An integrated drone-based platform with novel correction methods for accurate vertical profiling of black carbon

Equivalent black carbon mass concentrations were measured using a portable Aethalometer (MicroAeth AE51, eBCAE51) and evaluated against refractory BC measurement obtained from a Single-Particle Soot Photometer (SP2, rBCSP2). Correction methods were proposed to improve AE51 measurements by considering the non- linearity of light attenuation (ATN) due to the accumulation of BC particles (i.e., rBC loading effect) and the interference in ATN measurements caused by non-refractory BC particles (i.e., non-BC loading effect). First, a catalytic stripper was used to heat the sampling line to 350 degrees C, minimizing the impact of non-BC sampling. This allowed for the correction of the non-linearity of ATN due to the rBC loading effect. After applying the correction formula derived from this process to the measured eBCAE51, further correction was applied to account for the filter loading effect of non-BC, estimated from atmospheric measurements through an unheated sampling line. This study introduces an innovative system for accurately quantifying high-resolution vertical profiles of BC mass concentration. By combining data from the AE51 and a miniaturized optical particle counter, the system applies precise corrections to enhance measurement accuracy at various altitudes. This integrated approach provides a robust framework for reliable atmospheric BC profiling, addressing challenges in pollutant characterization and transport analysis.