SO2 Dispersion and Monthly Evaluation of the Industrial Source Complex Short-Term (ISCST32) Model at Mina Al-Fahal Refinery,Sultanate of Oman

Modeling of air pollutant dispersion has been undertaken for emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) at the Mina Al-Fahal refinery in the Sultanate of Oman. The study was conducted during the period of November 1999 to October 2000. The Industrial Source Complex Short-Term (ISCST32) air pollution model was adopted to predict the ground level concentration of SO₂ in and around the refinery. The modeling results were validated against measured data during the study period. The comparison, based on the monthly average measurements, showed that the model underestimates the observed SO₂ concentrations. However, the predicted ground level concentrations of SO₂ during the months of September, October, November, and June were in better agreement with the observations. The predicted SO₂ values are presented in the form of concentration contours to determine the spatial distribution of SO₂ and to assess the impact on air quality over the survey area. Predicted SO₂ concentrations were found lower than the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline value of 365 μg/m³, with the maximum ground level concentrations being found to occur relatively close to the sources of emission. Moreover, concentration contour patterns for the modeled area vary with changes in meteorological conditions. On the basis of this study, the refinery is not likely to cause any significant deterioration in air quality, and predicted concentrations of SO₂ are well below those likely to influence health.     

Assessment and management of air quality for an opencast coal mining area

A study for the assessment and management of the air quality was carried out at Lakhanpur area of Ib Valley Coalfield in Orissa state in India. The 24-h average concentrations of total suspended particulate (TSP) matter, respirable particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were monitored during 1 year period. Samplings were done at a regular interval through out the year at 13 monitoring stations in the residential areas and four monitoring stations in the mining/industrial areas. The 24-hr average TSP and PM10 concentrations ranged from 338.8 to 799.8 microg m(-3) and 102.5-425.6 microg m(-3) for industrial area, and 72.3-497.1 microg m(-3) and 40.8-171.9 microg m(-3) for residential area, respectively. During the study period 24-hr and annual average TSP and PM10 concentrations exceeded the respective standards set in the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) protocol at most residential and industrial areas. However, 24-hr and annual average concentrations of SO2 and NOx were well within the prescribed limit of NAAQS both in the residential and industrial areas. The annual and 24-hr average concentrations varied from 23.3 to 36.8 microg m(-3) and 16.0-55.2 microg m(-3) for SO2 and 23.9-41.9 microg m(-3) and 19.0-58.1 microg m(-3) for NOx, respectively. The temporal variations of TSP and PM10 fitted polynomial trend with an average correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.77 (+/-0.17) for TSP and 0.85 (+/-0.10) for PM10. On average the PM10 in the ambient air of the mining area constituted 31.94 (+/-1.76)% of the TSP. The linear regression correlation coefficient (R2) between TSP with PM10 and NOx with SO2 was 0.86 (+/-0.12) and 0.57 (+/-0.20), respectively. Maximal concentrations of TSP and PM10 occurred within the mining site based on the kriging technique. A management strategy is formulated for effective control of air pollution at source and other mitigative measures recommended including implementation of green belts around the sensitive areas where the concentration of air pollutants exceeded the standard limit.     

Characteristics of major secondary ions in typical polluted atmospheric aerosols during autumn in central Taiwan

In autumn of 2008, the chemical characteristics of major secondary ionic aerosols at a suburban site in central Taiwan were measured during an annually occurring season of high pollution. The semicontinuous measurement system measured major soluble inorganic species, including NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and SO(4)(2-), in PM(10) with a 15 min resolution time. The atmospheric conditions, except for the influences of typhoons, were dominated by the local sea-land breeze with clear diurnal variations of meteorological parameters and air pollutant concentrations. To evaluate secondary aerosol formation at different ozone levels, daily ozone maximum concentration (O(3,daily max)) was used as an index of photochemical activity for dividing between the heavily polluted period (O(3,daily max) ≧80 ppb) and the lightly polluted period (O(3,daily max)<80 ppb). The concentrations of PM(10), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), NH(4)(+) and total major ions during the heavily polluted period were 1.6, 1.9, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.3 times the concentrations during the lightly polluted period, respectively. Results showed that the daily maximum concentrations of PM(10) occurred around midnight and the daily maximum ozone concentration occurred during daytime. The average concentration of SO(2) was higher during daytime, which could be explained by the transportation of coastal industry emissions to the sampling site. In contrast, the high concentration of NO(2) at night was due to the land breeze flow that transport inland urban air masses toward this site. The simulations of breeze circulations and transitions were reflected in transports and distributions of these pollutants. During heavily polluted periods, NO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+) showed a clear diurnal variations with lower concentrations after midday, possibly due to the thermal volatilization of NH(4)NO(3) during daytime and transport of inland urban plume at night. The diurnal variation of PM(10) showed the similar pattern to that of NO(3)(-) and NH(4)(+) aerosols. This indicated that the formatted secondary aerosols in the inland urban area could be transported to the coastal area by the weak land breeze and deteriorated the air quality in the coastal area at night.     

