Aerosol Black Carbon is a unique primary tracer for combustion emissions. It affects the optical properties of the atmosphere and is recognized as the second most important anthropogenic forcing agent for climate change. It is the primary tracer for adverse health effects caused by air pollution.
For the accurate determination of mass equivalent Black Carbon concentrations in the air and for source apportionment of the concentrations, optical measurements by filter-based absorption photometers must take into account the “filter loading effect”.
Aethalometer AE33 is the only BC monitor that compensates the filter spot loading effect in real-time. The compensating parameter (‘k’) indicates the particle coating rate, thus differ local from regional emissions. This is a unique feature of Aethalometer AE33.