Diurnal concentrations variations,size distributions for ambient air particles and metallic pollutants (Cr,Mn, Ni,Cd, Pb) during summer season at a traffic area

This study characterized and discussed particulate ambient air particulate concentrations and seasonal variations for PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ during June 2013–July 2013 at this traffic sampling site. In addition, this study also characterized the ambient air particulates size distributions by using MOUDI-100S4 sampler to collect 1-day the ambient suspended particles (PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁) at this sampling site. In addition, the study also showed that the main pollutants contributions were from traffic and residual areas. As for the pollutants seasonal concentrations variations, the results indicated that the average particle concentrations orders were all displayed as daytime?>?nighttime for PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁ at this characteristic sampling site. The results further indicated that the mean highest of metal concentrations in this study indicated that the average metal concentration were all displayed as Mn?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?Pb?>?Cd for PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁ on daytime and nighttime at this characteristic sampling site.     

Concentrations and analysis of health risks of ambient air metallic elements at Longjing site in central Taiwan

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The concentrations of particulates and metallic elements that were bound to total suspended particulates in ambient air at Long Cyuan Elementary School...     

Particulates and Metallic Elements Monitoring at Two Sampling Sites (Harbor,Airport) in Taiwan

This study characterized the dry deposition flux and dry deposition velocity (Vd) of metallic elements attached on particulate matter. Specifically, large particles (>10 μm), coarse particles (10 μm～2.5 μm), and fine particles (<2.5 μm) were studied at the Gong Ming Junior High School (Taichung Airport) and Taichung Harbor sampling sites in central Taiwan. Ambient air samples were collected to determine total suspended particulate matter (TSP), dry deposition plate (DDP), Vd, coarse particulate matter (PM_2.5–10) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and metallic elements concentrations at the Airport and Taichung Harbor sites between June 17, 2013, and November 14, 2013. The results revealed that the average TSP, DDP, Vd, PM_2.5–10, and PM_2.5 particulate at the Airport were 54.55 (μg/m³), 902.25 (μg/m²-min), 17.11 (m/sec), 0.003 (μg/m³), and 0.010 (μg/m³), respectively; while these values at Taichung Harbor were 63.66 (μg/m³), 539.69 (μg/m²-min), 9.94 (m/sec), 0.003 (μg/m³), and 0.014 (μg/m³), respectively. In addition, the results showed that the average Cu and Pb concentrations were higher than Cr, Ni, and Cd for both the airport and harbor sampling sites. Furthermore, Cr, N, Cu, Cd, and Pb had the highest average concentrations versus those reported for other study areas, with one exception: The results obtained in Kacanik, Kosovo, during 2005. The average metallic elements concentrations order was Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd.     

PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> particulates and metallic elements (Ni,Cu, Zn,Cd and Pb) study in a mixed area of summer season in Shalu,Taiwan

PM_2.5 has become an important environmental issue in Taiwan during the past few years. Moreover, electricity increased significantly during the summertime and TTPP generated by coal burning base is the main electricity provider in central Taiwan. Therefore, summer season has become the main research target in this study. The ambient air concentrations of particulate matter PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ collected by using VAPS at a mixed characteristic sampling site were studied in central Taiwan. The results indicated that the average daytime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in May and they were 44.75 and 57.77 µg/m³ in this study. The results also indicated that the average nighttime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in June and they were 38.19 and 45.79 µg/m³ in this study. The average PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios were 0.7 for daytime, nighttime and 24-h sampling periods in the summer for this study. This value was ranked as the lowest ratios when compared to the other seasons in previous study. Noteworthy, the results further indicated that the metallic element Pb has the mean highest concentrations for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods when compared to those of the other metallic elements (Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd). The average mean highest metallic Pb concentrations in PM10 were 110.7, 203.0 and 207.2 ng/m³ for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods in this study. And there were 59.53, 105.2 and 106.6 ng/m³ for Pb in PM2.5 for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods, respectively. Moreover, the results further indicated that mean metallic element Pb concentrations on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were all higher than those of the other elements for 24 h, day and nighttime.     

Ambient air particulates-bound metallic elements sources identifications during winter and summer at a Science Park

The ambient air particulates pollutants of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 were collected by using PS-1 and Wilbur PM_2.5 sampler, simultaneously during the year of 2015–2017 at a photoelectric factory in Science Park of central Taiwan. And those of the ambient air atmospheric metallic elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) concentrations which attached on the TSP and PM_2.5 were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. In addition, identifying anthropogenic and natural pollutants sources were conducted by using the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The results indicated that the average TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations were ranked highest in winter season, while summer season was ranked lowest during the year of 2015–2016. In addition, the average highest metallic element concentrations were occurred in winter season for both TSP and PM_2.5 during the year of 2015–2016, while the average lowest metallic elements concentrations in TSP and PM_2.5 were also occurred in winter season during the year of 2016–2017. Moreover, the EF analysis results showed that the metallic element Zn came from anthropogenic emission source. As for metallic element Mn, the results showed that metallic element Mn was mainly attributed to natural emission in this study. Finally, the PCA results showed that metallic elements Cr, Zn and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements in this study. As for PM_2.5, the results showed that the metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements at this HPB sampling site.

