Chemical composition and source apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 in different functional areas of Lanzhou, China

To elucidate the air pollution characteristics of northern China, airborne PM_10(atmospheric dynamic equivalent diameter ≤ 10 μm) and PM_(2.5)(atmospheric dynamic equivalent diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) were sampled in three different functional areas(Yuzhong County,Xigu District and Chengguan District) of Lanzhou, and their chemical composition(elements, ions, carbonaceous species) was analyzed. The results demonstrated that the highest seasonal mean concentrations of PM_10(369.48 μg/m~3) and PM_(2.5)(295.42 μg/m~3) were detected in Xigu District in the winter, the lowest concentration of PM_(2.5)(53.15 μg/m~3) was observed in Yuzhong District in the fall and PM_10(89.60 μg/m~3) in Xigu District in the fall.The overall average OC/EC(organic carbon/elemental carbon) value was close to the representative OC/EC ratio for coal consumption, implying that the pollution of Lanzhou could be attributed to the burning of coal. The content of SNA(the sum of sulfate, nitrate,ammonium, SNA) in PM_(2.5)in Yuzhong County was generally lower than that at other sites in all seasons. The content of SNA in PM_(2.5)and PM_10 in Yuzhong County was generally lower than that at other sites in all seasons(0.24–0.38), indicating that the conversion ratios from precursors to secondary aerosols in the low concentration area was slower than in the area with high and intense pollutants. Six primary particulate matter sources were chosen based on positive matrix factorization(PMF) analysis, and emissions from dust, secondary aerosols, and coal burning were identified to be the primary sources responsible for the particle pollution in Lanzhou.     

Chemical characterization of fine and ultrafine PM, direct and indirect genotoxicity of PM and their organic extracts on pulmonary cells

Particulate matter in ambient air constitutes a complex mixture of fine and ultrafine particles composed of various chemical compounds including metals, ions, and organics. A multidisciplinary approach was developed by studying physico-chemical characteristics and mechanisms involved in the toxicity of particulate atmospheric pollution. PM_(0.3–2.5) and PM_(2.5) including ultrafine particles were sampled in Dunkerque, a French industrialized seaside city. PM samples were characterized from a chemical and toxicological point of view. Physicochemical characterization evidenced that PM_(2.5) comes from several sources: natural ones, such as soil resuspension and marine sea-salt emissions, as well as anthropogenic ones, such as shipping traffic, road traffic, and industrial activities. Human BEAS-2 B lung cells were exposed to PM_(0.3–2.5), or to the Extractable Organic Matter(EOM) of PM_(0.3–2.5) and PM_(2.5). These exposures induced several mechanisms of action implied in the genotoxicity, such as oxidative DNA adducts and DNA Damage Response. The toxicity of PM-EOM was higher for the sample including the ultrafine fraction(PM_(2.5)) containing also higher concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These results evidenced the major role of organic compounds in the toxicity of PM.     

Process analysis of PM2.5 pollution events in a coastal city of China using CMAQ

US EPA's Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system(CMAQ) with Process Analysis tool was used to simulate and quantify the contribution of individual atmospheric processes to PM_(2.5) concentration in Qingdao during three representative PM_(2.5) pollution events in the winter of 2015 and 2016. Compared with the observed surface PM_(2.5) concentrations, CMAQ could reasonably reproduce the temporal and spatial variations of PM_(2.5) during these three events. Process analysis results show that primary emissions accounted for 72.7%–93.2% of the accumulation of surface PM_(2.5) before and after the events.When the events occurred, primary emissions were still the major contributor to the increase of PM_(2.5) in Qingdao, however the contribution percentage reduced significantly,which only account for 51.4%–71.8%. Net contribution from horizontal and vertical transport to the accumulation of PM_(2.5) was also positive and its percentage increased when events occurred. Only 1.1%–4.6% of aerosol accumulation was due to PM processes and aqueous chemical processes before and after events. When the events occurred,contribution from PM processes and aqueous chemistry increased to 6.0%–11.8%. Loss of PM_(2.5) was mainly through horizontal transport, vertical transport and dry deposition, no matter during or outside the events. Wet deposition would become the main removal pathway of PM_(2.5), when precipitation occurred.     

Exposure to air pollutants in Vietnam: Assessing potential risk for tourists

Tourism can form an important component of a nation's GDP,and Vietnam is among the most visited countries in Southeast Asia.Most studies on personal exposure focus on the general population,or occupational cohorts with exposure to specific pollutants.However,short-term exposure to air pollutants while visiting regions with high levels of air pollution can lead to acute health effects.A personal exposure study was conducted across three cities in Vietnam to estimate exposure to particulate matter(PM_(2.5)) and black carbon for tourists.Measurements were conducted during the wet season in 2014 in Ho Chi Minh City,Da Lat and Nha Trang using portable instrumentation.Average 24-hr PM_(2.5) and BC exposures were estimated as 18.9 ± 9.24 and 3.41 ± 1.33 μg/m~3 and among the three cities,Ho Chi Minh was found to have the highest PM_(2.5) concentrations.Environmental tobacco smoke,commuting and street food stands were found to contribute to highest levels of exposure to PM_(2.5) and BC across all cities.     

Influence of ship emissions on NOx, SO2, O3 and PM concentrations in a North-Sea harbor in France

The influence of in-port ship emissions on gases and PM_(10) concentrations has been estimated in the port city of Calais, northern France, one of the busiest harbor in Europe,with numerous rotations of ferries or roll-on/roll-off cargo in average per day. NO_x, SO_2, O_3 and PM_(10) concentrations were continuously measured over a three-month period, as well as real-time particle size distribution. A rural site located at Cape Gris-Nez, 20km from Calais, was considered to deduce intrinsic contribution of ship emissions at the harbor city.The average concentrations of the studied species as well as the pattern of the conditional bivariate probability function at the two sites evidenced that in-port shipping, especially during the maneuvering operations, has an important influence on the NO_xand SO_2 concentrations. The impact of shipping in the harbor of Calais on average concentrations was estimated to 51% for SO_2, 35% for NO, 15% for NO_2 and 2% for PM_(10) in the studied period.Concentration peaks of SO_2 and NO_x associated with an O_3 depletion appeared synchronized with departures and arrivals of ferries. For winds blowing from the harbor,when compared to the background level, the number of particles appeared 10 times higher,with the highest differences in the 30–67nm and the 109–167 nm size ranges. The average impact of in-port ships on PM310 concentrations was estimated to + 28.9 μg/mand concerned mainly the PM1 size fraction(40%). Punctually, PM_(10) can potentially reach a concentration value close to 100 μg/m~3.     

Insights into the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in haze: A case study in Beijing

A severe haze episode occurred in winter in the North China Plain(NCP),and the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in PM_(2.5)(particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5μm)concentration was observed.To study the systematic causes for this phenomenon,comprehensive observations were conducted in Beijing from November 26 to December 2,2015;during this period,meteorological parameters,LIDAR data,and the chemical compositions of aerosols were determined.The haze episode was characterized by rapidly varying PM2.5 concentration,and the highest PM_(2.5) concentration reached 667μg/m~3.During the haze episode,the NCP was dominated by a weak high-pressure system and continuously low PBL(planetary boundary layer)heights,which are unfavorable conditions for the diffusion of pollutants.The large increases in the concentrations of SNA(SO_4~(2-),NO_3~-and NH_4~+)during the haze implied that the formation of SNA was the largest contribution.Water vapor also played a vital role in the formation of haze by promoting the chemical transformation of secondary pollutants,which led to higher PM_(2.5) concentrations.The spatial distributions of PM_(2.5) in Beijing at different times and the backward trajectories of the air masses also indicated that pollutants from surrounding provinces in particular,contributed to the higher PM_(2.5)concentration.     

Effect of wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) on fine particle (PM2.5) emission from coal-fired boilers

In this study, the characteristics of fine particles before and after wet flue gas desulfurization(WFGD) in three coal-fired heating boilers in northern China were investigated by using a dilution-based emission sampling experimental system. The influences of the WFGD process on the mass and number concentrations as well as the chemical composition of fine particles were analyzed. The removal efficiency of desulfurization processes on particulate matter mass was 30.06%–56.25% for the three study units. The WFGD had a great influence on the size distributions of particle mass concentration and number concentration. A significant increase in the number and mass concentration of particles in the size range of 0.094–0.946 μm was observed. The watersoluble ion content accounted for a very large proportion of PM_(2.5) mass, and its proportion in PM_(2.5) increased from 28.39%–41.08% to 48.96%–61.21% after the WFGD process for the three units. The desulfurizing process also drastically increased the proportion of cation component(Ca~(2+) for unit A, Mg~(2+) for unit B, and Na+for unit C) and the proportion of SO_4~(2-) in PM_(2.5), and it increased the CE/AE values of PM_(2.5) from 0.82–0.98 to 0.93–1.27 for the three study units.     

Characterization of atmospheric aerosol (PM10 and PM2.5) from a medium sized city in São Paulo state, Brazil

Air pollution causes deleterious effects on human health with aerosols being among the most polluting agents.The objective of this work is the characterization of the PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) aerosol mass in the atmosphere.The methods of analysis include WD-XRF and EDS.Data were correlated with meteorological information and air mass trajectories(model HYSPLIT)by multivariate analysis.A morphological structural analysis was also carried out to identify the probable sources of atmospheric aerosols in the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto,Brazil.The mean mass concentration values obtained were 24.54 μg/m~3 for PM_(10),above the WHO annual standard value of 20 μg/m~3 and 10.88 μg/m~3 for PM_(2.5) whose WHO recommended limit is10 μg/m~3.WD-XRF analysis of the samples revealed Si and Al as major components of the coarse fraction.In the fine fraction,the major elements were Al and S.The SEM-FEG characterization allowed identifying the morphology of the particles in agglomerates,ellipsoids and filaments in the PM_(10),besides spherical in the PM_(2.5).The analysis by EDS corroborated WD-XRF results,identifying the crustal elements,aluminosilicates and elements of anthropogenic origin in the coarse fraction.For the fine fraction crustal elements were also identified;aluminosilicates,black carbon and spherical particles(C and O) originating from combustion processes were predominant.The use of multivariate analysis to correlate air mass trajectories with the results of the morpho-structural characterization of the particulate matter allowed confirmation of the complex composition of the particles resulting from the combination of both local and long-distance sources.     

Air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the Yangtze River Delta region during 2014–2016

With rapid economic growth and urbanization, the Yangtze River Delta(YRD) region in China has experienced serious air pollution challenges. In this study, we analyzed the air pollution characteristics and their relationship with emissions and meteorology in the YRD region during 2014–2016. In recent years, the concentrations of all air pollutants, except O_3,decreased. Spatially, the PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, and CO concentrations were higher in the northern YRD region, and NO_2 and O_3 were higher in the central YRD region. Based on the number of non-attainment days(i.e., days with air quality index greater than 100), PM_(2.5) was the largest contributor to air pollution in the YRD region, followed by O_3, PM_(10), and NO_2.However, particulate matter pollution has declined gradually, while O_3 pollution worsened.Meteorological conditions mainly influenced day-to-day variations in pollutant concentrations. PM_(2.5) concentration was inversely related to wind speed, while O_3 concentration was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity.The air quality improvement in recent years was mainly attributed to emission reductions.During 2014–2016, PM_(2.5), PM_(10), SO_2, NO_x, CO, NH_3, and volatile organic compound(VOC)emissions in the YRD region were reduced by 26.3%, 29.2%, 32.4%, 8.1%, 15.9%, 4.5%, and0.3%, respectively. Regional transport also contributed to the air pollution. During regional haze periods, pollutants from North China and East China aggravated the pollution in the YRD region. Our findings suggest that emission reduction and regional joint prevention and control helped to improve the air quality in the YRD region.     

