The Impact of Air Pollutants and Meteorological Variables on Visibility in Delhi

A study has been made to analyze the impact of air pollutants and meteorological variables on visibility in Delhi, for the years 2003–2006. The correlation matrix of daily visibility, meteorological variables, and air pollutants concentration during the period has been studied. The matrix reflects the negative values of the correlation coefficient of visibility with respirable suspended particulate matter, suspended particulate matter, relative humidity, and, positive values with dry bulb temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and sunshine hours. The annual average visibility has been estimated as approximately 2.77 km. Furthermore, it is found to be maximum in monsoon, followed by summer, post-monsoon, and winter seasons. It is also noticeable that the visibility is always higher in rainy days when compared with that in dry days. Similarly, the annual average visibility during the weekends is found to be higher than that in the weekdays. The daily visibility has been forecasted through two statistical techniques namely, multiple linear regression (MLR) and principal component regression (PCR). The results obtained from these two techniques have been evaluated by comparing with observed data. This proves satisfactory performance of both the techniques. In addition, it reflects that the PCR performs better than the MLR technique.     

2001年～2008年及奥运会期间天津市大气污染特征分析

根据天津市大气质量监测数据,对2001年～2008年及奥运会期间天津市大气污染特征和主要大气污染物的变化规律进行了分析。结果表明,2001年～2008年天津市的PM10、SO2和NO2污染总体呈下降趋势,但质量浓度仍相对较高。2008年8月奥运会期间天津市PM10和SO2质量浓度达到国家空气质量二级标准,NO2质量浓度达到国家空气质量一级标准,空气质量良好。天津市PM10污染相对稳定,SO2和NO2的污染分布呈现明显的季节性,时间上表现为冬强夏弱。气象条件对污染物浓度影响明显,沙尘、大雾等天气可使污染物浓度急剧升高。     

Assessing Respiratory Morbidity Through Pollution Status and Meteorological Conditions for Delhi

The study focuses on assessing the status of respiratory morbidity in Delhi over a four years period from 2000–2003. An attempt was made to investigate the role of important pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, SPM and RSPM) and various meteorological factors (temperature minimum & maximum, relative humidity at 0830 and 1730 hrs. and wind speed) in being responsible for respiratory admissions on account of COPD, asthma and emphysema. The study showed that winter months had greater exposure risk as pollutants often get trapped in the lower layers of atmosphere resulting in high concentrations. Statistical analysis revealed that two pollutants have significant positive correlation with the number of COPD cases viz., SPM (r = 0.474; p < 0.01) and RSPM (r = 0.353; p < 0.05), while a meteorological factor temperature (minimum) has a significant negative correlation (r = −0.318; p < 0.05) with COPD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed for COPD as dependent variable and R² value of 0.33 was obtained indicating that SPM and RH(1730) were able to explain 33 percent variability in COPD. The partial correlation of SPM and RH(1730) on COPD was higher than any other combination and therefore they can be regarded as important contributing variables on COPD.     

Characterization of mineral particles in winter fog of Beijing analyzed by TEM and SEM

Aerosol samples were collected during winter fog and nonfog episodes in Beijing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study morphologies, sizes, and compositions of aerosol particles. TEM observation indicates that most mineral particles collected in fog episode are scavenged in fog droplets. Number–size distributions of mineral particles collected in fog and nonfog episodes show two main peaks at the ranges of 0.1–0.3 and 1–2.5 μm, respectively. Based on their major compositions, mineral particles mainly include Si-rich, Ca-rich, and S-rich. Average S/Ca ratio of mineral particles collected in fog episode is 6.11, being eight times higher than that in nonfog episodes. Development mechanism of individual mineral particles in fog droplets is proposed. It is suggested that mineral particles with abundant alkaline components (e.g., “Ca-rich” particles) occurred in air should alleviate acidic degree of fog and contribute to complexity of fog droplets in Beijing.     