Impacts of pollution controls on air quality in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games

Air pollution has become one of the main environmental concerns in China since the 1980s due to China's rapid economic growth and resultant pollution. However, it is difficult to directly evaluate the anthropogenic contribution to air pollution in China. The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing provided a unique opportunity for testing the contribution of anthropogenic pollution because of the clean-up controls on air quality in Beijing enforced over the period of the Games. In this case study, we monitored the concentrations of major air pollutants before, during, and after the Olympics at a suburban site in Beijing. Atmospheric concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NH3, NO2, SO2, and the particulate ions NH4+, NO3-, SO4(2-) Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ all decreased during the Olympic period because of strict emission controls, compared with the same period from 2005 to 2007. For example, the average PM10 concentration (61 microg m(-3)) during the Olympics was only 37% of that (166 microg m(-3)) in the same month (August) from 2005 to 2007. However, just 1 mo and 1 yr after the Games had ended, mean concentrations of these pollutants had increased significantly again. This rapid "recovery' of air pollutant concentrations after the Olympics suggests that China needs to implement long-lasting decreases in its air pollution in Beijing and other major cities.     

春节期间燃放烟花爆竹对南宁市环境空气的影响分析

根据2011年春节期间南宁市主要污染物（PM10、SO2、NO2）浓度,分析了燃放烟花爆竹对环境空气的影响。结果表明：除夕和元宵节大量燃放烟花爆竹能导致PM10在短时间内快速上升,但对SO2和NO2浓度的影响不明显。除夕期间23：00-2：00是PM10受燃放烟花爆竹影响最大时段,城市居民居住集中区PM10浓度远高于其他区域。     

衡水市空气主要污染物体积质量的时间分布特征

利用衡水市环境监测站2005—2007年度大气例行检测的数据,对衡水市大气中主要污染物SO^2、NO^2、PM10体积质量值的逐日数据进行统计分析,得出了衡水市空气污染的现状和时间变化规律：（1）污染物体积质量值的月变化曲线呈槽型分布,非取暖期的空气状况明显好于取暖期,取暖期SO^2平均体积质量是非取暖期的2．45倍;（2）污染物体积质量值的日变化曲线基本为两高两低型,其中取暖期污染指数早晨出现极高值的时间比非取暖期明显偏晚;（3）污染物体积质量值的年变化表明了SO^2的体积质量在降低,而NO^2的体积质量却有了小幅增长。     

成都市城区春节期间燃放烟花爆竹对空气质量的影响

利用空气质量自动监测系统分析了2013年春节期间成都市城区的SO2、NO2、CO、O3、PM10及PM2.5的浓度值,发现烟花爆竹的燃放对SO2、NO2、PM10及PM2.5的浓度有较大影响。     

Size distributions of fine and ultrafine particles in the city of Strasbourg: correlation between number of particles and concentrations of NO(x) and SO(2) gases and some soluble ions concentration determination

An Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) was used during spring and autumn 2003 in the centre of Strasbourg for the measurement of atmospheric aerosols size distribution. The concentration of NO(x) and SO(2) in air was simultaneously measured with specific analysers. Samples were collected in the range 0.007-10 microm in equivalent aerodynamic diameter size. Number distributions are representative of a pollution originating from urban traffic with a particle size distribution exhibiting a nucleation mode below 29 nm and an accumulation mode around 80 nm in size. A mean particle density equal to 39000+/-35000 total particles per cm(3) with a size ranging from 7 to 10 microm was obtained after a sampling period of 2 weeks in spring. About 86.9% of the number of particles have an aerodynamic diameter below 0.1 microm and 13.1% between 0.1 and 1 microm. Correlation coefficients between the number of particles impacted on each ELPI plate and gas concentrations (SO(2) and NO(x)) showed that the numbers of particles with diameter between 0.10 and 0.62 microm are highly related to the NO(x) concentration. This result indicates that particles are traffic induced since NO(x) is mainly emitted by cars as shown by measurements on various sites. Particles are less clearly correlated to the SO(2) concentration. Particle analysis on different ELPI plates for a sampling period of 2 weeks in autumn showed high level of soluble NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-) and NH(4)(+) ions. Indeed, up to 90% b.w. of these three species were found in the particle range 0.1-1 microm. The formation of particulate NH(4)NO(3) is favoured by high NO(x) concentration, which induces the formation of gaseous HNO(3).     

四川省城市环境空气质量及变化趋势

本文根据2000～2009年四川省24个地级城市例行空气监测数据,按照《环境空气质量标准》(GB3095-1996)中的二级标准,采用综合污染指数法分析了四川省近10年环境空气质量的现状、变化趋势及影响因素。结果表明:从年际变化看,可吸入颗粒物浓度呈下降趋势,二氧化硫、二氧化氮浓度变化较平稳;年内变化显示,各污染物浓度季节变化明显,冬季污染最严重,污染程度由高到低的顺序为冬季、春季、秋季、夏季。全省综合污染指数呈下降趋势,空气污染程度得到了明显缓解,空气质量逐渐变好。     

塔城市大气环境质量现状调查及污染防治对策探讨

对塔城市大气环境质量状况及3项大气污染物变化趋势进行调查分析,结果表明:塔城市大气污染物中TSP(PM10)浓度呈下降趋势,SO2呈略微上升趋势,NOX无显著变化。TSP(PM10)浓度在冬季采暖期和夏季秋季(10月)较高,为防治塔城市空气质量变劣,需要采取积极有效的预防措施,切实保护好人类赖以生存的生态环境。     

Effects of Meteorological Parameters on Air Pollutant Concentrations in Elazig,Turkey

In the present study, air pollutant concentrations have been analyzed statistically with meteorological factors in the city of Elazig, which is located in the east Anatolia region of Turkey, for the months of September, October, November, December, January, February, March, and April during the years 2003 and 2004. SPSS code was used for statistical analyses. The relationship between monitored air pollutant concentrations, such as SO₂ and the total suspended particles (TSP) data, and meteorological factors such as wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and pressure was investigated. According to the results of linear and non-linear regression analysis, it was found that there is a moderate and weak level of relation between the air pollutant concentrations and the meteorological factors in Elazig. The correlation between the previous day's SO₂, TSP concentrations and actual concentrations of these pollutants on that day was investigated and the coefficient of determination R was found to be 0.80 and 0.76, respectively. The statistical models of SO₂ and TSP, including all of the meteorological parameters, gave an R of 0.50 and 0.40, respectively. Further, in order to develop this model, the previous day's SO₂ and TSP concentrations were added to the equations. The new model for SO₂ and TSP was improved considerably with R = 0.85 and 0.80, respectively.     

Estimation of gaseous criteria air pollutants from road transport system in Lagos metropolis of Nigeria

Ambient air pollution by vehicular emissions is underestimated, especially in the major cities of Nigeria. The buildup of the emissions in the atmosphere is a major health concern. This study estimated the emissions of gaseous criteria air pollutants (CAPs) from the road transport system in the Lagos metropolis from the year 2004 to 2007. The study also determined the ground‐level concentrations of these pollutants for the years under review. Estimation of the emission rates of all types of vehicles was performed using an emission factor approach, while the ground‐level concentrations of the CAPs were determined using the Industrial Source Complex Short Term 3 view model. The results showed that the mean concentrations of carbon monoxide in the ambient air were 26,741.12, 31,675.95, 54,515.48, and 72,388.09 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) for years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively, while the estimated concentrations for oxides of nitrogen were 1,377.91 μg/m³ for year 2004, and 1,620.76, 2,897.33, and 3,839.68 μg/m³, respectively, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The estimated concentrations of sulfur dioxide during the study period were 51,354.16, 57,244.76, 113,083.26, and 136,332.01 μg/m³ for 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. For volatile organic compounds, the estimated concentrations were 3,839.68, 6,839.65, 7,067.62, and 8,431.35 μg/m³ for years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. The results also show that the maximum ground‐level concentrations were highest along the roadside, and the average CAPs concentrations and cumulative exposure concentrations that were estimated throughout the study period are a major health concern, as these concentrations are several times higher than international limits.     

