PAN and Carbonaceous Aerosol in Mexico City

Comparison of measurements of peroxyacyl nitrates and primary carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in Mexico City

The concentrations of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in ambient air can be a good indicator of air quality and the effectiveness of control strategies for reducing ozone levels in urban areas. As PAN is formed by the oxidation of reactive hydrocarbons in the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), it is a direct measure of the peroxyacyl radical levels produced from reactive organic emissions in the ur...

Interactive comment on “Comparison of measurements of peroxyacyl nitrates and primary carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in Mexico

The paper reviews the potential atmospheric influences of ’megacities’ using Mexico City as a model and black carbon, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), and ozone as the most important species. The authors compare concentrations found in 1997 to those found in 2003 and find substantial decreases in concentrations of PAN and ozone but not black carbon attributing vehicle fleet replacement to much of th...

Comparison of measurements of peroxyacyl nitrates and primary carbonaceous aerosol concentrations in Mexico City determined in 1997 and 2003

Spectro-microscopic measurements of carbonaceous aerosol aging in Central California

Carbonaceous aerosols are responsible for large uncertainties in climate models, degraded visibility, and adverse health effects. The Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) was designed to study carbonaceous aerosols in the natural environment of the Central Valley, California, and learn more about their atmospheric formation and aging. This paper presents results from spectr...

Aerosol spectral absorption in the Mexico City area: results from airborne measurements during MILAGRO/INTEX B

This paper presents estimates of the spectral solar absorption due to atmospheric aerosols during the 2006 MILAGRO/INTEX-B (Megacity Initiative-Local And Global Research Observations/Phase B of the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment) field campaign. The aerosol absorption was derived from measurements of the spectral solar radiation and the spectral aerosol optical depth made on the...