Characterisation of particulate matter on the receptor level in a city environment

Airborne particulate matter (PM) has become one of the dominant pollutants with the increasing material and energy demand due to global economic growth. The main objective of this research is to provide a comprehensive receptor level characterisation of the particulate matter collected in a city environment. Particulate matter samples were collected on Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) filters from five monitoring sites over a period of 1 year. An Andersen eight-stage cascade impactor was also used to collect airborne PM samples from three other locations to compare with the samples collected by TEOM. All the samples were then subjected to individual particle morphology and chemical composition analysis by SEM/EDS. Bulk chemical composition of the samples were also analysed through ICP–OES. Based on these analyses, possible sources of the PM samples were identified. The results showed that the monitoring sites in residential environments were dominated by transportation-derived particles and other migratory particulates. Monitoring sites near the city centre were dominant by particles from transportation, with biological particles abundant for the site closer to a river. The monitoring station located close to the industrial area, despite only 200 m away from a motorway, has low contribution of non-exhaust particulates from vehicles. Instead, the particulates collected from this site were dominated by industrial sources. An air dispersion modelling package was also used to model the particulate matter dispersion in the city area for the period of sampling. The results from the model showed that the points of high emissions were around industrial areas.     

Air pollution exposure monitoring and estimation. Part IV. Urban exposure in children

In the winter of 1994, 2300 school-age children in Oslo participated in a panel study of the role of traffic pollution on the exacerbation of diseases of the respiratory system and other symptoms of reduced health and well being in children. The children filled out a diary daily with information for five time points over six weeks. In order to quantify exposure-effect relationships for the symptoms, individual exposure to NO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5) was estimated, using the DINEX method a combination of information from the diary as to the children's whereabouts during the five time points each day, coupled with continuous dispersion modelling. An individual exposure estimate for each time point for each child was defined. Individual exposure estimated using dispersion modelling can be used to examine patterns of exposure such as isolating geographic areas with higher concentrations or describing concentrations of pollution by time of day. The diary allowed the time-use of the children to be described.     

A combined analysis to identify airborne PM10 sources

A two step procedure that combines an air dispersion model with a receptor model was used to identify the key sources that contribute to air levels of suspended particulate matter. The contribution to PM(10) concentrations measured at four monitoring sites in San Nicolas, Argentina, of the following sources, a thermal power plant, an integrated steel mill, motor vehicle exhaust fumes, and finally dust from paved and unpaved roads, have been analysed. Moreover, an air dispersion model was used to estimate the contribution of the thermal power plant, emissions of which have been described in depth by means of hourly fuel consumption and specific emission factors. The ratio "apportionment coefficient" was introduced to relate the contribution of this source to the measured 24 h PM(10) concentrations by analysing the frequency of occurrence of connecting winds between the power plant and each monitoring site. In San Nicolas 70% of the PM(10) sampled at three of the four monitoring sites could be attributed to the power plant in those scenarios where winds connected the facility's tall point sources with the sampling locations. The contribution to the measured PM(10) levels of the rest of the sources that are present in the analysed area was confirmed by way of receptor models. For this purpose, the multielemental composition of 41 samples was determined by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence analysis. In order to ascertain the underlying correlations between PM(10) samples and potential sources, Principal Component Analysis was performed on the standard matrix of composition profiles, which comprises the measured PM(10) samples being enlarged with the composition profiles of the potential contributing sources. The diagonalization of the covariance matrix was used as a screening procedure to differentiate the most likely contributing sources from those that were not significant.     

Assessing PM10 source reduction in urban agglomerations for air quality compliance

The objective of this work was to study PM(10) and PM(2.5) concentration data available from monitoring stations in two large urban agglomerations in Greece and to estimate the emissions reduction required for compliance with the EU Air Quality Standards (AQS) for particulate matter. The cities studied are namely the Athens and Thessaloniki Metropolitan Areas (AMA and TMA, respectively). PM(10) concentrations during the period 2001-2010 have been evaluated for 15 air quality monitoring stations in the two urban areas. It was found that the concentrations of PM(10) during the period studied constantly exceeded the threshold values at the traffic and industrial stations in TMA and most of the traffic sites in AMA. Most of the occurrences of non-attainment to the daily AQSs were observed during the winter period at all stations (more pronounced for TMA stations). The reduction in current emission source strength to meet the air quality goal was calculated by the rollback equation using PM(10) day-averaged concentrations over the selected period at each station. Among the lognormal and Weibull distributions, the lognormal distribution was found to best fit the frequency distributions of PM(10) concentrations at the selected stations. The results showed that the minimum reduction required in order to meet the AQS in the AMA ranges from approximately 20 to 38% and up to 11% for traffic and background stations, respectively. Reductions in the range of 31% for traffic and 44% for industrial areas in TMA are also required. The same methodology was applied to PM(2.5) concentrations in the AMA and showed that emission reductions up to 31% are necessary in order to meet the 2020 EU AQS. Finally, continuous concentration data of organic (OC) and elementary carbon (EC) in PM(2.5) were used to study the possibility of achieving specific emission attenuation objectives in AMA.     