彭州市环境空气质量变化趋势及规律分析

“九五”期间 ,彭州市环境空气监测主要因子有二氧化硫、二氧化氮、总悬浮颗粒物、降尘和降水。市区空气中主要污染物排序依次为降尘、总悬浮颗粒物、二氧化硫、二氧化氮。其季节变化规律一般为第一季度 >第二季度 >第四季度 >第三季度。主要污染物年变化依次为降尘、总悬浮颗粒物、二氧化硫、二氧化氮 ,在“九五”期间除降尘量出现缓慢下降趋势外 ,其余 3项均不明显。     

Air quality impact of carbon monoxide emission from diesel engine electric power generators

An emissions inventory and the AERMOD View dispersion model were used to estimate the concentrations and the potential effects of carbon monoxide (CO) from diesel engine electric power generators operated by and providing electricity to a textile factory in Nigeria on its host air shed. The CO emissions from simultaneous operations of all of the electric power generators in the factory resulted in: 1‐hr average CO emissions of 4.2 to 54.5 micrograms per cubic meters (μg/m³) and 24‐hr average CO emissions of 0.3 to 20.9 μg/m³. The estimated 1‐hr averaging period maximum ground‐level concentrations of CO were deposited within the factory, while the 24‐hr maximum ground‐level concentrations are estimated at a distance 90 meters (m) from the factory in a southeast direction. The ground‐level concentrations of CO emanating from the textile factory are within the stipulated ambient air quality standards.     

AERMOD模型在石油化工环境影响评价中的应用

以某炼油厂新建聚丙烯酰胺装置为研究对象,介绍了AERMOD模型的基本原理、操作过程和所需基本资料,并利用该模型对周围大气环境造成的影响进行了逐日逐时的预测。结果表明:预测结果与监测值具有很好的一致性,说明该模型可成功应用于国内石油化工行业区域环境影响预测。     

2017～2018年荆州城区空气质量分布及重污染天气特征分析

利用2017年1月至2018年12月荆州城区3个国家环境空气质量监测点的污染物监测数据和荆州国家气象站地面气象要素观测数据,采用统计学方法,对荆州城区空气质量分布及重污染过程天气特征进行了初步分析,结果表明:空气污染综合指数冬季最高,春秋季次之,夏季最低;PM2.5、PM10、 CO和NO2的浓度在上午和傍晚至上半夜其...     

Stream nitrate variations explained by ground water head fluctuations in a pyrite-bearing aquifer

In the context of agricultural nitrogen excesses in northwestern France, pyrite-bearing weathered schist aquifers represent important hydrological compartments due to their capacity to eliminate nitrate (NO3-). Under oxygen-free conditions, nitrate is reduced simultaneously with the oxidation of pyrite leading to the release of sulfate (SO4/2-). The aim of the present study is to identify the hydrological conditions under which the weathered schist ground water influences the stream water chemistry, leading to a decrease in NO3- concentration. We measured the ground water head on a small catchment over weathered schist, near the bank and under the streambed, and analyzed the chemical composition of the ground water as well as the stream water on both seasonal and storm-event timescales. Using SO4/2- as a tracer of the weathered schist ground water, we showed that ground water inflow caused a decrease of NO3- concentration in the stream during the autumn as well as during storm events in spring and summer. In summer, the NO3- concentration was controlled by the sources of the stream, and in winter by the shallow ground water inflow. The effect of the weathered schist ground water on the NO3- depletion remained relatively limited in time. This effect persisted into late autumn as long as the NO3(-) -rich shallow ground water did not feed the stream. The duration and intensity of the effect would be extended by decreasing the shallow ground water inflow, which depends on climate as well as the presence of landscape features such as hedges and buffer zones.     

