Shock Wave Cleaning of Air Filters

The trends in and relationships between ambient air concentrations of sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosols at 48 urban sites and 27 nonurban sites throughout the U.S. between 1963 and 1972 have been analyzed. The substantial decreases in ambient SO₂ concentrations measured at urban sites in the eastern and midwestern U.S. are consistent with the corresponding reductions in local SO₂ emissions, but these decreases have been accompanied by only modest decreases in ambient sulfate concentrations. Large differences in the amounts of SO₂ emitted within individual air quality control regions are associated with much smaller differences in the corresponding ambient sulfate concentrations. Substantial changes in the patterns of SO₂ emissions between air quality regions result in essentially no differences between ambient sulfate concentrations in those air quality regions. Comparisons of several air quality regions in the eastern and western U.S. with similar SO₂ emission levels and patterns of emissions clearly demonstrates the higher ambient sulfate concentration levels in eastern air quality control regions. Relationships between SO₂, sulfates, and vanadium concentrations at eastern nonurban U.S. sites cannot be explained by local emission sources. These various observed results can be best explained by long distance sulfur oxide transport with chemical conversion of SO₂ to sulfates occurring over ranges of hundreds of kilometers. This conclusion has been suggested earlier and the present analysis strongly supports previous discussions. An impact of long range transport of sulfates is to emphasize the need for Consistent strategies for reduction of sulfur oxides throughout large geographical regions. Additions of large capacities involving elevated sources in mid-continental or western regions could result in significant increases in sulfate concentrations well downwind of such sources. Some of the types of research activities required to quantitate crucial experimental parameters are discussed.     

Measurements of Sulfur Oxides,Nitrogen Oxides,Haze and Fine Particles at a Rural Site on the Atlantic Coast

During August, 1982 and January and February, 1983, General Motors Research Laboratories operated air monitoring sites on the Atlantic Coast near Lewes, Delaware and 1250 km to the east on the southwest coast of Bermuda. The overall purpose of this project was to study the transformations of the principal acid precipitation precursors, NO _x and SO _x species, as they transport under conditions not complicated by emissions from local sources. In this paper, the measurements of gas and particulate species from Lewes are described and the composition and sources of sulfate aerosol, which is the most important haze-producing species, are investigated.

On the average, the total suspended particulate (TSP) concentration was 27.9 μg/m³ while the PM₁₀ (mass of particles with a diameter less than or equal to 10 μm) concentration was 22.0 μg/m³ or 79 percent of the TSP. The PM₁₀ consisted of 6.1 μg/m³ of coarse particles (CPM, diameter = 2.5 ? 10μm) and 15.9 μg/m³ of fine particles (FPM, diameter < 2.5 μm).

On a mass basis the most important constituents of the fine particulate fraction were sulfate compounds, 50 percent, and organic compounds, 30 percent. The mean light extinction coefficient corresponds to a visual range of 18-20 km. Most of the extinction can be attributed to the sulfate (60 percent) and organic carbon (13 percent). Particle size measurements show that the mass median aerodynamic diameter for both species is 0.43 μm. This is a typical size for a hydrated sulfate aerosol. For carbon, however, this is a larger size than previously reported and results in a more efficient light scattering aerosol. Principal component analyses indicate that coal combustion emissions from the midwestern U.S. are the most significant source of sulfate in Lewes during the summer and winter.     

An assessment of source contributions to the ozone concentrations in southern Ontario, 1979–1985

Source contributions to the surface O₃ concentrations in southern Ontario were assessed for the 1979–1985 period. Ozone episode analyses indicate a frequency of about nine episodes per year (15 episode-days). These occur primarily in the summer months and are generally manifestations of the northern extent of the O₃ problem in eastern North America. Widespread elevated O₃ levels tend to occur under weather classes indicative of back or centre of the high pressure situations and associated flow/trajectory from areas south/southwest of the lower Great Lakes. These episodes vary considerably from year-to-year. Local impacts on O₃ levels are generally small.A study of O₃ levels during cloud-free summer days for the period 1981–1985 gave local ‘background’ O₃ levels of about 20–30 ppb daily and 30–50 ppb hourly maxima. The O₃ contributions from the U.S. to southern Canada (assuming local ‘background’ O₃ levels to be independent of wind direction) were estimated to be 30–35 ppb daily and 30–50 ppb hourly maxima. These results indicate an overall O₃ contribution of about 50–60% from the U.S. to southern Ontario. For episode-days, the U.S. contribution is even more significant.     

