Ion chemistry and individual particle analysis of atmospheric aerosols over Mt. Bogda of eastern Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia

Aerosol samples were collected during the scientific expedition to Mt. Bogda in July-August, 2009. The major inorganic ions (Na(?+?), NH??, K(?+?), Mg(2?+?), Ca(2?+?), Cl(?-?), SO2??, and NO??) of the aerosols were determined by ion chromatography. SO2??, NO??, and Ca(2?+?) were the dominate ions, with the mean concentrations of 0.86, 0.56, and 0.28 μg m?3, respectively. These mean ion concentrations were generally comparable with the background conditions in remote site of Xinjiang, while much lower than those in ürümqi. Morphology and elemental compositions of 1,500 particles were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Based on the morphology and elemental compositions, particles were classed into four major groups: soot (15.1%), fly ash (4.7%), mineral particles (78.9%), and little other matters (0.8% Fe-rich particles and 0.5% unrecognized particles). Presence of soot and fly ash particles indicated the influence of anthropogenic pollutions, while abundance mineral particles suggested that natural processes were the primary source of aerosols over this region, coinciding with the ionic analysis. Backward air mass trajectory analysis suggested that ürümqi may contribute some anthropogenic pollution to this region, while the arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia were the primary source.     

Wetting and hydration of insoluble soot particles in the upper troposphere

Wettability and hydration are determined for aircraft combustor and laboratory-made soots which are used as surrogates for the insoluble part of aircraft-generated black carbon particles in the upper troposphere (UT). The measured water/ice contact angles on the soot surfaces are in the range 60-80 degrees. Factors influencing the soot wetting show a tremendous dependence on the surface chemical composition and microstructure. Wetting characteristics of soots are directly related to its hydrophilicity. The inverse Kelvin effect is considered as a mechanism of ice nucleation which is facilitated by the soot agglomerated structure with interparticle cavities in which condensation takes place on the insoluble surface with a high water contact angle. Estimations of the critical supersaturations needed for the ice condensation growth of particles are provided to determine which of the wetting characteristics are required for cirrus cloud formation in ice saturated regions of the UT.     

Observations of urban airborne particle number concentrations during rush-hour conditions: analysis of the number based size distributions and modal parameters

A summertime study of the number concentration and the size distribution of combustion derived nanometre sized particles (termed nanoparticles) from diesel and spark-ignition (SI) engine emissions were made under rush-hour and free-flow traffic conditions at an urban roadside location in Leeds, UK in July 2003. The measured total particle number concentrations (N(TOTAL)) were of the order 1.8 x 10(4) to 3.4 x 10(4) cm(-3), and tended to follow the diurnal traffic flow patterns. The N(TOTAL) was dominated by particles < or =100 nm in diameter which accounted for between 89-93% of the measured particle number. By use of a log-normal fitting procedure, the modal parameters of the number based particle size distribution of urban airborne particulates were derived from the roadside measurements. Four component modes were identified. Two nucleation modes were found, with a smaller, more minor, mode composed principally of sub-11 nm particles, believed to be derived from particles formed from the nucleation of gaseous species in the atmosphere. A second mode, much larger in terms of number, was composed of particles within the size range of 10-20 nm. This second mode was believed to be principally derived from the condensation of the unburned fuel and lube oil (the solvent organic fraction or SOF) as it cooled on leaving the engine exhaust. Third and fourth modes were noted within the size ranges of 28-65 nm and 100-160 nm, respectively. The third mode was believed to be representative of internally mixed Aitken mode particles composed of a soot/ash core with an adsorbed layer of readily volatilisable material. The fourth mode was believed to be composed of chemically aged, secondary particles. The larger nucleation and Aitken modes accounted for between 80-90% of the measured N(TOTAL), and the particles in these modes were believed to be derived from SI and diesel engine emissions. The overall size distribution, particularly in modes II-IV, was observed to be strongly related to the number of primary particle emissions, with larger count median diameters observed under conditions where low numbers of primary soot based particles were present.     

