Arctic air pollution and large scale atmospheric flows

Three characteristics of air pollution in the Norwegian Arctic are documented by measurements: the seasonal cycle, the episodic behaviour and the deep tropospheric structure. The quasistationary, large scale, atmospheric phenomenon termed blocking is proposed to be a fundamental mechanism that provides conditions for poleward transport of midlatitudinal air pollution. The seasonal variation of blocking is an important factor, in addition to scavenging and other removal processes, for the explanation of the annual cycle of Arctic air pollution.     

Analysis of atmospheric conditions during air pollution episodes in Ankara, Turkey

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the meteorological conditions that are associated with strong air pollution episodes in Ankara, Turkey. Based on climatological and air quality data [SO2 and TSP (total suspended particulates)] obtained for the winter months during 1989-1994, the analysis showed that the presence of weak atmospheric pressure gradients and warm air advection were the most important factors leading to high SO2 and TSP concentrations. In addition, the onset of the high air pollution episodes was generally associated with a trend toward negative vorticity at the 850-hPa level.     

Innovative aspects of environmental chemistry and technology regarding air,water, and soil pollution

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Influence of African dust on the levels of atmospheric particulates in the Canary Islands air quality network

Time series of levels of atmospheric particulate matter (TSP and PM10) were studied at 19 air quality monitoring stations in the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) during the period 1998–2000. After analysing seasonal variations, attention was focused on the detection of high TSP and PM10 events and on the identification of their natural or anthropogenic origins. Back-trajectory analysis and TOMS-NASA aerosol index as well as satellite imagery (SeaWIFS-NASA) were used to identify three types of African dust outbreaks differing in seasonal occurrence, source origin and impact on TSP/PM10 levels. Mean annual and daily TSP and PM10 levels were compared with the forthcoming limit values of the EU Air Quality Directive EC/30/1999, and the results showed that the annual and daily limit values established for 2010 would only be met at rural stations. PM levels at urban background, urban and industrial sites would exceed the 2010 objectives. Only the levels at the urban-background stations would meet the requirements for 2005 despite the fact that the trade winds result in lower levels of atmospheric pollutants in the Canary Islands than in continental environments. The results highlight the role of African dust contributions when implementing the limit values of the EU directive.     

灰霾天气与大气颗粒物的相关性研究综述

随着城市化进程的迅速发展,城市大气污染加剧,灰霾天气也随之增多。综述了灰霾天气期间大气颗粒物在时空分布和污染水平2方面的污染特征,分析了大气颗粒物与能见度相关性,介绍了国内外对灰霾天气期间大气污染物的组成及源解析方面的研究进展,并提出了今后灰霾天气的研究方向。     

Characterization of atmospheric particulates, particle-bound transition metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of urban air in the centre of Athens (Greece)

The concentrations of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed to total suspended particulate (TSP) and finer fractions of airborne particulate matter (PM) were determined from a site in the centre of Athens (Greece), which is characterized by heavy local traffic and is densely populated, during the winter and summer periods in 2003-2004. Also, we collected and analyzed samples of diesel and gasoline exhaust particles from local vehicles (buses, taxis and private cars) and from chimney exhaust of residential central heating appliances. A seasonal effect was observed for the size distribution of aerosol mass, with a shift to larger fine fractions in winter. The most commonly detected trace metals in the TSP and PM fractions were Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, V, Ni and Cd and their concentrations were similar to levels observed in heavily polluted urban areas from local traffic and other anthropogenic emissions. Analysis of 16 PAHs bound to PM showed that they are mostly traffic related. In general, the fine particulate PAHs concentrations were higher than coarse particles. The most common PAHs in PM(10.2) and PM(2.1) were pyrene, phenanthrene, acenapthylene and fluoranthene, which are associated with diesel and gasoline exhaust particles. The results of this study underlined the importance of local emission sources, especially vehicular traffic, central heating and other local anthropogenic emissions. Compared with other big cities, Athens has much higher levels of airborne particles, especially of the finer fractions PM(10) and PM(2.5), correlated with traffic-related air pollution.     

Acoustic and direct measurements of atmospheric mixing at three sites during an air pollution incident

Simultaneous measurements at three sites in the San Francisco Bay Area were used to document the depth and vigor of atmospheric mixing before, during, and after an air pollution incident. The measurements included sodar (acoustic radar) sensing and direct temperature profile measurements. The sodar records graphically documented the transition in atmospheric behavior from days with long periods of near-surface instability and relatively large mixing depth, to days with long periods of near-surface stability and relatively small mixing depth, and back again. The sodar records were in turn corroborated by the direct temperature profile measurements (i.e. time-average differences between acoustically inferred and directly measured inversion base heights were small compared to the absolute heights). The development of poor mixing conditions was accompanied by increased pollution near the surface, which later dissipated with the return of good mixing conditions.We conclude that sodar measurements can provide very useful inputs to Bay Area air quality simulation models, but caution against indiscriminately extrapolating the present results to areas or seasons with significantly different meteorology.