Management of air quality in the vicinity of congested area in Kuwait

An assessment of air quality in the vicinity of a selected school has been carried out by monitoring the concentrations of primary pollutants. The results has shown that during the school hours, the measured pollutants emitted from the cars next to the selected school, such as CO and NO(2), are always under the allowable limits for Kuwaiti air quality standards. On the other hand, the concentrations of non methane hydrocarbon pollutant (nm-HC), some of which are considered to be cancergenic, are found to be above the Kuwaiti standard most of the times. A traffic counter is used to record the number of cars in the main road next to the school in 15 min intervals for 10 days during the monitoring period for air quality. Statistical analysis is performed to develop a relation for prediction of the necessary reduction in traffic, based on CO concentrations, during morning and afternoon periods on working days. A computer dispersion model (CALINE4) is also used to assess the CO concentrations based on recorded flow of traffic and emission inventory with the prevailing meteorological conditions existed at the specified time. After the validation of model, different scenarios have been evaluated to provide an acceptable solution to resolve the traffic congestion problem near the schools in the early morning hours with substantial reduction in pollution levels. The optimal solution for CO concentration reduction by managing smooth traffic flow is to reduce the traffic intensity by half in early morning and afternoon rush hours. The results of the predicted CO concentration in the vicinity of the school for the model and the statistical analysis has shown reduction of 30% and 42% respectively, for approximately 50% decrease in the car use. On the other hand the predicted CO concentration for the model and the statistics reached 24% and 33% respectively when 50% of students opted for buses instead of using private cars.     

Air quality of Prague: traffic as a main pollution source

Political and economical transition in the Central and Eastern Europe at the end of eighties significantly influenced all aspects of life as well as technological infrastructure. Collapse of outdated energy demanding industry and adoption of environmental legislation resulted in seeming improvements of urban environmental quality. Hand in hand with modernization the newly adopted regulations also helped to phase out low quality coal frequently used for domestic heating. However, at the same time, the number of vehicles registered in the city increased. The two processes interestingly acted as parallel but antagonistic forces. To interpret the trends in urban air quality of Prague, Czech capital, monthly averages of PM(10), SO(2), NO(2), NO, O(3) and CO concentrations from the national network of automated monitoring stations were analyzed together with long term trends in fuel consumption and number of vehicles registered in Prague within a period of 1992-2005. The results showed that concentrations of SO(2) (a pollutant strongly related to fossil fuel burning) dropped significantly during the period of concern. Similarly NO(X) and PM(10) concentrations decreased significantly in the first half of the nineties (as a result of solid fuel use drop), but remained rather stable or increased after 2000, presumably reflecting rapid increase of traffic density. In conclusion, infrastructural changes in early nineties had a strong positive effect on Prague air quality namely in the first half of the period studied, nevertheless, the current trend in concentrations of automotive exhaust related pollutants (such as PM(10), NO(X)) needs adoption of stricter measures.     

2016年长沙市环境空气质量的“周末效应”及“假日效应”

通过获取2016年长沙市连续在线观测得到的PM₁₀、PM_2.5、NO₂、O₃、CO和 SO₂逐时浓度资料，对工作日、周末、节假日（尤其是春节）的空气质量优良天数、污染物浓度变化特征进行对比分析，长沙市2016年6项污染物均表现出一定的"周末效应"现象，周末日平均浓度均低于工作日及全年的日平均浓度，其中PM_2.5最为明显；PM₁₀和PM_2.5浓度均星期一最高，星期六最低，CO和 SO₂浓度周末也均处于相对最低水平，NO₂和O₃在周末的平均浓度略低于工作日水平或与其持平。国庆假期，由于城区人口、车辆减少，长沙大气环境质量相对较好，而春节假期，由于受到烟花爆竹集中燃放的影响，PM₁₀、PM_2.5和SO₂浓度远超过全年平均水平，这在一定程度上说明人类活动对污染物浓度及大气环境质量变化具有一定的影响力。     

Carbon monoxide concentrations in Santiago City at street levels and their vertical gradient

