The abatement of major pollutants in air and water by environmental catalysis

This review reports the research progress in the abatement of major pollutants in air and water by environmental catalysis. For air pollution control, the selective catalytic reduction of NO _x (SCR) by ammonia and hydrocarbons on metal oxide and zeolite catalysts are reviewed and discussed, as is the removal of Hg from flue gas by catalysis. The oxidation of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by photo- and thermal-catalysis for indoor air quality improvement is reviewed. For wastewater treatment, the catalytic elimination of inorganic and organic pollutants in wastewater is presented. In addition, the mechanism for the procedure of abatement of air and water pollutants by catalysis is discussed in this review. Finally, a research orientation on environment catalysis for the treatment of air pollutants and wastewater is proposed.     

Air quality analysis and indexing of Kolkata city with respect to vertical floor heights and seasonal variation

Air pollution is one of the most important global environmental issues. Urban air quality is generally becoming vulnerable especially in the developing countries due to various developmental activities. Several national and international studies prove that air pollution is harmful to human health and its long term exposure contributes to even mortality. Current study has been designed to determine the vertical floor wise air quality status of the city of Kolkata and the seasonal variation of the pollutants during two consecutive years. Particulate matter (PM₁₀ and suspended particulate matter), oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide were analyzed for a total number of 135 air quality samples throughout the study area and period. Pollutants were found positively correlated with each other and with the floor heights. According to the air quality indexing, all the places were found affected from moderate to severe air pollution irrespective of the vertical floor heights, seasons and places. Although, no such seasonal trend has been emerged from the study but the number of samples beyond standard is found highest during the winter season followed by pre-monsoon.     

The effects of license plate-based driving restrictions on air quality: Theory and empirical evidence

A typical driving restriction prohibits drivers from using their vehicles on given weekdays, based on the last digits of their vehicles’ license plates. A number of cities in developing countries have used license plate-based driving restrictions as a policy for reducing urban air pollution and traffic congestion. This paper develops a theoretical model of the effects of license plate-based driving restrictions on air quality that combines an economic model with information about the sources and atmospheric chemistry of different air pollutants. We then draw upon suggestive empirical evidence from license plate-based driving restrictions implemented in Bogotá, Colombia. Consistent with our theory model, we find suggestive empirical evidence that under certain circumstances, due to substitution, the purchase of a second car, the use of alternative modes of transportation, and/or atmospheric chemistry, it is possible for license plate-based driving restrictions to increase air pollution. Also consistent with our theory, we find that license plate-based driving restrictions may have different effects on different air pollutants, reflecting heterogeneity in the sources and atmospheric chemistry of the pollutants. In particular, owing to atmospheric chemistry, it is possible for a license plate-based driving restriction to cause a significant decrease in NO and a significant increase in NO₂, NO_x, and O₃.     

The effect of outdoor air pollutants and greenness on allergic rhinitis incidence rates: a cross-sectional study in Seoul,Korea

Air pollution poses a serious threat to human health in Asia. This study analyzes the association of air pollutants and greenness with incidence rates of allergic rhinitis in Seoul at the administrative district level to gain insight into district-level urban policies to improve public health. A spatial regression model is constructed to investigate the correlation between allergic rhinitis incidence rates and five air pollutants measured at 128 air pollution monitoring stations around Seoul: sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM₁₀), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO). The allergic rhinitis incidence data are derived from the National Health Insurance Service’s database that includes the number of allergic rhinitis-related clinic visits by the patients over 20 years of age and living in Seoul. A kriging geostatistical interpolation was used to estimate average air pollution level of 423 administrative districts. To assess pollen concentrations that can affect allergic rhinitis, the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is measured based on the urban greenness. The model, controlling for built environment and socio-economic attributes, identifies the possibility of a weak association between allergic rhinitis incidence rates and carbon monoxide levels. The NDVI value is negatively correlated with allergic rhinitis incidence rates, implying a complicated aspect in relation to the effect of urban greenness.     

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.     

Air pollutant levels are 12 times higher than guidelines in Varanasi,India. Sources and transfer

Air quality in an urban atmosphere is regulated by both local and distant emission sources. For air quality management in urban areas, identification of sources and their relationships with local meteorology and air pollutants are essential. The critical condition of air quality in Indo-Gangetic plain is well known, but lack of data on both local and distant emission sources limits the scope of improving air quality in this region. Concentrations of particulate matter of size lower than 10 μm (PM₁₀) were assessed in the highly urbanized Varanasi city situated in middle Indo-Gangetic plain of India from 2014 to 2017, to identify the distant air pollution sources based on trajectory statistical models and local sources by conditional bivariate probability function. Modifying effects of meteorology and air pollutants on PM₁₀ were also explored. Mean PM₁₀ concentration for the study period was 244.8 ± 135.8 μg m^?3, which was 12 times higher than the WHO annual guideline. Several distinct sources of traffic as the major source of PM₁₀ were identified in the city. Trajectory statistical models like cluster analysis, potential source contribution function and concentration-weighted trajectory showed significant contributions from north-west and eastern directions in the transport of polluted air masses to the city. Dew point, wind speed, temperature and ventilation coefficient are the major factors in PM₁₀ formation and dispersion.     

Application of CFD modelling to air quality in Kuwait City

High-resolution computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been performed to assess the dispersion of air pollutants (CO₂) emanating from traffic in a busy street and in the vicinity of a complex configuration of buildings located in Salmiya, Kuwait City. New buildings are planned for this area, and the work here includes predictions for the dispersion of pollutants after the buildings’ completion. The CFD simulations are based on calculated CO₂ concentration levels for traffic counts taken on location in Salmiya with the existing configuration of buildings. As the computer code used in this work has been evaluated previously, it will be applied here to predict with confidence any potential air pollution problem areas on the addition of the new buildings. It was found for very light wind, that the proposed new buildings help reduce pollution in the vicinity of residential buildings within the configuration of buildings, but as the wind becomes moderate to strong, there was a tendency for the pollutant to get trapped in the residential area. Results are given for both exceptionally high ambient temperatures and very light wind, which are not often reported in studies found in the literature.     

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.     

World air particulate matter: sources,distribution and health effects

Particulate matter (PM) is both a major driver of climate change and a source of toxicity for health. In the upper atmosphere, particulate matter modifies the earth radiation budget, cloud formation and acts as a reaction center for air pollutants. In the lower atmosphere, particulate matter changes atmospheric visibility and alters biogeochemical cycles and meteorology. Most critical effects are observed in ambient air, where particulate matter degrades human health. Here we review the sources, spatial and temporal variability, and toxicity of PM₁₀, the particulate matter having particle sizes 10 micrometers or less in diameter, in world regions. For that we analyzed information from the world wide web and databases from government organizations after the year 2000. Findings show that PM₁₀ is a major risk in both developed and developing countries. This risk is more severe in Asian countries compared to Europe and USA, where decreasing trends are recorded during the last two decades. Meteorological factors modify particulate matter variations at local and regional levels. PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio provides information of particulate matter sources under different environment conditions. Crustal matter, road traffic and combustion of fuels are major sources of particulate matter pollution. Health studies indicate that long-term exposure to particulate matter has multiple health effects in people from all age groups. Identification of possible sources and their control with regular epidemiological monitoring could decrease the impact of particulate matter pollution.     

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.     

植物--实时富集大气持久性有机污染物的被动采样平台

对植物富集大气持久性有机污染物(POPs)的机理及其在大气POPs污染监测中的应用,主要是地衣、苔藓、树叶、树皮作为大气POPs的被动采样器在大气POPs监测中的应用做了介绍,指出树木“时间隧道”作为实时记录大气历史污染状况的又一“新标本”将在大气污染“历史监测”中发挥重要作用．     

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.

     

Analysis of air pollution at Shuaiba industrial area in Kuwait

A study has been conducted over a period of one year on measurements of air pollution in the Shuaiba Industrial Area (SIA) of Kuwait. The study included analysis of pollutant behaviour relative to the wind speed and direction. SIA comprises several large scale industries including three petroleum refineries, two power plants, two fertilizer plants, a cement plant, a chlorine and soda plant, a commercial harbour and two large oil loading terminals. Measurements of 15 parameters have been carried out every 5 minutes using a mobile laboratory fitted with an automatic calibrator and a data storage system. The pollutants studied include methane, non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂, and NO _x ), sulphur dioxide, ozone and suspended dust. Meteorological parameters monitored simultaneously include wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and barometric pressure. The air quality data collected using the mobile laboratory have been used to calculate the diurnal and monthly variations in the major primary and secondary pollutants. Distribution levels of these pollutants relative to wind direction and speed have also been used in the analysis. The results show large diurnal variations in some pollutant concentrations. Generally, two types of concentration variations have been found, depending on whether the species is a primary or a secondary pollutant. Diurnal variations with two maxima were observed in the concentrations of primary pollutants including NO, SO₂, NMHC, CO and suspended dust, whereas a single maximum was observed for secondary pollutants such as O₃and NO₂. The monthly variations of SO₂and NO _x showed maximum values during the warm months. However, ozone showed a quite marked seasonal variation with maxima during spring and late summer and a minimum during the early summer. The results also indicated a common source for NO _x , SO₂, NMHC, CO and suspended dust to the North‐West (NW) of the monitoring station. Moreover for NO _x and SO₂, another less significant source is to the South‐South‐West (SSW) and South‐West (SW) of the monitoring station.     

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).     