乌鲁木齐冬季雾天可吸入颗粒物透射电子显微镜研究

利用透射电子显微镜(TEM)对乌鲁木齐冬季雾天采集的可吸入颗粒物(PM_2.5、PM_2.5~10)的形貌特征和集聚状态进行分析。将乌鲁木齐大气可吸入颗粒物分为烟尘集合体、飞灰、矿物颗粒、硫酸盐和有机颗粒等5种单颗粒类型,并讨论了其来源。TEM分析表明,PM_2.5中烟尘集合体占14%,飞灰占7.4%,矿物颗粒占24%,硫酸盐占16.7%,有机颗粒占20.4%;PM_2.5~10 中烟尘集合体没有观察到,飞灰占4.9%,矿物颗粒占26.8%,硫酸盐占12.2%,有机颗粒占58.5%。     

Ion-soot interaction: a possible mechanism of ion removal in aircraft plume

The phenomenon of the ion-soot interaction in the aircraft plume at the ground conditions is investigated. The ion-soot attachment coefficients, taking into account the polarization of the soot particles in the ion electric field, are calculated. It is shown that the ion-soot attachment may play the important role in the evolution of the ion concentrations in the plume. Comparison of the model results with the ground-based measurements for the ion depletion along the plume demonstrates that the concentration of the positive and negative ions at the nozzle exit for these observations is close to 1.2 x 10(8) cm(-3).     

餐饮业油烟排放监测模拟工况研究

在现行《饮食业油烟排放标准(试行)》(GB18483—2001)的执行过程中,工况难以控制,影响监测结果的准确性。在对不同餐饮业的主要烹饪方式(炸、煎、煮、炒)餐饮油烟的初始排放浓度进行实测的基础上,模拟出和以上4种烹饪方式相匹配的工况,分析各种类型餐饮业不同工况下的油烟排放规律,建立了一组能够由监测人员主动控制的油烟监测模拟工况。     

Assessment of occupational exposure to diesel fumes--parameter optimization of the thermal coulometric measurement method for carbon

'Elemental' carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate to assess occupational exposure to diesel soot. EC thermal analysis needs complete desorption of organic compounds from the soot particles prior to analysis in order to minimize positive interferences and artefacts. The desorption of the organic compounds can be considered as the major step which influences the reliability of the EC determination. A systematic study was carried out to investigate the different parameters of influence such as desorption temperature, desorption duration, heating rate and type of the sample on the desorption efficiency. It was found that temperature and duration are the major parameters of influence on the desorption efficiency. The influence of the sample load can be seen as a measure of the pyrolysis susceptibility of the sample. An optimized temperature program is proposed.     

北京西北城区春季PM10单颗粒形貌类型及成分特征

主要对北京西北城区2010年度春季大气可吸入颗粒物的理化特征进行分析研究,通过利用高分辨率场发射扫描电镜和图像分析技术研究了区内可吸入颗粒物的微观形貌类型及百分含量特征,利用扫描电镜及能谱分析研究矿物颗粒的元素组成及富集类型。结果表明,在西北城区春季大气PM₁₀中可识别出烟尘集合体、球形颗粒、矿物和其他未知颗粒等4种单颗粒类型,沙尘暴天气对矿物颗粒的数量比例影响较大,同时影响颗粒物粒度分布。矿物颗粒按成分可分为"富Si"、"富Ca"、"富Fe"、"富S"、"富Na"、"富Ti"、"富Al"、"富Cl"和"富Mg"颗粒九大类,沙尘天气与非沙尘天气的矿物颗粒均以"富Si"颗粒、"富Ca"颗粒、"富Fe"颗粒、"富S"颗粒等为主。     

