Distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface water and sediments from Baiyangdian Lake in North China

Persistent organochlorine compounds, including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in surface water and sediments from Baiyangdian Lake, North China. Total concentrations of HCHs, DDTs and PCBs in surface water were in the range of 3.13-10.60, 4.05-20.59 and 19.46-131.62 ng/L, respectively, and total concentrations of HCHs, DDTs and PCBs in sediments were 1.75-5.70, 0.91-6.48 and 5.96-29.61 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Among the groups of HCHs (sum of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH and δ-HCH) and DDTs (sum of DDT, DDD and DDE), the predominance of β-HCH, DDE and DDD in water and sediment samples was clearly observed. This observation suggested that β-HCH was resistant to biodegradation and the DDTs had been transformed to its metabolites, DDE and DDD. For PCBs, penta-, hexa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were the most abundant compounds in the both phases. Furthermore, the partitioning of chlorinated compounds between sediment and water was investigated to understand their transport and fates in aquatic ecosystems. The results indicated that average logs of organic carbon-normalized sediment-water partition coefficients (logK_oc') for OCPs varied between 3.20 and 5.53, and for PCBs, logK_oc' values ranged from 3.19 to 5.57. The observed logK_oc' was lower than their equilibrium logK_oc predicted from linear model, which may be attributed to the solubility enhancement effect of colloidal matter in water phase and the disequilibrium between sediment and water.     

长江口潮滩表层沉积物中PCBs和OCPs的分布

对长江口潮滩表层沉积物中的多氯联苯(PCBs)和有机氯农药(OCPs)进行GC-ECD测试,结果表明PCBs含量分布在0.19～18.95ng/g,平均值为2.70ng/g,其分布随采样点的位置变化显著:排污口附近出现最大值,离排污口越远,即受排污影响的程度越小,其含量越低.OCPs含量在1.25～36.01ng/g,平均值为8.50ng/g,分布特征与PCBs相似,表明了它们来源的相似性.研究区内PCBs和OCPs的含量低于ER-L值,尚未对生物造成显著的负面影响.     

Characterization of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) under different PM2.5 concentration in wintertime at a North China rural site

As a secondary pollutant of photochemical pollution, peroxyacetyl nitrate(PAN) has attracted a close attention. A four-month campaign was conducted at a rural site in North China Plain(NCP) including the measurement of PAN, O₃, NO_x, PM_2.5, oxygenated volatile organic compounds(OVOCs), photolysis rate constants of NO₂ and O₃ and meteorological parameters to investigate the wintertime characterization of photochemistry from November 2018 to Fe...     

中国部分沿海海域水体中溶解态有机氯农药和多氯联苯的残留分布特征

分析调查了中国部分海域海水中溶解态有机氯农药(OCPs,25种)和多氯联苯(PCBs,6种)的残留分布特征。结果表明,所有采样点都不同程度地受到了OCPs和PCBs的污染,其中福建省福州平潭和莆田湄洲岛的OCPs污染较为严重,浓度分别达到1752.59和796.19 ng/L;而辽宁省的大连老虎滩OCPs污染较轻,浓度为53.63 ng/L。各采样点海域海水中HCHs污染程度一般高于DDTs,HCHs主要以早期残留为主;根据DDT/DDTs的比值推测,在福州平潭、莆田湄洲岛和珠海淇澳岛水体显示有新的DDT输入。在各海域水体中溶解态PCBs的浓度为33.55~474.92 ng/L,均超过了美国环保局规定的海水浓度限值。因此目前我国沿海海域水体中持久性有机污染物有机氯农药和多氯联苯污染仍不能忽视。     

Sources, distribution, and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides in Nairobi City, Kenya

The distribution and sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in air and surface waters were monitored in Nairobi City using triolein-filled semipermeable membrane devices (SP-MDs).The SPMDs were extracted by dialysis using n-hexane,followed by cleanup by adsorption chromatography on silica gel cartridges.Sample analysis was done by GC-ECD and confirmed by GC–MS.Separation of means was achieved by analysis of variance,followed by pair-wise comparison using the t-test (p≤0.05).The total OCPs r...     

Pollution levels, composition characteristics and sources of atmospheric PM2.5 in a rural area of the North China Plain during winter

The pollution levels,composition characteristics and sources of atmospheric PM_2.5 were investigated based on field measurement at a rural site in the North China Plain(NCP) from pre-heating period to heating period in winter of 2017.The hourly average concentrations of PM_2.5 frequently exceeded 150 μg/m³ and even achieved 400 μg/m³,indicating that the PM_2.5pollution was still very serious despite the implementation of stricter control measur...     

