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Multi-wavelength Aethalometer (BC1054)

The BC1054 is a multi-wavelength aethalometer that measures black carbon concentrations at up to ten different wavelengths.

Data Format

  • File format: CSV file
  • Sampling frequency: Variable
  • File naming pattern: *.csv
  • Data structure:
    • Datetime index
    • BC1-BC10 columns with units (ng/m³)
    • Status column for instrument state

Measurement Parameters

The BC1054 provides black carbon measurements:

  • BC1-BC10: Black carbon concentrations at different wavelengths (ng/m³)

Data Processing

Data Reading

  • Processes CSV files with datetime index
  • Standardizes column names
  • Maps to consistent BC1-BC10 format
  • Filters based on instrument status codes
  • Handles duplicate timestamps

Quality Control

  1. Instrument Status Check:

    • Filters data based on instrument status codes:
      • Status = 1: Power Failure
      • Status = 2: Digital Sensor Link Failure
      • Status = 4: Tape Move Failure
      • Status = 8: Maintenance
      • Status = 16: Flow Failure
      • Status = 32: Automatic Tape Advance
      • Status = 64: Detector Failure
      • Status = 256: Sensor Range
      • Status = 512: Nozzle Move Failure
      • Status = 1024: SPI Link Failure
      • Status = 2048: Calibration Audit
      • Status = 65536: Tape Move
    • Removes data points with other status codes indicating instrument problems

  2. Value Range Check:

    • Removes physically impossible values:
      • Negative concentrations
      • Values > 20000 ng/m³

  3. Data Representativeness:

    • Requires at least 50% of expected data points in each 1-hour window
    • Ensures temporal consistency of measurements

  4. Complete Record Requirement:

    • Ensures data completeness across all wavelengths
    • Removes duplicate consecutive rows to prevent data redundancy

Output Data

The processed data contains:

  • Time index: Data acquisition time
  • BC1-BC10: Black carbon concentrations at each wavelength
  • All measurements in ng/m³

Notes

  • Provides real-time multi-wavelength measurements
  • Enables detailed source apportionment
  • Supports up to 10 wavelength channels
  • Automatic tape advance system
  • Status-based quality control