An automatic monitor of formaldehyde in air by a monitoring tape method

An automatic monitor has been developed for measuring formaldehyde in air using a sensitive tape for formaldehyde. It is based on the color change of the tape on reaction with formaldehyde. The porous cellulose tape, containing silica gel as an absorbent and impregnated with the processing solution containing hydroxylamine sulfate, Methyl Yellow (pH indicator; pH 2.9-4.0, red-yellow), glycerin and methanol, was found to be a highly sensitive means of detecting formaldehyde and maintains a stable sensitivity. When the tape was exposed to a sample of air containing formaldehyde, the color of the tape changed from yellow to red. The degree of color change was proportional to the concentration of formaldehyde at a constant sampling time and flow rate, and it could be recorded by measuring the intensity of reflected light (555 nm). The tape could be used to detect down to 0.08 ppm (World Health Organization standard) of formaldehyde with a sampling time of 30 min and a flow rate of 100 mL min-1. Reproducibility tests showed that the relative standard deviation of response (n = 10) was 3.8% for 0.1 ppm formaldehyde. The monitor is simple, specific, capable of unattended operation and is recommended for both laboratory and field operation.     

Air formaldehyde and solvent concentrations during surface coating with acid-curing lacquers and paints in the woodworking and furniture industry

An investigation of contemporary exposure to formaldehyde and organic solvents has been carried out during surface coating with acid-curing lacquers and paints in the Norwegian woodworking and furniture industry over a period of 3 years. The investigation covered 27 factories of different sizes and with different types of production, and totally 557 parallel formaldehyde and solvent samples were collected. The formaldehyde concentration (geometric mean) was 0.15 ppm (range 0.01-1.48 ppm) with about 10% of the samples exceeding the Norwegian occupational exposure limit of 0.5 ppm. The solvent concentration as additive effect (geometric mean) was 0.13 (range 0.0004-5.08) and about 5% of the samples exceeded the Norwegian occupational exposure limit. The most frequently occurring solvents from acid-curing lacquers were n-butyl acetate, ethanol, ethyl acetate and 1-butanol, which were found in 88-98% of the samples. Toluene, n-butyl acetate and 1-butanol were the only solvents with maximum concentrations exceeding their respective occupational exposure limits. Curtain painting machine operators were exposed to the highest concentrations of both formaldehyde (geometric mean 0.51 ppm, range 0.08-1.48 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 1.18, range 0.02-5.08). Other painting application work tasks such as automatic and manual spray-painting, manual painting and dip painting, showed on average considerably lower concentrations of both formaldehyde (geometric means 0.07-0.16 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 0.02-0.18). Non-painting work tasks also displayed moderate concentrations of formaldehyde (geometric means 0.11-0.17 ppm) and organic solvents (additive effect, geometric mean 0.04-0.07).     

Characterization of individual aerosol particles in workroom air of aluminium smelter potrooms

Aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameters between 0.18 and 10 microm were collected in the workroom air of two aluminium smelter potrooms with different production processes (Soderberg and Prebake processes). Size, morphology and chemical composition of more than 2000 individual particles were determined by high resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Based on chemical composition and morphology, particles were classified into different groups. Particle groups with a relative abundance above 1%(by number) include aluminium oxides, cryolite, aluminium oxides-cryolite mixtures, soot, silicates and sea salt. In both production halls, mixtures of aluminium oxides and cryolite are the dominant particle group. Many particles have fluoride-containing surface coatings or show agglomerations of nanometer-sized fluoride-containing particles on their surface. The phase composition of approximately 100 particles was studied by transmission electron microscopy. According to selected area electron diffraction, sodium beta-alumina (NaAl(11)O(17)) is the dominant aluminium oxide and cryolite (Na(3)AlF(6)) the only sodium aluminium fluoride present. Implications of our findings for assessment of adverse health effects are discussed.     

Contrasting temporal trends and relationships of total organic carbon, black carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rural low-altitude and remote high-altitude lakes