Carbon monoxide concentrations were measured at ground level (1 m) near heavy traffic streets in downtown Santiago de Chile in periods of low (November and December), intermediate (April) and high (May) ambient concentrations. Also, measurements were carried out at several heights (from 1 to 127 m) in Santiago’s main street during winter time. Measurements carried out at ground level show maximum values during the morning rush hour, with values considerably higher than those reported by the urban air quality network, particularly in summer time. However, the measured values are below air quality standards. Vertical CO profiles were measured in a tower located in the center of downtown. Below 40 m (average altitude of neighboring buildings), the profiles do not show a consistent vertical gradient, with CO concentrations increasing or decreasing with height, regardless of atmospheric stability. In this low altitude range, the observed vertical profiles are poorly predicted by a street canyon model, and the measured concentrations can not be described by a simple exponential decay. At higher altitudes (40 and 127 m) a negative gradient in CO concentrations is observed, both for stable and unstable atmospheric conditions. The values of CO measured at 127 m are relatively well described by an Eulerian dispersion model running with current CO emission inventories for Santiago, although this model tends to predict stepper CO gradients than the observed ones.     

黑龙江省“十三五”时期生态环境质量变化及趋势预测

以黑龙江省生态环境监测网监测结果为基础,总结归纳了"十三五"期间黑龙江省生态环境质量变化特征,并采用随机森林和GM(1,1)预测模型对"十四五"期间黑龙江省生态环境质量状况进行了预测。结果表明:"十三五"期间,黑龙江省环境空气、水环境和声环境质量全面好转。其中,环境空气主要污染物PM_2.5、PM₁₀、SO₂、NO₂和CO的年均质量浓度均呈现出明显下降的趋势,"哈大绥"重点区域PM₁₀、SO₂、NO₂和CO年均质量浓度呈现下降趋势。地表水水质总体呈波动变化趋势,水质状况均为轻度污染。"十四五"期间,黑龙江省生态环境质量将处于稳中向好的趋势。环境空气主要污染物及地表水主要污染指标年均质量浓度均呈现明显的下降趋势,道路交通声环境质量也将得到进一步改善。     

Analyzing SO 2 concentrations and wind directions during a short monitoring campaign at a site far from the industrial pole of La Plata, Argentina

This article presents and discusses SO2 air quality concentrations (ppbv) together with wind velocities and directions measurements carried out between September 1st and December 21st 2005 at a site located 8.5 km away from the Industrial Pole of La Plata area. As the city and its surroundings have no official monitoring network, the current work enlarges the air quality information available from the zone and sets some initial considerations to the future siting of monitoring stations. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using techniques of tests for outliers and trends, dissimilarity measures and robust regression. In relation to SO2 concentrations, low values were found during this short campaign considering daily averages (with a maximum of 8.5 ppbv) and hourly averages (with a maximum of 25.9 ppbv); World Health Organization guidelines were never surpassed. Nevertheless, a strong dependence between wind directions carrying air pollutants from the Industrial Pole and hourly concentration peaks were found. Due to low monthly SO2 concentrations and because a decreasing time trend was found, the authors propose, as an example, the implementation of an alternative discontinuous method to the continuous analyzer used in the current campaign. Our results state that sampling every 7 days at 13:00-13:59 hours (local time) would be enough to get representative values of the air quality. As a general remark it is possible to highlight that longer and systematic studies should be encouraged to confirm the seasonal wind pattern and to evaluate the air quality.     

2014—2018年洛阳市大气污染变化特征及影响因素研究

研究采用空气质量指数法对2014—2018年洛阳市大气污染变化特征进行了分析,构建了空气污染物浓度的影响指标体系,采用灰色关联法研究了空气污染物浓度与影响因子之间的关联度,得到了影响空气污染物浓度的主要指标因子,并提出了改善洛阳市空气质量的措施。结果表明:洛阳市空气质量指数类别主要为良和轻度污染。2014—2018年空气质量为优良的天数主要出现在春季、夏季和秋季,重度污染和严重污染主要出现在冬季。2018年PM₁₀、PM_2.5、NO₂、SO₂和CO这5项污染物浓度随时间变化呈"V"型,污染主要集中在1—5月和11—12月。O₃浓度随时间变化呈倒"V"型,污染主要集中在4—9月。研究期内PM_2.5、PM₁₀和O₃是主要污染物。市区总人口、工业(综合)能源消耗量、人均生产总值、城市机动车总数、城市房屋施工面积、人均公园绿地面积、建成区绿化覆盖率和一般工业固体废物产生量等8项指标因子与PM_2.5、PM₁₀和O₃的浓度表现出高关联度或较高关联度。     

Do the pollution related to high-traffic roads in urbanised areas pose a significant threat to the local population?