Response of PM2.5-bound elemental species to emission variations and associated health risk assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic in a coastal megacity

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is disrupting the world from many aspects. In this study, the impact of emission variations on PM_2.5-bound elemental species and health risks associated to inhalation exposure has been analyzed based on real-time measurements at a remote coastal site in Shanghai during the pandemic. Most trace elemental species decreased significantly and displayed almost no diel peaks during the lockdown. After the lockdown, they rebounded rapidly, of which V and Ni even exceeded the levels before the lockdown, suggesting the recovery of both inland and shipping activities. Five sources were identified based on receptor modeling. Coal combustion accounted for more than 70% of the measured elemental concentrations before and during the lockdown. Shipping emissions, fugitive/mineral dust, and waste incineration all showed elevated contributions after the lockdown. The total non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) for the target elements exceeded the risk threshold for both children and adults with chloride as the predominant species contributing to HQ. Whereas, the total carcinogenic risk (TR) for adults was above the acceptable level and much higher than that for children. Waste incineration was the largest contributor to HQ, while manufacture processing and coal combustion were the main sources of TR. Lockdown control measures were beneficial for lowering the carcinogenic risk while unexpectedly increased the non-carcinogenic risk. From the perspective of health effects, priorities of control measures should be given to waste incineration, manufacture processing, and coal combustion. A balanced way should be reached between both lowering the levels of air pollutants and their health risks.     

北京地区地表水中OCPs和PCBs的污染分析

在夏、冬两季对北京地区密云,潮白河,玉渊潭和通惠河等地表水中17种有机氯农药（OCPs）和84种多氯联苯（PCBs）的含量进行了分析及来源解析.实验结果表明,OCPs总量在7.86～53.1ng/L之间,平均值为（16.9±14.6）ng/L.PCBs总量在2.99～32.7ng/L之间,平均浓度为（10.9±10.4）ng/L.HCHs,硫丹,DDTs和HCB是主要的OCPs污染物,其含量分别为（13.9±11.5）ng/L,（2.20±2.01）ng/L,（0.63±1.51）ng/L和（0.12±0.14）ng/L.α-HCH/γ-HCH平均比值为1.53,小于工业HCH中比值4～7,表明北京地区地表水中存在林丹的使用.而DDT/（DDD+DDE）比值<1.22,表明北京地区并无新的DDTs污染源输入环境.PCBs以低氯代联苯为主,其中二氯,三氯,四氯和五氯联苯总和占∑₈₄PCBs总量的79.2%.北京地区地表水中不同氯取代数PCBs组成与我国历史PCB产品组成相符,均以低氯代联苯为主,表明北京地区地表水中PCBs污染来源为历史使用.相比于国内其他区域水质而言,北京地区地表水OCPs和PCBs污染水平较低.     

PM2.5 and water-soluble inorganic ion concentrations decreased faster in urban than rural areas in China

We investigated variations of PM_2.5 and water-soluble inorganic ions chemical characteristics at nine urban and rural sites in China using ground-based observations. From 2015 to 2019, mean PM_2.5 concentration across all sites decreased by 41.9 µg/m³ with a decline of 46% at urban sites and 28% at rural sites, where secondary inorganic aerosol (SIAs) contributed to 21% (urban sites) and 17% (rural sites) of the decreased PM_2.5. SIAs concentrations underwent a decline at urban locations, while sulfate (SO₄^2–), nitrate (NO₃^–), and ammonium (NH₄⁺) decreased by 49.5%, 31.3% and 31.6%, respectively. However, only SO₄^2– decreased at rural sites, NO₃^– increased by 21% and NH₄⁺ decreased slightly. Those changes contributed to an overall SIAs increase in 2019. Higher molar ratios of NO₃^– to SO₄^2– and NH₄⁺ to SO₄^2– were observed at urban sites than rural sites, being highest in the heavily polluted days. Mean molar ratios of NH₃/NH_x were higher in 2019 than 2015 at both urban and rural sites, implying increasing NH_x remained as free NH₃. Our observations indicated a slower transition from sulfate-driven to nitrate-driven aerosol pollution and less efficient control of NO_x than SO₂ related aerosol formation in rural regions than urban regions. Moreover, the common factor at urban and rural sites appears to be a combination of lower SO₄^2– levels and an increasing fraction of NO₃^– to PM_2.5 under NH₄⁺-rich conditions. Our findings imply that synchronous reduction in NO_x and NH₃ emissions especially rural areas would be effective to mitigate NO₃^–-driven aerosol pollution.     

Investigation of PM2.5 pollution during COVID-19 pandemic in Guangzhou, China

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness about various environmental issues,including PM_2.5 pollution.Here,PM_2.5 pollution during the COVID-19 lockdown was traced and analyzed to clarify the sources and factors influencing PM_2.5 in Guangzhou,with an emphasis on heavy pollution.The lockdown led to large reductions in industrial and traffic emissions,which significantly reduced PM_2.5 concentrations in Guangzhou.Interestingly,the trend of PM_2.5     

Source apportionment of PM2.5 and visibility in Jinan, China

Atmospheric extinction is impacted by the chemical composition of particles. To better understand the chemical composition of PM_2.5 (particles with diameters of less than 2.5 μm) and its relationship with extinction, one-month sampling campaigns were carried out in four different seasons from 2013 to 2014 in Jinan, China. The seasonal average concentrations of PM_2.5 were 120.9 (autumn), 156.6 (winter), 102.5 (spring), and 111.8 μg/m³ (summer). The reconstructed PM_2.5 chemical composition showed that sulfate, nitrate, chlorine salt, organic matter (OM), mineral dust, elemental carbon (EC) and others accounted for 25%, 14%, 2%, 24%, 22%, 3% and 10%, respectively. The relationship between the chemical composition of PM_2.5 and visibility was reconstructed by the IMPROVE method, and ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, OM and EC dominated the visibility. Seven main sources were resolved for PM_2.5, including secondary particles, coal combustion, biomass burning, industry, motor vehicle exhaust, soil dust and cooking, which accounted for 37%, 21%, 13%, 13%, 12%, 3% and 1%, respectively. The contributions of different sources to visibility were similar to those to PM_2.5. With increasing severity of air pollution, the contributions of secondary particles and coal combustion increased, while the contribution of motor vehicle exhaust decreased. The results showed that coal combustion and biomass burning were still the main sources of air pollution in Jinan.     

PM2.5 chemical composition and health risks by inhalation near a chemical complex

Particulate matter (PM_2.5) samples were collected in the vicinity of an industrial chemical pole and analysed for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), 47 trace elements and around 150 organic constituents. On average, OC and EC accounted for 25.2% and 11.4% of the PM_2.5 mass, respectively. Organic compounds comprised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylated PAHs, anhydrosugars, phenolics, aromatic ketones, glycerol derivatives, aliphatic alcohols, sterols, and carboxyl groups, including aromatic, carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Enrichment factors > 100 were obtained for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Sn, B, Se, Bi, Sb and Mo, showing the contribution of industrial emissions and nearby major roads. Principal component analysis revealed that vehicle, industrial and biomass burning emissions accounted for 66%, 11% and 9%, respectively, of the total PM_2.5-bound PAHs. Some of the detected organic constituents are likely associated with plasticiser ingredients and thermal stabilisers used in the manufacture of PVC and other plastics in the industrial complex. Photooxidation products of both anthropogenic (e.g., toluene) and biogenic (e.g., isoprene and pinenes) precursors were also observed. It was estimated that biomass burning accounted for 13.8% of the PM_2.5 concentrations and that secondary OC represented 37.6% of the total OC. The lifetime cancer risk from inhalation exposure to PM_2.5-bound PAHs was found to be negligible, but it exceeded the threshold of 10⁻⁶ for metal(loi)s, mainly due to Cr and As.     

Modeling study on the roles of the deposition and transport of PM2.5 in air quality changes over central-eastern China

The role of PM_2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 2.5 µm) deposition in air quality changes over China remains unclear. By using the three-year (2013, 2015, and 2017) simulation results of the WRF/CUACE v1.0 model from a previous work (Zhang et al., 2021), a non-linear relationship between the deposition of PM_2.5 and anthropogenic emissions over central-eastern China in cold seasons as well as in different life stages of haze events was unraveled. PM_2.5 deposition is spatially distributed differently from PM_2.5 concentrations and anthropogenic emissions over China. The North China Plain (NCP) is typically characterized by higher anthropogenic emissions compared to southern China, such as the middle-low reaches of Yangtze River (MLYR), which includes parts of the Yangtze River Delta and the Midwest. However, PM_2.5 deposition in the NCP is significantly lower than that in the MLYR region, suggesting that in addition to meteorology and emissions, lower deposition is another important factor in the increase in haze levels. Regional transport of pollution in central-eastern China acts as a moderator of pollution levels in different regions, for example by bringing pollution from the NCP to the MLYR region in cold seasons. It was found that in typical haze events the deposition flux of PM_2.5 during the removal stages is substantially higher than that in accumulation stages, with most of the PM_2.5 being transported southward and deposited to the MLYR and Sichuan Basin region, corresponding to a latitude range of about 24°N-31°N.     

Benefits and risks associated with consumption of Great Lakes fish containing omega-3 fatty acids and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

正Introduction Assessment of environmental health effects arising from exposure to multiple substances is often very challenging.This is particularly true when humans are exposed to a mixture that contains both beneficial and harmful substances.A good example relates to the risk and benefits of fish consumption.     

Development of a static test apparatus for evaluating the performance of three PM2.5 separators commonly used in China

PM_(2.5) separator directly affects the accuracy of PM_(2.5) sampling.The specification testing and evaluation for PM_(2.5) separator is particularly important,especially under China's wide variation of terrain and climate.In this study,first a static test apparatus based on polydisperse aerosol was established and calibrated to evaluate the performance of the PM_(2.5) separators.A uniform mixing chamber was developed to make particles mix completely.The aerosol concentration relative standard deviations of three test points at the same horizontal chamber position were less than 0.57%,and the particle size distribution obeyed logarithmic normal distribution with an R~2 of 0.996.The flow rate deviation between the measurement and the set point flow rate agreed to within ± 1.0% in the range of -40 to 50℃.Secondly,the separation,flow and loading characteristics of three cyclone separators(VSCC-A,SCC-A and SCC112) were evaluated using this system.The results showed that the 50% cutoff sizes(D_(50)) of the three cyclones were 2.48,2.47 and 2.44 μm when worked at the manufacturer's recommended flow rates,respectively.The geometric standard deviation(GSD) of the capture efficiency of VSCCA was 1.23,showed a slightly sharper than SCC-A(GSD = 1.27),while the SCC112 did not meet the relevant indicator(GSD = 1.2 ± 0.1) with a GSD = 1.44.The flow rate and loading test had a great effect on D_(50),while the GSD remained almost the same as before.In addition,the maintenance frequency under different air pollution conditions of the cyclones was summarized according to the loading test.     

Chemical characteristics and source apportionment of PM2.5 in a petrochemical city: Implications for primary and secondary carbonaceous component

To study the pollution features and underlying mechanism of PM_2.5 in Luoyang, a typical developing urban site in the central plain of China, 303 PM_2.5 samples were collected from April 16 to December 29, 2015 to analyze the elements, water soluble inorganic ions, organic carbon and elemental carbon. The annual mean concentration of PM_2.5 was 142.3 μg/m³, and 75% of the daily PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the 75 μg/m³. The secondary inorganic ions, organic matter and mineral dust were the most abundant species, accounting for 39.6%, 19.2% and 9.3% of the total mass concentration, respectively. But the major chemical components showed clear seasonal dependence. SO₄^2? was most abundant specie in spring and summer, which related to intensive photochemical reaction under high O₃ concentration. In contrast, the secondary organic carbon and ammonium while primary organic carbon and ammonium significantly contributed to haze formation in autumn and winter, respectively. This indicated that the collaboration effect of secondary inorganic aerosols and carbonaceous matters result in heavy haze in autumn and winter. Six main sources were identified by positive matrix factorization model: industrial emission, combustion sources, traffic emission, mineral dust, oil combustion and secondary sulfate, with the annual contribution of 24%, 20%, 24%, 4%, 5% and 23%, respectively. The potential source contribution function analysis pointed that the contribution of the local and short-range regional transportation had significant impact. This result highlighted that local primary carbonaceous and precursor of secondary carbonaceous mitigation would be key to reduce PM_2.5 and O₃ during heavy haze episodes in winter and autumn.     

Zn2+ loading as a critical contributor to the circ_0008553-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation in response to PM2.5 exposures

Inflammation is a major adverse outcome induced by inhaled particulate matter with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM_2.5), and a critical trigger of most PM_2.5 exposure-associated diseases. However, the key molecular events regulating the PM_2.5-induced airway inflammation are yet to be elucidated. Considering the critical role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating inflammation, we predicted 11 circRNAs that may be involved in the PM_2.5-induced airway inflammation using three previously reported miRNAs through the starBase website. A novel circRNA circ_0008553 was identified to be responsible for the PM_2.5-activated inflammatory response in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) via inducing oxidative stress. Using a combinatorial model PM_2.5 library, we found that the synergistic effect of the insoluble core and loaded Zn²⁺ ions at environmentally relevant concentrations was the major contributor to the upregulation of circ_0008553 and subsequent induction of oxidative stress and inflammation in response to PM_2.5 exposures. Our findings provided new insight into the intervention of PM_2.5-induced adverse outcomes.     

