An assessment of the air pollution data from two monitoring stations in Kuwait

This article assesses the air pollution data from two monitoring stations in Kuwait. The measurements cover major pollutants, i.e., CO, CO₂, methanated and non-methanated hydrocarbons, NO _x , SO₂, O₃, and particulate matter (PM10). The data also includes meteorological parameters, i.e., solar intensity, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, and has been collected over a period 4 years, from 2001 to 2004. Data analysis includes the assessment of annual hourly averages and 1-h maxima. Typical pollutant concentration trends, similar to those previously reported for Kuwait and for other locations around the world, are observed except for particulate matter measurements, which have higher values because of proximity to the desert. Emissions of nitrogen oxides show a consistent increase over the years. This is caused by the increase in the number of motor vehicles and the expansion in power generation and industrial activities. The data collected is a subset of the air quality criteria, as defined by the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency).     

Sensitivity of Ozone Production to the Nmhc Composition,Aerosol Back-Scattering and High Chimney Emission

Abstract

In this paper, three sensitivity studies are designed to analyze the effect of the NMHC (Non-Methane HydroCarbon) composition, the aerosol back-scattering and the high chimney NO _x emission to the photochemical prodution of ozone by using a one-dimensional photochemistry-diffusion model under a favourable meteorological condition. Measurements of the NMHC composition in Taipei indicated that the percentage of iso-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene and benzene in a unit volume was much higher than of those observed in other major cities. the high ratio of benzene was directly linked to its high percentage in gasoline. As to the unusually high amount of iso-butene, cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene, more researches are needed to identify their source. Concerns are raised as to how productive is NMHC composition is to the photochemical production of the surface ozone. A rough estimate shows that the total reactivity of the Taipei NMHC composition is about 1.21 × 10^?9 cm³ s^?1 which is 1.6 times that of the Los Angeles (LA) NMHC composition, while the simulated noon peak will be different by 28 ppbv, i.e. 18% more than that simulated with a LA composition.

Meanwhile, high aerosol loading is a serious problem in Taipei. the attenuation of the UV radiation by aerosols cannot be ignored. A numerical simulation shows that the noon ozone level will decrease from 178 to 141ppbv, i. e. about 21% reduction, with deterioration of the visual range from 85 to 5 km.

In the southern Taiwan, industry parks are mixed with the populated Kaohsiung city, hence the large emission of NO _x from high chimneys cannot be ignored. in this study, NO _x is assumed to be emitted in the layer between 235–460 m high with an emission rate of 0.05 or 0.145 ppbv/sec. the results show that the NO _x emitted from the elevated stack lead to a considerable reduction of surface ozone. Such conclusion is obtained due to the fact that a one-dimensional model is used in this paper. Whereas, if a three-dimensional regional model was used, then a higher productivity of ozone downstream would be simulated.     

Analysis and prediction of the influence of energy utilization on air quality in Beijing

This work evaluates the influence of energy consumption on the future air quality in Beijing, using 2000 as the base year and 2008 as the target year. It establishes the emission inventory of primary PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO_x related to energy utilization in eight areas of Beijing. The air quality model was adopted to simulate the temporal and spatial distribution of each pollutant concentration in the eight urban areas. Their emission, concentration distribution, and sectoral share responsibility rate were analyzed, and air quality in 2008 was predicted. The industrial sector contributed above 40% of primary PM₁₀ and SO₂ resulting from energy consumption, while vehicles accounted for about 65% of NO_x. According to the current policy and development trend, air quality in the eight urban areas could become better in 2008 when the average concentrations of primary PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO₂ related to energy utilization at each monitored site are predicted to be about 25, 50 and 51 μg/m³, respectively.     

Ancillary benefits of reduced air pollution in the US from moderate greenhouse gas mitigation policies in the electricity sector

Actions to slow atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases also would reduce conventional air pollutants yielding “ancillary” benefits that tend to accrue locally and in the near-term. Using a detailed electricity model linked to an integrated assessment framework to value changes in human health, we find a tax of $25 per metric ton of carbon emissions would yield NO_x-related health benefits of about $8 per metric ton of carbon reduced in the year 2010 (1997 dollars). Additional savings of $4–$7 accrue from reduced investment in NO_x and SO₂ abatement in order to comply with emission caps. Total ancillary benefits of a $25 carbon tax are $12–$14, which appear to justify the costs of a $25 tax, although marginal benefits are less than marginal costs. At a tax of $75, greater total benefits are achieved but the value per ton of carbon reductions remains roughly constant at about $12.     

Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment in Xiamen city,China

Urban energy consumption is one of the most important causes of air pollution. Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment is of great significance to the promotion of urban environmental protection. This paper focuses on ecological risk in Xiamen city caused by air pollutant discharge from urban energy consumption. The Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning model was used to establish two scenarios of energy consumption in Xiamen city, and based on different scenarios, we estimated urban energy consumption and discharge quantity of air pollutant (DQAP). A box model and an expert scoring method were used to calculate the air pollution burden (APB) of SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and to obtain the probabilities of different air pollution loads. An ecological risk assessment model was developed and utilized to predict Xiamen city’s ecological risks in 2020. The results showed that under an energy-saving scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are high, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. Under a baseline scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are moderate, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. In addition, the APB of SO₂, NO₂, CO, and PM_2.5, but not of PM₁₀, is predicted to rise. In the simulation, energy generation from coal is the main source of air pollution. Although the DQAP from automobiles is not high, it is predicted to rise year-on-year. In summary, the ecological risk due to pollution in Xiamen city is high, and the main pollutants are SO₂, NO₂ and PM_2.5.     

Permitted emissions of major air pollutants from coal-fired power plants in China based on best available control technology

Based on the activity level and technical information of coal-fired power-generating units (CFPGU) obtained in China from 2011 to 2015, we, 1) analyzed the time and spatial distribution of SO₂ and NO_x emission performance of CFPGUs in China; 2) studied the impact of installed capacity, sulfur content of coal combustion, and unit operation starting time on CFPGUs’ pollutant emission performance; and 3) proposed the SO₂ and NO_x emission performance standards for coal-fired power plants based on the best available control technology. Our results show that: 1) the larger the capacity of a CFPGU, the higher the control level and the faster the improvement; 2) the CFPGUs in the developed eastern regions had significantly lower SO₂ and NO_x emission performance values than those in other provinces due to better economic and technological development and higher environmental management levels; 3) the SO₂ and NO_x emission performance of the Chinese thermal power industry was significantly affected by the single-unit capacity, coal sulfur content, and unit operation starting time; and 4) based on the achievability analysis of best available pollution control technology, we believe that the CFPGUs’ SO₂ emission performance reference values should be 0.34 g/kWh for active units in general areas, 0.8 g/kWh for active units in high-sulfur coal areas, and 0.13 g/kWh for newly built units and active units in key areas. In addition, the NO_x emission performance reference values should be 0.35 g/kWh for active units in general areas and 0.175 g/kWh for new units and active units in key areas.

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Air pollution and its control in China

The rapid growth of China’s economy has led to severe air pollution characterized by acid rain, severe pollution in cities, and regional air pollution. High concentrations are found for various pollutants such as sulfur dioxides (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and fine particulates. Great efforts have thus been undertaken for the control of air pollution in the country. This paper discusses the development and application of appropriate technologies for reducing the major pollutants produced by coal and vehicles, and investigates air quality modeling as an important support for policy-making.     

Relationship between air pollutants emission patterns and concentrations

Emission patterns of NO_x and S‐compounds are analyzed to study their influence on the concentrations of SO₂, NO_x, sulphate and nitrate in the air. Air mass trajectories, emission inventories and cluster analysis are used to define the emission patterns.

The scheme that characterized most of the days is defined by low emissions from 48 hours until 18 hours before the measurements and it produces average concentrations. High concentrations are due to emission peaks. The time between these emission peaks and the measurement determines the importance of the emission peak on the concentration.     

Abschätzung der Reduzierung der Luftschadstoffkonzentrationen

The UN ECE Göteborg Protocol from 1. December 1999 (c.f.http://www.unece.org und SENGER, 2000) to abate acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone demands distinct reductions of air pollutants in different countries. In this contribution the reduction of different components of air pollutants between the years 1990 and 2010 were estimated for the German federal states of Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. The estimated reduction for NO_x, SO₂ and NM-VOC, and CO meet the demands set up by the UN ECE Göteborg Protocol. For O₃ a reduction could only be predicted for rural areas and, for CO₂, a steady increase in its global concentration has to be assumed.     

