Mass absorption cross-section of ambient black carbon aerosols - a review
Abstract An accurate assessment of black carbon (BC) climate and health impacts requires knowledge of its mass absorption cross-section (MAC BC ) – a parameter linking optical and mass measurements. The mean MAC BC for freshly emitted soot typically spans a narrow range of 8 ± 1 m 2 g⁻ 1 at 550 nm 1,2 but is modified by subsequent atmospheric aging. Determination of MAC BC requires simultaneous measurements of aerosol light-absorption coefficient ( β abs ) and BC mass. Here, we compile 230 measured MAC BC values from 80 atmospheric studies and explore the effects of sampling location, study duration, instrumentation, and measurement wavelength. The compiled data set shows a broad variability in MAC BC values (a factor of about 200%). We conclude that this variability is attributable to a combination of the above-mentioned effects with additional instrumental uncertainties (e.g., cross-sensitivities and/or inadequate instrument calibration). The current state of knowledge does not support the use of simplistic generalizations or assumptions about MAC BC in the atmosphere, motivating a recommendation to further improve and standardize measurement practices.
Authors
- E. Weingartner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2427-4634)
- Griša Močnik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6379-2381)
- Maria I. Gini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8131-1211)
- Joel C. Corbin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2584-9137)
- Jorge Saturno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3761-3957)
- Andreas Nowak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3773-1726)
- Krzysztof Ciupek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1704-8292)
- Eija Asmi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9226-2360)
- Konstantinos Eleftheriadis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-4905)
- Konstantina Vasilatou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7771-9596)
- Luka Drinovec (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0126-692X)
- Timothy A. Sipkens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1719-7105)
- Thomas G. Muller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0717-0462)
- John Backman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4444-8777)
- Arun Babu Suja
Institutions
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FI)
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE)
- National Physical Laboratory (GB)
- University of Nova Gorica (SI)
- National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos" (GR)
- FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (CH)
- Jožef Stefan Institute (SI)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (CH)
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (DE)
- B2 (Slovenia) (SI)
- National Research Council Canada (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
- Published
- 2025-12-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-01288-2
- Primary Topic
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Government of Canada
- European Commission
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme