References

ACP

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

ACP

1680-7324

Copernicus GmbH

Göttingen, Germany

10.5194/acp-6-4569-2006

Variability of organic and elemental carbon, water soluble organic carbon, and isotopes in Hong Kong

K. F.

¹ Lee

S. C.

¹ Cao

J. J.

² Li

Y. S.

¹ Chow

J. C.

³ Watson

J. G.

³ Fung

⁴

Research Center for Urban Environmental Technology & Management, Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

State Key Laboratory of Loess & Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Earth Environment, China

Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio, Parkway, P.O. Box 60220, Reno, NV 89506, USA

AtmAA Inc., 23917 Craftsman Road, Calabasas, CA 91302, USA

12 10 2006

6 12 4569 4576

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To determine the levels and variations of carbonaceous aerosol in Hong Kong, PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected by high volume (Hi-vol) samplers at three monitoring stations (representing middle-scale roadside, urban-, and regional-scale environments) during winter (November 2000 to February 2001) and summer (June 2001 to August 2001) periods. The highest concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were found at the middle-scale roadside site with the lowest at the regional-scale site. The percentages of WSOC in total carbon at these sites were inversely correlated with their concentrations (i.e., the highest percentages of WSOC were observed at the regional-scale site). A high WSOC fraction may be associated with aged aerosol because of the secondary formation by photochemical oxidation of organic precursors of anthropogenic pollutants during transport. The annual average of isotope abundances (δ13C) of OC and EC were –26.9±0.5&permil; and –25.6±0.1&permil;, respectively. There were no notable differences for seasonal distributions of carbon isotopic composition, consistent with motor vehicle emissions being the main source contributors of carbonaceous aerosol in Hong Kong. OC 13C abundances at the regional-scale site were higher than those at the middle-scale roadside and urban sites, consistent with secondary organic aerosols of biogenic origin.

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