An alternative method for estimating hygroscopic growth factor of aerosol light-scattering coefficient: A case study in an urban area of Guangzhou, South China

  • Z. J. Lin
  • , Z. S. Zhang
  • , L. Zhang
  • , J. Tao
  • , R. J. Zhang
  • , J. J. Cao
  • , S. J. Fan
  • , Y. H. Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

A method was developed to estimate hygroscopic growth factor (f(RH)) of aerosol light-scattering coefficient (bsp), making use of the measured size- and chemically resolved aerosol samples. In this method, chemical composition of the measured aerosol samples were first reconstructed using the equilibrium model ISORROPIA II. The reconstructed chemical composition, which varies with relative humidity (RH), was then employed to calculate b sp and hygroscopic growth factor of bsp (f sp(RH)) using the Mie model. Furthermore, the calculated f sp(RH) was fitted with an empirical curve. To evaluate the applicability of fsp(RH), the curve of fsp(RH) was used to correct the long-term records of the measured bsp from the values under comparative dry conditions to the ones under ambient RH conditions. Compared with the original bsp data, the fsp(RH)-corrected bsp had a higher linear correlation with, and a smaller discrepancy from, the bsp derived directly from visibility and absorption measurements. The fsp(RH) determined here was further compared with that reported in previous studies. The method described in this manuscript provides an alternative approach to derive credible fsp(RH) with high accuracy and has many potential applications in aerosol-related research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7631-7644
Number of pages14
JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Volume14
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Jul 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An alternative method for estimating hygroscopic growth factor of aerosol light-scattering coefficient: A case study in an urban area of Guangzhou, South China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this