An assessment of air quality in Karachi,Pakistan

An atmospheric pollution survey was carried out at 13 sites in Karachi, Pakistan, simultaneously from 0600 h to 2100 h for 15 consecutive days in May 1990 which also included meteorological measurements. The monitoring sites were included along the prevailing wind patterns in Karachi. Carbon monoxide levels in the ambient air were found to reach 9–10 ppm along the busy urban streets whereas CO₂ level exceeded 370 ppm in these areas. Our survey indicates that NO₂ levels were exceeding U.S. ambient air quality standards. Maxmum NO₂ concentrations were observed (0.3–0.5 ppm) during the daytime from 0600 h to 2100 h. The surface ozone maximum around noon at the inland sites reached the levels of 40 ppb and 50 ppb respectively compared to upwind coastal Sites 1 level of 25 ppb. The Pb concentrations were approximately 3- to 7-fold higher than average, which corresponded well to urban air. Fossil fuel SO₄ (excess) and NO₃ were apportionally based on the assumption that these two anions were present as (NH₄)₂SO₄, and NH₄NO₃ in the aerosols. In the eastern part of the city atmospheric sulphate (SO₄) shows the combustion of coal as its source from the vicinity and downwind of a steel manufacturing plant.     

Systematic Biases in Measurement of Urban Nitrogen Dioxide using Passive Diffusion Samplers

Measurement of nitrogen dioxide using passivediffusion tube over 22 months in Cambridge, U.K. areanalysed as a function of sampler exposure time, andcompared with NO₂ concentrations obtained from aco-located chemiluminescence analyser. The averageratios of passive sampler to analyser NO₂ at acity centre site (mean NO₂ concentration 22 ppb)are 1.27 (n = 22), 1.16 (n = 34) and 1.11 (n = 7) forexposures of 1, 2 and 4-weeks, respectively. Modellingthe generation of extra NO₂ arising from chemicalreaction between co-diffusing NO and O₃ in thetube gave a ratio (modelled/measured) of 1.31 for1-week exposures. Such overestimation is greatest whenNO₂ constitutes, on average, about half of totalNO_x (= NO + NO₂) at the monitoring locality.Although 4-week exposures gave concentrations whichwere not significantly different from analyserNO₂, there was no correlation between thedatasets. At both the city-centre site and anothersemi-rural site (mean NO₂ concentration 11 ppb)the average of the aggregate of four consecutive1-week sampler exposures or of two consecutive 2-weeksampler exposures was systematically greater than fora single 4-week exposure.The results indicate two independent and opposingsystematic biases in measurement of NO₂ bypassive diffusion sampler: an exposure-timeindependent chemical overestimation with magnitudedetermined by local relative concentrations of NO andO₃ to NO₂, and an exposure-time dependentreduction in sampling efficiency. The impact of theseand other potential sources of systematic bias on theapplication of passive diffusion tubes for assessingambient concentrations of NO₂ in short (1-week)or long (4-week) exposures are discussed in detail.     

Using Measurements of Nitrogen Oxides to Estimate the Emission Controls Required to Meet the UK Nitrogen Dioxide Standard

In this paper we introduce a new method of analysing the relationship between nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) concentrations using data from the UK National Air Quality Archive. The study includes analyses of measurements from two different types of site in London, a kerbside site: Cromwell Rd, and three background sites: Bridge Place, London Bloomsbury and West London, over several years (1991–7). The data in some years showed that hourly NO₂ concentrations exceeded the UK Standard of 150 ppb. Data were binned, averaged, and polynomials fitted at each site. Analysis of the resulting polynomials was used to estimate reductions in NO_x emission required to achieve the National Air Quality Strategy Objective. Examination of the empirical ratio NO₂:NO_x (the 'yield') gives an indication of the sensitivity of the NO₂ to NO_x controls and the amount of NO₂ that would arise from modelled values of total oxides of nitrogen. The response of NO₂ to emission changes is very non-linear, implying 30–45% controls on NO_x may be required.     

Evaluation of ogawa passive sampling devices as an alternative measurement method for the nitrogen dioxide annual standard in El Paso, Texas

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) is a common urban air pollutant that results from the combustion of fossil fuels. It causes serious human health effects, is a precursor to the formation of ground level ozone, another serious air pollutant, and is one of the six criteria air pollutants established by the United States (U.S.) Clean Air Act (CAA). Ogawa Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) for NO₂ were collocated and operated at six NO₂ Federal Reference Method (FRM) monitor locations in the El Paso, Texas area for the 2004 calendar year. Passive samples were taken at 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week intervals and compared against the continuously operating FRM monitors. Results showed that the collective NO₂ annual arithmetic mean for all passive monitors was identical to the NO₂ mean for all FRM monitors. Of the individual locations, three passive annual NO₂ means were identical to their corresponding FRM means, and three passive annual NO₂ means differed from their corresponding FRM means by only one part per billion (ppb). Linear correlation analysis between all readings of the individual NO₂ PSDs and FRM values showed an average absolute difference of 1.2 ppb with an r ² of 0.95. Paired comparison between high and low concentration annual NO₂ sites, seasonal considerations, and interlab quality control comparisons all showed excellent results. The ease of deployment, reliability, and the cost-savings that can be realized with NO₂ PSDs could make them an attractive alternative to FRM monitors for screening purposes, and even possibly an equivalent method for annual NO₂ monitoring. More tests of the Ogawa NO₂ PSD are recommended for different ecosystem and climate regimes.     

Seasonal trends of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide over North Santa Clara, Cuba

Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) levels were monitored simultaneously by means of Radiello passive samplers at six sites of Santa Clara city, Cuba, in the cold and the warm seasons in 2010. The dissolved ionic forms of NO₂ and SO₂ as nitrate and sulfite plus sulfate, respectively, were determined by means of ion chromatography. Analysis of NO₂ as nitrite was also performed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. For NO₂, significant t tests show good agreement between the results of IC and UV–Vis methods. The NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations peaked in the cold season, while their minimum levels were experienced in the warm season. The pollutant levels do not exceed the maximum allowable limit of the Cuban Standard 39:1999, i.e., 40 μg/m³ and 50 μg/m³ for NO₂ and SO₂, respectively. The lowest pollutant concentrations obtained in the warm season can be attributed to an increase in their removal via precipitation (scavenging) while to the decreased traffic density and industrial emission during the summer holidays (e.g., July and August).     

The changes in different ozone metrics and their implications following precursor reductions over northern Taiwan from 1994 to 2007

The changes of different O₃ metrics such as O_{3_avg} (daily mean), O_X (NO₂ + O₃), O_{3_8h} (daily maximum 8-h moving average), O_{3_max} (daily maximum 1-h average), and exceedances of O_{3_8h} and O_{3_max} at 16 air quality monitoring stations over northern Taiwan from 1994 to 2007 are evaluated. The O_{3_avg} at the background site displays an increasing trend at 0.54 ±0.21 ppb (1.28 ±0.49%) per year. The O_X at urban sites shows a significant increase, indicating that even with the effect of reduced NO titration increasing photochemical production is evident. The exceedances of O_{3_8h} (>80 ppb) are about 14.9% higher than O_{3_max} (>120 ppb) with more exceedances at coastal or background sites, where the anthropogenic O₃ precursor emissions are lower. In addition to increasing background O₃ and reductions in NO titration, increasing O₃ production efficiency also plays a key role in the increase of moderate to high O₃ concentrations. The findings help explain the different trends in exceedances and levels of O_{3_8h} and O_{3_max} and are likewise important in the formation of O₃ control strategies.     

大连市夏季近地面臭氧污染数值模拟和控制对策研究

通过区域空气质量模型CAMx对大连市2015年8月近地面臭氧(O_3)污染进行模拟,探讨了O_3及其生成前体物(NOx和VOCs)的来源,O_3生成控制区,并根据敏感性分析结果对前体物排放的控制效果进行了定量评估。结果表明:本地NOx排放对大连地区的NOx浓度贡献占90%以上,本地VOCs排放对大连地区的VOCs浓度贡献占80%以上,而本地NOx和VOCs排放对大连地区O_3浓度贡献仅占29%;大连市整体上为VOCs控制区,控制VOCs能有效降低O_3污染,还能有效削减O_3的峰值浓度;通过敏感性分析结果计算得出,削减大连本地工业源VOCs和民用源VOCs能够有效降低大连地区O_3浓度,削减10%的工业源VOCs能使市区O_3平均浓度降低2%左右,削减10%的民用源VOCs能使大连市区平均O_3浓度降低1%左右。建议NOx与VOCs削减比例为1∶2,对大连市O_3和PM2.5污染进行协同控制。     

Field Comparison of two NO2 Passive Samplers to Assess Spatial Variation

Two-week average NO₂ concentrations were measured in Amsterdam (NL), Huddersfield (UK) and Prague (CZ) at 80 sites in each study area, to assess small area spatial variation, using a tube type and a badge type passive sampler. The badges appeared to be less robust than the tubes. The lower detection limit for tubes and badges was 3.7 and 0.91 µg/m³, respectively for fortnightly measurements. Accuracy of the samplers was determined with reference methods (chemiluminescence). The mean ratio of the concentration measured by diffusion tube over that by the reference method was 1.16, 1.03 and 0.77 in Amsterdam, Huddersfield and Prague, respectively. Standardizing the badges for the results obtained in Amsterdam, the relative mean ratio of the concentration measured by the badges over that by the reference method was 0.95 and 0.58 in Huddersfield and Prague, respectively. NO₂ concentrations measured by the two designs did not differ significantly. Mean NO₂ concentrations were 36, 26 and 22 µg/m³ in Amsterdam, Huddersfield and Prague, respectively. The precision of duplicate tubes and badges was 8% and 11%, respectively. Both samplers are suitable for determining real variation in small area NO₂ concentrations in the ranges which occurred. It is concluded that low-cost, simple NO₂ passive samplers can provide reliable information about variation in NO₂ concentrations within urban or rural areas on a small spatial scale. Based on its robustness and its precision, tubes were preferred over badges.     

Remote measurement of NO2 in the brown cloud over Albuquerque,New Mexico

Remote measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were recorded in the brown cloud over Albuquerque, NM, using absorption spectroscopy in the winter of 1987-88 and summer of 1989. The NO₂ burdens (optical densities) measured in this manner were found to be in excess of 100 ppm-m. These long pathlength measurements correspond to total concentrations of approximately 5–10 ppb over the integrated observation pathlengths, which ranged from 10–20 km. These concentrations compare well with single location, independent NO _x analyses. Using two correlation (absorption) spectrometers simultaneously, it was shown that the NO₂ distribution is not uniform over the city and can change on the order of minutes in the boundary layer late in the day, demonstrating the advantages of NO₂ optical measurements for assessing the location and extent of urban nitrogen dioxide levels in the boundary layer.     

Do the pollution related to high-traffic roads in urbanised areas pose a significant threat to the local population?

Many large neighbourhoods are located near heavy-traffic roads; therefore, it is necessary to control the levels of air pollution near road exposure. The primary air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles are CO, NO₂ and PM. Various investigations identify key health outcomes to be consistently associated with NO₂ and CO. The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether by high-traffic roads, such as motorways and express ways, and the concentrations of CO and NO₂ are within normal limits and do not pose threat to the local population. Average daily values (arithmetic values calculated for 1-h values within 24 h or less, depending on result availability) were measured for concentrations of NO₂ and CO by automatic stations belonging to the Voivodship Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Katowice, in areas with similar dominant source of pollutant emission. The measurements were made in three sites: near the motorway and expressway, where the average daily traffic intensity is 100983 and 35414 of vehicles relatively. No evidence was found of exceeding average daily values equal to the maximum allowable NO₂ concentration due to the protection of human health in the measurement area of the stations. No daily average values exceeding the admissible CO concentration (8-h moving average) were noted in the examined period. The results clearly show lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of CO and NO₂ compounds that are closely related to high intensity car traffic found on selected motorways and speedways located near the city centres.     

Spatial and temporal variation of surface ozone,NO and NO2 at urban,suburban, rural and industrial sites in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula

Surface ozone is one of the most important photochemical pollutants in the low atmosphere, causing damage to human health, vegetation, materials and climate. The weather (high temperatures and high solar radiation), orography (presence of the Guadalquivir valley) and anthropogenic (the cities of Cádiz, Córdoba, Huelva and Seville and two important industrial complexes) characteristics of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula make this region ideal for the formation and accumulation of ozone. To increase the knowledge of ozone behaviour in this area, the monthly, daily and weekly variations of ozone and its precursors, nitrogen oxides (NO_x?=?NO?+?NO₂), were analysed over a 4-year period (2003 to 2006). Using the k-means cluster technique, 12 representative stations of five different areas with different ozone behaviour were selected from a total of 29 monitoring sites. This is the first time that the analysis of these atmospheric pollutants has been carried out for the whole area, allowing therefore a complete understanding of the dynamics and the relationships of these compounds in this region. The results showed an opposite behaviour among ozone and NO and NO₂ concentrations in urban and suburban zones, marked by maximums of ozone (minimums NO_x) in spring and summer and minimums (maximums) in autumn and winter. A seasonal behaviour, with lower amplitude, was also observed in rural and industrial areas for ozone concentrations, with the NO and NO₂ concentrations remaining at low and similar values during the year in rural zones due to the absence of emission sources in their surroundings. The daily cycles of ozone in urban, suburban and industrial sites registered a maximum value in the early afternoon (14:00–17:00 UTC) while for NO_x two peaks were observed, at 7:00–10:00 UTC and 20:00–22:00. In the case of rural stations, no hourly peak of ozone or NO_x was registered. The weekend effect was studied by using a statistical contrast tests (Student’s t). The results indicated that only areas influenced by important traffic emissions presented a weekend effect for NO and NO₂, whereas an ozone weekend effect was not detected in any case.     

环境空气质量新标准对珠三角区域站空气质量评价的影响

利用粤港珠三角区域空气质量监控网中天湖、金果湾与万顷沙3个区域站2010年全年SO₂、NO₂、PM₁₀、O₃、PM_2.5与CO自动监测的数据,分析了实施环境空气质量新标准(GB 3095—2012)对这3个子站空气质量评价的影响。研究发现,若采用新标准,万顷沙的NO₂、PM₁₀和PM_2.5年均浓度将不同程度超标。这3个子站空气质量达标率下降7~28个百分点,空气污染指数从91%~99%下降至63%~91%;O₃的引入是导致空气质量达标率下降的最主要的原因;O₃将取代PM₁₀成为最主要的首要污染物,出现频率大于50%,且O₃(8 h)平均浓度的影响大于O₃ (1 h)浓度的影响。PM_2.5的纳入也是导致空气质量达标率下降的重要因素,其超标率为3%(金果湾)~16%(万顷沙)。NO₂标准的收严未对天湖与金果湾空气质量评价造成影响,但导致万顷沙NO₂的超标率从2%上升至10%,且NO₂作为首要污染物的比例达24%。     

Extreme Nitrogen Oxide and Ozone Concentrations in Athens Atmosphere in Relation to Meteorological Conditions

In the present study, we investigate the variation of NO _x (NO + NO₂) and O₃ concentrations and the relation between the extreme events (episodes) of NO _x and O₃ concentrations and the relevant meteorological conditions in the urban atmosphere of the Athens basin. Hourly data of NO, NO₂ and O₃ concentrations from 10 representative monitoring sites located in the Athens basin were used, covering the 10-year time period from 1994 to 2003. The results of our analysis show that the concentrations of air pollutants differ significantly from one monitoring site to another, due to the location and proximity of each station to the emission sources. For each site, there are also significant differences in NO _x and O₃ concentrations from day to day, as well as from month to month and/or from season to season. The annual and seasonal variations show higher NO values in winter and lower in summer. On the contrary, NO₂ and O₃ values are higher in summer (photochemical production of O₃) and lower in winter. These differences are attributed, to a large extent, to the prevailing synoptic and meteorological conditions, the most important between them being the wind direction and speed as well as the atmospheric pressure. Our analysis of the identified 179 extreme NO _x air pollution events shows that most of them took place under anticyclonic conditions, associated with calm or weak winds (speed <2.5 ms⁻¹) of mostly southern to southwestern directions, as well as with low air temperatures and intense stable surface atmospheric conditions. There exists a significant decreasing tendency in NO _x air pollution episodic events over the 10-year study period, resulting in very few to none events in the period from 2000 to 2003. As far as it concerns the extreme O₃ concentrations, 34 air pollution events were identified, occurring under high air temperatures, variable weak winds and intense solar irradiation. The trends of O₃ concentrations are stronger in suburban sites than in urban ones.     

