Study of Meteorological Aspects and Urban Concentration of SO2 in Atmospheric Environment of La Plata, Argentina

This article presents and discusses SO₂ (ppbv) concentration measurements combined with meteorological data (mainly wind speed and direction) for a five-year campaign (1996 to 2000), in a site near an oil refinery plant close to the city of La Plata and surroundings (aprox. 740.000 inh.), considered one of the six most affected cities by air pollution in the country. Since there is no monitoring network in the area, the obtained results should be considered as medium term accumulated data that enables to determine trends by analyzing together gas concentrations and meteorological parameters. Preliminary characterization of the behaviour of the predominant winds of the region in relation with potential atmospheric gas pollutants from seasonal wind roses is possible to carry out from the data. These results are complemented with monthly averaged SO₂ measurements. In particular, for year 2000, pollutant roses were determined which enable predictions about contamination emission sources. As a general result we can state that there is a clear increase in annual SO₂ concentration and that the selected site should be considered as a key site for future survey monitoring network deployment. Annual SO₂ average concentration and prevailing seasonal winds determined in this work, together with the potential health impact of SO₂ reveals the need for a comprehensive and systematic study involving particulate matter an other basic pollutant gases.     

Influence of local and regional Mediterranean meteorology on SO₂ ground-level concentrations in SE Spain

This work presents the results of a 4-year study on sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) ground-level concentrations in an area of southeastern Spain, the L'Alacantí region, where the cement industry is important and coke use extends to other industries as well. The main source of SO(2) emissions in the area was found to be a the Lepold cement plant (one of the two cement plants in the area). The high levels of SO(2) probably extend back to 1920 when this plant began operations. Both local and Mediterranean-scale meteorological processes influence the SO(2) ground-level concentration and together explain the dispersion dynamics of this pollutant. The location and topography of the study zone result in NW Atlantic advections and E-SE sea breezes being the dominant atmospheric circulation patterns in the area. Under stable meteorological conditions, minor local circulations are also relevant to the SO(2) concentration levels. The high frequency of local circulations determines a concentration pattern that changes during the day, with impacts occurring preferentially in a W-NW direction from the source at midday (sea breeze and strong thermal mixture), and in a SE direction at night. This causes the SO(2) concentrations to present well-defined diurnal cycles with well-differentiated shapes depending on the location of the sampling station relative to the source. The dependence of SO(2) 10 min levels on the wind origin and speed throughout the day has been evaluated by studying statistical parameters including P95, P50 and arithmetic mean. Exceedances occur under specific dispersion conditions at distances less than 1 km from the source. However, the source is traceable at larger distances and the levels are higher than typical urban ones. P95 was used as an estimator of the occurrence of larger levels or impacts. Leeward of NW winds and the source, at night and in early morning, P95 levels are comprised between 30 and 55 μg m(-3). In contrast, with SE winds and at midday, P95 levels stay at 17 μg m(-3). The same P95 was obtained for winds lower than 5 m s(-1), which represent 89% of the winds in the area. However, stronger winds can have P95 levels above 125 μg m(-3).     

Analyzing SO 2 concentrations and wind directions during a short monitoring campaign at a site far from the industrial pole of La Plata, Argentina

This article presents and discusses SO2 air quality concentrations (ppbv) together with wind velocities and directions measurements carried out between September 1st and December 21st 2005 at a site located 8.5 km away from the Industrial Pole of La Plata area. As the city and its surroundings have no official monitoring network, the current work enlarges the air quality information available from the zone and sets some initial considerations to the future siting of monitoring stations. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using techniques of tests for outliers and trends, dissimilarity measures and robust regression. In relation to SO2 concentrations, low values were found during this short campaign considering daily averages (with a maximum of 8.5 ppbv) and hourly averages (with a maximum of 25.9 ppbv); World Health Organization guidelines were never surpassed. Nevertheless, a strong dependence between wind directions carrying air pollutants from the Industrial Pole and hourly concentration peaks were found. Due to low monthly SO2 concentrations and because a decreasing time trend was found, the authors propose, as an example, the implementation of an alternative discontinuous method to the continuous analyzer used in the current campaign. Our results state that sampling every 7 days at 13:00-13:59 hours (local time) would be enough to get representative values of the air quality. As a general remark it is possible to highlight that longer and systematic studies should be encouraged to confirm the seasonal wind pattern and to evaluate the air quality.     

基于自动站资料的深圳灰霾特征对比分析

利用深圳自动气象站的气象要素和深圳大气成分监测系统采集的大气成分数据,分析了深圳城区和郊区灰霾季节变化、日变化差异和不同风向下污染物浓度差异,结果表明,城区由于人类活动频繁导致灰霾日比郊区多,以轻微灰霾偏多为主。秋、冬季城区冷空气活动频繁、能源消耗大,灰霾出现频率是郊区的1~2倍;春季冷空气和海上暖湿气流容易形成对峙,沿海颗粒物更容易吸湿增长,郊区灰霾频率反而比城区高25%;夏季对流强、降水频密,城郊差异最小。城区灰霾频率受早晚交通高峰期影响,日变化呈双峰型。而郊区受太阳辐射和光化学反应影响大,呈单峰型。偏北风条件下污染物浓度明显升高,偏南风带来的清洁空气使得颗粒物浓度降幅明显。     

PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air: a focus on the effect of meteorology

PM(2.5) and VOCs (benzene, toluene, m-p-o-xylenes) concentrations were measured in an urban and a suburban site in Athens, Greece, during the period between April and November 2004. This period, which is considered to be the warmer period in Greece, is characterized by the development of sea-breeze over the Attica Basin. Additionally strong Northern, North-eastern winds called "The Etesians", predominate during the summer months (July-August), acting positively to the dispersion of pollutants. In this campaign, 24 days with sea-breeze development were observed, 15 days with northern winds, 6 days with southern winds while the rest of the days presented no specific wind profile. Maximum concentrations of PM(2.5), VOCs and nitrogen oxides, were detected during the days with sea-breeze, while minimum concentrations during the days with northern winds. Ozone was the only pollutant that appeared to have higher concentrations in the background site and not in the city centre, where benzene presented strong negative correlation with ozone, indicating the photochemical reaction of hydrocarbons that lead to the ozone formation. The BTX ratios were similar for both sites and wind profiles, indicating common sources for those pollutants. T/B ratio ranged in low levels, between 3-5 for site A and 2-5 for site B, suggesting vehicles emissions as the main sources of volatile compounds. Finally, the strong correlations of PM(2.5) and benzene concentrations, between the two sampling sites, indicate that both the city centre and the background site, are affected by the same sources, under common meteorological conditions (sea-breeze, northern winds).     

Study of atmospheric stagnation, recirculation and ventilation potential at Narora Atomic Power Station NPP site

The atmosphere is an important pathway to be considered in assessment of the environmental impact of radioactivity releases from nuclear facilities. The estimation of concentration of released effluents in air and possible ground contamination needs an understanding of relevant atmospheric dispersion. This paper describes the meteorological characteristics of Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) Nuclear Power Project site by using the integral parameters developed by Allwine and Whiteman (Atmospheric Environment 28(4):713–721, 1994). Meteorological data measured during the period 2006–2010 were analysed. The integral quantities related to the occurrence of stagnation, recirculation and ventilation characteristics were studied for the NAPS site to assess the dilution potential of the atmosphere. Wind run and recirculation factors were calculated for a 24-h transport time using 5 years of hourly surface measurements of wind speed and direction. The occurrence of stagnation, recirculation and ventilation characteristics during 2006–2010 at the NAPS site is observed to be 33.8, 19.5 and 34.7 % of the time, respectively. The presence of strong winds with predominant wind direction NW and WNW during winter and summer seasons leads to higher ventilation (48.1 and 44.3 %) and recirculation (32.6 % of the summer season). The presence of more dispersed light winds during pre-winter season with predominant wind directions W and WNW results in more stagnation (59.7 % of the pre-winter season). Thus, this study will serve as an essential meteorological tool to understand the transport mechanism of atmospheric radioactive effluent release from any nuclear industry during the pre-operational as well as operational phase.     

拉萨市大气污染分布特征及气象影响因子分析

以2001～2006年拉萨市的空气环境质量自动监测结果为基础数据,阐明拉萨市区主要大气污染物SO2、NO2、PM10的逐日变化、季节变化以及年变化特征.在此基础上,分析了大气污染物浓度与气象条件的关系.结果表明,除NO2日夜差别不大之外,SO2与PM10质量浓度分别存在典型的单峰、双峰变化;各污染物质量浓度具有冬强夏弱的季节变化规律;就年平均而言,SO2浓度增加,PM10浓度降低,NO2浓度变化不显著,各污染物有明显的突变现象.大多数气象要素与污染物浓度具有较好的负相关,即满足降水量增加、温度升高、相对湿度增大会导致污染物浓度减小的规律,气象要素量级与大气污染天数多少也存在密切关系.     

A Statistical Analysis of Particulate Data Sets for Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Surrounding Harbour Region in India

The concentrations of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) were measured at various locations in a Jawaharlal Nehru port and surrounding harbour region. Meteorological data was also collected to establish the correlation with air pollutant concentration. The results are analysed from the standpoint of monthly and seasonal variations, annual trends as well as meteorological effects. The monthly mean concentration of TSP was in the range of 88.2 to 199.3 microg m(-3). The maximum and minimum-recorded value of PM10 was 135.8 and 20.3 microg m(-3), respectively. The annual average concentration of PM10 was 66.1 microg m(-3). There are clear associations between TSP and PM10 data set at all the measured three sites with a correlation coefficient of 0.89, 0.69 and 0.81, respectively. PM10 data appears to be a constant fraction of the TSP data throughout the year, indicating common influences of meteorology and sources. Particle size analysis showed PM10 to be 47% of the total TSP concentration, which is lower than reported for industrial area and traffic junctions in Mumbai. Anthropogenic sources contribute significantly to the PM10 fraction in an industrial region, while contributions from natural sources are more in a port and harbour area. Statistical analysis of air quality data shows that TSP is strongly correlated with wind speed but weakly correlated with temperature. There appears to be a simple inverse relationship between TSP and wind speed data, indicating the dilution and transport by winds.     

宜都市PM2.5与O3季节性分布特征及潜在源区分析

为了解宜都市PM_2.5与O₃的污染特征及潜在来源,利用宜都市2020年3月至2022年2月在线监测数据及气象数据,对宜都市PM_2.5与O₃质量浓度变化特征、气象影响因素及潜在源区进行了分析,结果表明:宜都市PM_2.5质量浓度冬高夏低,日变化呈双峰特征,O₃质量浓度夏高冬低,日变化呈单峰特征。高湿、静稳的气象条件以及较强偏北风作用下的区域污染传输对PM_2.5污染有重要影响,高温以及中湿度对O₃污染过程有重要作用。春、夏、秋季偏南方向气流轨迹占主导,且携带较高的污染物浓度,冬季来自湖北东北及西南方向的气流占比较高且携带的PM_2.5浓度较高;宜都市PM_2.5、O₃的潜在源区具有季节性差异,总体来看,主要分布在河南南部、湖北东部及湖南的北部区域。     

Modelling-tracer study for risk assessment of a proposed sour gas facility

As an integral part of a risk assessment of a sour gas pipeline proposed for a recreational area in the Rocky Mountain foothills, the dispersion of hydrogen sulphide was assessed using meteorological monitoring, tracer gas concentration measurement and a complex terrain diffusion model. Sulphur hexafluoride was released into the nocturnal drainage winds of two valleys in the eastern slopes of the Alberta Rockies southwest of Calgary. The resulting concentrations were measured at several points on transects at various distances from the source. The NUVAL version of the dispersion model IMPACT (Integrated Model for Plumes and Atmospherics in Complex Terrain) was site tuned using the measured concentrations and concurrent meteorological data. Relative mean absolute errors of 24–50% were obtained. The Gaussian model (PLUMES) with modified stability classes gave relative mean absolute errors of 42–64% in predicting transect maxima. Dilution rates were found to be much larger than would be experienced under similar conditions over flat terrain.     

Spatial variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto, Italy and its potential impact on exposure assessment

Epidemiological studies typically use monitored air pollution data from a single station or as averaged data from several stations to estimate population exposure. In industrialized urban areas, this approach may present critical issues due to the spatial complexities of air pollutants which are emitted by different sources. This study focused on the city of Taranto, which is one of the most highly industrialized cities in southern Italy. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations in this area, in terms of mortality excess and short-term health effects of air pollution. The aims of this paper are to study the variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto and to interpret the results in relation to the applicability of the data in assessing population exposure. Meteorological and pollution data (SO2, NO2, PM10), measured simultaneously and continuously during the period 2006–2010 in five air quality stations, were analyzed. Relative and absolute spatial concentration variations were investigated by means of statistical indexes. Results show significant differences among stations. The highest correlation between stations was observed for PM10 concentrations, while critical values were found for NO2. The worst values were observed for the SO2 series. The high values of 90th percentile of differences between pairs of monitoring sites for the three pollutants index suggest that mean concentrations differ by large amounts from site to site. The overall analysis supports the hypothesis that various parts of the city are differently affected by the different emission sources, depending on meteorological conditions. In particular, analysis revealed that the influence of the industrial site may be primarily identified with the series of SO2 data which exhibit higher mean concentration values and positive correlations with wind intensity when the monitoring station is downwind from the industrial site. Results suggest evaluating the population exposure to air pollutants in industrialized cities by taking into account the possible zones of influence of different emission sources. More research is needed to identify an indicator, which ought to be a synthesis of several pollutants, and take into account the meteorological variables.     