Historical records of total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were reconstructed in dated sediment cores from four nearby lakes in central Switzerland. In the sub-Alpine Lake Thun, located at 558 m a.s.l., the proximity to anthropogenic emission sources is reflected in higher input of BC and PAHs into sediments with fluxes only slightly decreasing during the last decades. PAH/BC ratios are relatively high and correlation between levels of total PAHs and BC is almost inexistent in Lake Thun, probably due to the presence of less condensed forms of the BC spectrum (char BC) that is underestimated with the chemothermal oxidation method applied in this study. The sediment profiles of TOC, BC, and PAHs are noticeably different in the mountain lakes located around 2000 m a.s.l. In Lake Engstlen, the PAH/BC ratios, as well as the correlation between PAHs and BC, point towards appreciable amounts of predominantly light soot particles. Light soot particles have higher mobility and can, therefore, be efficiently transported to this remote site. The proglacial Lake Oberaar is shown to be a receptor of BC and PAHs released by the fast melting adjacent glacier acting as a secondary source for these conservative species temporarily stored in the glacier ice. Finally, Lake Stein is in strong contrast to all other lakes. High flux of BC into Lake Stein, combined with constant temporal evolutions of BC and PAHs, and in particular BC/TOC ratios approaching 100% are all strong indications for a geogenic presence of graphite in its catchment area.     

奎屯-独山子石化区夏季和秋季PM2.5形貌及矿物组成

PM2.5是城市大气的主要污染物,对人体健康危害巨大。研究PM2.5的形貌特征及矿物组成有助于解析PM2.5的来源和贡献及评估PM2.5对人体健康的风险。利用高分辨率场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)和能谱(SEM-EDX)对以石化为支柱产业的奎屯-独山子石化区域生活区和工业区的夏季、秋季PM2.5的形貌和矿物类型进行了分析。结果表明,奎屯-独山子的PM2.5主要包括矿物颗粒(规则矿物、不规则矿物)、烟尘集合体、球形颗粒(燃煤飞灰和二次粒子)、其他颗粒(生物质、未知颗粒)等4种类型,其中矿物颗粒在数量上和体积上均占优势。夏季规则矿物颗粒较多。从元素组成分析看,夏季PM2.5有"富Si"、"富Al"、"富Fe"、"富Ca"、"富Cu"、"富Zn"等类型,秋季PM2.5有"富Si"、"富Ca"、"富Fe"、"富Zn"、"富Cu"、"富Ti"、"富Ba"等类型,2个季节均以"富Si"颗粒占优势,表明道路扬尘、燃油飞灰、燃煤飞灰、工业粉尘、机动车尾气尘、城市扬尘等污染源是奎屯-独山子石化区夏季和秋季大气污染的主要来源。     

Formaldehyde levels in homes insulated with urea-formaldehyde foam

Twenty seven UFFI homes in Colorado and Wisconsin were sampled for formaldehyde levels. The formaldehyde concentrations found in these homes averaged 0.059 ppm. Two homes were monitored for an extended period to determine the impact of ambient climatic conditions.     

不同类型新车内醛酮类化合物的污染研究

随着人们对环境质量要求的提高,轿车逐步普及,车内空气质量正成为人们关注的焦点,特别是车内毒性较大的醛酮类物质更是受到普遍关注。选取了8种类型共93辆新车,在静止并且密闭条件下,对其内部环境的醛酮类物质的浓度水平进行测定分析。结果表明,大部分新车内都存在不同程度的醛酮类物质污染,总醛酮质量浓度为0.09～0.31mg/m3,平均质量浓度0.16mg/m3,其中甲醛为最高组分,其次为丙酮、正丁醛、乙醛,平均质量浓度分别为0.08、0.04、0.02、0.0003mg/m3。8类新车有7类都存在一定程度的甲醛超标,超标率为21%～50%,只有豪华车不超标。还对甲醛进行了癌症风险评价,结果表明风险值超过安全限值,存在癌症风险。     

Ultrafine particles at workplaces of a primary aluminium smelter

The number concentration and size distribution of ultrafine particles in a S?derberg and a prebake potroom of an aluminium primary smelter have been measured using a scanning mobility particle spectrometer. The particle morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study shows the existence of elevated number concentrations of ultrafine particles in both potrooms. The main source of these particles is likely to be the process of anode changing. The ultrafine particles were measured directly at the source but could also be identified as episodes of high number concentrations in the general background air. Unlike the larger particles belonging to the 50-100 nm mode, the nanoparticle mode could not be detected in the TEM indicating that they may not be stable under the applied sampling conditions and/or the high vacuum in the instrument.     

