Black carbon (BC) aerosol is a key atmospheric pollutant, and its sources significantly impact air quality and climate effects. The North China coastal region, characterized by high-intensity anthropogenic emissions and a humid environment, has become a hotspot for studying BC aerosol sources. This study focuses on Yantai, a representative land-sea interface region in North China, and employs a comprehensive approach that integrates optical measurements, chemical composition analysis, and single-particle microscopic analysis, along with source apportionment models, trajectory analysis, emission inventory comparisons, and numerical simulations, to systematically investigate the sources and transport characteristics of BC aerosol.
BC concentrations in the atmosphere were obtained using an Aethalometer (AE33), and the Aethalometer model was applied to distinguish contributions from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. Additionally, air mass backward trajectory analysis and the concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) model were utilized to identify BC transport pathways and potential source regions.
The results indicate that BC sources in the land-sea interface region are influenced by local combustion emissions (fossil fuels, biomass, and coal) and long-range transport from inland areas (e.g., the North China Plain), with significant modulation by land-sea breeze circulation and atmospheric humidity. Seasonal variations in BC concentrations correlate strongly with enhanced heating emissions in winter and improved dispersion conditions in summer, while diurnal fluctuations are closely linked to traffic emissions and land-sea breeze cycles. These findings provide critical data for targeted BC emission control strategies in coastal cities and contribute to refining climate model parameters, thereby enhancing the accuracy of air quality assessments and climate effect evaluations.
 

black carbon aerosol,source apportionment,transport pathway