Black carbon measurement using laser integrating plate method

An intensive study to test and validate the Laser Integrating Plate Method (LIPM) of determining absorption coefficient and black carbon mass was carried out. Measurements by LIPM were compared to Smoke Stain Reflectometer measurements and Mie calculations based on accelerator ion beam analysis (IBA) elemental composition measurements. Results show that the value of mass absorption coefficient epsilon = 10 m(2) g(-1) previously used for mass determination, and widely accepted for black carbon generated by combustion processes, is an inappropriate choice for the type of carbon measured in Sydney. A value of epsilon = 7 m(2) g(-1) for soot and ambient aerosol particles was found to be more appropriate.