Measurement report: Source characteristics of water-soluble organic carbon in PM 2.5 at two sites in Japan, as assessed by long-term observation and stable carbon isotope ratio
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: . The sources and seasonal trends of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) in carbonaceous aerosols are of significant interest. From July 2017 to July 2019, we collected samples of PM2.5 (particulate matter, aerodynamic diameter<2.5 µm) from one suburban and one rural site in Japan. The average δ13CWSOC was -25.2±1.1 ‰ and -24.6±2.4 ‰ at the suburban site and rural site, respectively. At the suburban site, the δ13CWSOC was consistent with the δ13C of burned C3 plants, and a high correlation was found between WSOC concentrations and non-sea-salt potassium concentrations; these results suggest that the main source of WSOC at this site was biomass burning of rice straw. At the rural site, the average δ13CWSOC was significantly heavier from autumn to spring (-23.9±2.1 ‰) than in summer (-27.4±0.7 ‰) (p<0.01). The δ13CWSOC from autumn to spring was consistent with that of biomass burning of rice straw, whereas that in summer was considered to reflect mainly the formation of secondary organic aerosols from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The heaviest δ13CWSOC (-21.3±1.9 ‰) was observed from February to April 2019, which may be explained by long-range transport of C4 plant burning such as corn from overseas. Thus, the present study indicates that δ13CWSOC is potentially useful for elucidating the sources and atmospheric processes that contribute to seasonal variations of WSOC concentration.
Authors: Nana Suto, Hiroto Kawashima
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,725
Awards: Multi elemental compound specific isotope analysis of water-soluble organic carbon for source apportionment, Chemical composition and source apportionment of water-soluble organic matter in PM2.5, Environmental dynamics of water-soluble organic compounds using stable isotope ratios, Development of two-dimensional LC/IRMS for organic solvents, Development of analytical method of nitrogen stable isotope ratio of water-soluble pesticides, Crisis management to pesticide contamination using stable isotope ratio(Fostering Joint International Research)
OpenAlex ID: W3099460803