New Beta Absorption Monitor measurements at Veenkampen

Functioning of the device (From Met One Instruments):

“At the beginning of each sample hour, a small ¹⁴C (carbon-14) source emits a constant source of high-energy electrons (known as beta rays) through a spot of clean filter tape. These beta rays are detected and counted by a sensitive scintillation detector to determine a zero reading. The BAM 1020 then advances this spot of tape to the sample nozzle, where a vacuum pump pulls a measured and controlled amount of outside air through the filter tape, loading it with ambient dust. At the end of the sample hour, this dust spot is placed back between the beta source and the detector, thereby causing attenuation of the beta ray signal which is used to determine the mass of the particulate matter on the filter tape. This mass is used to calculate the volumetric concentration of particulate matter in the sampled ambient air.”

We have collected PM2.5 with the BAM since January 28th at Veenkampen. This data is available to download (look for the ‘BAM_’ streams), is added to the Veenkampen Air Quality package and is included in our operational graphs.

Keep an eye out for a strong signal during New Years Eve.