桂林市细颗粒物部分典型排放源的粒径谱及成分分析

采用在线单颗粒气溶胶质谱技术源解析方法,对桂林市PM2.5典型排放源的粒径和化学成分进行质谱分析,采集燃煤/燃气源、工业工艺源、扬尘源、油烟源4类共计7个典型排放源。结果表明,桂林市4类排放源细颗粒物的粒径分布为0.25~1.25μm,80%以上的细颗粒分布在0.2~1.0μm的小粒径范围,峰值约0.68μm。细颗粒物离子成分含有Na~+、Mg~+、K~+、NH~+4、Fe~+、Pb~+、Cd~+、V~+、Mn~+、Li~+、Al~+、Ca~+、Cu~+、Zn~+、Cr~+、CN~-、PO_3~-、NO_2~-、NO_3~-、Cl~-、SO_4~(2-)、SiO_3~-等成分,桂林市细颗粒物为元素碳、有机碳元素碳、有机碳、富锰颗粒、富铁颗粒、富钾颗粒、矿物质、左旋葡聚糖以及其他金属等9类。     

Elemental and individual particle analysis of atmospheric aerosols from high Himalayas

Atmospheric aerosols were collected during the scientific expedition to Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) in May–June, 2005. The elemental concentrations of the aerosols were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This yielded data for the concentration of 14 elements: Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The mean elemental concentrations were generally comparable with those from central Asia and the Arctic, while much higher than those from Antarctic. Size, morphology, and chemical composition of 900 individual aerosol particles were determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Based on morphology and elemental composition, the particles were clustered into eight groups: soot (8%), tar ball (3%), alumosilicates/silica (55%), calcium sulfate (16%), Ca/Mg carbonate (2%), Fe/Ti-rich particles (3%), Pb-rich particles (1%), and biological particles (12%). The sampling site, located at 6,520 m in the Himalayas, is particularly remote and located at high altitude. Nonetheless, high aerosol enrichment factors for copper, chromium, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc all suggest the influence of long-range transported pollution, while enrichment in calcium and the presence of alumino-silicates in individual particle analyses indicates a distinct mineral dust influence. The backward air mass trajectories showed that the northwestern part of India may contribute to the atmospheric aerosol in the central high Himalayas.     

CFD Investigation of Particle Deposition in a Horizontal Looped Turbulent Pipe Flow

This paper presents comprehensive 3D numerical investigations on depositions of particles flowing through a horizontal pipe loop consisting of four bends. The multiphase mixture model available in FLUENT 6.2 was used in this study. In this numerical simulation, five different particle sizes have been used as secondary phases to calculate real multiphase effect in which inter-particle interaction has been considered. The deposition of particles along the periphery of the pipe wall was investigated as a function of particle size and fluid velocity. The simulations showed that near the upstream of the bends, maximum particle concentration occurred at the bottom of the pipe. However, downstream the bends, the maximum particle concentration occurred at an angle of 60° from the bottom. The larger particles clearly showed deposition near the bottom wall except downstream. As expected, the smaller particles showed less tendency of deposition and lesser at higher velocity. This numerical investigation showed qualitative agreement with the experiments conducted by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Melbourne team for similar conditions.     

Ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of formaldehyde in wastewaters and detergents

Spectrophotometry in combination with ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was applied for the extraction and determination of formaldehyde in real samples. The method is based on the reaction of formaldehyde with methyl acetoacetate in the presence of ammonia. The variation in the absorbance of the reaction product was measured at 375?nm. An appropriate mixture of ethanol (disperser solvent) and ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazoliumhexafluoro-phosphate [C₆MIM][PF₆] (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected into a water sample containing formaldehyde. After extraction, sedimented phase was analyzed by spectrophotometry. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.1–20?ng?mL^?1 with the detection limit of 0.02?ng?mL^?1 and limit of quantification of 0.08?ng?mL^?1 for formaldehyde. The relative standard deviation (RSD%, n?=?5) for the extraction and determination of 0.8?ng?mL^?1 of formaldehyde in the aqueous samples was 2.5%. The results showed that DLLME is a very simple, rapid, sensitive, and efficient analytical method for the determination of trace amounts of formaldehyde in wastewaters and detergents, and suitable results were obtained.