Utilizing Intensive Aerosol Optical Properties for The Detection of Biomass Burning In El Paso, Texas - (BC)2 El Paso Field Campaign
Abstract
Reductions in anthropogenic emissions (i.e. motor vehicle exhaust and coal-fired power plants) through implementation of cleaner technologies have refocused efforts to understand the contribution and impact of biomass burning on urban air quality. This potential contribution is particularly relevant for El Paso, Texas which can experience large increases in atmospheric pollutants from periodic biomass burning plumes transported from across state and international boundaries. To assess this phenomenon, the Black and Brown Carbon study or (BC)2 El Paso conducted field measurements from mid-March through September 2019. For this campaign, the Baylor air quality trailer has been equipped with two tri-color absorption photometers (TAP), a seven channel aethalometer (AE42), a three wavelength nephelometer, and carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) analyzers. This urban study utilizes the intensive aerosol optical properties of Absorption and Scattering Ångström Exponents (AAE and SAE) and Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) to identify potential biomass burning plumes. Additional identification and characterization of aerosol optical properties is completed by using Black Carbon (BC)/CO and CO/NOx enhancement ratios. The simultaneous operation of the TAP and aethalometer provides an opportunity for inter-comparison and evaluation of potential new instrumentation available for real-time identification of biomass burning events in an urban atmosphere. Preliminary results indicate a campaign average AAE value near 1 which is indicative of an influence from motor vehicle exhaust that is characteristic of an urban area. Most notably, several time periods have been identified to have AAE values greater than 1.5, indicating a potential influence from biomass burning. Detailed results from the long-term measurements with supplemental HYSPLIT back trajectory analysis and MODIS fire identification products will be presented.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.A23L2967G
- Keywords:
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- 0305 Aerosols and particles;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0322 Constituent sources and sinks;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0345 Pollution: urban and regional;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE