Concentrations of PM2.5-associated OC, EC, and PCDD/Fs measured during the 2003 wildfire season in Missoula, Montana

Throughout August and September, 2003, wildfires burned in close proximity to Missoula, Montana, with smoke emanating from the fires impacting the valley for much of the summer. This presented the perfect opportunity to measure the levels of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) comprising ambient forest fire smoke particles impacting the Missoula Valley. An air sampler at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) compliance site in Missoula measured hourly averages of PM₁₀ throughout the fire season. Three collocated PM_2.5 cyclones collected 24-h smoke samples using quartz filters and Polyurethane Foam (PUF) sorbent cartridges. From the quartz filters, concentrations of Organic and Elemental Carbon (OC/EC) were measured, while PCDD/F were measured from one set of a filter (particle phase) and PUF (vapor phase) aggregate of samples in an attempt to also investigate the different phases of PCDD/F in forest fire smoke impaired communities.Hourly PM₁₀ concentrations peaked at 302.9 μg m⁻³ on August 15. The highest OC concentration (115.6 μg m⁻³) was measured between August 21–22, and the highest EC concentration of 10.5 μg m⁻³ was measured August 20–21. Measurable concentrations of PM_2.5 associated PCDD/Fs were not detected from a representative aggregate sample, with the exception of small amounts of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzodioxin and octachlorodibenzodioxin. PM_2.5 samples collected during the smoke events were composed of approximately 65% OC. However, the OC fraction of the particles collected in the smoke impaired Missoula valley was not composed of significant amounts of PCDD/F.     

Distribution of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 in PM10 Fraction in Ambient Air Due to Vehicular Pollution in Kolkata Megacity

This research paper aims at establishing baseline PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentration levels, which could be effectively used to develop and upgrade the standards in air pollution in developing countries. The relative contribution of fine fractions (PM_2.5) and coarser fractions (PM_10-2.5) to PM₁₀ fractions were investigates in a megacity which is overcrowded and congested due to lack of road network and deteriorated air quality because of vehicular pollution. The present study was carried out during the winter of 2002. The average 24h PM₁₀ concentration was 304 μg/m³, which is 3 times more than the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and higher PM₁₀ concentration was due to fine fraction (PM_2.5) released by vehicular exhaust. The 24h average PM_2.5 concentration was found 179 μg/m³, which is exceeded USEPA and EU standards of 65 and 50 μg/m³ respectively for the winter. India does not have any PM_2.5 standards. The 24 h average PM_10-2.5 concentrations were found 126 μg/m³. The PM_2.5 constituted more than 59% of PM₁₀ and whereas PM₁₀-PM_2.5 fractions constituted 41% of PM₁₀. The correlation between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was found higher as PM_2.5 comprised major proportion of PM₁₀ fractions contributed by vehicular emissions.     

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。     

石家庄市春节期间大气颗粒物有机碳和元素碳的变化特征

为研究石家庄市大气颗粒物的污染特征及其来源,于2013年2月6—19日春节期间在石家庄市采集大气颗粒物TSP、PM10、PM2.5样品,对其有机碳、元素碳进行分析测定。结果表明,石家庄TSP、PM10、PM2.5日平均质量浓度分别为389、330、245μg/m3,颗粒物污染严重;碳组分在颗粒物中占有较大比重,且随着粒径的减少,碳组分比重逐渐增加;存在不严重的次生有机碳污染;OC与EC的相关系数较高,说明两者有较为相似的污染源,主要为燃煤、机动车排放源。各种气象条件对PM2.5、OC、EC浓度和OC/EC的变化都有不同程度的影响。     

Seasonal Variation of Chemical Composition in Fine Particles at Gosan, Korea

PM_2.5 aerosol samples were collected at Gosan in Jeju Island during six intensive measurement periods between November 2001 and August 2003. In order to investigate the chemical composition of fine particles, major ion components, trace elements, and elemental and organic carbon were analyzed. Quite different seasonal characteristic in the chemical composition of fine particles was observed. The concentration of most secondary aerosol components showed a summer minimum and a winter maximum with higher correlation between them at Gosan. This fact clearly reveals the possibility of long-range transport of such pollutants in winter. On the other hand, OC and EC had the highest concentration and good correlation with ion components, such as K⁺, Ca²⁺ in fall. It means that biomass burning could significantly influence the ambient fine carbonaceous particulate in fall, which was primarily long-range transported.     

Interpretation of roadside PM10 monitoring data from Sunderland,United Kingdom

Roadside PM₁₀ has been monitored by Partisol® at three sitesin Sunderland between August 1997 and February 1998. The sites chosen were an inner city kerbside site; a roadside site adjacentto a dual carriageway on the outskirts of Sunderland with an openaspect; and a rural site.The results indicate that there is a seasonal variation in the relationship between the sites in terms of monitored PM₁₀.In the winter there is a poor correlation between the sites whereas in the summer significant correlations are obtained. Of the sites monitored PM₁₀ is consistently highest at the inner city roadside site. During the summer, exceedances of theU.K. 50 g m^-3 standard (DETR, 2000) are associated with conditions suitable for the build-up of photochemical pollutionhowever during the winter period exceedances are recorded duringa variety of weather conditions.At the dual carriageway site PM_2.5 has also been recorded and contributions to measured PM₁₀ are 77% in summer and68% in winter. The results illustrate a number of inconsistencies between this study utilising the Partisol® andothers reporting results where PM₁₀ has been monitored by TEOM®.     

Characterisation of PM10, PM2.5 and Benzene Soluble Organic Fraction of Particulate Matter in an Urban Area of Kolkata, India

In this study, the relationship between inhalable particulate (PM₁₀), fine particulate (PM_2.5), coarse particles (PM_{2.5 – 10}) and meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed were statistically analyzed and modelled for urban area of Kolkata during winter months of 2003–2004. Ambient air quality was monitored with a sampling frequency of twenty-four hours at three monitoring sites located near traffic intersections and in an industrial area. The monitoring sites were located 3–5 m above ground near highly trafficked and congested areas. The 24 h average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples were collected using Thermo-Andersen high volume samplers and exposed filter papers were extracted and analysed for benzene soluble organic fraction. The ratios between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were found to be in the range of 0.6 to 0.92 and the highest ratio was found in the most polluted urban site. Statistical analysis has shown a strong positive correlation between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and inverse correlation was observed between particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and wind speed. Statistical analysis of air quality data shows that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 are showing poor correlation with temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. Regression equations for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and meteorological parameters were developed. The organic fraction of particulate matter soluble in benzene is an indication of poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration present in particulate matter. The relationship between the benzene soluble organic fraction (BSOF) of inhalable particulate (PM₁₀) and fine particulate (PM_2.5) were analysed for urban area of Kolkata. Significant positive correlation was observed between benzene soluble organic fraction of PM₁₀ (BSM10) and benzene soluble organic fraction of PM_2.5 (BSM2.5). Regression equations for BSM10 and BSM2.5 were developed.     

APEC期间京津冀及周边地区PM2.5中碳组分变化特征及来源

在APEC会议期间和会期之后,分别采集北京、天津、石家庄、保定、济南5个采样点的PM2.5样品,通过分析碳组分的变化特征,研究京津冀地区污染物减排的影响以及减排后各指标的变化特征,分析大气颗粒物中碳气溶胶的可能来源。采用重量法测定组分中PM2.5的含量,利用热/光碳分析仪测定组分中OC、EC的含量,结果表明,由于采取了污染源减排措施,会议期间PM2.5、OC、EC的质量浓度均低于会期之后;会议期间和会期之后OC与EC均表现出了较好的相关性,r2为0.789~0.983,说明OC与EC的排放源基本相同;会议期间OC/EC为3.11~3.62,表明含碳气溶胶的来源主要是机动车排放,同时也存在一定的燃煤排放,会期之后为3.08~6.10,表明燃煤的排放在碳气溶胶中的比重明显增加,另外OC/EC也表明APEC会议期间和会期之后二次有机碳在各采样点均普遍存在。     

采暖期北京大气PM2.5中碳组分的分布特征及来源解析

在冬季采暖期采集北京大气中的PM_(2.5)样品,利用自动称重系统AWS-1和热/光碳分析仪测定样品中PM_(2.5)和OC/EC,研究碳组分的变化特征,并通过OC/EC的值和单颗粒气溶胶质谱仪(SPAMS 0515)分析大气颗粒物中碳气溶胶的可能来源。结果表明:PM_(2.5)污染天气的OC、EC在PM_(2.5)中的占比要比清洁天气时低,其中SOC在PM_(2.5)中的占比由清洁天气时的22.9%减少到了重污染天气的15.4%,这是因为大气中的PM_(2.5)有较强的消光作用,导致气溶胶的氧化能力降低,造成了SOC的生成量减少;通过分析OC/EC值表明,冬季采暖期北京大气碳气溶胶的主要来源为机动车尾气和燃煤,这与SPAMS 0515在线解析的结果一致。采用SPAMS 0515进行在线OC、EC分析,在PM_(2.5)质量浓度≤250μg/m3时同手工方法有较好的相关性。解析结果表明,燃煤和机动车尾气是北京冬季采暖期的首要污染物来源,占比分别为34.0%和26.4%。     

Gravimetric and Chemical Features of Airborne PM10 AND PM2.5 in Mainland Portugal

