Air quality assessment of Estarreja, an urban industrialized area, in a coastal region of Portugal

Despite the increasing concern given to air quality in urban and industrial areas in recent years, particular emphasis on regulation, control, and reduction of air pollutant emissions is still necessary to fully characterize the chain emissions–air quality–exposure–dose–health effects, for specific sources. The Estarreja region was selected as a case study because it has one of the largest chemical industrial complexes in Portugal that has been recently expanded, together with a growing urban area with an interesting location in the Portuguese coastland and crossed by important road traffic and rail national networks. This work presents the first air quality assessment for the region concerning pollutant emissions and meteorological and air quality monitoring data analysis, over the period 2000–2009. This assessment also includes a detailed investigation and characterization of past air pollution episodes for the most problematic pollutants: ozone and PM10. The contribution of different emission sources and meteorological conditions to these episodes is investigated. The stagnant meteorological conditions associated with local emissions, namely industrial activity and road traffic, are the major contributors to the air quality degradation over the study region. A set of measures to improve air quality—regarding ozone and PM10 levels—is proposed as an air quality management strategy for the study region.     

Determination of O3, NO2, SO2, CO and PM10 measured in Belgrade urban area

O(3), NO(2), SO(2), CO and PM(10) concentrations, simultaneously determined for the first time in Belgrade urban area in the autumnal period of 2005, are presented. The obtained results display similar behaviour of SO(2), NO(2), CO, PM(10) opposite from that of O(3). The weekend effect was also investigated showing diminution of average daily concentrations of SO(2), NO(2), PM(10) and CO for 72, 40, 37 and 42% respectively, and increase of the average daily concentration of O(3) for 56%. Influence of meteorological conditions on observed concentration levels was studied, too. The observed influence of wind speed on the O(3) nightly concentration levels was analyzed pointing to the phenomena of O(3) transport during episodic measurements. To make an identification of possible pollution sources and analyse the influence of meteorological parameters on pollution levels, air back trajectories for high level concentrations episodes were calculated and analysed. A multivariate receptor modelling (Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis) has been applied to a set of data in order to determine the contribution of different sources. It was found that the main principal components, extracted from the air pollution data, were related to gasoline combustion, oil combustion and ozone transport.     

Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Meteorological and Air Pollution Data in the ‘Campo De Gibraltar’ Region, Spain

A complete statistical analysis of meteorological and air pollution data was carried out in the ‘Campo de Gibraltar’ region (in the South of Spain) from 1999 to 2002. This is a heavy industrialized area where, up to date, very few air pollution studies have been made. The main objectives of the study presented here have been the characterization of the meteorological and (gaseous and particulate) air pollution conditions in the area, and the relations between them. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), have been applied to the data. The results show that air quality in the area is highly dependent on meteorological conditions such as wind persistence and direction, dispersion capability of the atmosphere, and humidity content. On average, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide air pollution, mainly caused by fuel-oil combustion and traffic, respectively, is not very high. However, an important number of exceedences of the limits established by the EU Directive 1999 for PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm) have been observed in some points of the area. A significant percentage of these exceedences (about 22% on average) are likely caused by African dust intrusions, which usually take place from May to August. From gaseous and particulate air correlations, it seems that anthropogenic activities contribute with about 19% on average.     

Particulate Matter Over A Seven Year Period in Urban and Rural Areas Within, Proximal and Far from Mining and Power Station Operations in Greece

Lignite mining operations and lignite-fired power stations result in major particulate pollution (fly ash and fugitive dust) problems in the areas surrounding these activities. The problem is more complicated, especially, for urban areas located not far from these activities, due to additional contribution from the urban pollution sources. Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fraction has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of particulate pollution. On the other hand, airborne particle concentration measurements are useful in order to assess the air pollution levels based on national and international air quality standards. These measurements are also necessary for developing air pollutants control strategies or for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, especially, for long periods. In this study an attempt is made in order to investigate the particle size distribution of fly ash and fugitive dust in a heavy industrialized (mining and power stations operations) area with complex terrain in the northwestern part of Greece. Parallel total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. These measurements gathered from thirteen monitoring stations located in the greater area of interest. Spatial, temporal variation and trend are analyzed over the last seven years. Furthermore, the geographical variation of PM10 – TSP correlation and PM10/TSP ratio are investigated and compared to those in the literature. The analysis has indicated that a complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the particulate pollution of the examined area.     