Aerogels and metal–organic frameworks for environmental remediation and energy production

Environmental pollution and climate change are requiring new methods to clean pollutants and produce sustainable energy. Aerogels and metal organic frameworks are emerging as advanced porous materials with higher functionality, high surface area, high porosity and flexible chemistry. Aerogels are dried gels prepared using the sol–gel procedure, whereas metal organic frameworks are networks of organic ligands and metal ions connected by coordination bonds. Applications of aerogels include the removal of heavy metals, CO₂ capture and reduction, photodegradation of pollutants, air cleanup and water splitting. This article reviews the synthesis and types of aerogels and metal organic frameworks, and the application to pollutant removal, energy production including hydrogen, methane reforming, CO₂ conversion and NOx removal.     

Sensitivity of air quality model prediction to parameterization of vertical eddy diffusivity

This paper investigates the effects of vertical eddy diffusivities derived from the 3 different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes on predictions of chemical components in the troposphere of East Asia. Three PBL schemes were incorporated into a regional air quality model (RAQM) to represent vertical mixing process and sensitivity simulations were conducted with the three schemes while other options are identical. At altitudes <2km, all schemes exhibit similar skill for predicting SO₂ and O₃, but more difference in the predicted NO_x concentration. The Gayno–Seaman scheme produces the smallest vertical eddy diffusivity (Kz) among all schemes, leading to higher SO₂ and NO_x concentrations near the surface than that from the other 2 schemes. However, the effect of vertical mixing on O₃ concentration is complex and varies spatially due to chemistry. The Gayno–Seaman scheme predicts lower O₃ concentrations than the other two schemes in the parts of northern China (generally VOC-limited) and higher ones in most parts of southern China (NO_x-limited). The Byun and Dennis scheme produces the largest mixing depth in the daytime, which bring more NO_x into upper levels, and the mixing depth predicted by the Gayno–Seaman scheme is the smallest, leading to higher NO_x and lower O₃ concentrations near the surface over intensive emission regions.     

Full scale treatment of hazardous wastewater through thermal reduction

An attempt has been made to present the data relating to full scale application of evaporation‐incineration technology for containment of wastewater emanating from H‐acid (mono sodium salt of 1 amino‐8‐hydroxynapthalene 3,6‐disulphonic acid) production with recourse to zero wastewater discharge. The wastewater is acidic with high concentrations of COD and total dissolved salts and BOD/COD ratio of 0.11. NO_x, SO_x, SPM and CO from stack emissions are within the standards stipulated by the statutory bodies.     

A chemical mechanism for dry deposition—the role of biogenic hydrocarbon (Terpene) emissions in the dry deposition of O3, SO2 and NOx in forest areas

Terpenes react quite rapidly with ambient ozone and lead via ozonides to highly oxidizing radicals and consecutive products forming aerosols. In the presence of SO₂ sulphur containing compounds, mainly as sulphate, are formed. By means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by comparison with known spectra the main products of the reaction of ß‐pinene (as a model compound) with ozone and sulphur dioxide could be identified.

Reaction of terpenes with NO₃‐radicals, which build up in the atmosphere at night‐time, leads to the formation of organic nitrates that form aerosols. The kinetics as well as the products of the reaction between NO₃‐radicals and ß‐pinene have been studied by FTIR and MS.     

Efficient air pollution abatement for regions in China

This paper computes the efficient air pollution abatement ratios of 30 regions in China during the period 1996–2002. Three air emissions (SO₂, soot and dust) are considered. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) with a single output (real GDP) and five inputs (labour, real capital stock, SO₂, dust and soot emissions) is used to compute the target emissions of each region for each year. The efficient abatement ratios of each region in each year are then obtained by dividing the target emission by the actual emission of an air pollutant. Our major findings are: 1. The eastern area is the most efficient region with respect to SO₂, soot and dust emissions in every year during the research period. 2. The eastern, central and western areas have the lowest, medium and highest 1996–2002 average target abatement ratios of SO₂ (22.09%, 42.23% and 57.58%), soot (26.19%, 56.34% and 66.37%) and dust (15.20%, 29.09% and 40.59%), respectively. 3. These results are consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory, whereby a more developed area will use environmental goods more efficiently than a less developed area. 4. Compared to dust emission, the average target abatement ratios for SO₂ and soot emissions (as direct outcomes of burning coal) are relatively much higher for all three areas.     

