Skip to content
Linkedin Youtube
  • new
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Vision
    • Carbonaceous Aerosols
    • Publications
    • References
    • Careers
  • Products
    All
    ONLINE MONITORS
    OFFLINE MONITORS
    SAMPLE CONDITIONING
    NETWORKING SOFTWARE
    SOFTWARE FOR DATA ANALYSIS

    TOTAL CARBON ANALYZER, MODEL TCA08

    MAGEE SCIENTIFIC AETHALOMETER® MODEL AE33

    SOOTSCAN™ MODEL OT21 OPTICAL TRANSMISSOMETER

    DRI MODEL 2015

    SAMPLE STREAM DRYER

    AECCESSOR®

    AETHALERTS

    CARBONACEOUS AEROSOL SPECIATION SYSTEM MODEL CASS

    MAGEE SCIENTIFIC AETHALOMETER® MODEL AE43

    CARBONACEOUS AEROSOL ANALYSIS TOOL CAAT

  • Applications
  • News & Events
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Sales Inquiry
    • Technical Support
    • International Distributors
  • User Group

WE MEASURE CARBONACEOUS AEROSOLS

Home » Our Story » Measuring Carbonaceous Aerosols

WE MEASURE CARBONACEOUS AEROSOLS

Carbon-containing compounds are frequently the largest component of particulate matter in the atmosphere, and are comprised of a very wide range of species.

At one end of this range is “haze of natural origins”, often seen over forests in summertime.  This ‘secondary’ aerosol is formed by atmospheric reactions of organic vapor precursors, and is almost colorless.  It scatters light, creating a haze: but it does not absorb light.

In the middle of this range, an example is smoke from biomass burning (e.g. wood smoke, burning of agricultural materials).  This smoke contains both light-scattering organic materials, as well as light absorbing “Brown” and “Black” carbon material.  Wood smoke contains many aromatic compounds, some of which may be toxic or mutagenic/carcinogenic.

At the other end of the range is the example of diesel exhaust.  This material has a very pronounced ‘Black Carbon’ component, in addition to associated aromatics which may be adsorbed onto the surface of the black particles.  The adsorbed aromatics lead to the serious health impacts of diesel emissions: but the absorption of light- the ‘Black’ coloration – has many other adverse geophysical effects.

Suspended in the air, Black Carbon particles absorb sunlight and heat the atmosphere.  Incorporated into cloud droplets, they reduce the cloud albedo (reflectivity).  When deposited onto snow or ice, sunshine is absorbed rather than reflected.  This leads to accelerated thawing, and is a contributor to the disappearance of glaciers and the loss of the Arctic ice cover.

Carbonaceous aerosols are the major, dominant component of the mass of suspended particles in polluted atmospheres.  Their composition spans the range from ‘Organic Carbon’ (often denoted “OC”); to ‘Black’ or ‘Elemental’ Carbon (denoted “BC” or “EC”).  Instruments manufactured by Aerosol under the Magee Scientific brand name, measure in real time both the ‘Black’; ‘Brown’; and ‘Total’ carbon content of suspended particles. These instruments are rugged, reliable, and are suitable for use in every application from research laboratories to field projects to routine air-quality monitoring stations.

Other than forest fires, human activities are the main source of carbonaceous aerosols.  These emissions can be greatly reduced by improved combustion efficiency and exhaust treatment.  However, accurate and reliable data are always needed: to assess the severity of the problem; to identify the main sources which require attention; and to quantitate the improvements following the application of controls and regulations. “In order to manage a problem, you must be able to measure it”.  Magee Scientific instruments made by Aerosol provide this accurate data – automatically, reliably, anywhere.

About

  • Our Story
  • Vision
  • Measuring Carbonaceous Aerosols
  • Publications
  • References
  • Careers
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Vision
  • Measuring Carbonaceous Aerosols
  • Publications
  • References
  • Careers

MAGEE SCIENTIFIC

Magee Scientific is the originator of the Aethalometer®  the most-widely-used instrument for the real-time measurement of Black Carbon aerosol particles in the atmosphere.

AEROSOL

Aerosol Company is the developer and manufacturer of Magee Scientific instruments.

NAVIGATION

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Vision
    • Carbonaceous Aerosols
    • Publications
    • References
    • Careers
  • Products
  • Applications
  • News & Events
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Sales Inquiry
    • Technical Support
    • International Distributors
  • User Group
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Vision
    • Carbonaceous Aerosols
    • Publications
    • References
    • Careers
  • Products
  • Applications
  • News & Events
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Sales Inquiry
    • Technical Support
    • International Distributors
  • User Group

CONTACT

Global
Aerosol Co.
Ljubljana, SI (Europe)
+386 1 4391 700

USA, Canada, Mexico
Magee Scientific
Berkeley, CA (USA)
+1 510 845 2801

UPDATES

Be informed about the latest news on product development.

PRIVACY POLICY

SUBSCRIBE

and get the latest updates & news

By pressing ADD ME button I agree that Aerosol d.o.o. may process my personal data, provided in this subscription form, for sending me by email all marketing material, including latest product SW updates and news (up to 4 times per month) in accordance with our privacy policy.

Copyright by Magee Scientific

BMA Studio / BMA Event