title: Uncertainties in observational data on organic aerosol: An annual perspective of sampling artifacts in Beijing, China.
abstract: Current understanding of organic aerosol (OA) is challenged by the large gap between simulation results and observational data. Based on six campaigns conducted in a representative mega city in China, this study provided an annual perspective of the uncertainties in observational OA data caused by sampling artifacts. Our results suggest that for the commonly-used sampling approach that involves collection of particles on a bare quartz filter, the positive artifact could result in a 20-40 % overestimation of OA concentrations. Based on an evaluation framework that includes four criteria, an activated carbon denuder was demonstrated to be able to effectively eliminate the positive artifact with a long useful time of at least one month, and hence it was recommended to be a good choice for routine measurement of carbonaceous aerosol.
authors.affiliation: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: ycheng@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Regional Environmental Quality, Beijing, China. Electronic address: hekb@tsinghua.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Ke-bin
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000068476:Beijing; D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D035501:Uncertainty
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants
keywords: Denuder; Organic aerosol; Particulate matter; Sampling artifact; Semivolatile