南宁市大气颗粒物TSP、PM10、PM2.5污染水平研究

2002年在南宁市的5个典型城市功能区内,共采集了125个大气样品(按季节分别采集),初步调查了大气中颗粒物TSP、PM10、PM2.5的污染状况。结果表明,南宁市TSP、PM10、PM2.5的污染很严重,超标率分别为67．5％、82．5％、92．5％,对人体健康危害更大的PM2．5占到了PM10的63．5％左右。重污染区PM2.5的浓度超过轻污染区近一倍。     

Characterization of summertime coarse particulate matter in the Desert Southwest—Arizona,USA

A year-long study was conducted in Pinal County, AZ, to characterize coarse (2.5 – 10 μm aerodynamic diameter, AD) and fine (< 2.5 μm AD) particulate matter (PMc and PMf, respectively) to further understand spatial and temporal variations in ambient PM concentrations and composition in rural, arid environments. Measurements of PMc and PMf mass, ions, elements, and carbon concentrations at one-in-six day resolution were obtained at three sites within the region. Results from the summer of 2009 and specifically the local monsoon period are presented.

The summer monsoon season (July – September) and associated rain and/or high wind events, has historically had the largest number of PM₁₀ NAAQS exceedances within a year. Rain events served to clean the atmosphere, decreasing PMc concentrations resulting in a more uniform spatial gradient among the sites. The monsoon period also is characterized by high wind events, increasing PMc mass concentrations, possibly due to increased local wind-driven soil erosion or transport. Two PM₁₀ NAAQS exceedances at the urban monitoring site were explained by high wind events and can likely be excluded from PM₁₀ compliance calculations as exceptional events. At the more rural Cowtown site, PM₁₀ NAAQS exceedances were more frequent, likely due to the impact from local dust sources.

PM mass concentrations at the Cowtown site were typically higher than at the Pinal County Housing and Casa Grande sites. Crustal material was equal to 52-63% of the PMc mass concentration on average. High concentrations of phosphate and organic carbon found at the rural Cowtown were associated with local cattle feeding operations. A relatively high correlation between PMc and PMf (R²?=?0.63) indicated that the lower tail of the coarse particle fraction often impacts the fine particle fraction, increasing the PMf concentrations. Therefore, reductions in PMc sources will likely also reduce PMf concentrations, which also are near the value of the 24-hr PM_2.5 NAAQS.

Implications: In the desert southwest, summer monsoons are often associated with above average PM₁₀ (<10 μm AD) mass concentrations. Competing influences of monsoon rain and wind events showed that rain suppresses ambient concentrations while high wind increase them. In this region, the PMc fraction dominates PM₁₀ and crustal sources contribute 52-63% to local PMc mass concentrations on average. Cattle feedlot emissions are also an important source and a unique chemical signature was identified for this source. Observations suggest monsoon wind events alone cannot explain PM₁₀ NAAQS exceedances, thus requiring these values to remain in compliance calculations rather than being removed as exceptional wind events.     

An Analysis of Regional Haze Using Tracers of Opportunity

A two-year record of hourly concentrations of halocarbon tracers (methylchloroform and perchloroethylene) and hourly averages of particle light scattering (B_sp) has been analyzed In an effort to understand the sources of haze In the U.S. southwestern deserts and mountains. Measurements were taken on top of Spirit Mountain in southern Nevada. In conjunction with photographs used to interpret visual quality, haze episodes at Spirit Mountain were usually coincident with elevated concentrations of tracers originating from urban sources. Haze obscured an 88-km-distant mountain 17 percent of the total observation time. Of those Incidents, 69 percent were associated with long-range transport of haze from the Los Angeles Basin.     