灰霾期间气溶胶的污染特征

从颗粒物的时空分布和浓度水平方面综述了灰霾期间气溶胶的污染特征,介绍了灰霾期间气溶胶中金属元素、水溶性离子、有机碳和元素碳的浓度特征,以及颗粒物与能见度的相关性研究进展。指出:灰霾天气多发生在冬季,且气溶胶中PM2.5占的比重大;气溶胶污染与地理环境、气候条件、经济发展水平等有密切关系;水溶性离子多集中在PM2.5中;能见度的下降与气溶胶特别是细颗粒物有很大关系。提出目前灰霾研究中主要存在3大问题:一是对灰霾期间气溶胶中含有的有机物类别及其对不同季节发生灰霾的贡献率仍需进一步研究;二是灰霾期间气溶胶中有机物的形成机理尚不明确;三是不同源排放的气溶胶对灰霾形成的贡献率有待探讨。建议系统地开展大气细颗粒物有害成分的鉴定、源排放颗粒物的物理化学特性、扩散过程中各种物质间的反应和转化等方面的研究,为大气污染防治法规的制定提供依据。     

Seasonal evaluation and spatial variability of suspended particulate matter in the vicinity of a large coal-fired power station in India—A case study

Coal combustion in the power sector gives rise to the emission of primary and secondary particulate pollutants. Since the emission of pollutants depends on coal quality and combustion technology, and given that transport, transformation and deposition of contaminants depend on regional climatic conditions, specific studies for the power stations is needed to evaluate their environmental impacts. Monitoring of ambient respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels around a large coal-fired power station in India was carried out. The specific objectives were the determination of spatial and seasonal variability in RSPM and SPM levels, and their relationship with meteorological parameters such as wind velocity and relative humidity. The results have shown a marked seasonal trend and spatial variability in RSPM and SPM levels in the study area. Higher concentrations of ambient RSPM and SPM were found in downwind monitoring stations compared to upwind direction. Ratios of RSPM to SPM and correlation coefficient values between RSPM and SPM along with meteorological parameters were also worked out. Relative humidity and wind velocity have shown an inverse relation with particulate deposition pattern.     

Summer time haze characteristics of the urban atmosphere of Gwangju and the rural atmosphere of Anmyon, Korea

An extensive visibility monitoring was carried out simultaneously in the urban area of Gwangju and the rural area of Anmyon, Korea. This study examines patterns of visibility impairment and haze-forming pollutant concentrations on both sites resulting from natural and anthropogenic sources of gases and particles. Optical visibility measurements by a transmissometer, a nephelometer and an aethalometer provide aerosol light extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients for both sites. In order to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols, aerosol samples were collected by various aerosol samplers at GJVMS (Gwangju Visibility Monitoring Station) and at KGAWO (Korea Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory), respectively. In addition, haze characteristics causing visibility impairment at those two sites were analyzed to obtain source contributions by regionally transported aerosols using grid analysis and display system (GrADS) from NECP reanalysis data. During the intensive monitoring period, ammonium sulfate was dominantly responsible for the fine particle mass loading at GJVMS, whereas organic carbon was the largest contributor at KGAWO. Light scattering by particles accounted for 52.8 to 81.3% of the range at the urban site, GJVMS and for 72.1 to 94.2% of the range at the rural site, KGAWO. Light absorption by the EC and NO₂ was between 14.5 and 34.8% at GJVMS, which was higher than the observed 1.1 ∼ 6.8% at KGAWO, respectively. Light scattering by aerosol was higher in the rural area than in the urban area. And organic carbon concentration was observed to be significantly higher than the concentration of elemental carbon at KGAWO. These haze-forming carbonaceous particles originate from anthropogenic pollutants at the urban atmosphere but they can be produced by natural environments such as marine and forest at the rural atmosphere.     

能见度分级约束下的大气气溶胶光学厚度特征

利用ＰＩＳ太阳光谱仪观测了北京地区１９９３年３月—１９９５年３月晴天和少云天气的太阳直接辐射光谱，波长范围为０．４０－１．０４μｍ。光谱分辨率１．２５ｎｍ，共有１０６４组数据。观测期间，将地面能见度分为五级。由太阳直射谱获得了各能见度下大气气溶胶光学厚度谱。研究表明，北京地区大气气溶胶光学厚度虽然其总体季节统计规律为春夏大，秋冬小，然而，当加入能见度分级约束后，各能见度下气溶胶光学厚度的季节变化，近于消失。这表明少数“反常”垂直结构不影响能见度分级的平均结果。而不分级的光学厚度季节起伏主要由各季节的几率能见度决定。文中还把年平均五种能见度下的光谱光学厚度与ＬＯＷＴＲＡＮ模式作了对比。由光学厚度谱反演出了气溶胶粒子谱分布，为建立我国北方局地气溶胶模式构造了基本框架     

Characterisation of particulate matter for toxic metals in ambient air of Kochi City, India

Measurement of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and analysis of toxic metals in air of Kochi city was carried out for a period of one year, 1997. Seasonal variations of RSPM and toxic metals are analysed to identify the influence of meteorological parameters. The air pollution problem with respect to RSPM and lead is moderately significant especially in winter season. The profile of other toxic metals in RSPM is not much significant. Domestic fuel used mainly coal/wood and petrol/diesel fueled motor vehicles are the major contributors to the RSPM and toxic metals. Various control strategies are delineated for reduction of ambient RSPM and toxic metals in air of Kochi city.     

Physical characterization,magnetic measurements,REE geochemistry and biomonitoring of dust load accumulated during a protracted winter fog period and their implications

The winter fog in India is a recurrent phenomenon for more than a decade now affecting the entire Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions covering an area of nearly 500,000 km². Every winter (December–January), the air and surface transports in cities of northern India (Amritsar, New Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Allahabad) are severely disrupted with visibility reduced to <50 m at times. Since dust particles are known to act as nuclei for the fog formation, this study is aimed to carry out physicochemical characterization of the dust particulates accumulated during a protracted fog period from one of the severely fog affected cities of north India (Allahabad; 25°27′33.40″N–81°52′45.47″E). The dust-loaded tree leaves belonging to Ficus bengalensis and Ficus religiosa from 50 different locations between January 24 and 31, 2010 are sampled and characterized. The mass of dust, color, grain shape, size, phase constituents, and mineral magnetic parameters, such as magnetic susceptibility, SIRM, χ _fd%, and S-ratio, show minor variation and the regional influence outweighs local anthropogenic contributions. The dust compositions show fractionated rare earth element pattern with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly similar to upper continental crust and further suggesting their derivation from sources located in parts of north and central India.     

成都市大气能见度变化特征及影响因子研究

利用MICAPS 2008—2011年地面观测资料,分析了成都市区大气能见度的变化特征。以2009年成都地区一次低能见度天气过程为例,分析大气能见度与各气象要素的变化关系,讨论影响成都市大气能见度变化的主要因素。结果表明:近年来伴随着霾天数的逐年下降,成都市区年平均大气能见度呈上升趋势,夏季平均值最高,春季次之,冬季最低。高湿和低风速是造成成都市低能见度现象的主要气象条件。PM2.5的浓度与成都市大气能见度呈显著负相关,PM2.5浓度的快速增长是造成大气能见度急剧降低的重要原因。有效降低PM2.5浓度,减少大气污染物排放,是改善成都市区大气能见度的有效途径。     

合肥市冬季细颗粒物中碳组分特征分析

利用2020年12月1日至2021年2月28日合肥市细颗粒物(PM_2.5)、有机碳(OC)和元素碳(EC)等环境空气质量监测数据和气象观测数据,分析了合肥市大气PM_2.5中OC和EC的污染特征,并探讨了其来源以及气象因素影响。结果表明：合肥市冬季碳质气溶胶是PM_2.5中主要组分,随着污染程度的加重,碳质气溶胶的质量浓度逐步增加,但其在PM_2.5中的占比先减小后增加。在以PM_2.5为首要污染物的不同污染级别天气条件下,OC和EC的相关性说明不同程度下碳质气溶胶来源复杂。OC/EC表明机动车尾气和燃煤源排放是碳质气溶胶的主要来源。二次有机碳(SOC)会随着污染程度的加重而呈现升高趋势。OC和EC在冬季受温度影响较小;较大的相对湿度对OC和EC具有一定的清除作用,明显降水或连续降水的清除作用更加显著;而风速对含碳气溶胶的影响主要出现在污染天气背景下。     

Characteristics of aerosol types during large-scale transport of air pollution over the Yellow Sea region and at Cheongwon,Korea, in 2008