Volatile organic compounds in wintertime North China Plain: Insights from measurements of proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS)

The characteristics of wintertime volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the North China Plain (NCP) region are complicated and remain obscure. VOC measurements were conducted by a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) at a rural site in the NCP from November to December 2018. Uncalibrated ions measured by PTR-ToF-MS were quantified and the overall VOC compositions were investigated by combining the measurements of PTR-ToF-MS and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer/flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID). The measurement showed that although atmospheric VOCs concentrations are often dominated by primary emissions, the secondary formation of oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) is non-negligible in the wintertime, i.e., OVOCs accounts for 42% ± 7% in the total VOCs (151.3 ± 75.6 ppbV). We demonstrated that PTR-MS measurements for isoprene are substantially overestimated due to the interferences of cycloalkanes. The chemical changes of organic carbon in a pollution accumulation period were investigated, which suggests an essential role of fragmentation reactions for large, chemically reduced compounds during the heavy-polluted stage in wintertime pollution. The changes of emission ratios of VOCs between winter 2011 and winter 2018 in the NCP support the positive effect of “coal to gas” strategies in curbing air pollutants. The high abundances of some key species (e.g. oxygenated aromatics) indicate the strong emissions of coal combustion in wintertime of NCP. The ratio of naphthalene to C8 aromatics was proposed as a potential indicator of the influence of coal combustion on VOCs.     

Progressively narrow the gap of PM2.5 pollution characteristics at urban and suburban sites in a megacity of Sichuan Basin, China

Nowadays, the fine particle pollution is still severe in some megacities of China, especially in the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China. In order to understand the causes, sources, and impacts of fine particles, we collected PM_2.5 samples and analyzed their chemical composition in typical months from July 2018 to May 2019 at an urban and a suburban (background) site of Chengdu, a megacity in this region. The daily average concentrations of PM_2.5 ranged from 5.6-102.3 µg/m³ and 4.3-110.4 µg/m³ at each site. Secondary inorganics and organic matters were the major components in PM_2.5 at both sites. The proportion of nitrate in PM_2.5 has exceeded sulfate and become the primary inorganic component. SO₂ was easier to transform into sulfate in urban areas because of Mn-catalytic heterogeneous reactions. In contrast, NO₂ was easily converted in suburbs with high aerosol water content. Furthermore, organic carbon in urban was much greater than that in rural, other than elemental carbon. Element Cr and As were the key cancer risk drivers. The main sources of PM_2.5 in urban and suburban areas were all secondary aerosols (42.9%, 32.1%), combustion (16.0%, 25.2%) and vehicle emission (15.2%, 19.2%). From clean period to pollution period, the contributions from combustion and secondary aerosols increased markedly. In addition to tightening vehicle controls, urban areas need to restrict emissions from steel smelters, and suburbs need to minimize coal and biomass combustion in autumn and winter.     

Seasonal differences in sources and formation processes of PM2.5 nitrate in an urban environment of North China

Nitrate (NO₃⁻) has been the dominant ion of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIAs) in PM_2.5 in North China. Tracking the formation mechanisms and sources of particulate nitrate are vital to mitigate air pollution. In this study, PM_2.5 samples in winter (January 2020) and in summer (June 2020) were collected in Jiaozuo, China, and water-soluble ions and (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O)-NO₃⁻ were analyzed. The results showed that the increase of NO₃⁻ concentrations was the most remarkable with increasing PM_2.5 pollution level. δ¹⁸O-NO₃⁻ values for winter samples (82.7‰ to 103.9‰) were close to calculated δ¹⁸O-HNO₃ (103‰ ± 0.8‰) values by N₂O₅ pathway, while δ¹⁸O-NO₃⁻ values (67.8‰ to 85.7‰) for summer samples were close to calculated δ¹⁸O-HNO₃ values (61‰ ± 0.8‰) by OH oxidation pathway, suggesting that PM_2.5 nitrate is largely from N₂O₅ pathway in winter, while is largely from OH pathway in summer. Averaged fractional contributions of P_N2O5+H2O were 70% and 39% in winter and summer sampling periods, respectively, those of P_OH were 30% and 61%, respectively. Higher δ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻ values for winter samples (3.0‰ to 14.4‰) than those for summer samples (-3.7‰ to 8.6‰) might be due to more contributions from coal combustion in winter. Coal combustion (31% ± 9%, 25% ± 9% in winter and summer, respectively) and biomass burning (30% ± 12%, 36% ± 12% in winter and summer, respectively) were the main sources using Bayesian mixing model. These results provided clear evidence of particulate nitrate formation and sources under different PM_2.5 levels, and aided in reducing atmospheric nitrate in urban environments.