This paper describes concentration amounts of arsenic (As), particulate mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, collected since 1993 by the Technological and Nuclear Institute (ITN) at different locations in mainland Portugal, featuring urban, industrial and rural environments, and a control as well. Most results were obtained in the vicinity of coal- and oil-fired power plants. Airborne mass concentrations were determined by gravimetry. As and Hg concentrations were obtained through instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and Ni and Pb concentrations through proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Comparison with the EU (European Union) and the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) directives for Ambient Air has been carried out, even though the sampling protocols herein – set within the framework of ITN's R&D projects and/or monitoring contracts – were not consistent with the former regulations. Taking this into account, 1) the EU daily limit for PM₁₀ was exceeded a few times in all sites except the control, even if the number of times was still inferior to the allowed one; 2) the EU annual mean for PM₁₀ was exceeded at one site; 3) the EPA daily limit for PM_2.5 was exceeded one time at three sites; 4) the EPA annual mean for PM_2.5 was exceeded at most sites; 5) the inner-Lisboa site approached or exceeded the legislated PMs; 6) Pb levels stayed far below the EU limit value; and 7) concentrations of As, Ni and Hg were also far less than the reference values adopted by EU. In every location, Ni appeared more concentrated in PM_2.5 than in coarser particles, and its levels were not that different from site to site, excluding the control. The highest As and Hg concentrations were found in the neighbourhood of the coal-fired, utility power plants. The results may be viewed as a “worst-case scenario” of atmospheric pollution, since they have been obtained in busy urban-industrial areas and/or near major power-generation and waste-incineration facilities.     

Inorganic constituents of urban air pollution in the Lazio region (Central Italy)

A field study was carried out at six locations in the Lazio region (Central Italy) aimed at characterising atmospheric particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) from the point of view of the chemical composition and grain size distribution of the particles, the mixing properties of the atmosphere, the frequency and relevance of natural events. The combination of four different analytical techniques (ion chromatography, X-ray fluorescence and ICP for inorganic components, thermo-optical analysis for carbon compounds) yielded sound results in terms of characterisation of the air masses. During the first three months of the study (October-December 2004), many pollution events of natural (sea-salt or desert dust episodes) or anthropogenic nature were identified and characterised. More than 90% of the collected mass was identified by chemical analysis. The central role played by the mixing properties of the lower atmosphere when pollution events occurred was highlighted. The results show a major impact of primary anthropogenic pollutants on traffic stations and a homogeneous distribution of secondary pollutants over the regional area. An evaluation of the sources of PM and an identification of possible reliable tracers were obtained using a chemical fractionation procedure.     

Inorganic constituents of urban air pollution in the Lazio region (Central Italy)

A field study was carried out at six locations in the Lazio region (Central Italy) aimed at characterising atmospheric particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) from the point of view of the chemical composition and grain size distribution of the particles, the mixing properties of the atmosphere, the frequency and relevance of natural events. The combination of four different analytical techniques (ion chromatography, X-ray fluorescence and ICP for inorganic components, thermo-optical analysis for carbon compounds) yielded sound results in terms of characterisation of the air masses. During the first three months of the study (October–December 2004), many pollution events of natural (sea-salt or desert dust episodes) or anthropogenic nature were identified and characterised. More than 90% of the collected mass was identified by chemical analysis. The central role played by the mixing properties of the lower atmosphere when pollution events occurred was highlighted. The results show a major impact of primary anthropogenic pollutants on traffic stations and a homogeneous distribution of secondary pollutants over the regional area. An evaluation of the sources of PM and an identification of possible reliable tracers were obtained using a chemical fractionation procedure.     

Monitoring and biomonitoring of surface ozone in Florence, Italy

An ambient air study was conducted inthe city of Florence, Italy, in the summer 1996.Tropospheric ozone was continuously monitored withautomatic analyzers in three stations, two located inthe urban area and one in the hilly surroundings(Settignano). A biomonitoring campaign based on thetobacco cv. Bel-W3 plants was performed in the samearea. The highest values were constantly recorded inthe Settignano station. The highest 1-hour meanrecorded was 197 nl/l; the accumulated exposure overa threshold of 40 nl/l (AOT40) was well above thecritical levels standards for protection of thevegetation. A consistent temporal variation wasobserved and July proved to be the month with thehighest ozone levels. Cumulative frequencydistribution of ozone maximum daily concentrationsexhibited a good fitting to log-normality. No`week-end effect was observed. Biomonitoring datawere in good agreement with chemico-physical ones.     

Monitoring of Criteria Air Pollutants in Bursa, Turkey

The concentrations of criteria air pollutants such as CO, NO_x (NO + NO₂), SO₂ and PM were measured in the period of May 2001 and April 2003 in the city of Bursa, Turkey. The average concentrations for this period were 1115±1600 μg/m³, 29±50 μg/m³, 51±24 μg/m³, 79±65 μg/m³, 40±35 μg/m³, 98±220 μg/m³, for CO, NO, NO₂, NO_x, SO₂ and PM, respectively. Temporal changes in concentrations were analyzed using meteorological factors. Correlations among pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters showed weak relations nearly in all data. Lower concentrations were observed in the summer months while higher concentrations were measured in the winter months. The increase in winter concentrations was probably due to residential heating. Pollutants were associated with each other in order to have information about their origin. NO_x/SO₂ ratio was also examined to bring out the source origin contributing on air pollution (i.e., traffic or stationary).