Abstract |
The interest in the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter is
significant, mainly due to their impacts on human health and climate change. The
effects of particulate matter are important across all environmental sectors,
particularly on health, which depends on the particle size, their chemical
composition, and the presence of other pollutants with which they interact
synergistically.
The subject of this thesis is the study of the organic carbon (OC) and
elemental carbon (EC) fractions of PM10 particles in the atmosphere of Athens during
the year 2022 (January - December 2022). The samples were taken at the sampling
station of the National Observatory of Athens, at the Thisseio facilities, and their
analysis was conducted using a thermal/optical carbon analyzer for aerosols by
Sunset Laboratory Inc.
The results demonstrate a clear seasonal pattern, showing mostly peaks
during the winter and minima in the summer months. The contribution of local
sources increases during the winter period due to domestic heating and temperature
inversions, while during the warm months, the concentrations are minimal due to
low fuel consumption and reduced domestic heating. The ratio of organic to
elemental carbon has an average value of 5.30±2.6, with maximum values during the
warm months. The high ratio indicates the influence of secondary organic aerosol as
values greater than 2 indicate twice the concentration of organic carbon compared to
elemental carbon.
Finally, these results were correlated with corresponding measurements from
an aethalometer for the same period and area to determine the relationship of OC
and EC with black carbon, which originates from fossil fuel combustion and biomass
burning, to identify possible common sources.
Considering the results of organic and elemental carbon from this study, we can
conclude that the atmosphere of Thisseio in winter is burdened by fireplaces and biomass burning, as maximum concentrations of OC and EC are observed and the
presence of secondary aerosols is evident.
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