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Measurements of Black Carbon in Chicago: Implications for Controls on Diesel Emissions

EPA Grant Number: CR830890C004
Subproject: this is subproject number R830890C004 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant CR830890
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Environmental Science
Center Director: Frederick, John
Title: Measurements of Black Carbon in Chicago: Implications for Controls on Diesel Emissions
Investigators: Marley, Nancy A. , Gaffney, Jeffrey S. , Grams, Bradley R
Institution: University of Chicago
EPA Project Officer: Winner, Darrell
Project Period: July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 (Extended to June 30, 2006)
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2004)
Research Category: Targeted Research , Hazardous Waste/Remediation

Description:

Objective:

Large cities contain major sources of fine particulates that can influence human health and the radiative balance of the atmosphere on urban, regional, and global scales. In this context, black carbon (BC) is a key aerosol species. Use of heavy diesel engines is a significant source of diesel soot, an important contributor to BC levels in urban centers and to primary BC emissions into the atmosphere on regional and global scales.

This project was devoted to measuring BC levels in Chicago, where this summary highlights two periods before and during a major holiday. We measured the abundance of BC at a time resolution of 2-5 minutes by using a seven-channel aethalometer (Thermo Anderson). Data before and during the July 4 holiday weekend in 2004 were analyzed to assess changes in aerosol loadings as a function of vehicle traffic levels. The objective is to evaluate day-to-day changes in the abundance of BC that can be attributed to corresponding changes in the use of heavy diesel engines. By inference, we then estimate the reduction in BC levels that could result from future controls on these emissions.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 4 publications for this subproject | View all 9 publications for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

aerosols, aethalometer, black carbon, diesel emissions, , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Air, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, mobile sources, automotive exhaust, aerosol analyzers, chemical characteristics, carbon particles, Urban Atmosphere Observatory, diesel exhaust particles, ambient particle properties, atmospheric chemistry, sensor technology, automotive emissions, atmospheric measurements, air quality model

Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report


Main Center Abstract and Reports:
CR830890    Center for Environmental Science

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
CR830890C001 The Urban Measurements Project—The Urban Atmosphere Observatory
CR830890C002 The Urban Data Analysis and Modeling Project
CR830890C003 Attenuation of Ultraviolet Solar Radiation by Cloudy Skies: Links to Urban Air Quality
CR830890C004 Measurements of Black Carbon in Chicago: Implications for Controls on Diesel Emissions
CR830890C005 Attenuation of Visible Sunlight by Limited Visibility and Cloudiness
CR830890C006 The Energy Balance of Urban Microclimates

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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