ESEM–EDX characterisation of airborne particles from an industrialised area of northern Greece

The aim of this study was to characterise individual airborne particles collected from the Ptolemais-Kozani region (Western Macedonia), northern Greece. Throughout a 1-year period (March 2003 to February 2004), we collected several filters that captured airborne particles at seven sampling sites distributed throughout the area. The airborne particles captured on the filters were then characterised by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The particles were categorised as geogenic, biogenic and anthropogenic. The main anthropogenic airborne particles were fly ash (released from lignite-fired power plants) and carbonaceous (soot and char) and metalliferous (mainly iron- and copper-enriched) particulates. We present here characteristic ESEM and EDX spectra for the airborne particles and underline the presence of characteristic primary and secondary sulphates.     

Limestone surfaces in built-up environment as indicators of atmospheric pollution

The concentration of sulphate on limestone surfaces of the external walls of churches in Malta is shown to be related to their position and distance from a power station, the main local point source of sulphur dioxide pollution. Limestone powder collected from these surfaces was examined for the presence of particles which, under low-power optical microscopy, appear as shiny black amorphous bodies which were interpreted as soot particles; the abundance of these bodies was expressed as a black particle count (BPC). The degree of sulphation and BPC were shown to be correlated with each other and both appeared to be strongly dependent on the prevailing wind. The BPC contour map indicated an important contribution to the parameter from vehicular traffic. It is suggested that the degree of sulphation and BPC of limestone surfaces from the built environment should function as environmental indicators of the relative air quality with respect to SO₂ and soot pollution. This data is possibly more accurately representative of the relative long-term air-quality status of different areas of habitation than that deduced from single or episodic measurements of atmospheric pollutant levels.     

Aktuelle Aerosoltrends an der GAW Globalstation Hohenpeißenberg und ihre Relevanz für Luftreinhaltung und Klima

Aim and Scope

This study was aimed at representing current aerosol trends measured at the GAW global station and their relevance for the present fine dust discussion and a possible impact on climate.

Results and Discussion

1) The intensive GAW measuring program at Hohenpeissenberg covers numerous parameters for the characterization of the physical, optical and chemical characteristics of the atmospheric aerosol. The time series of the number concentration of ultra fine particles with diameters of about 0.004 to 3 μm shows an increase of about 50% since 1995. 2) The introduction of soot particle filters would lower the dust mass only slightly since soot particles from diesel cars only about 8–10% contribute to the dust mass, but about 90% to the number concentration of particles. 3) The single scattering albedo (SSA) is a key parameter determining whether the existing aerosol mixture causes a cooling (negative radiative forcing) or a warming (positive radiative forcing) in the atmosphere. At Hohenpeißenberg the SSA changed from 0.85 to 0.91 in the time period 1999 to 2005, i.e. the regional aerosol as a whole is dominated by scattering rather than absorbing particles.

Conclusion and Perspective

From current aerosol trends at the GAW global station Hohenpeißenberg it was possible to analyze their relevance for air pollution control and possible influences on climate. Dust mass is not a suitable parameter for accessing the contribution of diesel engined vehicles. Measuring the number concentration of particles much more reflects the influence of diesel engined vehicles and also shows, as expected, an upward trend due to a strong increase of the fraction of diesel vehicles in comparison to the total number of cars. Aerosol particles scatter and absorb solar radiation and thus cause a cooling or warming in the atmosphere. Calculated values of the single scattering albedo at Hohenpeissenberg show, that in the initial years the aerosol did not diminish the temperature rise, but rather caused it to increase. Only a data comparison from a global network like GAW can demonstrate, if the results are even representative for the large scale situation.     

