Characteristics and source attribution of PM2.5 during 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou: Efficacy of radical measures to reduce source emissions

A field campaign was conducted to study the PM_2.5 and atmospheric gases and aerosol's components to evaluate the efficacy of radical measures implemented by the Chinese government to improve air quality during the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou China. The lower level of PM_2.5 (32.48 ± 11.03 µg/m³) observed during the control period compared to pre-control and post-control periods showed that PM_2.5 was alleviated by control policies. Based on the mass concentrations of particulate components, the emissions of PM_2.5 from local sources including fossil fuel, coal combustion, industry and construction were effectively reduced, but non-exhaust emission was not reduced as effectively as expected. The accumulation of SNA (SO₄^2?, NO₃^?, NH₄⁺) was observed during the control period, due to the favourable synoptic weather conditions for photochemical reactions and heterogeneous hydrolysis. Because of transboundary transport during the control period, air masses from remote areas contributed significantly to local PM_2.5. Although, secondary organic carbon (OC_sec) exhibited more sensitivity than primary organic carbon (OC_pri) to control measures, and the increased nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) implied the regional transport of aged secondary aerosols to the study area. Overall, the results from various approaches revealed that local pollution sources were kept under control, indicating that the implementation of mitigation measures were helpful in improving the air quality of Hangzhou during G20 summit. To reduce ambient levels of PM_2.5 further in Hangzhou, regional control policies may have to be taken so as to reduce the impact of long-range transport of air masses from inland China.     

Characteristics of atmospheric volatile organic compounds in urban area of Beijing: Variations, photochemical reactivity and source apportionment

Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were observed by an on-line gas chromatography-flame ionization detector monitoring system from November 2016 to August 2017 in Beijing. The average concentrations were winter (40.27 ± 25.25 μg/m³) > autumn (34.25 ± 19.90 µg/m³) > summer (32.53 ± 17.39 µg/m³) > spring (24.72 ± 17.22 µg/m³). Although benzene (15.70%), propane (11.02%), ethane (9.32%) and n-butane (6.77%) were the most abundant species, ethylene (14.07%) and propene (11.20%) were the key reactive species to ozone formation potential (OFP), and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene + p-xylene and o-xylene (54.13%) were the most reactive species to secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP). The diurnal and seasonal variations indicated that diesel vehicle emission during early morning, gasoline vehicle emission at the traffic rush hours and coal burning during the heating period might be important sources. Five major sources were further identified by positive matrix factorization (PMF). The vehicle exhaust (gasoline exhaust and diesel exhaust) was found to be contributed most to atmospheric VOCs, with 43.59%, 41.91%, 50.45% and 43.91%, respectively in spring, summer, autumn and winter; while solvent usage contributed least, with 11.10%, 7.13%, 14.00% and 19.87%, respectively. Biogenic emission sources (13.11%) were only identified in summer. However, both vehicle exhaust and solvent usage were identified to be the key sources considering contributions to the OFP and SOAFP. Besides, the contributions of combustion during heating period and gasoline evaporation source during warm seasons to OFP and SOAFP should not be overlooked.     

Atmospheric Particle Hygroscopicity and the Influence by Oxidation State of Organic Aerosols in Urban Beijing

A hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyser (H-TDMA) was used to observe the size-resolved hygroscopic characteristics of submicron particles in January and April 2018 in urban Beijing. The probability distribution of the hygroscopic growth factor (HGF-PDF) in winter and spring usually showed a bimodal pattern, with more hygroscopic mode (MH) being more dominant. The seasonal variation in particle hygroscopicity was related to the origin of air mass, which received polluted southerly air masses in spring and clean northwesterly air masses in winter. Particles showed stronger hygroscopic behaviour during heavy pollution episodes (HPEs) with elevated concentrations of secondary aerosols, especially higher mass fraction of nitrate, which were indicated using the PM_2.5 (particulate matter with diameter below 2.5 µm) mass concentration normalised by CO mass concentration. The hygroscopic parameter (κ) values were calculated using H-TDMA (κ_htdma) and chemical composition (κ_chem). The closure study showed that κ_chem was overestimated in winter afternoon when compared with κ_htdma, because the organic particle hygroscopic parameter (κ_org) was overestimated in the calculations. It was influenced by the presence of a high concentration of hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA) with a weak water uptake ability. A positive relationship was observed between κ_org and the ratio of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA) and HOA, thereby indicating that the strong oxidation state enhanced the hygroscopicity of the particles. This study revealed the effect of local emission sources and secondary aerosol formation processes on particle hygroscopicity, which is of great significance for understanding the pollution formation mechanism in the North China Plain.     

Synergetic PM2.5 and O3 control strategy for the Yangtze River Delta, China

PM_2.5 concentrations have dramatically reduced in key regions of China during the period 2013–2017, while O₃ has increased. Hence there is an urgent demand to develop a synergetic regional PM_2.5 and O₃ control strategy. This study develops an emission-to-concentration response surface model and proposes a synergetic pathway for PM_2.5 and O₃ control in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) based on the framework of the Air Benefit and Cost and Attainment Assessment System (ABaCAS). Results suggest that the regional emissions of NOx, SO₂, NH₃, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and primary PM_2.5 should be reduced by 18%, 23%, 14%, 17% and 33% compared with 2017 to achieve 25% and 5% decreases of PM_2.5 and O₃ in 2025, and that the emission reduction ratios will need to be 50%, 26%, 28%, 28% and 55% to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. To effectively reduce the O₃ pollution in the central and eastern YRD, VOCs controls need to be strengthened to reduce O₃ by 5%, and then NOx reduction should be accelerated for air quality attainment. Meanwhile, control of primary PM_2.5 emissions shall be prioritized to address the severe PM_2.5 pollution in the northern YRD. For most cities in the YRD, the VOCs emission reduction ratio should be higher than that for NOx in Spring and Autumn. NOx control should be increased in summer rather than winter when a strong VOC-limited regime occurs. Besides, regarding the emission control of industrial processes, on-road vehicle and residential sources shall be prioritized and the joint control area should be enlarged to include Shandong, Jiangxi and Hubei Province for effective O₃ control.     

Machine learning and theoretical analysis release the non-linear relationship among ozone, secondary organic aerosol and volatile organic compounds

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) pollutions are prevalent air quality issues in China. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have significant impact on the formation of O₃ and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) contributing PM_2.5. Herein, we investigated 54 VOCs, O₃ and SOA in Tianjin from June 2017 to May 2019 to explore the non-linear relationship among O₃, SOA and VOCs. The monthly patterns of VOCs and SOA concentrations were characterized by peak values during October to March and reached a minimum from April to September, but the observed O₃ was exactly the opposite. Machine learning methods resolved the importance of individual VOCs on O₃ and SOA that alkenes (mainly ethylene, propylene, and isoprene) have the highest importance to O₃ formation; alkanes (C_n, n ≥ 6) and aromatics were the main source of SOA formation. Machine learning methods revealed and emphasized the importance of photochemical consumptions of VOCs to O₃ and SOA formation. Ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) calculated by consumed VOCs quantitatively indicated that more than 80% of the consumed VOCs were alkenes which dominated the O₃ formation, and the importance of consumed aromatics and alkenes to SOAFP were 40.84% and 56.65%, respectively. Therein, isoprene contributed the most to OFP at 41.45% regardless of the season, while aromatics (58.27%) contributed the most to SOAFP in winter. Collectively, our findings can provide scientific evidence on policymaking for VOCs controls on seasonal scales to achieve effective reduction in both SOA and O₃.     

On the effect of Fe(III) on proliferation of Microcystis aeruginosa at high nitrate and low chlorophyll condition

The impact of Fe concentrations on the growth of Microcystisaeruginosa in aquatic systems under high nitrate and low chlorophyll conditions was studied. The responses of cell density, total and cell chlorophyll-a intracellular Fe content and organic elemental composition of M. aeruginosa to different concentration gradients of Fe(III) in the solutions were analysed. The results showed that the proliferation speeds of M. aeruginosa were: (1) decelerated when the Fe(III) concentration was lower than 50 μg/L in the solutions, (2) promoted and positively related to the increase of Fe(III) concentration from 100 to 500 μg/L in the solutions over the experimental period, and (3) promoted in the early stage but decelerated in later stages by excess adsorption of Fe by cells when the Fe(III) concentration was higher than 500 μg/L in the solutions. The maximum cell density, total and cell chlorophyll-a were all observed at 500 μg Fe(III)/L concentration. The organic elemental composition of M. aeruginosa was also affected by the concentration of Fe(III) in the solutions, and the molecular formula of M. aeruginosa should be expressed as C_7–7.5H₁₄O_0.8–1.3N_3.5–5 according to the functions for different Fe(III) concentrations. Cell carbon and oxygen content appeared to increase slightly, while cell nitrogen content appeared to decrease as Fe(III) concentrations increased from 100 to 500 μg/L in the solutions. This was attributed to the competition of photosynthesis and nitrogen adsorption under varying cell Fe content.     

