Comparison of recent (1994) black carbon data with those obtained in 1985 and 1986 in the urban area of Vienna, Austria: implications for future environmental policy decisions

For a short period in May 1994 and from 15 October to 15 December, 1994, day-time and night-time filter samples of the atmospheric aerosol were taken in an enclosed courtyard in central Vienna. The filters were subsequently analyzed for black carbon (BC) concentrations and the specific absorption coefficient Ba (methods: [1,2]). The 1994 data are compared with the data obtained in 1985 and 1986 [3]. The mean BC content increased by 27% (outside the heating period, i.e. May, 106%), while the total aerosol mass concentration decreased by 44% (May: 36%). The mean BC concentration decreased by 33% (May: increase by 35%). Fuel sale data show that the sale of diesel fuel increased by 89%, while sales of gasoline, fuel oil and coal decreased. This paper presents possible measures to reduce the BC emissions of the major sources (i.e. traffic and space heating).