Ce0.7Zr0.3O2纳米棒的制备及其对柴油车尾气碳颗粒的催化净化性能

本研究以硝酸铈、硝酸锆为原料使用溶剂热合成法,制备了CeO₂-ZrO₂纳米棒催化剂(Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)),并用于柴油车尾气碳颗粒催化净化.催化活性检测证实:Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)纳米棒催化剂可有效净化柴油车尾气碳烟颗粒.在Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)存在下,碳颗粒净化率为10%、50%和90%时,所需温度分别仅为375℃、414℃和455℃,比商用Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂和Ce0.3Zr0.7O2催化剂性能更优.采用氮吸附-脱附、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、H2程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)等技术对催化剂进行表征.XRD和Raman结果证实,Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)主要由立方相CeO₂构成,并掺杂了少量四方相氧化锆.SEM和TEM结果则显示,Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)催化剂颗粒明显由纳米棒堆积而成,特定的纳米形貌会影响其对碳颗粒的催化氧化活性.XPS结果证明Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)催化剂主要具有晶格氧、化学氧和表面吸附氧等氧物种;晶格氧是碳颗粒氧化的活性氧物种,其溢流到催化剂表面可与碳颗粒接触从而提高反应活性;化学氧和表面吸附氧均为表面氧物种,极易与表面固体碳颗粒直接接触,从而可在较低温度下促进碳颗粒的净化.H₂-TPR结果进一步证实了XPS结果,Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂(NR)催化剂的低温还原温度比商用Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂催化剂更低,且含有更多的易还原氧物种,这些低温易还原氧物种可以在较低温度下参与催化反应,促进柴油车尾气颗粒物的低温催化净化.     

武汉市青山区道路尘碳组分污染特征及来源分析

为研究武汉市道路尘中碳组分污染特征及来源,于2018年5月在武汉市青山区采集道路尘样品,用热光碳分析仪测定样品中有机碳(OC)、元素碳(EC)、烟炱(soot)和焦炭(char)含量,并使用特征比值法、相关分析及主成分分析法对道路尘碳组分污染特征和来源进行探讨分析.结果表明,道路尘中OC、EC、soot和char含量平均值分别为1.29、2.21、2.04、0.17 g·kg^-1,说明不同碳组分含量存在较大的空间变异性.相关性分析表明OC和EC的来源存在一定差异,且EC主要贡献来源是soot.OC;EC和char;soot比值和主成分分析结果表明,武汉市青山区道路尘中碳组分主要来源于机动车尾气和燃煤排放,也可能受到生物质燃烧的影响.     

烟炱气溶胶的光学辐射特性研究

烟炱气溶胶是大气气溶胶的重要组成部分,它能直接或间接地影响地-气辐射平衡,进而对全球气候产生重大影响.目前,关于烟炱气溶胶光学性质的研究已经成为气溶胶科学中的前沿和热点课题,对其进行系统的实验室研究可以为更好地分析和认识外场观测结果提供基础,并为数值模式模拟研究提供准确的基本参数.本文简要介绍了烟炱气溶胶的来源和分类,...     

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.     

Distribution,levels, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soot of some kitchens in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The effect of using firewood for cooking, baking, and heating in poorly ventilated kitchens on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in kitchen soot in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana has been studied. The kitchens in Ghana, especially those in the rural areas, are simple clay hut structures with small doors. The kitchens have little or no openings for ventilation and, as a result, the cook is exposed directly to high doses of smoke containing different compounds including PAH. In this study, a total of 42 soot samples were collected for 6 weeks from seven kitchens and analyzed using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC/FID). The average PAH concentration in the kitchen soot samples ranged from 0.7 to 445 µg kg^?1. The unit risk of PAH associated with the dermal contact/inhalation of the kitchen soot occurred at 7.4 × 10^?3 in children and at 4.8 × 10^?5 in the adults, showing the impact. However, the high level of PAH measured in this work especially that of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may cause cancer in the women who are exposed to the smoke. The study was therefore designed to find out the level of PAH in kitchen soot and their contributions as the monitoring tools in the assessment of risks and hazards of PAH in Ghana.     

Auftreten von PCDD/PCDF in Brandfällen

Over the last years, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) have been identified in the soot of various accidental fires at concentrations which have made an extensive reconstruction of the buildings necessary. In these cases, dioxin precursors like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) or large amounts of other halogenated organic compounds like PCV cable coatings were involved. Dependent on the circumstances of the fire and the materials burnt, the levels of contamination and the congener pattern of the PCDD/PCDF in the soot were different. The analytical results from various accidental fires were evaluated and compared with laboratory data. A hierarchical cluster analysis supports the interpretation of the data and shows that the contamination of the soot from the fire in the Düsseldorf Airport in April 1996 was a mixed contamination primarily caused by PCB and PVC.     

