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Ellis et al_2016_GRL_BC morphology.pdf (4.67 MB)

Individual particle morphology, coatings, and impurities of black carbon aerosols in Antarctic ice and tropical rainfall

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posted on 2023-05-19, 00:23 authored by Ellis, A, Edwards, R, Saunders, M, Chakrabarty, RK, Subramanian, R, Timms, NE, van Riessen, A, Smith, AM, Lambrinidis, D, Nunes, LJ, Vallelonga, P, Goodwin, ID, Andrew MoyAndrew Moy, Mark Curran, Tasman van OmmenTasman van Ommen
Black carbon (BC) aerosols are a large source of climate warming, impact atmospheric chemistry, and are implicated in large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation. Inventories of BC emissions suggest significant changes in the global BC aerosol distribution due to human activity. However, little is known regarding BC's atmospheric distribution or aged particle characteristics before the twentieth century. Here we investigate the prevalence and structural properties of BC particles in Antarctic ice cores from 1759, 1838, and 1930 Common Era (C.E.) using transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The study revealed an unexpected diversity in particle morphology, insoluble coatings, and association with metals. In addition to conventionally occurring BC aggregates, we observed single BC monomers, complex aggregates with internally, and externally mixed metal and mineral impurities, tar balls, and organonitrogen coatings. The results of the study show BC particles in the remote Antarctic atmosphere exhibit complexity that is unaccounted for in atmospheric models of BC.

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

43

Issue

22

Pagination

11875-11883

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

©2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Understanding climate change not elsewhere classified

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