Variation of Carboneceous Atmospheric Aerosol Near St. Petersburg

Abstract

The results of 5-year (2013–2017) measurements of organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon aerosol fractions observed at the atmospheric monitoring station near St. Petersburg (Petergof, 59.88° N, 29.83° E) are presented. It is shown that the site of observations is under the influence of local pollution sources most of the time (~74%). The median values of carbonaceous aerosol in polluted conditions are 0.46 μg/m³ for ЕС and 2.62 μg/m³ for ОС. On average, the maximum excess of the EC background level is achieved in winter (2.4 times in January). The analysis of the ratio between the OC and the EC in the total carbon indicates the predominantly anthropogenic origin of the aerosol under study. In comparison with the data of similar measurements in Central Siberia, the background summer concentrations of carbonaceous aerosol in Peterhof are significantly lower. Some episodes of increased concentrations of OC and EC are attributed to the intensive accumulation of air pollution coming from the nearby megalopolis.