PM source apportionment and trace metallic aerosol affinities during atmospheric pollution episodes: a case study from Puertollano, Spain

Source apportionment study was performed, applying principal component analysis to the results of 221 chemical analyses of PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected daily from the industrial (but low traffic) Spanish town of Puertollano over a 14-month period during 2004-2005. Results reveal compositional variations attributable to different mixtures of natural and anthropogenic materials, mainly soil and rock dust (crustal), marine salt (only in PM10), petrochemical refinery emissions, and particles attributed to the combustion of local coal, which is unusually rich in Pb and Sb. During the study period there were 34 pollution episodes when PM10 exceeded 50 tg m(-3), mostly due to winter air temperature inversions, regional atmospheric stagnation, or African dust incursions (North African, NAF days: usually in summer). Whereas the crustal component during NAF episodes averaged 52% with a PM2.5/PM10 ratio of 0.54, this dropped to 29% and a PM2.5/PM10 of 0.67 during non-NAF days when anthropogenic materials predominated. Abnormally enhanced concentrations of pathfinder metallic trace elements provide additional evidence for source apportionment: thus aerosols with raised levels of Pb and Sb are associated with local coal combustion, Ni and V can be linked to petrochemical PM emissions, and Ti, Mn, Rb, and Ce are particularly characteristic of crustal dust incursions.     

平顶山市大气PM10、PM2.5 污染调查

于2003年12月-2004年11月对平顶山市城区大气PM10、PM2.5污染进行了调查.结果表明,2004年大气PM10、PM2.5质量浓度分别为0.031 mg/m3～0.862 mg/m3、0.019 mg/m3～0.438 mg/m3;年均值分别为0.174 mg/m3、0.114 mg/m3,超标0.74倍、6.60倍.PM10、PM2.5污染的季节变化趋势是以冬季、春季高,秋季次之,夏季最低,细颗粒(PM2.5)约占PM10 65%;As、Pb、Cd、S、Zn、Cu、Mn、Ca等元素是颗粒物中主要污染元素,易在PM2.5中富集.平顶山市大气颗粒物污染的主要来源有煤炭燃烧、汽车尾气、城市基础建设和有色金属冶炼行业.     

室外空气污染对成人呼吸系统健康影响的分析

报告在广州、武汉、兰州、重庆市 8所小学共 80 0 0余名学生父母患呼吸系统疾病的病症率受空气污染影响的分析结果。每个城市城区污染点的成人感冒咳嗽和咳痰、未感冒咳嗽和咳痰、支气管炎等病症的发生率均高于相应城市的郊区对照点 ,且男性比女性更高。呼吸系统的病症率与空气 PM1 0 、PM2 .5 污染呈正相关。调整了混杂因子的影响后 ,这种相关关系仍保持不变。结论是 :空气中 PM1 0 的污染与成人 (男女 )的感冒或未感冒时咳嗽、男性未感冒时咳痰、哮喘、支气管炎有明显正相关关系 ;空气 SO2 污染与成人 (男女 )感冒时咳嗽、咳痰呈显著正相关 ;空气中 NOx 污染对成人呼吸系统病症率的影响相对较弱     

长三角区域空气质量数值预报系统及其在重大活动保障中的应用

2014年起,上海市围绕城市及长三角区域空气质量预测预报和重污染预警需求,搭建了长三角区域空气质量数值预报系统。该系统综合应用了模式参数化方案比选、排放清单耦合处理、大气化学资料同化、大数据集合订正等关键技术,集合模式PM2. 5和O3小时浓度偏差为-10%~10%,提升了区域PM2. 5和O3浓度模拟效果。该系统实现了污染在线源解析和多排放情景模拟等功能的业务应用,应用于2018年首届中国国际进口博览会保障中,为上海市及长三角区域空气质量业务预报和重大活动保障提供了业务产品支撑。     

