Compilation and assessment of recent positive matrix factorization and UNMIX receptor model studies on fine particulate matter source apportionment for the eastern United States

In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its particulate matter standards to include an annual standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5; 15 microg/m3) and a 24-hr standard (65 microg/m3). The 24-hr standard was lowered to 35 microg/m3 in 2006 in an effort to further reduce overall ambient PM2.5 concentrations. Identifying and quantifying sources of particulate matter affecting a particular location through source apportionment methods is now an important component of the information available to decision makers when evaluating the new standards. This literature compilation summarizes a subset of the source apportionment research and general findings on fine particulate matter in the eastern half of the United States using Positive Matrix Factorization. The results between studies are generally comparable when comparable datasets are used; however, methodologies vary considerably. Commonly identified source categories include: secondary sulfate/coal burning (sometimes over 50% of total mass), secondary organic carbon/mobile sources, crustal sources, biomass burning, nitrate, various industrial processes, and sea salt. The source apportionment tools and methodologies have passed the proof-of-concept stage and are now being used to understand the ambient composition of particulate matter for sites across the United States and the spatial relationship of sources to the receptor. Recommendations are made for further and standardized method development for source apportionment studies, and specific research areas of interest for the eastern United States are proposed.     

Application of Satellite Remote-Sensing Data for Source Analysis of Fine Particulate Matter Transport Events

Abstract

Satellite sensors have provided new datasets for monitoring regional and urban air quality. Satellite sensors provide comprehensive geospatial information on air quality with both qualitative imagery and quantitative data, such as aerosol optical depth. Yet there has been limited application of these new datasets in the study of air pollutant sources relevant to public policy. One promising approach to more directly link satellite sensor data to air quality policy is to integrate satellite sensor data with air quality parameters and models. This paper presents a visualization technique to integrate satellite sensor data, ground-based data, and back trajectory analysis relevant to a new rule concerning the transport of particulate matter across state boundaries. Overlaying satellite aerosol optical depth data and back trajectories in the days leading up to a known fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) event may indicate whether transport or local sources appear to be most responsible for high PM_2.5 levels in a certain location at a certain time. Events in five cities in the United States are presented as case studies. This type of analysis can be used to help understand the source locations of pollutants during specific events and to support regulatory compliance decisions in cases of long distance transport.     

Windsor, Ontario exposure assessment study: design and methods validation of personal, indoor, and outdoor air pollution monitoring

The Windsor, Ontario Exposure Assessment Study evaluated the contribution of ambient air pollutants to personal and indoor exposures of adults and asthmatic children living in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. In addition, the role of personal, indoor, and outdoor air pollution exposures upon asthmatic children's respiratory health was assessed. Several active and passive sampling methods were applied, or adapted, for personal, indoor, and outdoor residential monitoring of nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter (PM; PM-2.5 pm [PM2.5] and < or =10 microm [PM10] in aerodynamic diameter), elemental carbon, ultrafine particles, ozone, air exchange rates, allergens in settled dust, and particulate-associated metals. Participants completed five consecutive days of monitoring during the winter and summer of 2005 and 2006. During 2006, in addition to undertaking the air pollution measurements, asthmatic children completed respiratory health measurements (including peak flow meter tests and exhaled breath condensate) and tracked respiratory symptoms in a diary. Extensive quality assurance and quality control steps were implemented, including the collocation of instruments at the National Air Pollution Surveillance site operated by Environment Canada and at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality site in Allen Park, Detroit, MI. During field sampling, duplicate and blank samples were also completed and these data are reported. In total, 50 adults and 51 asthmatic children were recruited to participate, resulting in 922 participant days of data. When comparing the methods used in the study with standard reference methods, field blanks were low and bias was acceptable, with most methods being within 20% of reference methods. Duplicates were typically within less than 10% of each other, indicating that study results can be used with confidence. This paper covers study design, recruitment, methodology, time activity diary, surveys, and quality assurance and control results for the different methods used.     