     

Characteristic Study of Ambient Air Total Gaseous Mercury (TGM) Concentrations During Rainy and Non-Rainy Periods at a Traffic Site in Taiwan

This investigation studied the concentrations of ambient air total gaseous mercury (TGM) during the rainy periods at the Hung-Kuang traffic sampling site in central Taiwan from May 26 to June 16, 2014. The results were compared with those of a previous study for ambient air TGM during non-rainy daytime and nighttime periods at the Hung-Kuang traffic sampling site, which was conducted during March 21 to July 20, 2012. The observed mean concentration of ambient air TGM was 1.16 ng/m³ during the rainy periods at the Hung-Kuang traffic sampling site. The mean ambient air TGM concentrations were higher in the non-rainy sampling period in daytime than in the rainy sampling period from this study. The mean ratio of non-rainy sampling period in daytime to that of rainy sampling period for ambient air TGM were 3.15. Furthermore, the mean ambient air TGM concentrations were higher in the non-rainy sampling period in nighttime in than in the rainy sampling period for this study. The mean rations for non-rainy sampling period in nighttime to that of the rainy sampling period for ambient air TGM were 2.70. The results obtained in this study also revealed that the ambient air TGM concentrations during the rainy period had the lowest concentrations when compared with the other sampling sites in other world regions.     

Measurement of Particulate Bound Mercury,Gaseous Elemental Mercury,and Reactive Gaseous Mercury Concentrations by Using an Ambient Air Mercury Collection System

In this investigation, the concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) in ambient air were measured at the Hung Kuang (traffic) sampling site during September 27 to October 6, 2014. An ambient air mercury collection system (AAMCS) was utilized to measure simultaneously PBM, GEM, and RGM concentrations in ambient air. The results thus obtained demonstrate that the mean concentrations of PBM, GEM, and RGM were 38.57 ± 11.4 (pg/m³), 17.67 ± 5.56 (ng/m³) and 10.78 ± 2.8 (pg/m³), respectively, at this traffic-sampling site. The mean GEM/PBM and GEM/RGM concentration ratios were 458 and 1639, respectively. The results obtained herein demonstrate that AAMCS can be utilized to collect three phases of mercury simultaneously. The mean PBM, GEM, and RGM concentrations herein were compared with others found in Asia, America, Europe and Antarctica. The mean PBM, GEM, and RGM concentrations were found to be lowest in Asia and Antarctica. The mean PBM concentration in Europe was approximately eight times that in this investigation. The mean GEM and RGM concentrations in this study were 1.21 and 170 times those found in the United States.     

Review of total suspended particles (TSP) and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> concentration variations in Asia during the years of 1998–2015

In Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, ambient air total suspended particulates and PM_2.5 concentration data were collected and discussed during the years of 1998–2015 in this study. The aim of the present study was to (1) investigate and collect ambient air total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 concentrations for Asian countries during the past two decades. (2) Discuss, analyze and compare those particulates (TSP and PM_2.5) annual concentration distribution trends among those Asian countries during the past two decades. (3) Test the mean concentration differences in TSP and PM_2.5 among the Asian countries during the past decades. The results indicated that the mean TSP concentration order was shown as China > Malaysia > Pakistan > India > Taiwan > Korea > Japan. In addition, the mean PM_2.5 concentration order was shown as Vietnam > India > China > Hong Kong > Mongolia > Korea > Taiwan > Japan and the average percentages of PM_2.5 concentrations for Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Other (India and Vietnam) were 8, 21, 6, 8, 14, 13 and 30%, respectively, during the past two decades. Moreover, t test results revealed that there were significant mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentration differences for either China or India to any of the countries such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan in Asia during the past two decades for this study. Noteworthy, China and India are both occupied more than 60% of the TSP and PM_2.5 particulates concentrations out of all the Asia countries. As for Taiwan, the average PM_2.5 concentration displayed increasing trend in the years of 1998–1999. However, it showed decreasing trend in the years of 2000–2010. As for Korea, the average PM_2.5 concentrations showed decreasing trend during the years of 2001–2013. Finally, the average PM_2.5 concentrations for Mongolia displayed increasing trend in the years of 2004–2013.     

Comparisons of ambient air particulates concentrations (TSP,PM2.5) and dry depositions during smog and non-smog periods at Luliao,Shalu District sampling site

The concentrations of ambient total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5, and the dry depositions at a sample site at Luliao Junior High School (Luliao) in central Taiwan were measured during smog and non-smog days between December 2017 and July 2018. The results are compared to those obtained during non-smog periods in the years 2015–2017. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux were 72.41?±?26.40, 41.88?±?23.51?μg/m³, and 797.57?±?731.46?μg/m² min, respectively, on the smog days. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux on the non-smog days were 56.39?±?18.08, 34.81?±?12.59?μg/m³ and 468.93?±?600.57?μg/m² min, respectively. The mean TSP concentration in the smog period was 28% greater than that in the non-smog period, and the mean PM_2.5 concentration was 20% higher. The mean dry deposition flux in the smog period was 70% higher than that in the non-smog period at Luliao. The PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the standards set by the Taiwan EPA (35?μg/m³ daily, and 15?μg/m³ annually). Therefore, the TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition must be reduced in central Taiwan on smog days. In addition, atmospheric TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations at various sampling sites were compared, and those herein were not higher than those measured in other countries. Finally, apart from the local traffic emissions, during smog periods, the other pollution source originated from the transportation process of traffic pollutants emitted in the northwest side of Taiwan.     

Comparisons of particulate-bound mercury (PBM) compositions in soil and vegetation at a traffic site

This investigation analyzes the particulate-bound mercury (PBM) compositions in soil and vegetation at a traffic sampling site in Taichung, Taiwan, during a sampling period from October to December, 2015. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used to measure the particulate-bound mercury (PBM). A T-test was conducted to determine the mean differences between the PBM composition in soil and that in vegetation at the site. The results indicate that 1) the mean particulate-bound mercury compositions in soil and vegetation were the lowest in November, when the (mean OR average) wind speed was the highest (4.1 m/s); 2) Particulate-bound mercury compositions (PBM) in both soil and vegetation correlated weakly with temperature, humidity and wind speed; 3) T-test statistical results denoted that the PBM compositions did not significantly differ between soil and vegetation in the three-month sampling period.