Possible markers of traffic-related emissions

Looking for robust indicators of motor vehicle emissions it has been found that brake wear and linings are significant contributors of Cu, Mo and Sb to air particulate matter. These trace elements, whose mutual ratios in airborne particulate matter resulted quite different from those in crustal material, appear to be available fingerprinting tools to identify the contribution of on-road vehicles to traffic-derived particulate matter. In this study, the results of analytical determinations of Cu, Mo and Sb on PM(10), PM(2.5), vegetation and brake dust samples, together with gas (CO, NOx) concentrations, are discussed. Highly significant correlations among Cu, Sb and Mo were observed in particulate matter from Palermo and between Cu-Sb and Cu-Mo at Catania. Further significant positive correlations have been found in pine needles from Palermo, Gela and in platanus leaves from Catania.     

Particulate Matter Over A Seven Year Period in Urban and Rural Areas Within, Proximal and Far from Mining and Power Station Operations in Greece

Lignite mining operations and lignite-fired power stations result in major particulate pollution (fly ash and fugitive dust) problems in the areas surrounding these activities. The problem is more complicated, especially, for urban areas located not far from these activities, due to additional contribution from the urban pollution sources. Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fraction has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of particulate pollution. On the other hand, airborne particle concentration measurements are useful in order to assess the air pollution levels based on national and international air quality standards. These measurements are also necessary for developing air pollutants control strategies or for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, especially, for long periods. In this study an attempt is made in order to investigate the particle size distribution of fly ash and fugitive dust in a heavy industrialized (mining and power stations operations) area with complex terrain in the northwestern part of Greece. Parallel total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. These measurements gathered from thirteen monitoring stations located in the greater area of interest. Spatial, temporal variation and trend are analyzed over the last seven years. Furthermore, the geographical variation of PM10 – TSP correlation and PM10/TSP ratio are investigated and compared to those in the literature. The analysis has indicated that a complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the particulate pollution of the examined area.     

Chemical composition of ambient particulate matter and redox activity

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) has been associated with a number of adverse health effects. Increasing studies have suggested that such adverse health effects may derive from oxidative stress, initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within affected cells. The study aimed to assess physical characteristics and chemical compositions of PM and to correlate the results to their redox activity. PM_2.5 (mass aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) and ultrafine particles (UFPs, mass media aerodynamic diameter <0.1 μm) were collected in an urban area, which had heavy traffic and represented ambient air pollution associated with vehicle exhaust. Background samples were collected in a rural area, with low traffic flow. Organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals were analyzed. The dithiothreitol activity assay was used to measure the redox activity of PM. Results showed that UFPs have higher concentrations of OC, EC, and PAHs than those of PM_2.5. Several metals, including Fe, Cu, Zn, Ti, Pb, and Mn, were detected. Among them, Cu had the highest concentrations, followed by Fe and Zn. Organic carbon constituted 22.8% to 59.7% of the content on the surface of PM_2.5 and UFPs. Our results showed higher redox activity on a per PM mass basis for UFPs as compared to PM_2.5. Linear multivariable regression analyses showed that redox activity highly correlated with PAH concentrations and organic compounds, and insignificantly correlated with EC and metals, except soluble Fe, which increased redox activity in particle suspension due to the presence of ROS.     

Extension of the EUROS Integrated Air Quality Model to Fine Particulate Matter by Coupling to CACM/MADRID 2

The European Operational Smog (EUROS) integrated air quality modelling system has been extended to model fine particulate matter (PM). From an extended literature study, the Caltech Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism and the Model of Aerosol Dynamics, Reaction, Ionisation and Dissolution were selected and recently coupled to EUROS. Currently, modelling of mass and chemical composition of aerosols in two size fractions (PM_2.5 and PM_10–2.5) is possible. The chemical composition is expressed in terms of seven components: ammonium, nitrate, sulphate, elementary carbon, primary inorganic compounds, primary organic compounds and secondary organic compounds. Calculated PM₁₀ concentrations and chemical composition are presented for two summer months of the year 2003 (1 July to 31 August).     

