Carbonaceous particles in the atmosphere: Experimental and modelling issues

Carbonaceous particles and their organic component are one of the major combustion by-products and they are recognized to play a relevant role in radiative transfer, air quality, and human health, due to their fine-submicrometric nature. These effects are magnified by transboundary air masses transport of natural fires plumes or anthropogenic emissions from domestic heating and industrial activities, affecting not only the source areas. In fact, analysis on snow samples from different arctic sites revealed the presence of carbonaceous particulate matter, with biomass burning identified as responsible for more than 90% of these particles. As a consequence of this deposition, snow albedo variations are added to the other factors influencing Earth's radiative budget.