Morbidity and pollution: Model specification analysis for time-series data on hospital admissions

Time-series analysis of effects of pollutants on emergency hospital admissions indicates important synergistic interactions among pollutants and to a lesser degree nonlinearities in effects of single pollutants. Comparisons of alternative econometric specifications are made to determine the appropriateness of incorporating nonuniform pollution impacts. The data substantially support the existence of synergisms among pollutants with high levels of sulfur dioxide, SO₂ (particulates), increasing the impact of particulates (SO₂) on emergency hospital admissions. Marginal effects of either pollutant are, however, small at current ambient air quality levels. These results indicate that damage estimates were likely to be understated during the 1960's when pollution levels were high, while, at current levels of those pollutants considered here, marginal damages are lower than would be estimated in studies failing to incorporate synergistic and nonlinear impacts.     

Transport and Diffusion of Ozone in the Nocturnal and Morning Planetary Boundary Layer of the Phoenix Valley

The evolution of ozone (O ₃) in the nocturnal and morning-transitional planetary boundary layer (PBL) of the Phoenix valley was measured as a part of the `Phoenix Sunrise Experiment 2001' of the U.S. Department of Energy conducted in June 2001. The goal of the field program was to study the transport, distribution and storage of ozone and its precursors in the urban boundary layer over a diurnal cycle. The ground level O <sub>3</sub> as well as mean meteorological variables and turbulence were measured over the entire period, and vertical profiling (using a tethered balloon) was made during the morning transition period. Approximately half of the observational days showed the usual diurnal cycle of high O <sub>3</sub> during the day and low O <sub>3</sub> at night, with nitrogen oxides (NO <sub>x</sub> = NO <sub>2</sub> + NO) showing an out of phase relationship with O <sub>3</sub>. The rest of the days were signified by an anomalous increase of O <sub>3</sub> in the late evening ( 2200 LST), concomitant with a sudden drop of temperature, an enhancement of wind speed and Reynolds stresses, a positive heat flux and a change of wind direction. NO <sub>x</sub> measurements indicated the simultaneous arrival of an `aged' air mass, which was corroborated by the wind predictions of a mesoscale numerical model. In all, the results indicate that the recirculation of O ₃ rich air masses is responsible for the said high-O ₃ events. Such air masses are produced during the transport of O ₃ precursors by the upslope flow toward mountainous suburbs during the day, and they return back to the city at night via downslope winds (i.e. mountain breeze). The corresponding flow patterns, and hence the high-O ₃ events, are determined by background meteorological conditions. The vertical profiling of O ₃ and flow variables during the morning transition points to a myriad of transport, mixing and chemical processes that determine the fate of tropospheric O ₃. How well such processes are incorporated and resolved in predictive O ₃ models should determine the accuracy of their predictions.     

Bewertung der Umwelteffizienz moderner Autoantriebe – auf dem Weg vom Diesel-Pkw-Boom zu Elektroautos

Motorized traffic is among the biggest CO₂-emitting sources and is additionally dominating NO_x emission. Engine technology shifts are approaching, while automobiles developed in Germany and Europe are exported worldwide together with the European emission thresholds for cars. The Diesel car boom induced by EU commission, national EU governments and car industry is accordingly analyzed for sustainability and its effects on environment. German CO₂ emission reduction numbers by motorized traffic, as claimed by the government, are questioned. Radiative forcing by soot (black carbon) Diesel car emissions is added on the CO₂ emissions by fuel combustion. Diesel cars without particle filters are found to cause an atmospheric warming. Modelled and measured NO_x emission data are assessed to mismatch considerably. In spite of an ambitious national NO_x reduction plan there is excess NO_x emission by the German and European Diesel car boom. In this context environmental sustainability of battery electric vehicles (BEV) is investigated. Direct (by car) und indirect (by power plant) emissions (CO₂, NO_x, PM₁₀, SO₂) of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) and BEVs, respectively, are calculated and compared. CO₂-ecoanalysis revealed advantages for BEVs even operated with current German electricity mix based on around 15?% renewable sources.     

