Vertical profiles of black carbon aerosols over the urban locations in South India

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 431; pp. 323 - 331
• Main Authors: Safai, P.D., Raju, M.P., Maheshkumar, R.S., Kulkarni, J.R., Rao, P.S.P., Devara, P.C.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerosols - analysis; Air Pollutants - analysis; Altitude; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Carbon - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; India; Local sources; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Static stability; Trajectory analysis; Vertical distribution of BC; Asia; India; India, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad; Vertical distribution of BC; Local sources; Static stability; Trajectory analysis; Combustion residue; Carbonaceous materials; Soot; Measurement campaign; Urban area; Atmospheric stability; Transport process; Source localization; Atmospheric boundary layer; Vertical profile; Aerosols; Air pollution; Trajectory; Concentration distribution
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.05.058

Vertical profiles of black carbon (BC) aerosol were determined from aircraft measurements under the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) program conducted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, India during 2009 over Bangalore and Hyderabad in south India. BC mass loadings decreased approximately monotonically from 103 to 104ng/m3 at the surface to ~102ng/m3 at an altitude of about 7km; although layers at intermediate levels containing anomalously high BC loadings were frequently encountered that were attributed mainly to the convective transport from surface sources accompanied by changes in the local boundary layer and atmospheric stability. In addition, as evidenced from air mass back trajectories; long range transport from distant sources contributed to some anomalous spikes in BC concentration. The presence of BC in cloud forming regions of the free troposphere could have important implications for cloud microphysics and subsequent rainfall mechanism over this region. Apart from this, the effects on human health are equally important. ► Vertical profiles of black carbon (BC) aerosols were obtained for the first time up to 7km over India. ► BC concentration decreased with increasing height though layers of elevated concentration observed at different altitudes. ► Local surface sources and remote sources contribute to the observed BC concentrations.