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Linking the chemical composition and optical properties of biomass burning aerosols in Amazonia

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Author(s):
Ponczek, Milena ; Franco, Marco A. ; Carbone, Samara ; Rizzo, Luciana, V ; dos Santos, Djacinto Monteiro ; Morais, Fernando G. ; Duarte, Alejandro ; Barbosa, Henrique M. J. ; Artaxo, Paulo
Total Authors: 9
Document type: Journal article
Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ATMOSPHERES; v. 2, n. 2, p. 18-pg., 2022-03-01.
Abstract

Biomass burning emissions in Amazonia change the atmospheric composition and aerosol properties during the dry season. We investigated fine-mode aerosol chemical composition and optical properties with an intensive field experiment in the dry-to-wet season transition in 2018 in Southwestern Amazonia. Aerosol composition and physical properties were measured using ACSMs, aethalometers, nephelometers, SMPSs, and CPCs. PM1 mass concentrations showed a mean value of 12.4 +/- 10.1 mu g m(-3). Organic matter was the major constituent of PM1, contributing more than 75%, whereas black carbon (BC) contributed similar to 15%, and inorganics were less than 10%. The organic fraction of PM1 was apportioned by positive-matrix factorization (PMF), resolving 4 organic aerosol (OA) factors: two oxygenated OAs (OOA-1 and OOA-2), one hydrocarbon-like (HOA), and one biomass burning OA (BBOA). A low single scattering albedo (637 nm) of 0.77 +/- 0.08 was observed, suggesting a significant absorption material. BC and brown carbon (BrC) contributions to the absorption coefficient (470 nm) were retrieved, and BrC corresponded, on average, to 20% of total absorption. The mass scattering (MSE) and absorption efficiencies (MAE) of PM1 particles were determined by multilinear regression (MLR), using the PMF factors as predictor variables. Overall, organic aerosols showed significant light absorption in the UV-vis wavelength range and strong spectral dependence indicating the presence of organic species that act as BrC, predominantly associated with biomass burning OAs. Our results emphasize the need for a better understanding of links between aerosol composition and optical properties, including the absorption spectra of BrC in the Amazon. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/17047-0 - Aerosol and clouds life cycles in Amazonia: biogenic emissions, biomass burning and impacts on ecosystem
Grantee:Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 18/26375-4 - Mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol formation in Amazonia studied at the ground, ATTO tower and HALO plane
Grantee:Milena Ponczek
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral