Differences in aerosol absorption Ångström exponents between correction algorithms for particle soot absorption photometer measured on South African Highveld

Abstract

Abstract. Absorption Ångstrom exponents (AAE) calculated from filter-based absorption measurements are often used to give information on the origin of the ambient aerosol, for example to distinguish between urban pollution and biomass burning aerosol. Filter-based absorption measurements are a widely used method and are commonly used at aerosol monitoring stations globally. Several correction algorithms are used to account for the artifacts associated with filter-based absorption techniques. These algorithms are of profound importance when determining the absolute amount of absorption by the aerosol. However, this study shows that there are significant differences between the AAEs calculated from these corrections. The study also shows that the difference between AAEs calculated using different corrections can lead to conflicting conclusions on the type of aerosol for the same data set. In this work the AAEs were calculated from data measured with a three-wavelength Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) at Elandsfontein on deployed on the South African Highveld for 23 months. The sample air of the PSAP was diluted to prolong filter change intervals. The dilution-corrected PSAP showed a good agreement with a non-diluted MAAP. Thus, the study also shows that the applicability of the PSAP can be extended to remote sites are not often visited or suffer from high levels of pollution.