1. On-flight intercomparison of three miniature aerosol absorption sensors using unmanned aerial systems (UASs)Michael Pikridas, Spiros Bezantakos, Griša Močnik, Christos Keleshis, Fred Brechtel, Iasonas Stavroulas, Gregoris Demetriades, Panayiota Antoniou, Panagiotis Vouterakos, Marios Argyrides, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: The present study investigates and compares the ground and in-flight
performance of three miniaturized aerosol absorption sensors integrated
on board small-sized Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). These sensors were
evaluated during two contrasted field campaigns performed at an urban site,
impacted mainly by local traffic and domestic wood burning sources (Athens,
Greece), and at a remote regional background site, impacted by long-range
transported sources including dust (Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory, Agia
Marina Xyliatou, Cyprus). The miniaturized sensors were first intercompared at the ground-level
against two commercially available instruments used as a reference. The
measured signal of the miniaturized sensors was converted into the
absorption coefficient and equivalent black carbon concentration (eBC). When
applicable, signal saturation corrections were applied, following the
suggestions of the manufacturers. The aerosol absorption sensors exhibited
similar behavior against the reference instruments during the two campaigns,
despite the diversity of the aerosol origin, chemical composition, sources,
and concentration levels. The deviation from the reference during both
campaigns concerning (eBC) mass was less than 8 %, while for the absorption
coefficient it was at least 15 %. This indicates that those sensors that
report black carbon mass are tuned and corrected to measure eBC more accurately than the absorption coefficient. The overall potential use of miniature aerosol absorption sensors on board
small UASs is also illustrated. UAS-based absorption measurements were used
to investigate the vertical distribution of eBC over Athens up to 1 km above
sea level during January 2016, exceeding the top of the planetary boundary
layer (PBL). Our results reveal a heterogeneous boundary layer concentration
of absorbing aerosol within the PBL intensified in the early morning hours
due to the concurrent peak traffic emissions at ground-level and the fast
development of the boundary layer. After the full development of the PBL,
homogenous concentrations are observed from 100 m a.g.l. to the PBL top.
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory, eBC, vertical profiling, microaethalometer
Published in RUNG: 13.05.2024; Views: 187; Downloads: 1
 Link to file |
