Lidar-assisted measurement of PM10 emissions from agricultural tilling in California's San Joaquin Valley – Part II: emission factors

Emission factors for agricultural operations are needed in order to develop reliable PM₁₀ emissions inventories and air quality models for air basins with significant agricultural land use. A framework was developed to analyze the PM₁₀ vertical profiles collected downwind of tilling operations in the San Joaquin Valley. The methods calculate emission factors on the basis of profile shape and assign quality ratings to each land preparation test. Uncertainties in the calculated emission factors and plume heights were used as one criterion for evaluating the relative quality of the reported emission factor. Other quality ratings were based on the magnitude of the difference in measured up- and downwind concentrations, wind direction, whether the tests were conducted near the edges of the field, and how well the proposed model fit the profile data. The emission factors from different operations were compared taking the quality of the emission factor into account. Plume heights and emission factors for 24 valid test profiles ranged from 2 to 20 m (mean=9.8; SD=3.6; median=9.8) and zero to 800 mg m⁻² (mean=152; SD=240; median=43), respectively. Key environmental properties governing PM₁₀ emission from these operations include relative humidity, soil moisture and vertical temperature gradient. Surprisingly, no discernable relationships were found between implement type or wind speed and the measured emission factors.     

Chemistry of fog waters in California's Central Valley—Part 3: concentrations and speciation of organic and inorganic nitrogen

Although organic nitrogen (ON) has been found to be a ubiquitous and significant component in wet and dry deposition, almost nothing is known about its concentration or composition in fog waters. To address this gap, we have investigated the concentration and composition of ON in fog waters collected in Davis, in California's Central Valley. Significant quantities of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) were found in these samples, with a median concentration of 303 μM N (range=120–1630 μM N). DON typically represented approximately 16% of the total dissolved nitrogen (inorganic+organic) in Davis fog waters. The median concentration of nitrogen in free amino acids and alkyl amines was 16 μM N (range=3.8–120 μM N), which accounted for 3.4% of the DON in Davis fogs. Thus, although the absolute concentrations of free amino compounds were significant, they were only a minor component of the DON pool. Combined amino nitrogen (e.g., proteins and peptides) was present at higher concentrations and accounted for 6.1–29% (median=16%) of DON. Overall, free and combined amino compounds typically accounted for a median value of 22% of DON in the fog waters.The high concentrations of DON found, and the fact that amino and other N-containing organic compounds can serve as nitrogen sources for microorganisms and plants, indicate that atmospheric ON compounds likely play an important role in nitrogen cycling in the Central Valley. In addition, due to the basicity of some N functional groups, ON compounds likely contribute to the previously observed acid buffering capacity of Central Valley fog waters. Finally, a comparison of fog waters with fine particles (PM_2.5) collected from the same site during the same period of time indicated that the median concentrations (mol N m⁻³-air) of total water-soluble ON, free amino nitrogen and total amino nitrogen were very similar in the fog water and PM_2.5. Given the high water solubility of many organic N compounds, this result suggests that ON might contribute to the hygroscopic properties of atmospheric particles.     

Particulate Matter in California: Part 1—Intercomparison of Several PM2.5, PM10–2.5, and PM10 Monitoring Networks

Abstract

It will be many years before the recently deployed network of fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 [H9262]m (PM_2.5) Federal Reference Method (FRM) samplers produces information on nonattainment areas, trends, and source impacts. However, data on PM_2.5 and its major constituents have been routinely collected in California for the past 20 years. The California Air Resources Board operated as many as 20 dichotomous (dichot) samplers for PM_2.5 and coarse PM (PM_10–2.5). The California Acid Deposition Monitoring Program (CADMP) collected 12-h-average PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ from 1988 to 1995 at ten urban and rural sites and 24-h-average PM_2.5 at five urban sites since 1995. Beginning in 1994, the Children’s Health Study collected 2-week averages of PM_2.5 in 12 communities in southern California using the Two-Week Sampler (TWS). Comparisons of collocated samples establish relationships between the dichot, CADMP, and TWS samplers and the 82-site network of PM_2.5 FRM samplers deployed since 1999 in California. PM mass data from the different monitoring programs have modest to high correlation to FRM mass data, fairly small systematic biases and negative proportional biases ranging from 7 to 22%. If the biases are taken into account, all of the programs should be considered comparable with the FRM program. Thus, historical data can be used to develop long-term PM trends in California.     