Episodes of large-scale transport of airborne dust and anthropogenic pollutant particles from different sources in the East Asian continent in 2008 were identified by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite RGB (red, green, and blue)-composite images and the mass concentrations of ground level particulate matter. These particles were divided into dust, sea salt, smoke plume, and sulfate by an aerosol classification algorithm. To analyze the aerosol size distribution during large-scale transport of atmospheric aerosols, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and fine aerosol weighting (FW) of moderate imaging spectroradiometer aerosol products were used over the East Asian region. Six episodes of massive airborne dust particles, originating from sandstorms in northern China, Mongolia, and the Loess Plateau of China, were observed at Cheongwon. Classified dust aerosol types were distributed on a large-scale over the Yellow Sea region. The average PM10 and PM2.5 ratio to the total mass concentration TSP were 70% and 15%, respectively. However, the mass concentration of PM2.5 among TSP increased to as high as 23% in an episode where dust traveled in by way of an industrial area in eastern China. In the other five episodes of anthropogenic pollutant particles that flowed into the Korean Peninsula from eastern China, the anthropogenic pollutant particles were largely detected in the form of smoke over the Yellow Sea region. The average PM10 and PM2.5 ratios to TSP were 82% and 65%, respectively. The ratio of PM2.5 mass concentrations among TSP varied significantly depending on the origin and pathway of the airborne dust particles. The average AOD for the large-scale transport of anthropogenic pollutant particles in the East Asian region was measured to be 0.42 ± 0.17, which is higher in terms of the rate against atmospheric aerosols as compared with the AOD (0.36 ± 0.13) for airborne dust particles with sandstorms. In particular, the region ranging from eastern China, the Yellow Sea, and the Korean Peninsula to the Korea East Sea was characterized by high AOD distributions. In the episode of anthropogenic polluted aerosols, FW averaged 0.63 ± 0.16, a value higher than that in the episode of airborne dust particles (0.52 ± 0.13) with sandstorms, showing that fine anthropogenic pollutant particles contribute greatly to atmospheric aerosols in East Asia.     

Mathematical models for accurate prediction of atmospheric visibility with particular reference to the seasonal and environmental patterns in Hong Kong

Atmospheric visibility impairment has gained increasing concern as it is associated with the existence of a number of aerosols as well as common air pollutants and produces unfavorable conditions for observation, dispersion, and transportation. This study analyzed the atmospheric visibility data measured in urban and suburban Hong Kong (two selected stations) with respect to time-matched mass concentrations of common air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), nitrogen monoxide (NO), respirable suspended particulates (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), and meteorological parameters including air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. No significant difference in atmospheric visibility was reported between the two measurement locations (p > or = 0.6, t test); and good atmospheric visibility was observed more frequently in summer and autumn than in winter and spring (p < 0.01, t test). It was also found that atmospheric visibility increased with temperature but decreased with the concentrations of SO(2), CO, PM(10), NO, and NO(2). The results showed that atmospheric visibility was season dependent and would have significant correlations with temperature, the mass concentrations of PM(10) and NO(2), and the air pollution index API (correlation coefficients mid R: R mid R: > or = 0.7, p < or = 0.0001, t test). Mathematical expressions catering to the seasonal variations of atmospheric visibility were thus proposed. By comparison, the proposed visibility prediction models were more accurate than some existing regional models. In addition to improving visibility prediction accuracy, this study would be useful for understanding the context of low atmospheric visibility, exploring possible remedial measures, and evaluating the impact of air pollution and atmospheric visibility impairment in this region.     

南京北郊气溶胶散射特性观测研究

南京北郊是重工业区,空气污染严重。该文利用浊度仪对大气气溶胶散射系数进行了四季观测,研究了该区气溶胶散射系数、后向散射比、质量散射系数及散射系数与能见度的关系,结果表明,观测期间散射系数波动较大,平均值为344.84 Mm^-1,标准差为215.99 Mm^-1,散射系数季节差异明显,主要受气象条件和外界污染排放的影响;后向散射比平均值为0.139,春季变化剧烈,夏、秋、冬季在波动中缓慢上升,大气中细粒子污染严重且含量有增加的趋势;散射系数与PM_2.5质量浓度相关系数达到0.91,质量散射系数平均值为1.87m²/g;散射系数与能见度之间存在-0.66的相关性,两者呈负幂函数关系。     

PWD22能见度仪监测上海市水平能见度的试验研究

利用PWD22能见度仪监测数据,分析了上海市2008年—2009年能见度日变化规律和四季逐日变化特征,以及能见度和混合层高度(MLH,Mixed Layer Height)、空气污染指数(API)及气象要素(相对湿度、风速、温度)的相关性。结果表明,能见度一峰一谷日变化特征明显,峰值出现在14:00~16:00,谷值出现在6:00~8:00。能见度与MLH相关性显著,与温度最差。能见度和气溶胶光学厚度(AOT)线性拟合呈负相关关系,且夏季相关性最显著,冬季最差。     

Characteristics of Ion Components and Trace Elements of Fine Particles at Gosan, Korea in Spring time from 2001 to 2002