Space view of the decadal variation for typical air pollutants in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in China

The Pearl River Delta (PRD) is one of the most industrialized, urbanized and populated regions in China, and thus has been long suffering from severe air pollutions. Space data provide a unique perspective for investigating the atmospheric environment at a regional scale. By utilizing multiple satellite retrievals from 2005 to 2013, this study presented, for the first time, the spatial patterns and temporal trends of typical air pollutants over PRD and its vicinity. As viewed from space, aerosol optical depth (AOD), NO₂ and SO₂ all had their higher values at the central part of PRD, and showed clear descending gradients as moving to the outskirt of this region. As to the inter-annual variation, all these pollutants had decreasing trends in PRD during the study period, which generally agreed with the relevant in situ measurements. However, the satellite retrievals differed from ground measurements when addressing NO₂ and SO₂ in the vicinity of PRD. This work also provides the inter-comparison among PRD and three other metropolitan clusters in China: PRD had relatively high AOD, moderate NO₂ and low SO₂ levels, and it was the only region achieving the effective reduction of NO₂ and SO₂ during last decade. Unlike the previous three pollutants, HCHO observed by satellite showed very special patterns: it had a relatively homogeneous spatial distribution over both of PRD and its vicinity, and presented an opposite increasing trend from 2005 to 2010. Moreover, PRD had the highest HCHO level among all the metropolitan clusters, hinting a considerable contribution of biogenic origins of HCHO in PRD.

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Acute associations between air pollution on premature rupture of membranes in Hefei,China

Numerous studies had focused on the association between air pollution and health outcomes in recent years. However, little evidence is available on associations between air pollutants and premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Therefore, we performed time-series analysis to evaluate the association between PROM and air pollution. The daily average concentrations of PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ were 54.58 μg/m³, 13.06 μg/m³ and 46.09 μg/m³, respectively, and daily maximum 8-h average O₃ concentration was 95.67 μg/m³. The strongest effects of SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ were found in lag4, lag06 and lag09, and an increase of 10 μg/m³ in SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ was corresponding to increase in incidence of PROM of 8.74% (95% CI 2.12–15.79%), 3.09% (95% CI 0.64–5.59%) and 1.68% (95% CI 0.28–3.09%), respectively. There were no significant effects of PM_2.5 on PROM. Season-specific analyses found that the effects of PM_2.5, SO₂ and O₃ on PROM were more obvious in cold season, but the statistically significant effect of NO₂ was observed in warm season. We also found the modifying effects by maternal age on PROM, and we found that the effects of SO₂ and NO₂ on PROM were higher among younger mothers (<?35 years) than advanced age mothers (≥?35 years); however,?≥?35 years group were more vulnerable to O₃ than?<?35 years group. This study indicates that air pollution exposure is an important risk factor for PROM and we wish this study could provide evidence to local government to take rigid approaches to control emissions of air pollutants.

     

Impact of energy structure adjustment on air quality: a case study in Beijing, China

Energy consumption is a major cause of air pollution in Beijing, and the adjustment of the energy structure is of strategic importance to the reduction of carbon intensity and the improvement of air quality. In this paper, we explored the future trend of energy structure adjustment in Beijing till 2020, designed five energy scenarios focusing on the fuel substitution in power plants and heating sectors, established emission inventories, and utilized the Mesoscale Modeling System Generation 5 (MM5) and the Models-3/Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) to evaluate the impact of these measures on air quality. By implementing this systematic energy structure adjustment, the emissions of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO _x , and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) will decrease distinctly by 34.0%, 53.2%, 78.3%, 47.0%, and 30.6% respectively in the most coalintensive scenario of 2020 compared with 2005. Correspondingly, MM5-Models-3/CMAQ simulations indicate significant reduction in the concentrations of major pollutants, implying that energy structure adjustment can play an important role in improving Beijing??s air quality. By fuel substitution for power plants and heating boilers, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO _x , and NMVOCs will be reduced further, but slightly by 1.7%, 4.5%, 11.4%, 13.5%, and 8.8% respectively in the least coal-intensive scenario. The air quality impacts of different scenarios in 2020 resemble each other, indicating that the potential of air quality improvement due to structure adjustment in power plants and heating sectors is limited. However, the CO₂ emission is 10.0% lower in the least coal-intensive scenario than in the most coal-intensive one, contributing to Beijing??s ambition to build a low carbon city. Except for energy structure adjustment, it is necessary to take further measures to ensure the attainment of air quality standards.