Ammonia in urban atmosphere can be substantially reduced by vehicle emission control: A case study in Shanghai, China

To investigate the impact of emission controls on ammonia (NH₃) pollution in urban atmosphere, observation on NH₃ (1 hr interval) was performed in Shanghai before, during and after the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) event, along with measurements on inorganic ions, organic tracers and stable nitrogen isotope compositions of ammonium in PM_2.5. NH₃ during the CIIE period was 6.5±1.0 µg/m³, which is 41% and 32% lower than that before and after the event, respectively. Such a decrease was largely ascribed to the emission controls in nonagricultural sources, of which contribution for measured NH₃ in control phase abated by ∼20% compared to that during uncontrol period. Molecular compositions of PAHs and hopanes further suggested a dominant role of the reduced vehicle emissions in the urban NH₃ abatement during the CIIE period. Our results revealed that vehicle exhaust emission control is an effective way to mitigate NH₃ pollution and improve air quality in Chinese urban areas.     

Environmental impact and health risk assessment of volatile organic compound emissions during different seasons in Beijing

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major contributors to air pollution. Based on the emission characteristics of 99 VOCs that daily measured at 10 am in winter from 15 December 2015 to 17 January 2016 and in summer from 21 July to 25 August 2016 in Beijing, the environmental impact and health risk of VOC were assessed. In the winter polluted days, the secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAP) of VOC (199.70 ± 15.05 μg/m³) was significantly higher than that on other days. And aromatics were the primary contributor (98.03%) to the SOAP during the observation period. Additionally, the result of the ozone formation potential (OFP) showed that ethylene contributed the most to OFP in winter (26.00% and 27.64% on the normal and polluted days). In summer, however, acetaldehyde was the primary contributor to OFP (22.00% and 21.61% on the normal and polluted days). Simultaneously, study showed that hazard ratios and lifetime cancer risk values of acrolein, chloroform, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, acetaldehyde and 1,3-butadiene exceeded the thresholds established by USEPA, thereby presenting a health risk to the residents. Besides, the ratio of toluene-to-benzene indicated that vehicle exhausts were the main source of VOC pollution in Beijing. The ratio of m-/p-xylene-to-ethylbenzene demonstrated that there were more prominent atmospheric photochemical reactions in summer than that in winter. Finally, according to the potential source contribution function (PSCF) results, compared with local pollution sources, the spread of pollution from long-distance VOCs had a greater impact on Beijing.     

Microbial aerosol particles in four seasons of sanitary landfill site: Molecular approaches, traceability and risk assessment

Landfill sites are regarded as prominent sources of bioaerosols for the surrounding atmosphere. The present study focused on the emission of airborne bacteria and fungi in four seasons of a sanitary landfill site. The main species found in bioaerosols were assayed using high-throughput sequencing. The SourceTracker method was utilized to identify the sources of the bioaerosols present at the boundary of the landfill site. Furthermore, the health consequences of the exposure to bioaerosols were evaluated based on the average daily dose rates. Results showed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria in the operation area (OPA) and the leakage treatment area (LTA) were in the range of (4684 ± 477)–(10883 ± 1395) CFU/m³ and (3179 ± 453)–(9051 ± 738) CFU/m³, respectively. The average emission levels of fungal aerosols were 4026 CFU/m³ for OPA and 1295 CFU/m³ for LTA. The landfill site received the maximum bioaerosol load during summer and the minimum during winter. Approximately 41.39%– 86.24% of the airborne bacteria had a particle size of 1.1 to 4.7 µm, whereas 48.27%– 66.45% of the airborne fungi had a particle size of more than 4.7 µm. Bacillus sp., Brevibacillus sp., and Paenibacillus sp. were abundant in the bacterial population, whereas Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. dominated the fungal population. Bioaerosols released from the working area and treatment of leachate were the two main sources that emerged in the surrounding air of the landfill site boundary. The exposure risks during summer and autumn were higher than those in spring and winter.     