广州市近地面臭氧时空变化及其与气象因子的关系

利用2012年1月至2016年2月广州市环境空气自动监测数据和气象观测数据,对广州市近地面臭氧的时空分布特征及其与气象因子的关系进行分析。结果表明:2012—2015年广州市臭氧日最大8 h滑动平均值的第90百分位数波动变化,年变化率依次为-14.3%、5.8%、-12.1%;广州市臭氧浓度呈现夏、秋季高,春、冬季低的显著季节变化特征;臭氧日最大8 h平均值的月均值和第90百分位数最高的月份一般分别出现在10月和7—8月;臭氧浓度的日变化曲线为单峰型,最大值一般出现在14:00或15:00;臭氧浓度随垂直高度的升高而增大,从低层(6 m点位或地面站)到中层(118 m和168 m点位)、中层到高层(488 m点位)臭氧日最大8 h滑动平均值的增长率分别为18.3%和39.1%;广州市中心城区臭氧浓度低于南北部城郊,夏、秋季高值区与夏、秋季主导风向相对应;臭氧浓度受降水、气温、相对湿度和风速等气象因子影响,臭氧浓度的超标是多种因素综合作用的结果。     

宁波市大气污染概况及影响因素分析

为研究宁波市大气污染状况及其影响因素，利用2013—2018年宁波市国控站点实时监测污染物数据以及气象数据，探讨分析了宁波市大气污染特征以及所受气象因素的影响概况。结果表明：宁波市颗粒物污染和O₃污染呈现典型的季节性特征，颗粒物浓度冬季最高，O₃最大滑动8 h平均质量浓度春、秋季最高。宁波市O₃污染问题越来越突出，且呈现出春、秋季O₃超标天数最多的季节变化特征。O₃小时质量浓度与气温和太阳辐射成正相关关系，NO₂和颗粒物浓度与气温成负相关关系。NO₂与O₃浓度成负相关关系，与颗粒物浓度成正相关关系。     

灰霾期间武汉城市区域大气污染物的理化特征

利用湖北省大气复合污染自动监测站2013年的全年监测数据,分析了灰霾期间武汉城市区域大气污染物的理化特征。霾日主要出现在春季、秋季和冬季。霾日与非霾日大气污染物质量浓度和气象参数的对比分析结果显示:高湿度、静风是武汉城市区域霾日的重要气象特征;PM1、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、NO_2、CO、NH3的质量浓度,SOR、NOR值以及PM_(2.5)中的二次无机离子(SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4)和部分元素(Pb、Se、Cd、Zn、K)的质量浓度均在霾日明显高于非霾日,而霾日SO2质量浓度仅在冬季略高于非霾日。选取2013年1月的连续灰霾日进行相关性分析,结果表明:污染组分主要来自当地排放(包括直接排放和二次形成),并受当地气象条件影响。此次灰霾过程中PM_(2.5)中的硫酸盐和硝酸盐主要来自气相反应,气态NO_2主要生成了气态HNO_3,而不是HNO_2。     

秸秆焚烧对哈尔滨市灰霾天气的影响

2015年11月1—4日,哈尔滨市及周边地区发生了连续的灰霾天气,颗粒物浓度急剧升高。污染发生时,监测仪器均布设在哈尔滨市区上风向30 km处(哈尔滨市双城区)并开展了连续96 h的监测分析。综合利用气象观测资料,3D可视激光雷达监测资料及地面空气污染监测资料分析了灰霾天气发生的气象条件和污染边界层特征,根据哈尔滨市双城区大气污染物排放源谱库对主要成分进行来源解析,结合颗粒物质量浓度和气象条件研究了秸秆焚烧对灰霾天气的影响。结果表明,灰霾天气持续期间,夜间生物质燃烧源成为该地区颗粒物的第二大源;秸秆焚烧产生的大气污染物,由于地面长时间静风,污染边界层降低等原因,致使本地污染物累积、不易扩散,加剧了本次污染。     

海口市臭氧污染特征

基于2013—2015年海口市4个空气质量自动监测站点数据,结合气象资料,分析了海口市O_3的污染特征。结果表明:海口市O_3总体优良,优良天数比例为99.4%,污染天数均为轻度污染;在良和污染天数中,O_3作为首要污染物的天数占40%,超过其他5项污染物占比。海口市10月O_3浓度最高。O_3月均浓度与温度呈负相关关系,同时与风向有密切关系:5—8月气温较高,以南风为主,O_3浓度较低;1月北风频率较高,易受外来污染传输作用,O_3浓度相对较高。O_3超标日以东北风为主,日变化并未呈现单峰型特征,12:00—22:00时段O_3浓度在10%范围内小幅变化。台风外围型和北方冷高压底部型是造成海口市O_3超标的2类典型天气形势。     