Emissions from the combustion of eucalypt and pine chips in a fluidized bed reactor

Interest in renewable energy sources has increased in recent years due to environmental concerns about global warming and air pollution,reduced costs and improved efficiency of technologies.Under the European Union(EU)energy directive,biomass is a suitable renewable source.The aim of this study was to experimentally quantify and characterize the emission of particulate matter(PM_(2.5))resulting from the combustion of two biomass fuels(chipped residual biomass from pine and eucalypt),in a pilot-scale bubbling fluidized bed(BFB)combustor under distinct operating conditions.The variables evaluated were the stoichiometry and,in the case of eucalypt,the leaching of the fuel.The CO and PM_(2.5)emission factors were lower when the stoichiometry used in the experiments was higher(0.33±0.1 g CO/kg and 16.8±1.0 mg PM_(2.5)/kg,dry gases).The treatment of the fuel by leaching before its combustion has shown to promote higher PM_(2.5)emissions(55.2±2.5 mg/kg,as burned).Organic and elemental carbon represented 3.1 to 30 wt.% of the particle mass,while carbonate(CO_3~(2-))accounted for between 2.3 and 8.5 wt.%.The particulate mass was mainly composed of inorganic matter(71% to 86% of the PM_(2.5)mass).Compared to residential stoves,BFB combustion generated very high mass fractions of inorganic elements.Chloride was the water soluble ion in higher concentration in the PM_(2.5)emitted by the combustion of eucalypt,while calcium was the dominant water soluble ion in the case of pine.     

徐州市空气质量预测预报中的气象因素影响分析

利用2014年徐州市环境监测中心站SO2,NO2,PM10和PM2.5质量浓度的逐日监测资料及同期徐州市气象局的常规气象观测资料,分析了徐州市空气质量的现状及变化特征,探讨了SO2,NO2,PM10和PM2.5浓度与气象条件的关系。结果表明：徐州市空气质量以良和轻度污染为主,夏、秋季的空气质量好于冬、春季,冬季空气质量最差;较大的降水量过后,空气质量类别为优或者良,降水量较小时,污染物去除效果不明显;风速越大,越有利于污染物的扩散;雾和灰霾天气条件下,空气质量较差。     

上海市大气污染防治现状与对策

通过对“九五”期间上海大气污染防治工作的回顾,以及环境空气质量现状、污染源排放情况和污染物分担率的分析,总结了取得了成效和主要存在的问题,着重提出了今后一个阶段上海大气污染防治的基本目标、主要任务和重点措施。     

青岛市环境空气质量改善进程国际对比研究

针对青岛市建设宜居幸福国际城市战略目标,研究选取了新加坡、旧金山、大阪、香港、上海、深圳等10个国内外港口城市,对比分析了青岛市环境空气质量状况,并与典型国际发达国家污染物减排和环境质量改善进程进行了对比。结果表明:青岛市PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2年均浓度与国际城市差距较大,改善任务艰巨;NO_2年均浓度相对较低,已达到与国际接轨的程度,并优于大部分国际对比城市。从国际大气污染物减排及环境空气质量改善进程来看,预计青岛市将在2025年全面达到国家环境空气质量二级标准。青岛市需加快环境空气质量改善进程,为建成宜居幸福的现代化国际城市提供优良的环境空气质量保障。     

铁岭市空气日报及预报的相关性研究

本文采用了空气污染指数进行评价空气质量,确定铁岭市空气质量日报、预报。根据空气污染指数值确定空气质量污染程度,最后采用数据统计方法对日报、预报的结果进行检验,检查两个样本均值之间是否有显著性差异。     

乌兰浩特地区大气污染成因与防治对策研究

近年来,随着乌兰浩特地区经济社会的迅速发展,空气污染日趋严重,已经影响到了经济、社会发展和市民的生活.文章阐述了大气污染对人类健康的影响,研究探讨了国内关于城市大气污染的现状,结合乌兰浩特地区大气污染的调查分析,以乌兰浩特市2008、2009、2010年大气环境质量监测数据为依据,详细研究了乌兰浩特地区大气污染的主要污染源及污染物,归纳总结特征及其变化,采用了空气污染指数（API）分析和评价了大气污染的原因.研究结果表明,乌兰浩特地区空气质量状况2009年比2008年明显好转,但PM10仍有超标现象;通过特征分析可知大气污染有逐年上升趋势,随季节变化相对明显,可吸入颗粒物、二氧化硫和二氧化氮的浓度在春冬季分别是夏秋季的0.5倍到1.5倍：采用空气污染指数（API）对乌兰浩特地区的大气污染进行评价结果表明,煤炭燃烧后的污染物是乌兰浩特市空气污染物的主要来源,同时地理环境对乌兰浩特地区空气质量有较大影响,山风产生的局地环流不利于污染物的扩散,特别是遇到静风、逆温等不利于污染物扩散的气象条件时,就会加重环境空气污染,导致污染物农度大幅度升高.造成乌兰浩特地区大气污染的原因较复杂,通过分析研究得到了主要原因是工业和能源结构不合理、冬季取暖燃煤、汽车尾气、特殊地形气候、相关政策法规不太健全及环保宣传监督工作做不到住.并针对乌兰浩特地区的实际情况提出了控制大气污染的对策措施.总之,该研究找到了乌兰浩特地区大气污染的问题,为乌兰浩特市环境污染综合治理提供了一定的参考依据.     