Application of the tracer-aerosol gradient interpretive technique to sulfur attribution for the big bend regional aerosol and visibility observational study

A simple data analysis method called the Tracer-Aerosol Gradient Interpretive Technique (TAGIT) is used to attribute particulate S and SO2 at Big Bend National Park in Texas and nearby areas to local and regional sources. Particulate S at Big Bend is of concern because of its effects on atmospheric visibility. The analysis used particulate S, SO2, and perfluorocarbon tracer data from six 6-hr sampling sites in and near Big Bend National Park. The data were collected in support of the Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational (BRAVO) Study; the field portion was conducted from July through October 1999. Perfluorocarbon tracer was released continuously from a tower at Eagle Pass, TX, approximately 25 km northeast of two large coal-fired power plants (Carbon I and II) in Coahuila, Mexico, and approximately 270 km east-southeast of Big Bend National Park. The perfluorocarbon tracer did not properly represent the location of the emissions from the Carbon power plants for individual 6-hr sampling periods and attributed only 3% of the particulate S and 27% of the SO2 at the 6-hr sites in and near Big Bend to sources represented by the tracer. An alternative approach using SO2 to tag "local" sources such as the Carbon plants attributed 10% of the particulate S and 75% of the SO2 at the 6-hr sites to local sources. Based on these two approaches, most of the regional (65-86%) and a small fraction (19-31%) of the local SO2 was converted to particulate S. The analysis implies that substantial reductions in particulate S at Big Bend National Park cannot be achieved by only reducing emissions from the Carbon power plants; reduction of emissions from many sources over a regional area would be necessary.     

A Computer Plot for a High Temperature Psychrometric Chart

This paper presents results of multivariate regression models developed to estimate the properties and cost of U.S. coals washed for varying degrees of sulfur removal using commercially available physical coal preparation processes. The models allow washed coal characteristics to be predicted from information on coal origin, heating value, ash, and sulfur content. The models were developed by first "processing" each of the 710 coals in the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) coal washability data base through a coal preparation plant computer model which optimizes plant performance to achieve a desired washed coal quality. Washability data are adjusted to account for the inefficiencies of coal washing equipment, and the actual coal sizes treated by various plant wash streams. Since different plant designs may be capable of achieving a given level of sulfur removal, three nominal levels of plant complexity (Levels 2, 3, 4) were included to identify the most economical alternative. The washed coal characteristics thus derived were then analyzed using standard statistical techniques to develop regression equations linking washed coal properties and cost to raw coal properties for each of 18 geographical regions encompassing the entire U.S. These regression models are incorporated in the Advanced Utility Simulation Model (AUSM) to estimate the economic potential of coal washing as a sulfur abatement strategy, in conjunction with other options available to coal-fired power plants. Modeling results for Pennsylvania showed that washed coals frequently were selected as part of a cost-effective control strategy, accounting for 10 to 30 percent of the total emissions reduction, and that "local coal" restrictions significantly increase the use of washed coal as an SO₂ control strategy. Hypothetical requirements for mandatory coal cleaning, however, were found to be costly and ineffective.     

Interannual variability of transboundary sulphur flux

A study was conducted by the Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) to compute the transboundary sulphur flux between eastern Canada and the eastern United States on a monthly and annual basis for the years 1980–1983.The S fluxes were calculated using the AES Lagrangian model. SO₂ and SO₄ concentrations were computed at 16 line segment mid-points along the Canada-U.S. border from western Ontario through Quebec to the Maritimes. Sulphur fluxes were determined at 6-h intervals and summed temporally and spatially to obtain the total transboundary S flux. By using only the Canadian and only the U.S. emissions, the total S flux contributions from each country could be determined.Canadian and U.S. emissions declined from 1980 to 1983 by 20% and 11%, respectively, then increased slightly in 1983. The total annual S flux from the U.S. to Canada ranged from 1.86 Mt S (1980) to 1.61 Mt S (1983) while the flux from Canada to the U.S. ranged from 0.75 Mt S (1980) to 0.52 Mt S (1982). Fluxes between both countries were highest (lowest) in the winter (summer) because of the stronger (lighter) winds and higher (lower) SO₂ concentrations. However, SO₄ mass flux peaked in summer and early fall because of higher chemical conversion rates.Annual transboundary fluxes were observed to change by up to 20% in response to emissions changes and meteorological variability and these two influences should be considered together when assessing flux changes.     

