of the urban area of Rome are reported. The measurements were carried out by a thermal method in downtown Rome (S. M. Maggiore) from May to December 1999. During the entire period the results have shown that total carbon (TC) constitutes a significant fraction of the total aerosol mass (∼ 30%). The temporal TC evolution has been interpreted by natural radioactivity concentrations as a tracer of the mixing properties of the lower boundary layer. The good relationship between TC and benzene and the strong correlation between EC and OC confirm that the traffic is the most important emission source for the carbonaceous particulate.
Fundamental aspects of carbonaceous particulate measurements in the study of air pollution in urban area
AVINO P
;
2000-01-01
Abstract
The continuous measurements of ambient elemental (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations in the total particulate matter of the urban area of Rome are reported. The measurements were carried out by a thermal method in downtown Rome (S. M. Maggiore) from May to December 1999. During the entire period the results have shown that total carbon (TC) constitutes a significant fraction of the total aerosol mass (∼ 30%). The temporal TC evolution has been interpreted by natural radioactivity concentrations as a tracer of the mixing properties of the lower boundary layer. The good relationship between TC and benzene and the strong correlation between EC and OC confirm that the traffic is the most important emission source for the carbonaceous particulate.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