Characterization of PM25 and PM10 in the South Coast Air Basin of Southern California: Part 1—Spatial Variations

ABSTRACT

In December 1994, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) initiated a comprehensive program, the PM₁₀ Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP), to characterize fine PM in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). A 1-year special particulate monitoring project was conducted from January 1995 to February 1996 as part of the PTEP. Under this enhanced monitoring, HNO₃, NH₃, and speciated PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were measured at five stations (Anaheim, downtown Los Angeles, Diamond Bar, Fontana, and Rubidoux) in the SCAB and at one background station at San Nicolas Island. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ mass and 43 individual species were analyzed for a full chemical speciation of the particle data. The PTEP data indicate that the most abundant chemical components of PM₁₀ and PM₂₅ in the SCAB are NH₄+ (8-9% of PM₁₀ and 14-17% of PM₂₅), NO₃ ^- (23-26% of PM₁₀ and 28-41% of PM₂₅), SO₄= (6-11% of PM₁₀ and 9-18% of PM_{2 5}), organic carbon (OC) (15-19% of PM₁₀ and 18-26% of PM_2.5), and elemental carbon (EC) (5-8% of PM₁₀ and 8-13% of PM₂₅). On an annual average basis, PM₂₅ comprises 52-59% of the SCAB PM₁₀. Annual average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations showed strong spatial variations, low at coastal sites and high at inland sites. Annual average PM₁₀ concentrations varied from 40.8 ug/m³ at Anaheim to 76.8 ug/m³ at Rubidoux, while annual average PM_2.5 concentrations varied from 21.7 ug/m³ at Anaheim to 39.8 ug/m³ at Rubidoux. The chemical characterizations of the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations, as well as their spatial variations, were examined; the important findings are summarized in this paper, and the temporal variations are discussed in the companion paper.¹     

Characterization of PM25 and PM10 in the South Coast Air Basin of Southern California: Part 2—Temporal Variations

ABSTRACT

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) conducted a 1-year special particulate monitoring study from January 1995 to February 1996. This monitoring data indicates that high PM₁₀ and PM_{2 5} concentrations were observed in the fall (October, November, and December), with November concentrations being the highest. During the rest of the year, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ masses gradually increased from January to September. Monthly PM₁₀ mass varied from 20 to 120 |ig/m³, and monthly PM₂₅ mass varied from 13 to 63 |j.g/m³. The PM_2.5-to-PM₁₀ ratio varied daily and ranged between 22 and 96%. Two types of high-PM days were observed. The first type was observed under fall stagnation conditions, which lead to high secondary species concentrations. The second type was observed under high wind conditions, which lead to high primary coarse particles of crustal components. The highest 24-hr average PM₁₀ concentration (226.3 |ig/m³) was observed at the Fontana station, while the highest PM₂₅ concentration (129.3 |ig/m³) was observed at the Diamond Bar station.     

Mobile load simulators – A tool to distinguish between the emissions due to abrasion and resuspension of PM10 from road surfaces

Mechanically produced abrasion particles and resuspension processes are responsible for a significant part of the PM10 emissions of road traffic. However, specific differentiation between PM10 emissions due to abrasion and resuspension from road pavement is very difficult due to their similar elemental composition and highly correlated variation in time. In this work Mobile Load Simulators were used to estimate PM10 emission factors for pavement abrasion and resuspension on different pavement types for light and heavy duty vehicles.From the experiments it was derived that particle emissions due to abrasion from pavements in good condition are quite low in the range of only a few mg·km^?1 per vehicle if quantifiable at all. Considerable abrasion emissions, however, can occur from damaged pavements. Resuspension of deposited dust can cause high and extremely variable particle emissions depending strongly on the dirt load of the road surface. Porous pavements seem to retain deposited dust better than dense pavements, thus leading to lower emissions due to resuspension compared to pavements with a dense structure (e.g. asphalt concrete). Tyre wear seemed not to be a quantitatively significant source of PM10 emissions from road traffic.     