烟花爆竹禁燃对春节期间东北地区空气质量影响评估

利用2015—2017年春节期间东北地区主要大气污染物(PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2、NO_2、CO和O3)质量浓度监测资料及相应气象因子(温度、湿度、风速和气压)观测资料,分析了春节期间烟花爆竹禁燃对东北地区空气质量的影响。结果表明:随着东北地区主要城市禁燃力度的增强,空气质量逐年提升,PM_(2.5)和SO_2浓度逐年大幅度下降。禁燃可明显降低城区PM_(2.5)浓度,而由于春节期间污染源整体减少,城区和城郊监测点PM_(2.5)浓度值差异减小。烟花爆竹对PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)浓度影响高于对气体污染物SO_2、NO_2和CO的影响。此外,气象条件对东北地区春节期间禁燃改善空气质量的效果也有明显影响。因此,结合春节期间的气象条件,在东北地区实施禁燃政策动态调整非常必要。     

川南6市空气中SO2和NO2空间分布特征

利用简单、方便、不用电源的被动采样技术分别对川南地区6市区域范围内空气中SO2和NO2在雨季和旱季的空间分布特征进行研究。按16 km×16 km的均匀网格布设点位162个,并在雨季于6市各选1个空气自动站布设城区点位采集空气中SO2和NO2。获得的样品经0.3%的双氧水浸提后采用离子色谱法进行分析,经换算后获得空气中SO2和NO2的浓度,了解了其含量水平,绘制了SO2和NO2的空间分布图,掌握了其空间分布特征,并对可能的来源进行了浅析。将被动采样监测结果与自动站监测结果进行相关分析,两者高度线性相关,NO2和SO2线性相关系数分别为0.901 3和0.874 5,均大于r0.05(4)=0.811 4。     

北京市高海拔地区百花山空气质量状况及与市区的差异性研究

对北京市远郊百花山(海拔1300 m)2007—2017年大气常规6项污染物数据进行了分析,并与代表市区的国控站点均值数据进行了比较。研究发现,百花山SO2、CO、PM2.5浓度为国控站点浓度的35.5%~35.7%,NO2、PM 10、O 3浓度分别为国控站点浓度的14.0%、41.5%、185.5%。11年间,百花山6项常规污染物浓度逐年降低。2013—2017年,百花山PM2.5浓度年均降速为11.4%,低于国控站点13.3%的年均改善水平。百花山和国控站点在污染物季节变化趋势上基本一致,秋季颗粒物浓度差异最大,春季差异最小。百花山6项污染物的日变化峰谷比值为1.21~1.44,其差异小于国控站点。各项污染物浓度在18:00出现峰值,认为主要受城区远距离传输影响。2013—2017年,百花山共出现5个PM2.5重污染天,5级以上重污染小时数为442 h,国控站点有2%的重污染小时与百花山同步。     

大连市中心城区地下水“三氮”污染分析

依据《地下水质量标准》(GB/T 14848-1993),对大连市中心城区2006-2010年地下水"三氮"监测资料进行分析。结果表明,"三氮"的检出率(最高为100%)和超标率(最高为58.8%)都较高,其中亚硝酸盐氮超标显著。氨氮浓度各年均值均超标,呈波动变化;亚硝酸盐氮浓度各年均值均超标,并呈上升趋势;硝酸盐氮各年均值波动变化,总体呈上升趋势。除2009年以外,其他4年中丰水期的硝酸盐氮浓度都比枯水期高;除2007年外,其他4年中的丰水期氨氮浓度都比枯水期低。"三氮"最高浓度值主要出现在中心城区周边区域。     