Comparative chemical analysis of some traditional Omani-made kohl

Fourteen different types of Omani-made kohl were collected from different locations in Oman. The kohl samples were analyzed using different analytical techniques including X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy after sample digestion. The results show that six kohls (kohls 1–6) are mineral-based, four of which, namely lasif, cold ethmid, hot ethmid, and original ethmid, contain very high levels of Pb (basically galena). The other two kohls (red ethmid and black ethmid) contain mostly iron (hematite, magnetite, and goethite). The other kohl samples (kohls 7–14) are basically amorphous carbons, one of which is made by charring date stones while the rest are basically soot collected from burning different materials. Compared to the results obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis yielded higher concentrations of major elements while some minor elements were not detected; this is probably related to some limitations in the latter technique. Based on this study, carbon-based kohls possess much lower levels of toxic elements than mineral-based kohls; consequently, the former can be considered as the less hazardous kohls. However, concerns about the use of soot in cosmetics are rising because of the presence of some carcinogenic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons in soot.     

Identifikation der kfz-bürtigen Schadstoffbelastung mit Hilfe der Verhältnisse der stabilen Isotope von Kohlenstoff und Schwefel

Different sources of traffic immissions (tyres, soot, oil, asphalt, plastic, paint) were analysed for stable carbon and sulphur isotope ratios. The aim of this study is to investigate whether these isotope ratios can be used to evaluate the environmental impact of traffic immitted harmful substances in roadside soils. The δ¹³C values of technical materials are between -30‰ and -18‰ (PDB). They can be distinguished by their δ¹³C value because of specific production methods. The δ¹³C value of asphalt is between -23 and -18‰, soot shows values from -27 to-22‰ Moreover, soot of different fuel have different carbon isotope ratios. Plastic, paint and oil have similar δ¹³C from -30 to -27‰ Carbon isotope ratios of automobile tyres are around -26‰ Traffic impact on the carbon isotope composition is reflected in δ¹³C values of various carbon spezies found in street sediments and road side soils. These δ¹³C values correlate to concentrations of lead and platinum. Although δ³⁴S values of technical materials are between -6 and +8‰ it was not possible to characterise samples according to their Sulphur isotopic compostion.     

改善天津市大气环境质量的研究：以南开区实例剖析

文章结合南开区实际情况 ,对天津市大气环境质量现状进行了系统分析 ,详细论述大气污染造成的危害及导致大气污染的原因。从解决煤烟型污染、防止道路施工扬尘、解决风沙尘的侵袭和控制汽车尾气污染四个方面 ,针对性地提出改善天津市大气环境质量的污染防治对策。     

Risk assessment of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium felicinum</Emphasis>) consumption along the Imo River catchments,SE Nigeria

Shrimp species (Macrobrachium felicinum) collected from estuarine mangrove area of the Imo River is an important route of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The estuarine associated sediment (EAS) composited sample showed higher TPAH, ΣAlkyl, ΣPAH_carc and ΣPAH_EPA concentrations (550.84, 172.36, 413.17 and 482.11 ng/g dry weight—dw) than their mean concentrations in shrimp samples (509.39 ± 354.21, 31.38 ± 18.49, 52.10 ± 1.35 and 460.06 ± 330.76 ng/g wet weight—ww), respectively. Among the individual PAHs congeners, phenanthrene was the dominant species detected in the EAS accounting for 21.02 % of the total PAH load and the decreasing order of 3- > 2- > 5- > 4- > 6-ring contamination was found. A different pattern predominated by naphthalene was observed for the shrimp species, suggesting that the organisms have different selectivity for a range of PAHs congeners. These variations may be attributed to different degree of bioavailability of these compounds, characteristic sandy lithology of the EAS and the protective capacity of soot particles associated with liquid fossil fuel combustion masking the uptake of high molecular weight PAHs by the organisms. Cancer risk associated with consumption of shrimps in the region was assessed using estimated daily intake (EDI) and compared with standards. The EDI values for naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene and ∑PAH_carc were lower than the USEPA benchmarks and EFSA levels of concern values for adult and children population, suggesting low probability of developing cancer.     