Participatory scenario development for integrated sustainability assessment

The paper discusses the role of visions within sustainability assessment and governance for sustainable development in Europe. Currently, our societies (still) develop along an unsustainable path, which results in a number of persistent problems (climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty, etc.). Integrated sustainability assessment (ISA) is one approach designed to initiate transitions towards sustainability. Visions of a sustainable future form an important part of ISA. These visions support the process of discussing how the transition from today’s societies/systems to a sustainable future can be achieved. According to the principles of ISA, visions should be developed in a participatory way, thus including the ideas and perceptions of stakeholders, decision-makers, experts and/or citizens. The paper starts with an introduction of the concepts of visions and scenarios and describes exemplary methods for their participatory development. Then, the main concepts for integrated sustainability assessment in comparison with other impact assessments are discussed. The main body of the paper presents experiences in three projects (ARTEMIS, ALARM, ECOCHANGE) in which visions and scenarios of sustainable futures were developed with stakeholders. The paper concludes with lessons learned and suggestions for future applications for participatory scenario development.     

Effect of Al(III) speciation on coagulation of highly turbid water

In Taiwan, the turbidity of raw water for fresh water treatments can sometimes reach as high as 40 000 NTU due to intensive rainfall, especially in typhoon seasons. In response, water works often apply large quantities of coagulants such as polyaluminium chloride (PACl). In this study, simulated and natural highly turbid water was coagulated with two PACls, a commercial product (PACl-1) and a laboratory product (PACl-E). The Al species distributions of PACl-1 and PACl-E under various pH conditions were determined, and the corresponding coagulation efficiency was evaluated. The PACl-E has a wider range of operational pH, while the efficiency of PACl-1 peaks at around neutral pH. For simulated water up to 5000 NTU, the PACl-E was superior to PACl-1 at low dosage and in the pH range studied. Similar results were discovered with natural water, except that when the turbidity was extremely high, the coagulation efficiency of PACl-E decreased significantly due to the presence of large amounts of organic matter. The coagulation of PACl-E was closely related to the content of polycationic aluminium (Al₁₃) while that of PACl-1 was dictated by the amount of Al_c. The sludge from PACl-E coagulation had better dewaterability when the optimum dosage was applied. The experimental results suggest that for natural water up to 5000 NTU, PACl containing high Al₁₃ species is recommended for coagulation. In cases when the water contains high organic matter, efficient coagulation depends upon enmeshment by amorphous aluminium hydroxide.     

ANADROMOUS SALMONID RECOVERY IN THE UMATILLA RWER BASIN,OREGON: A CASE STUDY1

ABSTRACT: The Umatilla River Basin Fisheries Restoration Plan was initiated in the early 1980s to mitigate salmonid losses caused by hydroelectric development and habitat degradation. The objectives are to enhance the abundance of endemic steelhead and reintroduce extirpated chinook and coho salmon. The project prompted collaborative effort among federal, state, and tribal agencies, and local water users. It has incorporated habitat restoration, flow enhancement, fish passage improvements, and population supplementation through artificial production. Water exchanges have successfully increased minimum flows during spring and fall migration. While flows remain depressed compared to historic conditions, there is potential for improved habitat, passage, and homing. The mean adult‐to‐adult return rate of hatchery‐reared steelhead exceeded replacement and that of the naturally‐spawning population. Although the smolt‐to‐adult survival rates of hatchery‐reared fish fluctuate, salmonid escapement has increased in recent years, permitting steelhead and spring chinook harvest. Enumeration of potential spawners and observed redds reveals an increase in natural production of all supplemented species. Comparison of hatchery‐reared and naturally‐spawning steelhead populations revealed differences in life history characteristics (in age composition and sex ratios) though run timing and genetic stock compositions of the two components of the populations have not differed. Sustained monitoring is needed to determine benefits of integrating habitat restoration and artificial production in restoring salmonid populations.     