Particulate Matter in California: Part 2—Spatial,Temporal, and Compositional Patterns of PM2.5, PM10–2.5, and PM10

Abstract

Geographic and temporal variations in the concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) provide important insights into particle sources, atmospheric processes that influence particle formation, and PM management strategies. In the nonurban areas of California, annual-average PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations range from 3 to 10 [H9262]g/m³ and from 5 to 18 µg/m³, respectively. In the urban areas of California, annual-averages for PM_2.5 range from 7 to 30 [H9262]g/m³, with observed 24-hr peaks reaching levels as high as 160 [H9262]g/m³. Within each air basin, exceedances are a mixture of isolated events as well as periods of elevated PM_2.5 concentrations that are more prolonged and regional in nature. PM_2.5 concentrations are generally highest during the winter months. The exception is the South Coast Air Basin, where fairly high values occur throughout the year. Annual-average PM_2.5 mass, as well as the concentrations of major components, declined from 1988 to 2000. The declines are especially pronounced for the sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) components of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ and correlate with reductions in ambient levels of oxides of sulfur (SO_x) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x). Annual averages for PM_10–2.5 and PM₁₀ exhibited similar downwind trends from 1994 to 1999, with a slightly less pronounced decrease in the coarse fraction.     

Spatial–temporal evolution of the relationship between agricultural material inputs and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: experience from China 2003–2018

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Agricultural materials input (fertilizer and pesticide, etc.), together with straw burning, rice planting, and livestock breeding, constitute the...     

Inventory of aerosol and sulphur dioxide emissions from India: I—Fossil fuel combustion

A comprehensive, spatially resolved (0.25°×0.25°) fossil fuel consumption database and emissions inventory was constructed, for India, for the first time. Emissions of sulphur dioxide and aerosol chemical constituents were estimated for 1996–1997 and extrapolated to the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) study period (1998–1999). District level consumption of coal/lignite, petroleum and natural gas in power plants, industrial, transportation and domestic sectors was 9411 PJ, with major contributions from coal (54%) followed by diesel (18%). Emission factors for various pollutants were derived using India specific fuel characteristics and information on combustion/air pollution control technologies for the power and industrial sectors. Domestic and transportation emission factors, appropriate for Indian source characteristics, were compiled from literature. SO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion for 1996–1997 were 4.0 Tg SO₂ yr⁻¹, with 756 large point sources (e.g. utilities, iron and steel, fertilisers, cement, refineries and petrochemicals and non-ferrous metals), accounting for 62%. PM_2.5 emitted was 0.5 and 2.0 Tg yr⁻¹ for the 100% and the 50% control scenario, respectively, applied to coal burning in the power and industrial sectors. Coal combustion was the major source of PM_2.5 (92%) primarily consisting of fly ash, accounting for 98% of the “inorganic fraction” emissions (difference between PM_2.5 and black carbon+organic matter) of 1.6 Tg yr⁻¹. Black carbon emissions were estimated at 0.1 Tg yr⁻¹, with 58% from diesel transport, and organic matter emissions at 0.3 Tg yr⁻¹, with 48% from brick-kilns. Fossil fuel consumption and emissions peaked at the large point industrial sources and 22 cities, with elevated area fluxes in northern and western India. The spatial resolution of this inventory makes it suitable for regional-scale aerosol-climate studies. These results are compared to previous studies and differences discussed. Measurements of emission factors for Indian sources are needed to further refine these estimates.     