Role of particle wettability in capture by a suspension-feeding crab (Emerita talpoida)

Suspension feeders sometimes depend on adhesion between particle and collector to capture food. If food particles have different adhesive properties than other particles, food could be passively selected by adhesive mechanisms. In this regard, the effect of particle wettability on adhesion to artificial and natural collectors was studied. First, the adhesion of glass particles to artificial collectors, both varying in wettability, was assessed to determine if wettability influenced adhesion in seawater. The adhesive force between glass particles and artificial collectors was measured by increasing the force pulling particles away from the collector until 50% of the particles fell off the collector. Adhesion increased as particle wettability decreased. Next, glass particles were used to determine if the antennal collector of the suspension-feeding mole crab Emerita talpoida captured particles based on particle wettability. 0.5 to 10 and 15 to 25 μm particles were suspended in a recirculating flow tank filled with seawater, and ablated antennae were exposed to this flow, after which the captured particles were counted. Results for the 0.5 to 10 μm particles confirmed predictions based on results from artificial collectors; particle capture increased as particle wettability decreased. The 15 to 25 μm particles may have been captured by sieving, and consequently did not follow predictions based on adhesion. Passive selection of particles based upon wettability differences can occur. Received: 17 April 1998 / Accepted: 14 September 1998     

五氯酚钠对鲫鱼的急性毒性：悬浮颗粒物的影响

悬浮颗粒物在水生态系统中普遍存在,为了研究悬浮颗粒物对氯酚类化合物生物毒性的影响,以高岭土为模拟悬浮颗粒物,考察了不同浓度的悬浮颗粒物(0、25、50、100、250和500mg·L~(-1))存在条件下五氯酚钠(NaPCP)对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)的毒性效应。等温吸附实验结果显示,悬浮颗粒物对水体中五氯酚钠的吸附作用不明显(P>0.05)。96h急性毒性实验结果显示,五氯酚钠对鲫鱼的96h-LC_(50)随颗粒物浓度([SS])的增加而减小,两者间的关系为LC_(50)=146.7exp(-[SS]/186.8)+121.7,r~2=0.99。等效线图法评价结果表明,悬浮颗粒物可增强五氯酚钠对鲫鱼的急性毒性,两者呈毒性增加作用。     

Online single particle analysis of chemical composition and mixing state of crop straw burning particles: from laboratory study to field measurement

Fresh straw burning (SB) particles were generated in the laboratory by the combustion of rice straw and corn straw. The chemical composition and mixing state of the fresh SB particles were investigated by an Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS). Based on the mass spectral patterns, the SB particles were clustered into four major types: Salt, Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental Carbon (EC), and internally mixed particles of EC and OC (EC-OC). In addition, particles containing ash, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals or nicotine were also observed. Physical and chemical changes of the SB particles immediately after the emission were analyzed with highly time-resolved data. During the aging processes, the average particle size increased steadily. Freshly emitted organic compounds were gradually oxidized to more oxygenated compounds in the OC-containing particles. Meanwhile, an important displacement reaction (2KCl+ SO42−→ K₂SO₄ + 2Cl⁻) was observed. The marker ions for SB particles were optimized and applied to identify the SB particles in the ambient atmosphere. The fluctuation of the number fraction of ambient SB particles sorted by ATOFMS agrees well with that of water soluble K⁺ measured by an online ion chromatography, demonstrating that the optimized marker ions could be good tracers for SB particles in field measurements.     

