Mass concentration of aerosol black carbon at Mace Head on the west coast of Ireland

Measurements of the mass concentration of particulate carbon aerosol at the Mace Head atmospheric research station on the west coast of Ireland are reported. The measurements were made using an aethalometer manufactured by Magee Scientific, which operates by measuring the light transmission through a quartz fibre filter, whilst air is drawn through the filter. Mass concentration measurements taken between February 1990 and April 1991 are presented and interpreted in terms of air mass and meteorological parameters. Average carbon mass concentration levels of 38±11 ng m #8722;3 were found during periods when the clean sector sampled air masses had traversed over the North Atlantic for several days.