Bench-scale gasification of cedar wood – Part I: Effect of operational conditions on product gas characteristics

The present study was conducted within the framework of R&D activities on the development of gasification and reforming technologies for energy and chemical recovery from biomass resources. Gasification of the Japanese cedar wood has been investigated under various operating conditions in a bench-scale externally heated updraft gasifier; this was followed by thermal reforming. Parametric tests by varying the residence times, gasification temperatures, equivalence ratios (ERs) and steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios were performed to determine their effects on the product gas characteristics. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were preformed to predict the equilibrium gas composition and compared with the experimental value.We found that the product gas characteristics in terms of the H₂/CO ratio, CO₂/CO ratio, and CH₄ and lighter hydrocarbons concentrations are significantly affected by the operating conditions used. Increasing the residence time decreased the CO₂/CO ratio; however, a nominal effect was noticed on H₂ concentration as a function of the residence time. At sufficient residence time, increasing the temperature led to higher H₂ yields, CO efficiency and higher heating value (HHV) of the product gas. The presence of steam during gasification effectively enhanced the proportion of H₂ in the product gas. However, higher S/C ratio reduced the HHV of the product gas. Increasing the ER from 0 to 0.3 increased the H₂ yields and CO efficiency and decreased the HHV of the product gas.The evolution of CH₄ and lighter hydrocarbons at low gasification temperatures was relatively higher than that at high temperature gasification. The evolution of CH₄ and lighter hydrocarbons at high gasification temperatures hardly varied over the investigated operating conditions.     

Investigation of a 1000 MW smoke plume by means of a 1.064 μm lidar—I. Lidar calibration procedure from in situ aerosol measurements and vertical lidar shots

From airborne measurements on various days, average size distributions of natural aerosol particles for different heights were obtained at our rural experimental site. Using different aerosol refractive indices and a mean particle size distribution, the backscattering and extinction coefficients β and α were computed for a 1.064 μm wavelength. Assuming the mean refractive index of the aerosol particles over a rural site as equal to 1.5−0.005 i and taking into account size and concentration distributionsof aerosol particles with height, a vertical profile of atmospheric returns from the 1.064 μm laser radiation from the ground has been computed as characteristic of the site.From numerous lidar shots on various days, an average vertical profile of lidar returns was also obtained as characteristic of both the experimental site and the whole lidar system using a laser wavelength of 1.064 μm. The relationship between the atmospheric returns and lidar signals could then be set up and used as the calibration function of the lidar. In this way, distributionsof particle concentration could be monitored from lidar shots.     

Ammonia abatement and its impact on emissions of nitrous oxide and methane in Europe—Part 1: method

Agriculture is an important source of NH₃, which contributes to acidification and eutrophication, as well as emissions of the greenhouse gases CH₄ and N₂O. Because of their common sources, emission reduction measures for one of these gases may affect emissions of others. These interrelations are often ignored in policy making. This study presents an analysis of the effects of measures to reduce NH₃ emissions on emissions of N₂O and CH₄ from agriculture in Europe. The analysis combines information from the NH₃ module of the Regional Air pollution INformation and Simulation (RAINS) model for Europe with the IPCC method for national greenhouse gas inventories. The IPCC method for estimating agricultural emissions of N₂O and CH₄ is adjusted in order to use it in combination with the RAINS database for the European agricultural sector. As an example, we applied the adjusted method to the agricultural sector in the Netherlands and found that application of several NH₃ abatement options may result in a substantial increase in N₂O emissions while the effect on CH₄ emissions is relatively small. In Part 2 of this paper we focus on the resulting emissions for all European countries for 1990 and 2010.     