Size-segregated measurements of the composition of an aerosol are used to determine the transport of natural and anthropogenic aerosols to the Gosan site in springtime from 2001 to 2002. Although the transport of Asian dust is a well-known phenomenon in springtime, this study shows that not only is soil dust transported into Gosan each spring but so are anthropogenic aerosols, including sulfur, enriched trace metals such as Pb, Zn, Ni, K, S. This study also combines the size- and time-resolved aerosol composition measurements with isentropic, backward air-mass trajectories in order to identify some potential source regions of the anthropogenic aerosols. Finally, four types of transport episodes were identified: (1) anthropogenic pollutants, (2) dust storm mixed with the anthropogenic aerosols, (3) typical dust storms, (4) some sea salt with clean air mass. Overall, in addition to typical soil dust, a large amount of anthropogenic aerosols, whether mixed with the soil dust or not, are transported to Gosan each spring.     

西安市黑碳气溶胶浓度特征及与气象因素和常规污染物相关性

利用西安市环境监测站超级站2013年9月1日—2015年5月31日黑碳气溶胶(BC)的监测数据,研究空气中BC浓度特征及其与气象因素和常规污染物相关性。结果表明:BC小时平均浓度均值在春季、夏季和冬季的变化趋势呈"W"型,秋季呈"V"型,且冬季的第一个最低值和峰值比春季和夏季的分别延迟1 h和2~3 h,且20:00~次日6:00秋季BC小时平均浓度均值高于当年冬季。BC浓度在秋季和冬季较高,夏季较低。冬季BC/PM_(2.5)基本最低,秋季BC/PM_(2.5)相对最高。BC日平均浓度与气温、降水和风速的日平均值为极负显著相关,且风速小于1.0 m/s时,其与风速呈最显著的负相关。除O_3外,BC日平均浓度与其他常规空气污染物浓度呈显著相关,表明其同源性很强,且受机动车尾气排放的影响更大。     

Visibility impairing aerosols in the urban atmosphere of Delhi

To study the visual air quality of Delhi, size fractionated aerosols – coarse and fine fractions of PM₁₀ – were collected and analysed for and EC at three sites with different background activities. The analysed species constitute a smaller portion of coarse fraction (39%) but a larger portion of fine fraction (69%). The sampling was performed from June 2003 to November 2003 which covers monsoon and post monsoon seasons.Aerosol data was used to describe the spatial variation of Visibility Range as a function of chemical composition of visibility impairing aerosols. During the study period, visibility was found to be poor varying between 4.7 and 13 km with an average value of 9.4 km. It is observed that visibility impairment was more due to carbonaceous aerosol followed by sulphate.     

Characteristics of black carbon aerosol mass concentration over the East Baltic region from two-year measurements

Continuous measurements of black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration were performed at a background site Preila (55°55'N, 21°00'E, 5 m a.s.l., Lithuania) during the period 2008-2009. The data were used to characterize the BC mass concentration distribution over the East Baltic region. High increase in aerosol BC concentration was associated with the change in air mass characteristics and biomass burning during the winter heating season and spring wildfires. Monthly means of BC concentration ranged from 212 to 1268 ng m(-3) and the highest hourly means of concentration were from 4800 to 6300 ng m(-3), predominantly in spring and winter months. During the October-April period the BC mass concentrations were about twice as high as those in the summertime. The BC diurnal pattern in winter was typically different from that in spring indicating the seasonal variation of the atmospheric boundary layer height. The weekday/weekend difference was not strongly pronounced because the BC concentrations in Preila are mainly affected by long-range transport or local sources. Typical periodicities caused by anthropogenic and meteorological influences have been identified using Fourier analysis. It was shown that domestic heating appears as a 365 day periodicity; traffic slightly contributes 5-7 day peaks in the spectrum and elevated long-range BC can be identified as characteristic peaks with periodicities in the range from 16 to 29 days.Temporal evolution and transport of BC aerosols were interpreted by the air mass backward trajectory analysis in conjunction with the examination of the wavelength dependence on the aethalometer data. Air masses originated from the North Atlantic Ocean and Scandinavia were favourable for lower BC concentrations (350 ng m(-3)), while the BC level associated with the Western Europe airflows was significantly higher (970 ng m(-3)). The mean values of ?ngstr?m exponent of the absorption coefficient (monthly means 1.45 ± 0.25 and 0.84 ± 0.50 over January and June, respectively) revealed that the BC concentration observed over the East Baltic is influenced by submicron sized particles as a result of incomplete biomass combustion during the winter season.