Potential mineralization of four herbicides in a ground water--fed wetland area

Herbicides may leach from agricultural fields into ground water feeding adjacent wetlands. However, only little is known of the fate of herbicides in wetland areas. The purpose of the study was to examine the potential of a riparian fen to mineralize herbides that could leach from an adjacent catchment area. Slurries were prepared from sediment and ground water collected from different parts of a wetland representing different redox conditions. The slurries were amended with O2, NO3-, SO4(2-), and CO2, or CO2 alone as electron acceptors to simulate the in situ conditions and their ability to mineralize the herbides mecoprop, metsulfuron-methyl, isoproturon and atrazine. In addition, the abundance of bacteria able to utilize O2, NO3-, SO4(2-) + CO2, and CO2 as electron acceptors was investigated along with the O2-reducing and methanogenic potential of the sediment. The recalcitrance to bacterial degradation depended on both the type of herbicide and the redox conditions pertaining. Mecoprop was the most readily degraded herbicide, with 36% of [ring-U-14C]mecoprop being mineralized to 14CO2 under aerobic conditions after 473 d. In comparison, approximately 29% of [phenyl-U-14C]metsulfuron-methyl and 16% of [ring-U-14C]isoproturon mineralized in aerobic slurries during the same period. Surprisingly, 8 to 13% of mecoprop also mineralized under anaerobic conditions. Neither metsulfuron-methyl nor isoproturon were mineralized under anaerobic conditions and atrazine was not mineralized under any of the redox conditions examined. The present study is the first to report mineralization of meco-prop in ground water in a wetland area, and the first to report mineralization of a phenoxyalcanoic acid herbicide under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.     

Empirical relationship between use, area, and ambient air concentration of methyl bromide

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is one of the most widely used soil fumigants. Human exposure to MeBr above threshold values can cause serious health problems. The exposure assessment of MeBr depends on estimation or measurement of its air concentrations. This study proposed a methodology for systematically exploring the empirical relationship between MeBr use intensity and ambient air concentrations. Monitored air concentrations were regressed to MeBr use over various spatiotemporal scales that step-wise increased around the monitoring site and monitoring period. The results showed that the goodness-of-fit varied with the spatiotemporal scale of MeBr use. The best fit was Y = 0.46 + 0.00120X (R2 = 0.95, n = 11), where Y was the 8-wk average ambient air concentration (microg/m3), and X was the weekly average use (kg/wk) over an area of 11.3 x 11.3 km (7 x 7 mi). The model was calibrated with air-monitoring data and use data of 2000, and verified with the same type data of 2001. The model estimated subchronic air concentration with reasonable accuracy.     

Gaseous contaminant emissions as affected by burning scrap tires in cement manufacturing

We studied the environmental impact (gaseous emissions) of using scrap tires as a fuel substitute at a cement plant that produces one million tons of cement per year. Using a combination of tires and coal as opposed to only coal caused variations in the pollutant emission rate. The study recorded a 37% increase in the rate of emission for CO, a 24% increase for SO2, an 11% decrease for NOx, and a 48% increase for HCl when tires were included. The rate of emission for metals increased 61% for Fe, 33% for Al, 487% for Zn, 127% for Pb, 339% for Cr, 100% for Mn, and 74% for Cu, and decreased 22% for Hg. On the other hand, the emission rate of organic compounds dropped by 14% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 8% in naphthalene, 37% in chlorobenzene, and 45% in dioxins and furans. We used a Gaussian model of atmospheric dispersion to calculate the average pollutant concentration (1-h, 24-h, and annual concentrations) in the ambient air at ground level with the help of the ISC-ST2 software program developed by the USEPA. When tires were used, we observed (i) a 12 to 24% increase in particulate matter, this range considering the concentration variation depending on the average used (1-h, 24-h, and annual basis), 31 to 52% in CO, 22 to 34% in SO2, 39 to 52% in HCl, 12 to 27% in Fe, -3 to 8% in Al, 30 to 37% in Zn, and 270 to 885% in Pb; (ii) a decrease of 8 to 13% in NOx, 9 to 13% in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 6 to 7% in naphthalene, 32 to 39% in chlorobenzene, and 32 to 45% in dioxins and furans. The results obtained showed that the maximum ground-level concentrations were well within the environmental standards (for operation with only coal as well as for operation with a combination of coal and tires).