大气颗粒物监测分析及今后研究课题

概述了 PM1 0 和 PM2 .5今后的研究方向。目前我国尚未开展 PM2 .5的常规监测 ,PM1 0 的自动监测中尚存在一些技术问题 ,且尚未公布 PM1 0 自动监测的技术性标准 ,为了满足各级环境监测站的工作需求 ,在附录中介绍了国外关于PM1 0 和 PM2 .5的监测仪器和方法标准 ,并介绍了 2 0 0 0年日本颁布的 PM2 .5自动监测技术规定     

2015年新疆阿克苏市沙尘污染与气象因素关系的分析

应用阿克苏市国家基准站及2个环保局监测站2015年大风沙尘天气过程前后PM10浓度变化及其与污染源、NECP全球再分析资料、风、监测站周边环境等关系进行分析.结果表明,阿克苏市春季沙尘天气的首要污染物均为PM10,PM10的变化曲线呈正态分布,春季中度及以上污染日均出现在污染日当日或次日.造成阿克苏市沙尘天气污染源分本地型、外来型以及二者共同影响型三种.本地型沙尘污染强度取决于北风风速大小及强风持续时间,PM10浓度变化与风速呈正相关.而外来型污染多发生在本地型沙尘天气之后,"东灌"冷空气裹挟沙尘进入南疆盆地,造成地面加压,浮尘天气造成PM10浓度增大,并持续数天.总结出沙尘天气污染预警的几个必要条件,后续在地区环保局、县局监测站建立的情况下,为分析阿克苏地区"八县一市"污染物与气象因素的关系提供借鉴,同时为实际的空气质量预警提供参考.     

Air pollution sources of PM10 in Buenos Aires City

To elucidate the sources of PM(10) air pollution from the experimental information collected in a local air quality monitoring campaign we have applied two methods, effective variance and genetic algorithms, in the solution of the chemical mass balance. The comparison of these two mathematical approaches show that the identification of the possible sources and the evaluation of its contributions are quite independent of them. The role of possible different sources for major and trace elements and the significance of standardizing available data is also addressed. We also present a simple method for identifying the number of candidate sources, a key element defining the dimension of the search space.     

Satellite monitoring for carbon monoxide and particulate matter during forest fire episodes in Northern Thailand

This study explored the use of satellite data to monitor carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) in Northern Thailand during the dry season when forest fires are known to be an important cause of air pollution. Satellite data, including Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) CO, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol optical depth (MODIS AOD), and MODIS fire hotspots, were analyzed with air pollution data measured at nine automatic air quality monitoring stations in the study area for February–April months of 2008–2010. The correlation analysis showed that daily CO and PM with size below 10 μm (PM₁₀) were associated with the forest fire hotspot counts, especially in the rural areas with the maximum correlation coefficient (R) of 0.59 for CO and 0.65 for PM₁₀. The correlations between MODIS AOD and PM₁₀, between MOPITT CO and CO, and between MODIS AOD and MOPITT CO were also analyzed, confirming the association between these variables. Two forest fire episodes were selected, and the dispersion of pollution plumes was studied using the MOPITT CO total column and MODIS AOD data, together with the surface wind vectors. The results showed consistency between the plume dispersion, locations of dense hotspots, ground monitoring data, and prevalent winds. The satellite data were shown to be useful in monitoring the regional transport of forest fire plumes.     

Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and associated heavy metals at the crossroads and urban background site in Zabrze, Upper Silesia, Poland, during the smog episodes

The concentrations of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb) associated with PM10 and PM2.5 at the crossroads and the background sites have been studied in Zabrze, Poland, during smog episodes. Although the background level was unusually elevated due to both high particulate emission from the industrial and municipal sources and smog favorable meteorological conditions, significant increase of the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 as well as associated heavy metals in the roadside air compared to the urban background has been documented. The average daily difference between the roadside and corresponding urban background aerosol concentration was equal to 39.5 μg m^???3 for PM10 and 41.2 μg m^???3 for PM2.5. The highest levels of the studied metals in Zabrze appeared for iron carried by PM10 particles: 1,706 (background) and 28,557 ng m^???3 (crossroads). The lowest concentration level (in PM10) has been found for cadmium: 7 and 77 ng m^???3 in the background and crossroads site, respectively. Also the concentrations of heavy metals carried by the fine particles (PM2.5) were very high in Zabrze during the smog episodes. Concentrations of all studied metals associated with PM10 increased at the roadside compared to the background about ten times (one order) while metals contained in PM2.5 showed two to three times elevated concentrations (except Fe—five times and Cr—no increase).     

