Secondary organic carbon in different atmospheric environments of a continental region and seasons

Secondary organic carbon (SOC) was derived using elemental (EC) tracer method for primary (OC) in daily aerosol samples collected the regional background environment, suburban area, and central part of Budapest each season. The estimation approaches OC/EC ratio major emission sources required were discussed, high EC edge approach adopted separately location annual mean SOC concentrations environments listed 1.16, 1.51 1.42 μg m−3, respectively. They interpreted together with PM2.5 mass, OC, EC, water-soluble OC (WSOC), levoglucosan (LVG) meteorological variables. contributions to 45% at all sampling sites. However, they showed substantial seasonal variation location. shares smallest (<≈30%) winter, whereas prevailed summer (in background, this even reached 66%). secondary (obtained by multiplying mass-to-OC correction factor) made up roughly 25% mass except when it 10%. Obvious associations on one side WSOC other identified as joint relationships seasons. correlated LVG only winter relative intensity biomass burning is highest, O3 spring summer, role photochemistry considerable. Elevations a scale related enhancement concentration factors 0.14, 0.4 0.6, respectively, while higher levels enlarged 3-times. There relationship between from fossil fuel combustion over seasons, dependency could be established biogenic apart winter. results conclusions have importance health consequences cities rural areas whole Carpathian Basin.