大气棕色碳的研究进展与方向

有机气溶胶是大气气溶胶的重要组成部分.近年来,部分有机气溶胶被证实在紫外-近可见光波段能进行有效光吸收.吸光有机气溶胶(即棕色碳)已成为当前国际大气环境领域的研究热点之一,其吸光贡献对辐射强迫、区域空气质量、全球气候变化的影响备受关注.中国城市群区域大气复合污染严重,2013年1月以来,大尺度区域能见度降低、灰霾现象频繁发生.研究表明,中国大气棕色碳的负荷高,其重要贡献源类如生物质与化石燃料燃烧等排放量大,棕色碳在中国大气细颗粒物总消光中的贡献及其辐射强迫亟需评估.然而,棕色碳的基础研究还较为薄弱,特别是对它的组成及来源的认识仍十分有限.本文旨在指出在中国开展大气棕色碳研究的紧迫性和必要性,并从棕色碳的来源、组成、测量方法、浓度分布、光学特性、辐射强迫贡献等角度介绍目前国际研究进展,提出现有问题与不足,以及对未来研究方向的建议,以促进对棕色碳的认识与了解,为中国在该领域的研究提供参考和依据.

Research Progress and Direction of Atmospheric Brown Carbon

Organic aerosol is one of the most important components of atmospheric aerosols. In recent years, organic aerosol has been found and proved to be light absorbing in UV-Visible region. Light absorbing organic carbon (also named as brown carbon) has been one of the forefronts in the field of atmospheric research. Its light absorption contributions to radiative forcing, regional air quality, and global climate change have drawn much attention. Regional air pollution is complex in China. Frequent visibility decline and severe regional haze episodes occurred since January 2013. Previous studies showed high amount of estimated columnar light-absorbing organic carbon in China, and according to current research findings, major sources of fine particulate matter in China (e. g. biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion) were also recognized as the main sources for brown carbon. Considering the high abundance of brown carbon in atmosphere, there is a great need to reconsider and reevaluate contributions of organic aerosol to light absorption, especially its role in haze formation and radiative forcing. However, up to now, basic researches on light absorbing organic carbon are still limited in China. This study aimed to elucidate the need for basic research on brown carbon, summarize previous studies and research progress from different aspects such as sources, composition, measurement, mass concentration distribution, optical property, radiative forcing of brown carbon, point out the existing problems and deficiencies, and put forward suggestions for future study.