Short-Term Forecasting of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) Levels Using a Hybrid Statistical and Air Mass History Modelling Approach

A novel hybrid model has been developed to support the provision of real-time air quality forecasts. Statistical techniques have been applied in parallel with air mass history modelling to provide an efficient and accurate forecasting system with the ability to identify high NO₂ events, which tend to be the episodes of most significance in Ireland. Air mass history modelling and k-means clustering are used to identify air mass types that lead to high NO₂ levels in Ireland. Trajectory matching techniques allow data associated with these air masses to be partitioned during model development. Non-parametric regression (NPR) has been applied to describe nonlinear variations in concentration levels with wind speed, direction and season and produce a set of linearized factors which, together with other meteorological variables, are employed as inputs to a multiple linear regression. The model uses an innovative integrated approach to combine the NPR with the air mass history modelling results. On validation, a correlation coefficient of 0.75 was obtained, and 91 % of daily maximum (hourly averaged) NO₂ predictions were within a factor of two of the measured value. High pollution events were well captured, as indicated by strong agreement between measured and modelled high percentile values. The model requires only simple input data, does not require an emission inventory and utilises very low computational resources. It represents an accurate and efficient means of producing real-time air quality forecasts and, when used in combination with forecaster experience, is a useful tool for identifying periods of poor air quality 24 h in advance. The hybrid approach outlined in this paper can easily be applied to produce high-quality forecasts of both NO₂ and additional pollutants at new locations/countries where historical monitoring data are available.     

Ex - post evaluation of a program to reduce critical episodes due to air pollution in southern Chile

There is enough scientific evidence that associates air pollution by particulate matter (PM) with negative impacts on health. However, one-third of the world's population uses highly polluting fuels for cooking, heating, or lighting, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Due to the above, the environmental authorities of most of the countries have established different short-, medium-, and long-term regulations to reduce this pollution. It should be noted that it is challenging to identify the real effectiveness of this type of regulation since it is necessary to determine whether the pollution was reduced exclusively by the implementation of that regulation or due to other confusing factors. To address this issue, the present study performs an ex - post evaluation of the Critical Episodes Management program that imposes restrictions on the use of firewood heaters during pre-emergency and emergency episodes to reduce air pollution in the short-term in the city of Temuco, Chile (one of the most polluted cities in Latin America). Specifically, a fixed-effects panel data regression is applied to hourly concentrations of particulate matter data, controlling by meteorological and seasonal factors. The results show that restrictions on the use of firewood heaters generate a significant reduction in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations during pre-emergency episodes (9.2% and 17.5%) and emergency episodes (5.9% and 16.3%). Thus, it can be concluded that this program is useful, but it must be complemented by others medium- and long-term environmental programs.     

秸秆焚烧对空气质量影响特征及判别方法的研究

利用南京空气自动监测数据及PM_(2.5)组分监测结果,分析了2011年夏收秸秆焚烧期间大气污染特征,并探寻快速判别秸秆焚烧影响的指标及方法。结果表明:秸秆焚烧期间PM_(2.5)污染特征显著,其组分中K~+、EC、OC等浓度相对偏高。基于离子组分及碳元素在线监测数据,可选取K~+作为快速判别指标,并根据K~+与PM_(2.5)的相关性,计算秸秆焚烧对PM_(2.5)的贡献。同时结合OC、EC浓度变化,综合判别秸秆焚烧对空气质量的影响程度。     

Effect of dibenzopyrene measurement on assessing air quality in Beijing air and possible implications for human health

