Characteristics of Black Carbon Particles in Ambient Air Using a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) in May 2013, Jeju, Korea

Single particle soot photometer (SP2) is an advanced instrument capable of real-time measurement of concentration, coating thickness, and size distribution of individual BC particle using laser-induced incandescence. So far, there have been insufficient studies examining the real-time characteristics of BC in Korea. In this study, we examined temporal variations in BC concentration and mass size distribution of BC in volume equivalence diameter at a background site of Aewol, Jeju in May. Average concentration and mass median diameter (MMD) of BC particles measured during the study period (06 ~16 May 2013) were 0.690.48 g/m 3 and 19617 nm, respectively. The BC concentration measured in Aewol was very similar to that observed in the spring of 2012 in Baengnyeong island, and showed diurnal profiles similar to those in other background areas. MMD of BC ranged from 172 to 222 nm. It was found that the mass size distribution of BC varied depending on the location (ground-based), season, types of air masses, and altitude (aircraft-based).