Application of the Tracer-Aerosol Gradient Interpretive Technique to Sulfur Attribution for the Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational Study

Abstract

A simple data analysis method called the Tracer-Aerosol Gradient Interpretive Technique (TAGIT) is used to attribute particulate S and SO₂ at Big Bend National Park in Texas and nearby areas to local and regional sources. Particulate S at Big Bend is of concern because of its effects on atmospheric visibility. The analysis used particulate S, SO₂ , and perfluorocarbon tracer data from six 6-hr sampling sites in and near Big Bend National Park. The data were collected in support of the Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational (BRAVO) Study; the field portion was conducted from July through October 1999. Perfluorocarbon tracer was released continuously from a tower at Eagle Pass, TX, approximately 25 km northeast of two large coal-fired power plants (Carbon I and II) in Coahuila, Mexico, and approximately 270 km east-southeast of Big Bend National Park.

The perfluorocarbon tracer did not properly represent the location of the emissions from the Carbon power plants for individual 6-hr sampling periods and attributed only 3% of the particulate S and 27% of the SO₂ at the 6-hr sites in and near Big Bend to sources represented by the tracer. An alternative approach using SO₂ to tag “local” sources such as the Carbon plants attributed 10% of the particulate S and 75% of the SO2 at the 6-hr sites to local sources. Based on these two approaches, most of the regional (65–86%) and a small fraction (19–31%) of the local SO₂ was converted to particulate S. The analysis implies that substantial reductions in particulate S at Big Bend National Park cannot be achieved by only reducing emissions from the Carbon power plants; reduction of emissions from many sources over a regional area would be necessary.     

Characterizing the occurrence, sources, and variability of radon in Pacific Northwest homes

A compilation of data from earlier studies of 172 homes in the Pacific Northwest indicated that approximately 65 percent of the 46 homes tested in the Spokane River Valley/Rathdrum Prairie region of eastern Washington/northern Idaho had heating season indoor radon (222Rn) concentrations above the U. S. EPA guideline of 148 Bq m-3 (4 pCi L-1). A subset of 35 homes was selected for additional study. The primary source of indoor radon in the Spokane River Valley/Rathdrum Prairie was pressure-driven flow of soil gas containing moderate radon concentrations (geometric mean concentration of 16,000 Bq m-3) from the highly permeable soils (geometric mean permeability of 5 x 10(-11) m2) surrounding the house substructures. Estimated soil gas entry rates ranged from 0.4 to 39 m3h-1 and 1 percent to 21 percent of total building air infiltration. Radon from other sources, including domestic water supplies and building materials was negligible. In high radon homes, winter indoor levels averaged 13 times higher than summer concentrations, while in low radon homes winter levels averaged only 2.5 times higher. Short-term variations in indoor radon were observed to be dependent upon indoor-outdoor temperature differences, wind speed, and operation of forced-air furnace fans. Forced-air furnace operation, along with leaky return ducts and plenums, and openings between the substructure and upper floors enhanced mixing of radon-laden substructure air throughout the rest of the building.     

High Intensity lonization Applied to Venturi Scrubbing

The relationship between a standard for the class of particulate matter smaller than 10 μm (PM₁₀) and thoracic particle sampling has been explored over a wide range of ambient aerosol distributions characteristic of both the European and U.S. situations. As a general trend, the PM₁₀ sampling performance does meet the proposed U.S. EPA compliance criterion of ±10 percent. The major parameters determining compliance are the 50 percent cutpoint of the PM₁₀ inlet and the mass median diameter of the coarse particle mode.