Size fractionated particulate matter (PM) was collected in summer and winter from Beijing, China for the characterization of an expanded list of PAHs and evaluation of air pollution metrics. Summertime ΣPAHs on PM was 14.6 ± 29(PM 1.5), 0.88 ± 0.49(PM 1.5-7.2) and 0.29 ± 0.076(PM 7.2) ng m(-3) air while wintertime concentrations were 493 ± 206(PM 1.5), 26.7 ± 14(PM 1.5-7.2) and 5.3 ± 2.5(PM 7.2) ng m(-3) air. Greater than 90% of the carcinogenic PAHs were concentrated on PM(1.5). Dibenzopyrene isomers made up a significant portion (～30%) of the total carcinogenic PAH load during the winter. To our knowledge, this is the first report of dibenzopyrenes in the Beijing atmosphere and among the few studies that report these highly potent PAHs in ambient particulate matter. Lifetime risk calculations indicated that 1 out of 10,000 to over 6 out of 100 Beijing residents may have an increased risk of lung cancer due to PAH concentration. Over half of the lifetime risk was attributed to Σdibenzopyrenes. The World Health Organization and Chinese daily PM(10) standard was exceeded on each day of the study, however, PAH limits were only exceeded during the winter. The outcomes of the air pollution metrics were highly dependent on the individual PAHs measured and seasonal variation.     

乌鲁木齐市冬季大气颗粒物PM_(10) 和PM_(2.5)污染水平及相关性研究

为研究乌鲁木齐市冬季采暖期间大气颗粒物污染特征,通过采样和在线监测二种手段分析了2015年1~2月大气颗粒物样品,采用重量法分析颗粒物质量浓度,并对其相关性进行分析。结果表明:依据《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095-2012),采样期间乌鲁木齐市大气PM_(10) 和PM_(2.5)的日均质量浓度均超过了国家二级标准,颗粒物污染严重;PM_(10) 和PM_(2.5)存在显著相关性,PM_(2.5)和PM_(10) 浓度的比值均大于0.5,采暖期PM2.5对乌鲁木齐市大气颗粒物贡献显著。     

Apportionment of the airborne PM10 in Spain. Episodes of potential negative impact for human health

The particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 and 2.5 microns respectively (PM10 and PM2.5) constitutes one of the main air pollutants, which is currently regulated in Europe through Directive 2008/50/EC due to its proven harmful effects on human health. In this paper, the airborne PM10 samples collected in Zaragoza city during 2001-2009 were apportioned by statistical tools based on principal component analysis with absolute principal component scores (PCA-APCS). PM10 samples were characterized regarding their concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and water-soluble ions. PAH were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS-MS) and ions were analyzed by ion chromatography. A total of five factors were identified by PCA-APCS corresponding to different anthropogenic and natural sources. This work was focused on analyzing in more detail those samples involving higher negative impact on human health, in particular, PM10 samples exceeding the daily PM10 limit value of 50 μg m(-3) according to Directive 2008/50/EC and samples with concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) higher than the upper assessment threshold (BaP > 0.6 ng m(-3)) established by the Directive 2004/107/EC. Most of the exceedances of the daily PM10 limit value were associated with direct and indirect North-African long-range transport. During these exceedances, it was observed that anthropogenic pollution sources slightly decreased with regard to the natural sources. This indicated that episodes of high PM10 could have a natural origin associated with long-range transport from the African continent. On the contrary, those exceedances with regional contribution and samples with BaP concentrations higher than 0.6 ng m(-3) showed an important contribution of anthropogenic pollution sources increasing their negative impact on human health.     

Evaluation of the Impact of Long-range Transport and Aerosol Concentration Temporal Variations at the Eastern Coast of the Baltic Sea

Ambient particles vary greatly in their ability to affect visibility, climate and human health. The fine fraction of aerosol is responsible for greater and wider effects on human health; thus, investigation of this fraction is very important. Continuous measurements of PM2.5 (particulate matter below 2.5 μm in size) concentrations at the Preila monitoring station started in 2003. During a period of 2 years, the episodes of high daily and semi-hourly concentrations of PM2.5 were measured. These episodes did not depend on the season or time of day. The substantial role of long-range transport of pollutants to these increases in concentration was shown using chemical and statistical analysis. It was found that most of the severe episodes occurred when air masses came from a specific site besides it was established that air masses of different origin were characterized by different mixing layer depth. Lower mixing depth was observed in air masses characterized by higher observed concentrations at the measuring site and vice versa. PM2.5 concentrations showed diurnal and seasonal variations whose pattern reflected the regional origin of the aerosol. The regional pollution level was evaluated by the statistical analysis of PM2.5 concentrations. The background annual average of PM2.5 mass concentration for the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea was 15.1 ± 0.8 μg m⁻³.