Title: Evaluating harmonized equivalent black carbon mass concentration and source apportionment for air quality assessment
The predoctoral researcher Marjan Savadkoohi, from the EGAR group, will defend her thesis on 6th October at 11:00h in Sala Multimèdia B3 Escola Tècnica Superior d´Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona (UPC-Campus Nord).
Directors: Marco Pandolfi and Andrés Alastuey
Thesis Committee: Angela Marinoni, Jesús Yus and Oriol Jorba
Abstract:
This thesis addresses the challenges of determining black carbon (BC) mass concentration, an emerging air quality metric with significant impacts on climate and public health. Since BC cannot be directly measured, its estimation relies on indirect optical absorption methods that vary across instruments and monitoring networks. The work focuses on harmonizing in situ observations and improving source apportionment methodologies. Advanced computational methods are applied to enhance the accuracy, consistency, and interpretability of BC reporting, thereby contributing to the development of standardized practices for air quality assessment.