Sixteen-year air quality data analysis of a high environmental risk area in Southern Italy

The Brindisi area is characterized by the presence of industries with high environmental impact, located along its eastern border. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations: two short-term (2003-2005) epidemiological studies have shown that PM(10) and NO(2) are adversely associated with daily hospital admissions: one of the two pointed to the associations with wind blowing from the southern, eastern and western sectors. This study aims to expand the time span of available air quality data in order to provide a more complete and extensive epidemiological study. Multi-year series (from 1992 to 2007) of SO(2), NO(2), and TSP concentration data are presented and analyzed. Data show a significant downward trend of SO(2) from 1992 to 2007, while for the TSP series, the downward trend is limited to the period 1992-1994. Marked seasonal trends are evident for all three pollutants, especially for NO(2) and TSP. The NO(2) series shows higher levels in winter. Inversely, the TSP series shows its maximum values during the summer months, associated with a moderate correlation with temperature and a poor correlation with other pollutants. Analysis of the series for wind sectors revealed the influence of the industrial site and of the harbor. The concentration series exhibit high concentration values and stronger correlations between them and with meteorology for wind blowing from the eastern sectors. Overall analysis supports the hypothesis of a different origin for TSP during the year and for different wind regimes and therefore possible size and chemical differences in TSP, which should be further investigated due to their health implications.     

Long-term relationships between SO2 and NOx emissions and SO4(2-) and NO3- concentration in bulk deposition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH

A highly significant second-order polynomial relation between SO(2) emissions and SO(4)(2-) concentrations during 1970-2000 (r(2)= 0.80, p= <0.001), and a linear relation between NO(x) and NO(3)(-) concentrations during 1991-2000 (r(2)= 0.67, p= 0.004) in bulk precipitation were found for the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH based on emissions from a 24 h, back-trajectory determined source area. Earlier periods (1965-1980) for SO(2)ratio SO(4)(2-) and longer periods (1965-2000) for NO(x)ratio NO(3)(-) had poorer linear relations, r(2)= 0.03, p= 0.51 and r(2)= 0.22, p= 0.004, respectively. Methodology by the US Environmental Protection Agency for calculating emissions data during this period has changed significantly and frequently, making trend analysis difficult. Given the large potential for errors in estimating emissions and to a lesser extent, deposition, the robust relations between SO(2) emissions and SO(4)(2-) concentrations in bulk precipitation at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest show that careful, long-term measurements from a single monitoring site can provide sound and reasonable data on trends in air pollution.     

Input strategy analysis for an air quality data modelling procedure at a local scale based on neural network

In recent years, a significant part of the studies on air pollutants has been devoted to improve statistical techniques for forecasting the values of their concentrations in the atmosphere. Reliable predictions of pollutant trends are essential not only for setting up preventive measures able to avoid risks for human health but also for helping stakeholders to take decision about traffic limitations. In this paper, we present an operating procedure, including both pollutant concentration measurements (CO, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, PM10) and meteorological parameters (hourly data of atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed), which improves the simple use of neural network for the prediction of pollutant concentration trends by means of the integration of multivariate statistical analysis. In particular, we used principal component analysis in order to define an unconstrained mix of variables able to improve the performance of the model. The developed procedure is particularly suitable for characterizing the investigated phenomena at a local scale.     

海口市臭氧污染及气象条件特征

近年来,臭氧已成为许多城市环境空气的主要污染物之一。笔者分析了2020年海口市5个不同方位代表性监测站点逐小时空气质量监测数据及对应站点的气象要素监测数据。研究结果表明:海口市2020年环境空气污染程度为三级以上的天数有11d,其首要污染物均为臭氧。臭氧浓度高值时段主要出现在10-12月。浓度最大值主要出现在每日14:00-17:00,最小值出现在每日05:00-08:00。气象要素日均值与臭氧浓度相关性大小依次为最高温度＞平均温度＞相对湿度＞降水量＞日照时数＞风速。台风外围下沉气流和东北气流的共同影响是导致海口市臭氧浓度超标的主要因素,下沉气流更有利于低层大气中臭氧的堆积,同时在东北气流影响下,上游区域污染物的传输也会导致海口市臭氧浓度增加。