Impact of transport of fine and ultrafine particles from open biomass burning on air quality during 2019 Bangkok haze episode

Transboundary and domestic aerosol transport during 2018–2019 affecting Bangkok air quality has been investigated. Physicochemical characteristics of size-segregated ambient particles down to nano-particles collected during 2017 non-haze and 2018–2019 haze periods were analyzed. The average PM_2.5 concentrations at KU and KMUTNB sites in Bangkok, Thailand during the haze periods were about 4 times higher than in non-haze periods. The highest average organic carbon and elemental carbon concentrations were 4.6 ± 2.1 µg/m³ and 1.0 ± 0.4 µg/m³, respectively, in PM_0.5–1.0 range at KU site. The values of OC/EC and char-EC/soot-EC ratios in accumulation mode particles suggested the significant influence of biomass burning, while the nuclei and coarse mode particles were from mixed sources. PAH concentrations during 2018–2019 haze period at KU and KMUTNB were 3.4 ± 0.9 ng/m³ and 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/m³, respectively. The PAH diagnostic ratio of PM_2.5 also suggested the main contributions were from biomass combustion. This is supported by the 48-hrs backward trajectory simulation. The higher PM_2.5 concentrations during 2018–2019 haze period are also associated with the meteorological conditions that induce thermal inversions and weak winds in the morning and evening. Average values of benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency quotient during haze period were about 3–6 times higher than during non-haze period. This should raise a concern of potential human health risk in Bangkok and vicinity exposing to fine and ultrafine particulate matters in addition to regular exposure to traffic emission.     

中国典型城市机动车排放演变趋势

选择中国12个典型城市建立1990~2009年机动车排放清单,分析各城市机动车排放历史演变趋势.结果显示,1990~2009年,研究各城市CO、VOCs、NOx和PM排放因子分别降低57%~81%、53%~78%、22%~74%和31%~76%.20年间,各城市CO和VOCs排放量总体在2000年后陆续达到增长峰值后开始下降,总量分别增长1.0倍和1.4倍;NOx和PM排放量总体保持持续增长,分别增长3.2倍和3.3倍.各城市汽油车是CO和VOCs排放主要贡献源,LDA-G、MDTB-G和HDTB-G对各城市机动车CO和VOCs排放的贡献和分别为约70%~90%和约50%~85%,其中LDA-G的排放贡献明显提高.LDA-G、MDTB-G、MDTB-D和HDTB-D贡献了80%~90%的NOx排放,其中MDTB-D和HDTB-D的排放贡献率从平均57.8%上升为72.7%.对于PM,MDTB-D和HDTB-D占排放的70%~90%.此外,部分城市摩托车排放的贡献不容忽视.     

国外保护矿业环境的矿业立法择优

勘探尤其是开采对环境的污染和破坏是比较典型的,为此,世界绝大多数国家制订了独立于矿产资源法的《矿业法》,从立法资源上保证保护矿业环境的法律构建.国外《矿业法》以源头控制、全过程控制、无过错和合力等立法原则,贯通于行政特许权授予为主并综合运用矿业主体激励、市场力量、公众参与等其他管理方式之中,构建成立体性保护矿业环境的法律制度.国外矿业法择优显得我国取代《矿业法》的《矿产资源法》关于矿业环境保护的规定过分“吝啬“.     

小兴安岭泥炭藓沼泽生态系统中的汞

研究了小兴安岭汤旺河流域中的泥炭、土壤和植物样品的汞,泥炭地总汞的平均含量为65.8～186.6ng/g;高于黑龙江土壤A层汞平均含量,也高于美国佛罗里达大沼泽国家公园和瑞典Birkeness湿地的含量.甲基汞平均含量为0.16～1.86ng/g;约占总汞的0.2%～1.4%,泥炭地总汞最高浓度出现在5～10cm深处,为186.6ng/g,甲基汞最高浓度出现在10～15cm处,为1.86ng/g,均随深度增加而减少.甲基汞含量与总汞没有很强的相关性(P=0.05,r=0.28)     

我国四个港湾疏浚物石油污染

文中叙述了１９８８￣１９９０年间，我国４个港湾－大连湾、天津港、深圳湾及珠江河段各疏浚区疏浚物中油类污染调查及分布状况。文中介绍了站位布设原则，样品采集、样品处理、分析测试方法。进行了沾污疏浚物油类出溶出实验，认为油类溶出实验是估价疏浚物油类污染的程度的重要手段。讨论了４港湾疏浚物油类污染水平。大连湾海域疏浚物石油污染明显，珠江河段，深圳湾及天津港疏浚物稍受影响，基本上是清洁的。     