Many large neighbourhoods are located near heavy-traffic roads; therefore, it is necessary to control the levels of air pollution near road exposure. The primary air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles are CO, NO₂ and PM. Various investigations identify key health outcomes to be consistently associated with NO₂ and CO. The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether by high-traffic roads, such as motorways and express ways, and the concentrations of CO and NO₂ are within normal limits and do not pose threat to the local population. Average daily values (arithmetic values calculated for 1-h values within 24 h or less, depending on result availability) were measured for concentrations of NO₂ and CO by automatic stations belonging to the Voivodship Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Katowice, in areas with similar dominant source of pollutant emission. The measurements were made in three sites: near the motorway and expressway, where the average daily traffic intensity is 100983 and 35414 of vehicles relatively. No evidence was found of exceeding average daily values equal to the maximum allowable NO₂ concentration due to the protection of human health in the measurement area of the stations. No daily average values exceeding the admissible CO concentration (8-h moving average) were noted in the examined period. The results clearly show lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of CO and NO₂ compounds that are closely related to high intensity car traffic found on selected motorways and speedways located near the city centres.     

CO and NO2 pollution in a long two-way traffic road tunnel: investigation of NO2/NOx ratio and modelling of NO2 concentration

The CO, NO and NO2 concentrations, visibility and air flow velocity were measured using continuous analysers in a long Norwegian road tunnel (7.5 km) with traffic in both directions in April 1994 and 1995. The traffic density was monitored at the same time. The NO2 concentration exceeded Norwegian air quality limits for road tunnels 17% of the time in 1994. The traffic through the tunnel decreased from 1994 to 1995, and the mean NO2 concentration was reduced from 0.73 to 0.22 ppm. The ventilation fan control, based on the CO concentration only, was unsatisfactory and the air flow was sometimes low for hours. Models for NO2 concentration based on CO concentration and absolute air flow velocity were developed and tested. The NO2/NOx ratio showed an increase for NOx levels above 2 ppm; a likely explanation for this phenomenon is NO oxidation by O2. Exposure to high NO2 concentrations may represent a health risk for people with respiratory and cardiac diseases. In long road tunnels with two-way traffic, this study indicates that ventilation fan control based on CO concentration should be adjusted for changes in vehicle CO emission and should be supplemented by air flow monitoring to limit the NO2 concentration.     

烟花爆竹禁燃对春节期间东北地区空气质量影响评估

利用2015—2017年春节期间东北地区主要大气污染物(PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2、NO_2、CO和O3)质量浓度监测资料及相应气象因子(温度、湿度、风速和气压)观测资料,分析了春节期间烟花爆竹禁燃对东北地区空气质量的影响。结果表明:随着东北地区主要城市禁燃力度的增强,空气质量逐年提升,PM_(2.5)和SO_2浓度逐年大幅度下降。禁燃可明显降低城区PM_(2.5)浓度,而由于春节期间污染源整体减少,城区和城郊监测点PM_(2.5)浓度值差异减小。烟花爆竹对PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)浓度影响高于对气体污染物SO_2、NO_2和CO的影响。此外,气象条件对东北地区春节期间禁燃改善空气质量的效果也有明显影响。因此,结合春节期间的气象条件,在东北地区实施禁燃政策动态调整非常必要。     

Estimation of the global evolution of atmospheric pollution in Salamanca (Spain) during the 1993-2001 period according to one global index (ORAQI)

The aim of this study has been to use a global index to measure the air quality in the city, apart from individual assessment of the values of the concentrations of the different pollutants. We calculated the ORAQI with the data obtained at four air-pollution monitoring stations located in the city of Salamanca over the period between 1993 and 2001. For the calculations, SO2, PM10, NO2, CO and O3 were used as the most significant pollutants for the surroundings of the monitoring stations. The evolution of this index over 9 years is reported, and the repercussion of the most characteristic pollutants of each season of the year on the ORAQI along the whole period analysed is studied. The importance of the summer pollution in the characterisation of the least polluted surroundings was observed. At the most polluted sites, a decrease in the values corresponding to winter occurs, leading the ORAQI to take similar values along the whole year. In general, taking into account the surroundings of all the monitoring stations, the quality of the air to which the inhabitants of the city of Salamanca are exposed to can be said to be good.     

Spatial variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto, Italy and its potential impact on exposure assessment

Epidemiological studies typically use monitored air pollution data from a single station or as averaged data from several stations to estimate population exposure. In industrialized urban areas, this approach may present critical issues due to the spatial complexities of air pollutants which are emitted by different sources. This study focused on the city of Taranto, which is one of the most highly industrialized cities in southern Italy. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations in this area, in terms of mortality excess and short-term health effects of air pollution. The aims of this paper are to study the variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto and to interpret the results in relation to the applicability of the data in assessing population exposure. Meteorological and pollution data (SO2, NO2, PM10), measured simultaneously and continuously during the period 2006–2010 in five air quality stations, were analyzed. Relative and absolute spatial concentration variations were investigated by means of statistical indexes. Results show significant differences among stations. The highest correlation between stations was observed for PM10 concentrations, while critical values were found for NO2. The worst values were observed for the SO2 series. The high values of 90th percentile of differences between pairs of monitoring sites for the three pollutants index suggest that mean concentrations differ by large amounts from site to site. The overall analysis supports the hypothesis that various parts of the city are differently affected by the different emission sources, depending on meteorological conditions. In particular, analysis revealed that the influence of the industrial site may be primarily identified with the series of SO2 data which exhibit higher mean concentration values and positive correlations with wind intensity when the monitoring station is downwind from the industrial site. Results suggest evaluating the population exposure to air pollutants in industrialized cities by taking into account the possible zones of influence of different emission sources. More research is needed to identify an indicator, which ought to be a synthesis of several pollutants, and take into account the meteorological variables.     

Air Quality and Monitoring Strategy in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland

The Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV) is responsible for air quality monitoring in the Helsinki area. Air quality has been monitored periodically since the late 1950s. An automatic SO2 monitoring network was constructed in 1975 and TSP measurements were added in 1978. Since then the network has been expanded and currently five automatic multicomponent stations form the basis of the network monitoring SO2, NO, NO2, CO, PM10 and O3 concentrations. Manual TSP and PM10 measurements are also conducted. Mobile monitoring units are also being used as well as special measurement campaigns. The effects of air pollution on nature are studied in bioindicator monitoring. An air quality index is used in order to inform the public of the current air quality situation. Changes in air quality are reflected in monitoring strategy. SO2 concentrations have decreased in the past two decades. Annual averages in 1995 were at or below 5 µg/m3. Traffic is the major source for pollutants even though catalytic converters have lowered traffic emissions somewhat. The highest annual average NO2 concentration at an urban site was 49 µg/m3 in 1995, and there has been no clear change in NO2 levels. There has been a decreasing trend in CO concentrations. Maximum annual TSP and PM10 averages in 1995 were 92 and 32 µg/m3, respectively. The highest average lead concentration was 0.01 µg/m3. Elevated concentrations are experienced from time to time. During the spring daily TSP and PM10 concentrations can go up to around 300 and 150 µg/m3, respectively. This is caused by resuspension mainly due to street sanding. Also a major winter NO2 episode occurred in December 1995. The highest hourly NO2 concentrations reached 400 µg/m3.     

基于GIS的唐山地区大气污染物时空分布研究

应用数据统计和ArcGIS对北方重工业城市唐山地区2014年14个县(区)18个空气自动监测站的数据进行时空分布特征分析,监测的污染物为PM_(10)、SO_2、NO_2、PM_(2.5)、O_3、CO共6项。利用ArcGIS对各个自动监测站污染物数据建立网格模型,采用反距离权重法分别对年均、采暖期、非采暖期的环境空气质量综合指数和6项污染因子浓度的空间分布进行估算,直观比较了污染物在不同时期内的空间分布状况。结果表明,空气质量时间分布较为明显,非采暖期明显好于采暖期。同时,计算出每个网格单元污染指数的标准偏差,结合气象气候、地形地势、工业发展等情况,分析得出北部山区、市中心区附近区域空气质量波动较大。为区域大气污染有针对性的综合防治、联防联控及污染物区域削减计划打下数据基础。     

The Use of Measurement Programmes and Models to Assess Concentrations Next to Major Roads in Urban Areas

This paper shows that monitoring campaigns in association withmodelling, particularly detailed roadside modelling, are auseful and cost effective method of assessing air quality. Itproposes that an approach based on detailed monitoringassociated with concurrent meteorological data can be used incombination with a roadside model to assess concentrations at other locations near a road and in other weather conditions. Plans for improving air quality can also be assessed in simpleways. The need for complex models based on detailed emissioninventories is avoided.Two examples from streets in London and Paris are presented inwhich measurements of CO, NO_x and volatile organic compoundshave been made. The measurements are interpreted usingcorrelations between pollutant concentrations and with windspeed, and by using the USEPA CALINE4 model. It is demonstratedthat air quality measurements can be used to assess the validityof road traffic emission factors.     

上海市路边环境空气黑碳气溶胶污染特征及影响因素研究

为研究上海市路边环境空气黑碳(BC)的污染特征,采用连续监测方法对2016年1月至2018年12月上海市路边环境空气BC浓度进行了监测,并同步监测了气象因子,分析了BC的时间变化特征,探讨了气象因素对BC的影响以及不同空气质量等级下BC浓度水平。结果表明:2016、2017、2018年上海市路边环境空气BC年均质量浓度分别为(2 908±2 189)、(2 959±2 224)、(2 824±2 002) ng/m3,呈现出下降趋势;2016、2017、2018年BC与PM2.5年均质量浓度比分别为9. 30%、9. 20%、9. 50%;BC季节变化特征明显,整体表现为春夏高、秋冬低的特点;昼夜变化特征均呈现出双峰分布,第一个峰值均出现在06:00,第二个峰值均出现在16:00-19:00,且第一个峰值高于第二个峰值。气象因素对BC有一定影响,在降水、相对湿度低以及非静风条件下BC浓度较低。随着上海市空气质量由好转差,上海市路边环境空气BC浓度均呈现上升趋势,空气质量为良、轻度污染、中度污染、重度污染时路边环境空气BC平均浓度分别较空气质量为优时增加了0. 38、0. 96、1. 61、1. 96倍。     

An evaluation of improvements in the air quality of Beijing arising from the use of new vehicle emission standards

An innovative approach of mean emission by vehicle type was used in this paper to assess the impact of new vehicle emission standards in Beijing, China during the period of 2000–2005. It was found that CO and NO_x emissions decreased by 48% and 23%, respectively, from Type O (before 2000) to Type I (year 2000) vehicles. The reductions from Type O to Type II (year 2002) vehicles were 85% and 73% for CO and NO_x, respectively. When all three types of vehicles (Types O, I and II) are combined, the annual per vehicle CO emissions decreased from 586 kg per vehicle per year in 2000 to 324 kg per vehicle per year in 2005, while that of NO_x decreased from 66.9 to 43.4 kg per vehicle per year, which was mainly resulted from the impact of stringent new vehicle emission standards implemented in years 2000 and 2002. However, the vehicle population increased by 70% during the same time period, which offset the impact of cleaner vehicles. Thus, the total vehicle emission decreased little for CO (885,000 tons in 2000, 837,000 tons in 2005) and even increased slightly for NO_x (101,000 and 112,000 tons in 2000 and 2005, respectively). The ambient concentrations of CO decreased significantly throughout 2000–2005, the same trend was not observed for NO₂. Correlation analysis (grey correlation and Pearson correlation) between the annual vehicle emissions and annual concentrations of CO, the annual NO_x emission and annual NO₂ concentration indicated that the implementation of new vehicle emission standards was associated with the abatement of ambient CO and NO₂ concentrations in Beijing.     

A new indicator of fireworks emissions in Rochester, New York

In ambient particle source apportionment studies, data for holidays such as July 4 (US Independence Day) are normally removed because of the high concentrations of chemical species and unusually high particle mass concentrations that are due to fireworks. Many cultures celebrate events with fireworks. A near real-time measurement that could indicate fireworks would be useful in indicating their impact on air quality. Commonly monitored ambient pollutants include PM_2.5, CO, SO₂, O₃, 10–500-nm particle number, and black carbon (BC). Using a two-wavelength aethalometer, another parameter, delta-C (UVBC_370?nm–BC_880?nm, aethalometer), can be calculated. These variables were continuously monitored during July 1–7, 2005–2010, in Rochester, New York. High delta-C values are normally associated with biomass combustion particles. However, statistically higher delta-C values were observed on Independence Day compared to the other period. Back trajectory analysis showed transport of local fireworks smoke to the sampling site on the night of July 4. An enhanced correlation between delta-C and BC during the fireworks episodes suggests changes from the usual BC sources. Fireworks emissions changed the ambient carbonaceous particulate species during these intervals. The delta-C value was found to be a readily measured indicator of fireworks emissions during periods when wood combustion was not likely to be present and provides a tool for monitoring such emissions where they might be more common such as amusement parks.     

西藏自治区“十二五”和“十三五”环境空气质量变化特征

"十二五"以来中国先后颁布了一系列大气污染防治政策并实施相应的大气污染治理措施以提高环境空气质量。为研究西藏自治区"十二五"(2011-2015年)和"十三五"(2016 -2020年)时期环境空气质量变化状况,评估大气污染防治措施实施效果,笔者对2011-2020年西藏自治区7个城市(地区)主要大气污染物浓度和优良天数比例变化进行分析。结果表明:随着一系列大气污染防治措施的实施,西藏自治区环境空气质量显著提升,与"十二五"时期相比,"十三五"时期西藏自治区年平均优良天数比例由97.5%±2.0%提升至99.3%±0.4%,SO₂、 NO₂、 PM₁₀、 PM_2.5浓度年均值和CO 浓度第95百分位数均呈下降趋势,其中CO、PM₁₀和PM_2.5浓度下降幅度较大,O₃日最大8h滑动平均值第90百分位数略有上升。西藏自治区环境空气质量与人口、经济发展程度呈负相关关系。受污染源排放、气象条件和区域传输等因素影响,西藏自治区O₃浓度春、夏季较高,而其余污染物浓度冬季较高。     

Seasonal change and correlation with environmental parameters for 2-MIB in Feng-Shen Reservoir, Taiwan

Two common drinking water earthy/musty odorants, 2-methyl-isoborneol (2-MIB) and trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol (geosmin), were monitored and analyzed for their correlation with environmental conditions in Feng-Shen Reservoir (FSR), Taiwan. Long-term monitoring results, from December 2000 to July 2003, indicated that 2-MIB was present in the reservoir at concentrations between 10 and 200 ng L(-1), and those of geosmin were always smaller than 10 ng L(-1). The 2-MIB concentrations followed a trend of higher concentrations during the warm seasons. After being analyzed with 10 water quality and three meteorological parameters, 2-MIB concentration was found to correlate with corresponding air and water temperatures. An analysis of air temperature history versus 2-MIB concentration in FSR suggested that 2-MIB concentration was best correlated with the mean of average daily temperature from 1 to 9 days before sampling, with R (2) = 0.90. This correlation was further employed to predict the 2-MIB concentration observed during another sampling period in FSR. A similar degree of fit was observed between predictions and experimental data, suggesting the potential applicability of the approach. In addition to the effect of temperature, heavy rainfalls that occurred before the sampling time may also reduce the 2-MIB concentration in the reservoir. A short-term continuous monitoring of the odorants for 32 h showed that both geosmin and 2-MIB concentrations in the reservoir remained almost constant, with only about a 10% difference during the sampling period. This may suggest that the odorants were uniformly distributed in the water near the sampling location in the reservoir.