Evaluation of an approach for the characterization of reactive and available pools of twenty potentially toxic elements in soils: Part I – The role of key soil properties in the variation of contaminants’ reactivity

Harmful effects of potentially toxic elements (PTE’s) in soils relate to their geochemically reactive fraction. To assess the degree of the reactivity, specific extractions or models are needed. Here we applied a 0.43 M HNO₃ chemical extraction to assess reactive pools of a broad range of PTE’s in 136 contaminated and non-contaminated soils. Furthermore we derived Freundlich-type models based on commonly available soil properties (pH, organic carbon and clay) as well as extended models that used other properties such as amorphous Al and Fe oxides and evaluated their possible use in risk assessment.The approach allowed to predict the reactivity of As, Hg, Co, U, Ba, Se, Sb, Mo, Li, Be (r²: 0.55–0.90) elements not previously included in such studies, as well as that of Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cr (r²: 0.73–0.90). The inclusion of pH, organic carbon and clay improved the performance of all models except for Be and Mo, although the role of clay is not completely clear and requires further investigation. The ability of amorphous metal oxides to affect the reactivity of As, Hg, Cu, Ni, Cr, Sb, Mo and Li was expressed by the models in agreement with known geochemical processes leading to the retention of PTE’s by the solid matrix. Hence, such approach can be a useful tool to account for regional differences in soil properties during the identification of risk areas and constitute a significantly more powerful tool than the analysis of total pools of PTE’s in soils.     

Greenhouse gas emissions from penguin guanos and ornithogenic soils in coastal Antarctica: Effects of freezing–thawing cycles

In coastal Antarctica, freezing and thawing influence many physical, chemical and biological processes for ice-free tundra ecosystems, including the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this study, penguin guanos and ornithogenic soil cores were collected from four penguin colonies and one seal colony in coastal Antarctica, and experimentally subjected to three freezing–thawing cycles (FTCs) under ambient air and under N₂. We investigated the effects of FTCs on the emissions of three GHGs including nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄). The GHG emission rates were extremely low in frozen penguin guanos or ornithogenic soils. However, there was a fast increase in the emission rates of three GHGs following thawing. During FTCs, cumulative N₂O emissions from ornithogenic soils were greatly higher than those from penguin guanos under ambient air or under N₂. The highest N₂O cumulative emission of 138.24 μg N₂O–N kg^?1 was observed from seal colony soils. Cumulative CO₂ and CH₄ emissions from penguin guanos were one to three orders of magnitude higher than those from ornithogenic soils. The highest cumulative CO₂ (433.0 mgCO₂–C kg^?1) and CH₄ (2.9 mgCH₄–C kg^?1) emissions occurred in emperor penguin guanos. Penguin guano was a stronger emitter for CH₄ and CO₂ while ornithogenic soil was a stronger emitter for N₂O during FTCs. CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes had a correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) and soil/guano moisture (M_c) in penguin guanos and ornithogenic soils. The specific CO₂–C production rate (CO₂–C/TOC) indicated that the bioavailability of TOC was markedly larger in penguin guanos than in ornithogenic soils during FTCs. This study showed that FTC-released organic C and N from sea animal excreta may play a significant role in FTC-related GHG emissions, which may account for a large proportion of annual fluxes from tundra ecosystems in coastal Antarctica.     

Large-eddy simulation of pollution dispersion in an urban street canyon—Part I: comparison with field data

Large-eddy simulations (LESs) are applied to the problem of pollution dispersion within the urban canopy layer, specifically street canyons. The objective is to study the turbulence structure and hence the physical dispersion mechanisms of pollutants. LESs are implemented by incorporating the dynamic sub-grid scale stress model into the commercial computational fluids dynamics code CFX. To gain confidence in the approach, simulations are performed for a canyon-like geometry (roof garden) for which experimental measurements were also made. The experimental campaign consisted of using sonic anemometers to measure mean flow and turbulence intensities at a high sample rate of 60 Hz. Good agreement between simulations and experimental data are obtained. Real geometric features, such as non-uniform wall heights, result in a very much three-dimensional flow distribution. Comparisons with the k–ε model show that LESs are able to predict more accurately the turbulence statistics of the flow.     

