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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Carbon Dioxide and Black Carbon Absorption 

Black carbon and carbon dioxide absorption measures the concentration of these emitted gases; the measurement is usually carried out through optical absorption and thermal heating (for black carbon).1 However, carbon dioxide is measured in parts-per-million (ppm) and reported in units of micromol mol-1 (10-6 mol carbon dioxide per mol of dry air). It is detected using a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer. This indicator shows how much black carbon and carbon dioxide are emitted from vehicle exhausts.2

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

The Carbon Dioxide Analysis Center (CDIAC) and the Global Carbon Project are the primary data sources for carbon dioxide emissions statistics. The UN Statistical Office, which aggregates data from official national statistical publications and yearly questionnaires, provides a source for more current carbon dioxide emission data.3

Examples

Environmental Protection Agency Research on Vehicle Exhaust

There has been a lot of research conducted on how much black carbon and carbon dioxide are emitted from vehicle exhausts. The results of this research show that vehicle exhaust is a major source of these greenhouse gases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average passenger car emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This means that the emissions from just one vehicle can have a significant impact on the environment. The research conducted by the EPA on carbon dioxide emissions shows that there is a significant problem with emissions from transportation sources. Emissions from cars and trucks account for a large percentage of total emissions, and these emissions are growing at an alarming rate. This research indicates that measures must be taken to reduce transportation emissions in order to protect the environment.

https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/greenhouse-gases

1. Smart Freight Centre.org. [cited 2022 Jul 14]. Available from: https://www.smartfreightcentre.org/pdf/GLEC-BlackCarbonMethodology-SFC-Sep2017.pdf#:~:text=Elemental%20carbon%20is%20measured%20by%20both%20thermal%20heating,of%20elemental%20or%20black%20carbon%20can%20be%20used
2. US Department of Commerce, NOAA, Global Monitoring Laboratory. ESRL Global Monitoring Laboratory - Mauna Loa observatory. 2005 [cited 2022 Jul 14]; Available from: https://gml.noaa.gov/obop/mlo/programs/esrl/co2/co2.html
3. Ritchie, H., Roser, M., Rosado, P. CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions. Our World in Data [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Jul 29]; Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions