Aerosol black carbon over a tropical coastal station in India

Abstract

Extensive ground based measurements of aerosol Black Carbon (BC) and size segregated aerosol mass concentration (total) were carried out (during August 2000 to October 2001) for the first time at a tropical coastal station, Trivandrum, India. BC depicted diurnal (with a nocturnal peak and mid-after noon low) and seasonal variations (highest during local winter and lowest during monsoon). The diurnal variations were closely associated with the boundary-layer dynamics. Daily mean BC concentration as high as ∼6 μg m-3 was observed on several occasions. Mass apportionment showed a BC share ranging from ∼3% to as high as ∼12% to the total aerosol mass, depending on the season. The presence of such large amount of BC over land might influence the regional aerosol forcing.