Improving ozone modeling in complex terrain at a fine grid resolution: Part I – examination of analysis nudging and all PBL schemes associated with LSMs in meteorological model

Meteorological variables such as temperature, wind speed, wind directions, and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) heights have critical implications for air quality simulations. Sensitivity simulations with five different PBL schemes associated with three different Land Surface Models (LSMs) were conducted to examine the impact of meteorological variables on the predicted ozone concentrations using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) version 4.5 with local perspective. Additionally, the nudging analysis for winds was adopted with three different coefficients to improve the wind fields in the complex terrain at 4-km grid resolution. The simulations focus on complex terrain having valley and mountain areas at 4-km grid resolution. The ETA M–Y (Mellor–Yamada) and G–S (Gayno–Seaman) PBL schemes are identified as favorite options and promote O₃ formation causing the higher temperature, slower winds, and lower mixing height among sensitivity simulations in the area of study. It is found that PX (Pleim–Xiu) simulation does not always give optimal meteorological model performance. We also note that the PBL scheme plays a more important role in predicting daily maximum 8-h O₃ than land surface models. The results of nudging analysis for winds with three different increased coefficients' values (2.5, 4.5, and 6.0 × 10^?4 s^?1) over seven sensitivity simulations show that the meteorological model performance was enhanced due to improved wind fields, indicating the FDDA nudging analysis can improve model performance considerably at 4-km grid resolution. Specifically, the sensitivity simulations with the coefficient value (6.0 × 10^?4) yielded more substantial improvements than with the other values (2.5 and 4.5 × 10^?4). Hence, choosing the nudging coefficient of 6.0 × 10^?4 s^?1 for winds in MM5 may be the best choice to improve wind fields as an input, as well as, better model performance of CMAQ in the complex terrain area. As a result, a finer grid resolution is necessary to evaluate and access of CMAQ results for giving a detailed representation of meteorological and chemical processes in the regulatory modeling. A recommendation of optimal scheme options for simulating meteorological variables in the complex terrain area is made.     

Illuminating the efficiency of CO2 emissions in China’s mining sector: evidence from meta-frontier Malmquist index models

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - CO2 emission reduction has become a binding target in China’s economic and social development. The mining industry is China’s primary...     

Aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmospheric environment – Part II: univariate and multivariate analysis and case studies of indoor concentrations

The concentrations of the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and the isomeric xylenes (BTEX) have been determined in the indoor air of 115 private non-smoker homes (∼380 individual rooms) situated in areas with an extreme traffic situation, i.e. in city streets (street canyons) with high traffic density and in rural areas with hardly any traffic at all. The influence of the traffic on the indoor concentration was apparent in the high traffic area. In order to identify other factors influencing the BTEX concentrations, the data and additional questionnaires were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. The analysis was supplemented by some case studies. It is shown that meteorology (the seasons), the type of room (e.g. living room versus bedroom), the ventilation and, in particular, garages in the house strongly influence the indoor concentration of BTEX. Thus, the indoor BTEX level is significantly higher in winter than in summer. Moreover, garages with a connecting door to the living quarters lead to high indoor concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in these rooms. In addition, the storage of solvents and hobby materials, and also the presence of smoking guests increase the BTEX level. If rooms are directly heated by coal or wood, the BTEX level is higher compared to the use of gas heating. Surprisingly, no correlation was found between the building materials used and the BTEX level. Case studies were carried out for two homes with an integrated garage (and a connecting door to the living rooms) and for seven homes where redecoration work was carried out during sampling. In both instances, a pronounced increase was observed in the BTEX concentration.     

Iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in organic microparticles from Yerba Mate useful for remediation of textile wastewater through a photo-Fenton treatment: Ilex paraguariensis as a platform of environmental interest – Part 1

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Seven composites of iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in organic microparticles mediated by Cu(II) were synthesized using yerba mate (Ilex...