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Soot in the Arctic

Journal Article · · Atmospheric Environment
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Boulder, CO (United States). Air Resources Lab.

In this paper, substantial concentrations of graphitic carbon and its associated large optical absorption coefficient are observed in the Arctic. The graphitic content shows a dramatic increase from late fall to early spring, reaching levels that are comparable to those found in urban environments (i.e., the peak values in February are only about a factor of 10 less than the average levels found in New York City and a factor of three less than those found in Berkeley, California, and Denver, Colorado). Finally, if one ignores the possible contribution of natural burning processes which are expected to be small during this time of the year in the northern hemisphere, this graphitic component can be attributed directly to anthropogenic activity.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (United States)
Contributing Organization:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Boulder, CO (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
1082154
Report Number(s):
LBL--11648
Journal Information:
Atmospheric Environment, Journal Name: Atmospheric Environment Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 15; ISSN 0004-6981
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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