Modelling the Size Separated Particulate Matter (SSPM10) from Vehicular Exhaust at Traffic Intersections in Mumbai

The study was carried out to predict the size separated particulate matter below 10 microm size (SSPM10) from vehicular exhausts at traffic intersections using modified general finite line source model (GFLSM). Two air quality control regions (AQCRs) were selected in Mumbai City for this study. One was industrial area (AQCR1) containing the busy intersection, i.e. Marol link road, with the heavy inflow of two-three wheelers. And, the other was commercial busy district area (AQCR2) containing the busy intersection, i.e. Dadar circle, with a heavy traffic flow especially cars. The model was applied at both the traffic intersections. The data were collected for modelling study for three winter months in 1995 using cascade impactor of nine size ranges. The prediction results revealed that modified GFLSM underpredicted the SSPM10 concentrations for all the size ranges. However, showed considerable correlation between observed and predicted values for the size range below 4.7 microm at both the intersections. The relative high concentrations observed in the coarser range of 10-4.7 microm are attributed to the resuspension of the roadside particulate matter. Hence, the amount of underprediction was more for this range, which was due to the characteristics of model that does not take into account the factor for resuspension of roadside particulate matter caused by traffic movements. The model was also applied to predict the total particulate matter for downwind distances from the road intersection. The statistical evaluation of model was done, which indicated that the model's performance was good for the finer range of particles (below 4.7 microm) with r-square values of 0.49 and 0.57 found at both the intersections in AQCR1 and AQCR2, respectively. However, it is not unusual that the model uncertainty is likely to exist due to data input errors and stochastic fluctuations irrespective of the models accurateness. The statistical distribution model was therefore identified using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. At both the intersections, SSPM10 concentration data were found lognormally distributed.     

Results of An Indoor Size Fractionated PM School Sampling Program in Libby, Montana

Libby, Montana is the only PM_2.5 nonattainment area in the western United States with the exceptions of parts of southern California. During January through March 2005, a particulate matter (PM) sampling program was conducted within Libby’s elementary and middle schools to establish baseline indoor PM concentrations before a wood stove change-out program is implemented over the next several years. As part of this program, indoor concentrations of PM mass, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in five different size fractions (>2.5, 1.0–2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) were measured. Total measured PM mass concentrations were much higher inside the elementary school, with particle size fraction (>2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) concentrations between 2 and 5 times higher when compared to the middle school. The 1.0–2.5 μm fraction had the largest difference between the two sites, with elementary school concentrations nearly 10 times higher than the middle school values. The carbon component for the schools’ indoor PM was found to be predominantly composed of OC. Measured total OC and EC concentrations, as well as concentrations within individual size fractions, were an average of two to five times higher at the elementary school when compared to the middle school. For the ultrafine fraction (<0.25), EC concentrations were similar between each of the schools. Despite the differences in concentrations between the schools at the various fraction levels, the OC/EC ratio was determined to be similar.     

Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Meteorological and Air Pollution Data in the ‘Campo De Gibraltar’ Region, Spain

A complete statistical analysis of meteorological and air pollution data was carried out in the ‘Campo de Gibraltar’ region (in the South of Spain) from 1999 to 2002. This is a heavy industrialized area where, up to date, very few air pollution studies have been made. The main objectives of the study presented here have been the characterization of the meteorological and (gaseous and particulate) air pollution conditions in the area, and the relations between them. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), have been applied to the data. The results show that air quality in the area is highly dependent on meteorological conditions such as wind persistence and direction, dispersion capability of the atmosphere, and humidity content. On average, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide air pollution, mainly caused by fuel-oil combustion and traffic, respectively, is not very high. However, an important number of exceedences of the limits established by the EU Directive 1999 for PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm) have been observed in some points of the area. A significant percentage of these exceedences (about 22% on average) are likely caused by African dust intrusions, which usually take place from May to August. From gaseous and particulate air correlations, it seems that anthropogenic activities contribute with about 19% on average.     