Also an assessment has been made of a possible relationship between high volume sampling based air quality data and those based upon thoracic particle sampling. For average European situations the following indicative relation does hold: HVS ≈ 1.3 × TP ± 30 percent, and HVS ≈ 1.25 × PM₁₀. For the more arid U.S. situations: HVS ≈ 1.7 × TP and HVS ≈ 1.65 × PM₁₀, in realistic agreement with the experimentally observed U.S. findings of HVS ≈ 2.0 × PM₁₀. Under extreme situations with high winds both the compliance PM₁₀-TP and the relation HVS-TP drastically deteriorate.     

Midwest/western/eastern U.S. precipitation and aerosol sulfate: Differences attributable to natural source inputs?

Factor analysis comparisons between the MAP3S network and Minnesota precipitation chemistry data show marked differences. An assessment of ambient aerosol and precipitation chemistry data obtained at several Colorado and Minnesota sites suggests that natural source inputs may contribute to the sulfate observed in ambient aerosol and at least partly, explain the marked differences of Minnesota and Colorado precipitation chemistry data from that of MAP3S (eastern U.S.). However, a recently proposed mechanism, SO₂ to SO₄ conversion on the surface of dust particles, may be more important than natural sources in explaining western and midwestern precipitation chemistry data. It is concluded that these predominantly non-acidic SO₄ sources may explain the poor association between the H⁺ and SO₄ in many western and some midwestern precipitation chemistry data sets.     

Source apportionment of urban fine and ultra-fine particle number concentration in a Western Mediterranean city

Extensive measurements on particle number concentration and size distribution (13–800 nm), together with detailed chemical composition of PM_2.5 have constituted the main inputs of the database used for a source apportionment analysis. Data were collected at an urban background site in Barcelona, Western Mediterranean.The source identification analysis helped us to distinguish five emission sources (vehicle exhausts, mineral dust, sea spray, industrial source and fuel-oil combustion) and two atmospheric processes (photochemical induced nucleation and regional/urban background particles derived from coagulation and condensation processes). After that, a multilinear regression analysis was applied in order to quantify the contribution of each factor.This study reveals that vehicle exhausts contribute dominantly to the number concentration in all the particle sizes (52–86%), but especially in the range 30–200 nm. This work also points out the importance of the regional and/or urban formed aerosols (secondary inorganic particles) on the total number concentration (around 25% of the total number), with a higher impact on the accumulation mode. The photo-chemically induced nucleation of aerosols only represents a small proportion of the total number as an annual mean (3%), but is very relevant when considering only the nucleation mode (13–20 nm) fraction (23%). The other sources recognized registered sporadic contributions to the total number, coinciding with specific meteorological scenarios.This study discloses the main sources and features affecting and controlling the fine and ultra-fine aerosols in a typical city in the Western Mediterranean coast. Whereas the road traffic appears to be the most important source of sub-micrometric aerosols, other sources may not be negligible under specific meteorological conditions.     

Concentrations, spatial distributions and congener profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils from a coastal city--Tianjin, China

A total of 82 surface soil samples collected from central urban sites, surrounding rural sites, coastal sites and background sites in Tianjin were analyzed for 84 PCB congeners. The mean values of total PCBs concentrations for surrounding rural sites, central urban sites, coastal sites, background sites and the whole Tianjin region were 4.45, 3.20, 12.65, 1.96 and 4.02 ng g(-1), respectively. No "urban fractionation effect" was found in Tianjin, which reflected the influence of local emission sources for PCBs such as industries and township enterprises in surrounding rural sites. In contrast, a "primary fractionation effect" was found in Tianjin region. The PCBs concentrations for whole Tianjin region showed a strong east-west gradient and the percentages of lighter molecular weight PCBs homologs (sum of di- to tetra-PCBs) to the total PCBs concentrations increased from east to west. The seven indicator PCBs concentrations were well correlated with the total PCBs concentrations with the correlation coefficients as 0.76 for Tianjin region and 0.74 for central urban sites, respectively. Predominant PCB homolog groups were penta- and tri-PCBs for Tianjin region. 10 dioxin-like PCBs concentrations were well correlated with total PCBs concentrations for all the sampling sites (R=0.79, P<0.0001). The TEQ concentrations for 10 dioxin-like PCBs were 5.3424 ng kg(-1) for Tianjin region and showed a strong east to west gradient. The spatial distribution of PCBs levels, homolog composition patterns and TEQ concentrations were all obviously influenced by local emission sources for PCBs in the east part of Tianjin region.     