Daytime air pollution transport mechanisms in stable atmospheres of narrow versus wide urban valleys

Transport of air pollutants emitted from urban valleys can be strongly restricted by interactions between static and dynamic factors including topographic forcing, low-level atmospheric stability related to temperature inversions, and urban heat island-induced circulations. Interplay between these processes has a complex and dynamic nature, and is determinant for the evolution of different ventilation mechanisms and the associated impacts on air quality. Here we investigate these transport mechanisms through large eddy simulations using EULAG, an established model for multiscale flows, to simulate an idealized atmospheric environment in narrow versus wide urban valleys during critical conditions for air quality (high atmospheric stability). Our results show how the ventilation of valleys depends on a dynamic (variable during the daytime) balance between interacting and sometimes competing processes related to thermally-driven slope flows, urban heat island-induced flows, and the trapping effect of atmospheric stability; and how valley width affects this balance. Particularly important is that the time-space distribution of pollutants (a passive tracer) varies greatly between both valleys despite having the same urban area and emission rates. These variations lead to pollutants being mostly concentrated in different areas of the narrow and wide valleys. We discuss the mechanisms behind these results and their potential implications for real urban valleys. Further understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for explaining the occurrence of severe air pollution episodes and informing related decision-making processes in urban valleys.

     

Bewertung der Luftqualität in Rheinland-Pflaz mittels verschiedener Luftqualitätsindizes

Goal and Scope

The constant increase of traffic and the rising energy and material consumption both in industry and trade as well as in private households mean a constant challenge to environmental protection and to the air pollution control. With the commencement of the Federal ambient pollution control act in April 1974, the legal basis for the monitoring of air pollution was created. In future, the limit values laid down in the Council Directive 1999/30/EG, 2000/69/EG and 96/62/EG, will be valid. In town and regional planning there is a great demand for a simple index to evaluate the air quality. From the available data of PM₁₀, NO₂, O₃, CO, SO₂, trends of the air quality will be derived.

Methods

The indices LQI and TLQ suggested by Mayer et al. (2002) were calculated for selected stations of the air pollution monitoring network (ZIMEN) in Rhineland-Palatine. All analysis are based on hourly recorded value, Mean values and frequency distributions are used for the interpretation. Furthermore, the characteristics and trends of the indices under different weather conditions were examined and discussed.

Results

The examination figures out that the air pollutions indices at all stations show similar patterns in the period between January 2001 and December 2002. Neither the LQI, nor the TLQ shows an annual variation. Existing variations are mainly controlled by the general weather situation and the air temperature. High values of the indices appear at extremely high or low mean daily air temperature. The absolute value of the air pollution index is determined by local pollution factors.

Outlook and Recommendations

Both indices are well suitable to evaluate the air quality and to assess the effects of state-aided measures for air pollutant control. Therefore, the indices TLQ and LQI should be published as an additional information in the world wide web.     

Control of pollution emitted by foundries

Research has made considerable attempt to decrease the emission of harmful gaseous pollutants to the atmosphere. This report reviews hazards due to foundry air pollution, measurement of pollution emission, pollution control devices and policies of pollution control. The pollutants discussed are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 1-hydroxypyrene, polychlorinated-p-dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls.     

大气生物污染与健康的研究

本文综述了大气生物污染及其引起疾病方面的研究。在大气微生物污染方面包括了细菌、病毒，特别是真菌污染及其引起的疾病，甚至癌症。在植物花粉对大气的污染方面，介绍了枯草热的发生原因和对健康的危害。作者认为，大气生物污染的评价、治理和毒理学效应等问题值得注意并应进一步研究。     

Applications of Satellite Remote Sensing to Marine Pollution Studies

There are two approaches in the application of satellite sensors to marine pollution studies. Satellite sensors are used to observe and characterize ocean pollutants such as industrial wastes and oil. in addition, satellite observations provide information useful in illuminating processes such as eutrophi-cation or air-sea exchange of CO₂, that are important in determining the distribution and fate of pollutants.

Satellite technology is an important tool in monitoring and studying ocean pollution. Visible sensors have been used to observe and characterize sewage sludge and industrial wastes dumped at sea. Oil slicks have been observed with Landsat, AVHRR and SAR imagery. Besides directly detecting pollutants, satellite sensors are useful for analyzing ocean processes that are influential in the fate of pollutants. These processes include eutrophication of coastal waters and the distribution of suspended matter. the fate of excess CO₂ can be addressed using scatterometer-derived estimates of wind speeds to determine the CO₂ exchange coefficient at the sea surface on a global scale.     

Pollution indices and sources appointment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils near the thermal power plant

Alluvial soils of valleys of the Danube and Mlave rivers represent priority development areas with favorable conditions for life, agriculture and tourism in eastern Serbia. Operation of the thermal power plant Kostolac results in the emission of potentially toxic pollutants into the air, water and land. The goals were to determine the soil pollution with inorganic pollutants using different pollution indices, to identify of the sources of pollutants by means of principal component analysis and the loading of each factor for individual element assessed by multi-linear regression analyses. Chemical characteristics of the studied area resulted in division of the area into four impact zones upon the distance from main pollutants (power plant blocks and ash disposal dumps). There was no established soil pollution with potentially toxic elements in bulk of the agricultural territory. Two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained about 73% of variance. Three studied elements (As, Cu and Pb) showed anthropogenic origin of their most concentrations in soil, while other elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Zn) were of a natural (geological) origin. Single pollution index showed moderate pollution level by Ni. Integrated Nemerow pollution index showed low to no pollution levels, indicating slight ecological risk. There were no established limitations for agricultural production in the studied area, except for the only spot polluted by As due to the great flooding event in the studied year.