克拉玛依市大气PM2.5、PM10污染水平浅析

根据从2012年1月1日至2012年3月30日在同一个监测点取得的PM2.5和PM10监测数据,分析采暖期颗粒物污染水平特征。结果表明,PM2.5浓度和PM10浓度之间高度线性相关;克拉玛依市冬季空气环境中PM2.5是PM10中的主要组成成分;PM2.5浓度在一天内基本保持稳定,而PM10浓度在一天之中的变化幅度较大,峰值出现在中午上下班高峰期。     

Investigation into presence of atmospheric particulate matter in Marikana, mining area in Rustenburg Town, South Africa

An investigation to find out presence of particulate matter in Marikana, a mining area in Rustenburg town, South Africa, was carried out in the months of August and November of 2008. Samples were collected for measurements of particulate matter (PM) of particle diameters of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1. After gravimetric analysis of daily measurements, it was found that PM10 concentration values ranged between 3 and 9 ??g/m³, PM2.5 concentration values ranged between 16 and 26 ??g/m³, and PM1 concentration values ranged between 14 and 18 ??g/m³ for the month of August 2008. For the month of November, it was found that PM10 concentration values ranged between 2 and 8 ??g/m³, PM2.5 concentration values ranged between 0 and 5 ??g/m³, and PM1 concentration values ranged between 4 and 15 ??g/m³. This study was undertaken as preliminary work having in mind that mining activities could be emitting high levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere which might be degrading the quality of the air. It was observed, however, that the daily particulate matter especially of PM10 emitted were quite low when compared to laid down International Air Quality Standards. The standards did not give guidelines for particulate matter of diameter 2.5 ??m. It was concluded that particulate matter came from three major sources: platinum mining, domestic biomass burning, and traffic emissions due to fuel burning.     

Simulating the production and dispersion of environmental pollutants in aerosol phase in an urban area of great historical and cultural value

Mathematical models were developed to simulate the production and dispersion of aerosol phase atmospheric pollutants which are the main cause of the deterioration of monuments of great historical and cultural value. This work focuses on Particulate Matter (PM) considered the primary cause of monument darkening. Road traffic is the greatest contributor to PM in urban areas. Specific emission and dispersion models were used to study typical urban configurations. The area selected for this study was the city of Florence, a suitable test bench considering the magnitude of architectural heritage together with the remarkable effect of the PM pollution from road traffic. The COPERT model, to calculate emissions, and the street canyon model coupled with the CALINE model, to simulate pollutant dispersion, were used. The PM concentrations estimated by the models were compared to actual PM concentration measurements, as well as related to the trend of some meteorological variables. The results obtained may be defined as very encouraging even the models correlated poorly: the estimated concentration trends as daily averages moderately reproduce the same trends of the measured values.     

Sediment and Suspended Matter Lead Contamination in the Gulf of Kavala, Greece

Sediment and suspended particulate matter samples from 24 stations in the Gulf of Kavala have been examined for lead contamination. Grain size analysis and organic matter content were also performed. Total – anthropogenic sediment lead concentrations and enrichment factors at stations close to harbors and chemical industries were found higher (up to 209–135μg/g and 4.12 respectively), in relation to concentrations from the rest of the coastal zone. In the above areas, increased suspended particulate lead in the bottom of the water column was also recorded (up to 109μg/g). Total sediment lead concentrations composed of high natural Pb background increased with decreasing grain size, suggesting their association with the fine fractions of the sediments (31.1–66.0% mud presence) and the organic matter content (6–9% higher values). Overall, higher total lead concentrations in the sediments, determined by this work, appear to be significantly different from those reported for the Gulf of Kavala in previous studies and similar to those detected in other highly contaminated eastern Mediterranean coastal areas.     

Chemical and micromorphological properties of TSP and PM10 particles: case study in Bucharest urban area

The purpose of this work was to determine some aspects of micromorphology of total suspended particles (TSP) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM(10)) and their major elemental components in order to highlight the main characteristics of the atmospheric particles from an urban environment, having a case study in the urban area of Bucharest. The sampling of PM(10) and TSP were conducted in the close vicinity of a high traffic road for 72 h per sample and also priority pollutants in air: Pb and Cd were quantified and correlations between their concentrations and local wind directions were also found. The parameters characterizing the micromorphology of particle-roughness of the particle surface and area of particle-were correlated with wind direction.     

Statistical Analysis of Air Pollutants and Meteorological Parameters in Afyon, Turkey

In this study, the relation between sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate matter (PM) concentrations periodically measured in the city of Afyon’s atmosphere with meteorological factors such as precipitation, humidity, temperature, wind velocity, and inversion were investigated. The mean values of SO₂ and PM concentrations measured during the winter months of October–March 1990–1999 were correlated with the meteorological parameters of the same period. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were utilized to evaluate the contribution of meteorological variables. The statistical results show that the pollutants, i.e., SO₂ and PM are dependent upon humidity, temperature, and inversion at the 1% significance level; while the dependence of both pollutants with temperature is negative when those of humidity and inversion are positive. Two models in which temperature and inversion are dependent with multiple variables are recommended for predicting the contribution of meteorological parameters on SO₂ and PM. In addition, the relationship between humidity, temperature, and inversion with pollutants is also determined using nonlinear (polynomial) models.     

Seasonal Variations of PM10 and TSP in Residential and Industrial Sites in an Urban Area of Kolkata, India

The objective of the study is to investigate seasonal and spatial variations of PM₁₀ (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 μm) and TSP (total suspended particulate matter) of an Indian Metropolis with high pollution and population density from November 2003 to November 2004. Ambient concentration measurements of PM₁₀ and TSP were carried out at two monitoring sites of an urban region of Kolkata. Monitoring sites have been selected based on the dominant activities of the area. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were also collected simultaneously during the sampling period from Indian Meteorological Department, Kolkata. The 24 h average concentrations of PM₁₀ and TSP were found in the range 68.2–280.6 μg/m³ and 139.3–580.3 μg/m³ for residential (Kasba) area, while 62.4–401.2 μg/m³ and 125.7–732.1 μg/m³ for industrial (Cossipore) area, respectively. Winter concentrations of particulate pollutants were higher than other seasons, irrespective of the monitoring sites. It indicates a longer residence time of particulates in the atmosphere during winter due to low winds and low mixing height. Spread of air pollution sources and non-uniform mixing conditions in an urban area often result in spatial variation of pollutant concentrations. The higher particulate pollution at industrial area may be attributed due to resuspension of road dust, soil dust, automobile traffic and nearby industrial emissions. Particle size analysis result shows that PM₁₀ is about 52% of TSP at residential area and 54% at industrial area.     

克拉玛依市中心城区颗粒物中多环芳烃污染特征

在克拉玛依市中心城区布设4个采样点,在供暖期和非供暖期分别同步采集4个点位大气中不同粒径的颗粒物,采用HPLC进行分析并计算2个采样期内PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)中多环芳烃(PAHs)的浓度和种类。结果表明:中心城区供暖期PM_(10)中PAHs浓度为56.19 ng/m3,PM_(2.5)中PAHs浓度为48.85 ng/m3;中心城区非供暖期PM_(10)中PAHs浓度为18.86 ng/m~3,PM_(2.5)中PAHs浓度为14.53 ng/m~3。不同采样期PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)中PAHs浓度变化趋势相同,均为供暖期明显大于非供暖期。中心城区供暖期大气颗粒物吸附的PAHs以4环以下的组份为主,非供暖期则是5~6环的高环数组份偏多。分析结果表明克拉玛依市中心城区供暖期颗粒物中PAHs来源于燃煤排放叠加机动车排放,与中心城区集中供热锅炉关系密切;非供暖期则是以机动车排放污染为主。     

Levels and chemical composition of PM in a city near a large Cu-smelter in Spain

A long-term series (2001-2008) of chemical analysis of atmospheric particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) collected in the city of Huelva (SW Spain) is considered in this study. The impact of emission plumes from one of the largest Cu-smelters in the world on air quality in the city of Huelva is evidenced by the high daily and hourly levels of As, other potentially toxic elements (e.g. Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Bi, and Pb) in particulate matter, as well as the high levels of some gaseous pollutants (NO(2) and SO(2)). Mean arsenic levels in the PM10 fraction were higher than the target value set by European Directive 2004/107/EC (6 ngAs m(-3)) for 1(st) January 2013. Hourly peak concentrations of As and other metals and elements (Zn, Cu, P and Se) analyzed by PIXE can reach maximum hourly levels as high as 326 ngAs m(-3), 506 ngZn m(-3), 345 ngCu m(-3), 778 ngP m(-3) and 12 ngSe m(-3). The contribution of Cu-smelter emissions to ambient PM is quantified on an annual basis in 2.0-6.7 μg m(-3) and 1.8-4.2 μg m(-3) for PM(10) and PM(2.5), respectively. High resolution outputs of the HYSPLIT dispersion model show the geographical distribution of the As ambient levels into the emission plume, suggesting that the working regime of the Cu-smelter factory and the sea breeze circulation are the main factors controlling the impact of the Cu-smelter on the air quality of the city. The results of this work improve our understanding of the behaviour of industrial emission plumes and their impact on air quality of a city, where the population might be exposed to very high ambient concentrations of toxic metals during a few hours.