A method to estimate the distribution of various fractions of PM10 in ambient air in the Netherlands

Eight rules based on measurements, model calculations, additional deductions and expert judgement have been devised for use in estimating the distribution and sources of various fractions of PM₁₀ in the Netherlands. As some of the underlying assumptions to these rules are debatable, they can be best characterized as “rules of thumb”. A brief rationale is given for each rule. Using these rules it is concluded that a previous expert judgement of a contribution of 20% from Dutch sources to PM₁₀ levels in the Netherlands is probably too low. Different values for the national contribution to the ambient PM₁₀ levels in the Netherlands have been evaluated. A contribution of 40–45% to PM₁₀ levels from Dutch sources is shown to meet two decisive criteria: (1) a reasonable ratio of PM₁₀ originating from national and foreign sources and (2) a reasonable ratio of the fine and coarse fractions of PM₁₀. Such a contribution also agrees with available data. This study shows that a higher national contribution to the ambient PM₁₀ levels implies a larger share of local emissions of coarse particles >2.5 μm than previously estimated. It appears that the original concept of a “blanket” of homogeneous PM₁₀ concentrations covering the Netherlands, a useful concept to describe the occurrence of shallow concentration gradients on geographical scales smaller than the country as a whole, has turned out to be more of a “patchwork quilt”. Although the measured concentration gradients are low (<20%), probably because the distribution of emission sources in a densely populated country like the Netherlands is fairly homogeneous, the chemical composition of PM₁₀ may differ spatially due to the contribution of local sources emitting aerosols in the coarser fraction of PM₁₀.     

Evaluation of PM10 forecasting based on the artificial neural network model and intake fraction in an urban area: A case study in Taiyuan City,China

Primary fine particulate matters with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM₁₀) are important air emissions causing human health damage. PM₁₀ concentration forecast is important and necessary to perform in order to assess the impact of air on the health of living beings. To better understand the PM₁₀ pollution health risk in Taiyuan City, China, this paper forecasted the temporal and spatial distribution of PM₁₀ yearly average concentration, using Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network (BPANN) model with various air quality parameters. The predicted results of the models were consistent with the observations with a correlation coefficient of 0.72. The PM₁₀ yearly average concentrations combined with the population data from 2002 to 2008 were given into the Intake Fraction (IF) model to calculate the IFs, which are defined as the integrated incremental intake of a pollutant released from a source category or a region over all exposed individuals. The results in this study are only for main stationary sources of the research area, and the traffic sources have not been included. The computed IFs results are therefore under-estimations. The IFs of PM₁₀ from Taiyuan with a mean of 8.5 per million were relatively high compared with other IFs of the United States, Northern Europe and other cities in China. The results of this study indicate that the artificial neural network is an effective method for PM₁₀ pollution modeling, and the Intake Fraction model provides a rapid population risk estimate for pollutant emission reduction strategies and policies.

Implications The PM₁₀ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) yearly average concentration of Taiyuan, with a mean of 0.176 mg/m³, was higher than the 65 μg/m³ recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The spatial distribution of PM₁₀ yearly average concentrations showed that wind direction and wind speed played an important role, whereas temperature and humidity had a lower effect than expected. Intake fraction estimates of Taiyuan were relatively high compared with those observed in other cities. Population density was the major factor influencing PM₁₀ spatial distribution. The results indicated that the artificial neural network was an effective method for PM₁₀ pollution modeling.     

