title: The sources of atmospheric black carbon at a European gateway to the Arctic.
abstract: Black carbon (BC) aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuel contribute to Arctic climate warming. Models-seeking to advise mitigation policy-are challenged in reproducing observations of seasonally varying BC concentrations in the Arctic air. Here we compare year-round observations of BC and its δ(13)C/Δ(14)C-diagnosed sources in Arctic Scandinavia, with tailored simulations from an atmospheric transport model. The model predictions for this European gateway to the Arctic are greatly improved when the emission inventory of anthropogenic sources is amended by satellite-derived estimates of BC emissions from fires. Both BC concentrations (R(2)=0.89, P<0.05) and source contributions (R(2)=0.77, P<0.05) are accurately mimicked and linked to predominantly European emissions. This improved model skill allows for more accurate assessment of sources and effects of BC in the Arctic, and a more credible scientific underpinning of policy efforts aimed at efficiently reducing BC emissions reaching the European Arctic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, Stockholm 10691, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winiger
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, Stockholm 10691, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Atmospheric and Climate Research, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller 2027, Norway.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eckhardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Atmospheric and Climate Research, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller 2027, Norway.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stohl
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, Stockholm 10691, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ö
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Gustafsson