Particulate Carbon, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1982 Atmospheric Life Cycle

This book contains the papers and discussions from the symposium, "PARTICU­ LATE CARBON: Atmospheric Life Cycle," held at the General Motors Research Laboratories on October 13-14, 1980. This symposium, which focused on atmospheric particulate elemental carbon, or soot, was the twenty-fifth in this series sponsored by the General Motors Research Laboratories. The present symposium volume contains discussions of the following aspects of particulate elemental carbon (EC): the atmos­ pheric life cycle of EC including sources, sinks, and transport processes, the role of EC in atmospheric chemistry and optics, the possible role of EC in altering climate, and measurement techniques as well as ambient concentrations in urban, rural, and remote areas. Previous symposia have covered a wide range of scientific and engineering subjects. Topics are selected because they are new or represent rapidly changing fields and are of significant technical importance. It is ironic that the study of particulate elemental carbon or soot should meet the above criteria for selection because soot, especially from coal and wood combustion, has been a recognized air pollutant for centuries. However, since the 1950s, when intense efforts to study air pollution were initiated, to until a few years ago, the role of elemental carbon in the atmosphere was largely ignored. The major reason for this was the lack of a suitable measurement technique.

Session I — The Importance of Particulate Elemental Carbon.- The Atmospheric Cycle of Elemental Carbon.- References.- Discussion.- Soot in the Atmosphere.- References.- Discussion.- The Optical Properties of Particulate Elemental Carbon.- References.- Discussion.- Perturbation to the Atmospheric Radiation Field from Carbonaceous Aerosols.- References.- Discussion.- The Importance of Elemental Carbon — Session Summary.- Reference.- Session II — Analytical Measurement Techniques and Chemistry of Elemental Carbon.- Analysis of Organic and Elemental Carbon in Ambient Aerosols by a Thermal-Optical Method.- References.- Discussion.- An Evaluation of Methods for the Determination of Organic and Elemental Carbon in Particulate Samples.- References.- Appendices.- Discussion.- Analytical Methods to Measure the Carbonaceous Content of Aerosols.- References.- Discussion.- Carbon Analysis of Atmospheric Aerosols Using GRALE and Reflectance Analysis.- References.- Discussion.- Optical Techniques for the Measurement of Light Absorption by Particulates.- References.- Discussion.- Chemical and Catalytic Properties of Elemental Carbon.- References.- Discussion.- Session III — Sources of Carbon.- Fireplaces, Furnaces and Vehicles as Emission Sources of Particulate Carbon.- References.- Discussion.- Emissions and Air Quality Relationships for Atmospheric Carbon Particles in Los Angeles.- References.- Discussion.- Contemporary Particulate Carbon.- References.- Discussion.- Distinguishing Carbon Aerosols by Microscopy.- References.- Graphite Carbon in Urban Environments and the Arctic.- References.- Discussion.- Session IV — Ambient Measurements.- Particulate Carbon at Various Locations in the United States.- References.- Discussion.- Optical Measurements of Airborne Soot in Urban, Rural and Remote Locations.- References.- Discussion.- Black and White Episodes, Chemical Evolution of Eurasian Air Masses and Long-Range Transport of Carbon to the Arctic.- References.- Discussion.- Atmospheric Particulate Carbon Observations in Urban and Rural Areas of the United States.- References.- Discussion.- Measurement of Light Absorption and Elemental Carbon in Atmospheric Aerosol Samples from Remote Locations.- References.- Discussion.- Deposition of Particulate Elemental Carbon from the Atmosphere.- References.- Discussion.- Participants.- Author and Contributor Index.