Spatial and seasonal distribution of nitrate-N in groundwater beneath the rice�Cwheat cropping system of India: a geospatial analysis

Increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the intensively cultivated rice (Oryza sativa)?Cwheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system (covers a 13.5-ha m area in South Asia) has led to the concentration of nitrates (NO₃-N) in the groundwater (GW) in Haryana State of India. Six districts from the freshwater zone were selected to identify factors affecting NO₃-N enrichment in GW. Water and soil samples were collected from 1,580 locations and analyzed for their chemical properties. About 3% (26,796, and 10,588 ha) of the area was estimated to be under moderately high (7.5?C10 mg l^???1) and high (>10 mg l^???1) risk categories, respectively. The results revealed that NO₃-N was 10?C50% higher during the pre-monsoon season than in the monsoon season. Nitrate-N decreased with the increase in aquifer depth (r ²?=?0.99). Spatial and proximity analyses using ArcGIS (9.2) revealed that (1) clay material in surface and sub-surface texture restricts N leaching, (2) piedmont and rolling plains act as an N sink, and (3) perennial rivers bring a dilution effect whereas seasonal rivers provide favorable conditions for NO₃ ^? enrichment. The study concludes that chemical N fertilizers applied in agro-ecosystems are not the sole factor determining the NO₃ in groundwater; rather, it is an integrated process governed by several other factors including physical and chemical properties of soils, proximity and type of river, and geomorphologic and geographical aspects. Therefore, future studies should adopt larger area (at least watershed scale) to understand the mechanistic pathways of NO₃ enrichment in groundwater and interactive role of the natural drainage system and surrounding physical features. In addition, the study also presents a conceptual framework to describe the process of nitrate formation and leaching in piedmont plains and its transportation to the mid-plain zone.     

Simulation of Urban-Scale Air Pollution Patterns in Luxembourg: Contributing Sources and Emission Scenarios

The aim of this study is to investigate the air pollution situation in an urban area in southwestern Luxembourg and to simulate annual NO₂ and PM₁₀ concentrations in response to changes in meteorological conditions and emissions using a Gaussian dispersion model. Simulations are carried out for the years 1998–2006. Emission scenarios related to road transport and nonindustrial combustion are performed in order to predict changes of air pollution levels. Road transport is by far the most important local emission source in the study area. Scenarios with more stringent emission standards for vehicles, less traffic, and fewer heavy-duty vehicles lead to reductions of NO_x and primary PM₁₀ emissions. As a result, the annual NO₂ concentrations are decreasing in most parts of the study area and are below the European annual limit value of 40 μg?m^?3. In contrast, a scenario with increased use of wood pellets for domestic heating shows an increase in urban PM₁₀ concentration. The year-to-year variability of meteorological conditions accounts for the same magnitude of absolute NO₂ and PM₁₀ concentration changes as the emission scenarios. The comparison with measurements located in the study area shows that the model is able to predict urban-scale annual average air pollution. The proposed application results show that the model can be appropriate for policy-driven air quality management and planning queries.     

中国高分辨率近地面NO2浓度反演

通过分析2010年全国333个县级以上城市卫星遥感的NO2对流层年均柱浓度与地面实际观测浓度之间的相关性,发现两者具有一定的线性相关性(r=0.54,n=333),并建立了NO2"遥感柱浓度"与"地面观测浓度"之间的关联方程,通过该方程反演了中国0.125°分辨率近地面NO2污染分布特征。结果表明,全国近地面NO2浓度超过《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095—2012)要求的年均浓度二级标准(0.04 mg/m3)的区域约为5.95万平方千米,超标地区主要集中在华北平原、长三角地区、四川盆地和珠三角地区,这些地区NO2污染水平远高于333个城市的年平均值(0.028 mg/m3)。NO2污染极不平衡,以大中型城市为中心的区域污染特征显著。NO2人口加权浓度分析结果表明,NO2人口加权浓度高值区主要集中在能源消费量大、机动车保有量大及人口密集的地区,全国约5.7%的人口暴露在NO2超标区域。