乌兰浩特地区大气污染成因与防治对策研究

近年来,随着乌兰浩特地区经济社会的迅速发展,空气污染日趋严重,已经影响到了经济、社会发展和市民的生活。文章阐述了大气污染对人类健康的影响,研究探讨了国内关于城市大气污染的现状,结合乌兰浩特地区大气污染的调查分析。以鸟兰浩特市2008、2009、2010年大气环境质量监测数据为依据,详细研究了乌兰浩特地区大气污染的主要污染源及污染物,归纳总结特征及其变化,采用了空气污染指数（API）分析和评价了大气污染的原因。研究结果表明,乌兰浩特地区空气质量状况2009年比2008年明显好转,但PM10仍有超标现象;通过特征分析可知大气污染有逐年上升趋势,随季节变化相对明显,可吸入颗粒物、二氧化硫和二氧化氮的浓度在春冬季分别是夏秋季的0．5倍到1．5倍;采用空气污染指数（API）对乌兰浩特地区的大气污染进行评价结果表明,煤炭燃烧后的污染物是鸟兰浩特市空气污染物的主要来源,同时地理环境对鸟兰浩特地区空气质量有较大影响,山风产生的局地环流不利于污染物的扩散,特别是遇到静风、逆温等不利于污染物扩散的气象条件时,就会加重环境空气污染,导致污染物浓度大幅度升高。造成乌兰浩特地区大气污染的原因较复杂,通过分析研究得到了主要原因是工业和能源结构不合理、冬季取暖燃煤、汽车尾气、特殊地形气候、相关政策法规不太健全及环保宣传监督工作做不到住。并针对鸟兰浩特地区的实际情况提出了控制大气污染的对策措施。总之,该研究找到了乌兰浩特地区大气污染的问题,为乌兰浩特市环境污染综合治理提供了一定的参考依据。     

Overview of current regional and local scale air quality modelling practices: Assessment and planning tools in the EU

The 2008 European Air Quality Directive (AQD) (2008/50/EC) encourages the use of models in combination with monitoring in a range of applications. It also requires Member States to design appropriate air quality plans for zones where the air quality does not comply with the AQD limit values. In order to cope with these various elements, a wide range of different modeling methods have been developed and applied by EU Member States in the last decade to assess the effects of local and regional emission abatement policy options on air quality and human health. However, an overall review of the methodologies that are used in different countries to compile local and regional air quality plans has not been performed so far. Such a review has been the objective of the APPRAISAL EU FP7 project with the main goal to identify methodologies and their limitations and to propose possible key areas to be addressed by research and innovation on the basis of this review. To fulfill these objectives, a structured online database of methodologies has been developed in collaboration with experts involved in the design of air quality plans (AQP). The current work relies on the APPRAISAL database which currently totals 59 contributions from 13 Member States. In this paper we summarize the outcome of the APPRAISAL project with respect to the review of current Integrated Assessment Modeling practices.     

上海市区道路地面氮氧化物污染现场调查

为了解城市道路地面NOx污染的状况和特征，对上海典型道路路边NOx污染进行现场实测。结果表明：在交通繁忙的路段，路边NOx污染严重。调查发现：路边NOx的浓度与交通状况有关，车流量越大，车辆阻塞时间越长，NOx的浓度越高；不同类型车辆对路边NOx的贡献不同，大型车和中型车的贡献要比小型车、摩托车和助动车大得多；路边空气污染和影响因素与传统空气监测数据有较大差别。