Abstract: A statistic regression approach was used to estimate the wavelength exponents of black carbon (BC) and dust particles, and further to separate the contributions of the two types of aerosols to the total light absorption coefficient measured in the Beijing urban area in the spring of 2006. The results show that the wavelength exponent (a) of black carbon aerosol at urban site was approximately -0.92, which is in agreement with the value of -0.8±0.2 reported in related studies. The decoupling analysis of the measured light absorption coefficients during the three floating dust periods ( March 25, March 27, and April 9) demonstrates that, on average, the light absorption caused by dust particles took up about 32.8% of the total light absorption at 520 nm wavelength, and by black aerosol more than 60%. This indicates that the black carbon was still the major contributor to the total aerosol light absorption in Beijing urban area even during the floating dust periods.

Key words: dust particle, black carbon, absorption coefficient, wavelength exponent