鸭绿江口潮滩沉积物间隙水中的营养盐

通过对鸭绿江口潮滩区2个采样点采集的柱状样分析、培养实验,测定了沉积物间隙水中的营养盐和沉积物中的S^2-结果表明,鸭绿江口潮滩区沉积物间隙水中的NO₃^-含量平均值为3.0μmol/L,垂直分布变化不大.PO₄^3-和SiO₃^2-的含量范围分别为0.8～70.4μmol/L,111.6～1054.3μmol/L,且两者垂直变化类似,随沉积物深度的增加先增加后下降.沉积物中硫化物的分布是随深度增加,含量升高.鸭绿江口潮滩区沉积物Eh、pH的测定结果显示,在13cm以下,Eh降为负值,沉积物还原性逐渐增强.而pH自上而下变化不大.由分子扩散公式计算结果表明,鸭绿江口潮滩区营养盐均由沉积物向上覆水扩散.     

上海城郊夏季大气VOCs在臭氧生成中的作用

为研究上海市夏季臭氧高发季节大气VOCs在臭氧生成中作用,选取2018年5～8月大气臭氧较高的时段,在淀山湖科学观测研究站对103种挥发性有机物、臭氧和氮氧化物等环境污染物进行观测.结果表明,上海臭氧高发季节大气平均φ（VOCs）为32.7×10^-9,羰基化合物是VOCs的主要组分,所占质量分数达35.0%.羰基化合物中甲醛体积分数最高,其次是丙酮,占12种测量羰基化合物总量的82.8%. 5月环境空气的化学反应活性最强,总的臭氧生成潜势（OFP）为337.2μg·m^-3,甲醛贡献率最大.烷烃、烯烃和芳香烃的日变化呈现夜高昼低规律,在早晨出现小峰值,与交通排放影响有关;而醛酮类日变化呈现昼高夜低规律,与光化学反应的二次生成过程有关.OBM模拟结果显示,5～6月属于臭氧生成的VOCs控制区,7～8月属于过渡区.     

深圳市夏季臭氧污染研究

以2009年8月为例分析了深圳市夏季臭氧污染情况及污染气象特征,基于二维空气质量模式对臭氧污染控制进行数值模拟. 结果表明:深圳市８月各监测点均存在臭氧超标现象,污染形势严峻;副热带高压控制和热带气旋外围下沉气流是造成夏季出现高浓度臭氧的主要天气过程,此时大气边界层混合层高度在500～800 m,且近地面风速约在5 ms以内,不利于污染物扩散;臭氧的生成受前体物挥发性有机物(VOC)和氮氧化物(NO_x)排放的共同影响,其中VOC排放的影响较大,深圳市臭氧控制应以降低VOC排放量为重点,模拟得出对VOC和NO_x按25∶1～40∶1的比例协同减排可有效降低臭氧污染.      

瑞丽城区一氧化碳污染的现状

经监测，瑞丽市城区街道空气中一氧化碳的日平均浓度己超过国家二级标准，其主要来源是汽车尾气排放，而且其浓度与汽车流量呈线性正相关。主导风与街道斜交，在街道峡谷内形成旋涡流场，使ＣＯ向背风面扩散并沿街道输送，导致局部测点浓度过高。目前控制ＣＯ浓度宜限制尾气超标汽车入城并合理分流入城汽车。     

Mercury in leaf litter in typical suburban and urban broadleaf forests in China

Leaf litterfall plays an important role in transporting atmospheric mercury to soil in forests area.     

上海冬季公共交通出行PM1污染暴露特征

使用DustTrakTM-II-8530粉尘仪对上海市居民出行的典型公共交通出行(地铁和公交车)的PM1暴露水平进行了平行监测,以了解其暴露特征.结果表明,公交车和地铁出行的单程平均PM1暴露浓度分别为(0.079±0.067)mg/m3和(0.065±0.056)mg/m3;交通工具内的暴露浓度低于户外步行的暴露浓度,尤其是地铁车厢内.公交车和地铁出行的单程暴露剂量分别为(0.028±0.024)mg和(0.034±0.033)mg.公交车出行的暴露剂量主要来源于车内,其贡献率达52.2%;地铁出行的暴露剂量主要来源于地面步行段(42.4%)及进站候车(44.2%).2种出行方式之间的暴露剂量和暴露浓度相对大小的不同表明,空气污染对公众健康影响的分析需要综合考虑出行方式和呼吸速率等的影响.