Sources, determination, monitoring, and transport of carbonaceous aerosols in Mainz, Germany

Abstract Total atmospheric particulate matter, total carbon (TC), and black carbon (BC) were measured over two periods, spring and summer 1994, at a sampling location in Mainz, Germany. An optical (aethalometer) and a thermal method were used to determine BC since previous studies have shown that the optical method is dependent on the source of aerosols. The thermal method chosen for calibration enables the determination of molar hydrogen to carbon ratios for total particulate carbon and BC if quartz fiber filters were pre-treated at 850°C for 4 h. A specific attenuation cross-section of ≈7 m 2  g -1 for BC on the aethalometer filter was calculated which lies between values determined for c…