PM10 concentration levels at an urban and background site in Cyprus: The impact of urban sources and dust storms

Air quality in Cyprus is influenced by both local and transported pollution, including desert dust storms. We examined PM₁₀ concentration data collected in Nicosia (urban representative) from April 1, 1993, through December 11, 2008, and in Ayia Marina (rural background representative) from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2008. Measurements were conducted using a Tapered Element Oscillating Micro-balance (TEOM). PM₁₀ concentrations, meteorological records, and satellite data were used to identify dust storm days. We investigated long-term trends using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) after controlling for day of week, month, temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity. In Nicosia, annual PM₁₀ concentrations ranged from 50.4 to 63.8 μg/m³ and exceeded the EU annual standard limit enacted in 2005 of 40 μg/m³ every year. A large, statistically significant impact of urban sources (defined as the difference between urban and background levels) was seen in Nicosia over the period 2000–2008, and was highest during traffic hours, weekdays, cold months, and low wind conditions. Our estimate of the mean (standard error) contribution of urban sources to the daily ambient PM₁₀ was 24.0 (0.4) μg/m³. The study of yearly trends showed that PM₁₀ levels in Nicosia decreased from 59.4 μg/m³ in 1993 to 49.0 μg/m³ in 2008, probably in part as a result of traffic emission control policies in Cyprus. In Ayia Marina, annual concentrations ranged from 27.3 to 35.6 μg/m³, and no obvious time trends were observed. The levels measured at the Cyprus background site are comparable to background concentrations reported in other Eastern Mediterranean countries. Average daily PM₁₀ concentrations during desert dust storms were around 100 μg/m³ since 2000 and much higher in earlier years. Despite the large impact of dust storms and their increasing frequency over time, dust storms were responsible for a small fraction of the exceedances of the daily PM₁₀ limit.

ImplicationsThis paper examines PM₁₀ concentrations in Nicosia, Cyprus, from 1993 to 2008. The decrease in PM₁₀ levels in Nicosia suggests that the implementation of traffic emission control policies in Cyprus has been effective. However, particle levels still exceeded the European Union annual standard, and dust storms were responsible for a small fraction of the daily PM₁₀ limit exceedances. Other natural particles that are not assessed in this study, such as resuspended soil and sea salt, may be responsible in part for the high particle levels.     

Respirable particulate matter at an urban and nearby industrial location: concentrations and variability and synoptic weather conditions during high pollution episodes

Continuous data of the concentration measurements of respirable suspended particulates (PM10, particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 pm) were analyzed. These measurements were carried out at an urban and nearby industrial location in northern Greece for the 5-year period 1996-2000. The time series concentration trend was examined, the seasonal and diurnal variations were identified, and the lognormality of the daily mean concentration data sets was tested. Over the 5-year data-gathering period, the days on which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 24-hr PM10 standard was exceeded (episode days) were identified and their relation to prevailing synoptic-scale meteorological conditions was studied. The analysis led to useful information concerning the air quality levels, the contribution of the main pollution sources in this area, as well as some of the mechanisms that influence the PM10 concentrations. It also was proved that the measured PM10 concentrations are a result of a combination of processes including local anthropogenic sources, mesoscale transport, and resuspension. A complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the heavy particulate pollution in the area of interest.     

PCBs in air, soil and milk in industrialized and urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Information regarding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in environmental media in Africa is limited. This paper presents results of a monitoring program conducted in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa designed to characterize levels, trends and sources of airborne PCBs. Particulate and vapor samples were sampled over the 2004-2005 period at three sites. The total PCB concentration averaged 128 ± 47 pg m⁻³, and levels were highest in winter. Tri- through hexa-congeners predominated, and the vapor fraction was predominant. Several tetra- through hexa-chlorinated congeners had levels comparable to those at urban sites in the northern hemisphere, but hepta- through deca-congeners resembled levels at background sites. PCB source areas, deduced using spatial and temporal patterns, compositional information and trajectory analyses, likely included local, regional and global sources. Soils at three rural sites showed high PCB concentrations, and milk from a local dairy showed PCB concentrations comparable to USA levels in year 2000.