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SURFACE‐WATER QUALITY IN NORTH AMERICA1

ABSTRACT: Data from long‐term ecosystem monitoring and research stations in North America and results of simulations made with interpretive models indicate that changes in climate (precipitation and temperature) can have a significant effect on the quality of surface waters. Changes in water quality during storms, snowmelt, and periods of elevated air temperature or drought can cause conditions that exceed thresholds of ecosystem tolerance and, thus, lead to water‐quality degradation. If warming and changes in available moisture occur, water‐quality changes will likely first occur during episodes of climate‐induced stress, and in ecosystems where the factors controlling water quality are sensitive to climate variability. Continued climate stress would increase the frequency with which ecosystem thresholds are exceeded and thus lead to chronic water‐quality changes. Management strategies in a warmer climate will therefore be needed that are based on local ecological thresholds rather than annual median condition. Changes in land use alter biological, physical, and chemical processes in watersheds and thus significantly alter the quality of adjacent surface waters; these direct human‐caused changes complicate the interpretation of water‐quality changes resulting from changes in climate, and can be both mitigated and exacerbated by climate change. A rigorous strategy for integrated, long‐term monitoring of the ecological and human factors that control water quality is necessary to differentiate between actual and perceived climate effects, and to track the effectiveness of our environmental policies.     

Warning variables affecting personal protective equipment use

This paper describes two studies conducted to test selected warning variables for their influence on the use of personal protective equipment. Both of the studies were field demonstrations; one conducted in a recreational setting and the other as part of a consumer product scenario. Each of the studies involved manipulations that could be practically implemented in many warning situations. Both studies showed that cost strongly influenced the use of personal protective equipment. “Cost” was shown to include parameters of time and difficulty with obtaining the equipment. The results indicate that a small increase in cost can devastate equipment use rates. Additional factors that were shown to positively influence equipment use under at least some circumstances include: (1) the addition of “specific consequence” information, including accident frequency and severity data, to standard warning signs/labels; and (2) product labels requiring physical manipulation by the consumer for product use.     

Ultrasonic extraction and portable anodic stripping voltammetric measurement of lead in paint, dust wipes, soil, and air: an interlaboratory evaluation

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of ultrasonic extraction (UE), followed by portable anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), for the on-site determination of lead in environmental and industrial hygiene samples. The aim of this work was to conduct an interlaboratory evaluation of the UE-ASV procedure, with a goal of establishing estimates of method performance based on results from collaborative interlaboratory analysis. In this investigation, performance evaluation materials (PEMs) with characterized lead concentrations were used for interlaboratory testing of the UE-ASV procedure. The UE-ASV protocol examined has been promulgated in the form of two separate national voluntary consensus standards (one for UE and another for electroanalysis, which includes ASV). The PEMs consisted of characterized and homogenized paints, soils, and dusts (the last of which were spiked onto wipes meeting national voluntary consensus standard specifications), and air filter samples (mixed cellulose ester membrane) generated using characterized paints within an aerosol chamber. The lead concentrations within the PEMs were chosen so as to bracket pertinent action levels for lead in the various sample matrices. The interlaboratory evaluation was conducted so as to comply with an applicable national voluntary consensus standard that can be used to estimate the interlaboratory precision of a given analytical test method. Based on the analytical results reported by the participating laboratories, relative standard deviations (RSDs) for repeatability and reproducibility were computed for three different lead contents of the four PEMs. RSDs for repeatability were 0.019-0.100 for paints; 0.030-0.151 for soils; 0.085-0.134 for dust wipes; and 0.095-0.137 for air filters. RSDs for reproducibility were 0.127-0.213 for paints; 0.062-0.162 for soils; 0.085-0.134 for dust wipes; and 0.114-0.220 for air filters. With the exception of one of the air filter samples and one of the paint samples, the precision estimates were within the +/- 20% precision requirement specified in the US Environmental Protection Agency National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP). The results of this investigation illustrate that the UE-ASV procedure is an effective method for the quantitative measurement of lead in the matrices evaluated in this study.     

受西班牙阿斯纳科利亚尔黄铁矿有毒污染液影响的土壤和植物中镉和锌浓度

引言 阿斯纳科利亚尔矿处于自西班牙中南部延伸至葡萄牙的黄铜矿丰富地带,劳斯福若斯是该矿的一个新开采地点,位于西班牙南部塞维尔以西45km,于1996年开工.提炼具有极高商业价值的锌(Zn)、铅(Pb)和汞(Hg)等高等级矿石产生了大量的重金属矿泥污水和高酸度废水(pH 2),而这些废水贮存在残渣围坝内,1998年4月25日,一处50m宽的决口使600万m3富含重金属的酸性废水和有毒矿渣泥浆(2:1的比例)泄漏到流经唐娜纳的高迪亚玛河(Gaudiamar).