The adsorption of lead and copper from aqueous solution on modified peat-resin particles

Raw peat was modified with sulfuric acid, then mixed modified with resin to prepare the modified peat-resin particles. Using the batch experimental systems, the removal of heavy metals (copper and lead) on the modified peat-resin particles was investigated. The data of the adsorption isotherm could be fitted by the Langmuir equation well. The adsorption rate of heavy metals on modified peat-resin particles was very swift. The removal processes of heavy metals on modified peat-resin particles could be well described by pseudo-second order model. The adsorption rate of lead was affected by the initial heavy metal concentration, initial pH, particle size, agitation speed and particle mass. In the adsorption of heavy metals (lead and copper) on the modified peat-resin particles, ion exchange was the major reaction mechanism. Desorption data showed that the lead adsorbed by modified peat-resin particle could be desorbed by 0.5 N or 1.0 N HNO3. The desorption rate was swift. The experiments indicated that the modified peat-resin particles have great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.     

云南宣威肺癌高发区C1煤燃烧排放颗粒物中PAHs的组成特征及健康风险

宣威煤燃烧排放产物与其所导致的肺癌高发率一直是国际学术界关注的热点,但煤燃烧排放颗粒物中的关键致毒组分还不清楚。以肺癌高发区产出的晚二叠世C1煤燃烧排放不同粒径颗粒物为研究对象,分析其中主要有害有机污染物多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布特征及其健康风险。结果表明宣威煤燃烧排放的颗粒物中16种PAHs的总质量浓度为77 359.21 ng·m-3,其中含量最高的是苯并(g,h,i)苝,其他主要的PAHs依此为:屈、苯并(b)荧蒽、苯并(a)蒽、荧蒽、二苯并(a,h)蒽、菲、苯并(k)荧蒽、茚并(1,2,3-cd)芘;强致癌化合物苯并a芘(Ba P)总浓度亦可达到10 060.13 ng·m-3;这些有害有机物主要分布在细颗粒物中;不同粒径颗粒物的毒性当量存在明显差异,细颗粒的毒性当量占可吸入颗粒物中PAHs总毒性当量的87.4%,远高于粗颗粒(12%)和超细颗粒物(0.4%)的毒性当量。     

Functional morphology of the podia and ambulacral grooves of the comatulid crinoid Antedon bifida (Echinodermata)

Feeding units — viz. triplets of unequally-sized podia associated with protective lappets — occur all along the pinnules of adult Antedon bifida (Pennant). Small food particles are trapped by direct mucus impingement to the wall of primary and secondary podia (there are no mucus net or mucus thread helping in this process). Large particles are caught by primary and secondary podia which partly curl over them. Small particles accumulate on the collecting podia before being transferred to the groove, while large particles are transferred one by one. Transfer of particles to the groove occurs by wiping the collecting podia on the ciliary tracts against the ciliary current. When active, tertiary podia always paddle against the ciliary current. They serve in bolus formation (mucus embedding of food particles), but do not participate in bolus compaction or propulsion. Elimination of unwanted particles occur through the action of secondary podia whose movements may disrupt the lappet's palisade, thus creating a sideward current that moves particles from the groove to the outside. Typical podial triplets do not occur along brachial and calycinal grooves. Both brachial and calycinal podia function mostly in guiding and regulating particle flow. The feeding structures of early pentacrinoid larvae of Antedon bifida recall to mind those of pinnules of adult individuals. They consist of twenty-five podia arranged in five radial triplets alternating with five interradial pairs. They are similar to the pinnular feeding structures of adults in that they have both collecting (radial) and paddling (interradial) podia.     

Evidence for a mutual effect of biofilms, suspended particles and sediments on DDT sorption

This report shows that biofilms and suspended particles double DDT sorption capacity on surface sediments. Sorption of pollutants by solid materials, such as biofilms, suspended particles and sediments, is a major process controlling the fate of hydrophobic pollutants in natural waters. Most previous studies focused on the sorption of hydrophobic pollutants by single-solid material, whereas few studies considered the mutual effect of different solids on the sorption. Various solid materials often interact with each other when they coexist in the same system. Therefore, pollutants sorption could be different from that in the single-solid sorption system. Here we studied the mutual effect of biofilms, suspended particles and surface sediments on the sorption of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Results showed that biofilms and suspended particles double DDT sorption capacity on surface sediments. The different effects were mainly determined by distinct components and structures of the three solid materials, particularly by organic components. Here we show the mutual effect of biofilms, suspended particles and sediments on DDT sorption.