Development and Evaluation of a Continuous Coarse (PM10–PM25) Particle Monitor

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we describe the development and laboratory and field evaluation of a continuous coarse (2.5-10 um) particle mass (PM) monitor that can provide reliable measurements of the coarse mass (CM) concentrations in time intervals as short as 5-10 min. The operating principle of the monitor is based on enriching CM concentrations by a factor of ~25 by means of a 2.5-um cut point round nozzle virtual impactor while maintaining fine mass (FM)—that is, the mass of PM_{2 5} at ambient concentrations. The aerosol mixture is subsequently drawn through a standard tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM), the response of which is dominated by the contributions of the CM, due to concentration enrichment. Findings from the field study ascertain that a TEOM coupled with a PM₁₀ inlet followed by a 2.5-um cut point round nozzle virtual impactor can be used successfully for continuous CM concentration measurements. The average concentration-enriched CM concentrations measured by the TEOM were 26-27 times higher than those measured by the time-integrated PM₁₀ samplers [the micro-orifice uniform deposit     

Measuring Ammonia Concentrations and Emissions from Agricultural Land and Liquid Surfaces: A Review

Abstract

Aerial ammonia concentrations (C _g) are measured using acid scrubbers, filter packs, denuders, or optical methods. Using C _g and wind speed or airflow rate, ammonia emission rate or flux can be directly estimated using enclosures or micrometeorological methods. Using nitrogen (N) recovery is not recommended, mainly because the different gaseous N components cannot be separated. Although low cost and replicable, chambers modify environmental conditions and are suitable only for comparing treatments. Wind tunnels do not modify environmental conditions as much as chambers, but they may not be appropriate for determining ammonia fluxes; however, they can be used to compare emissions and test models. Larger wind tunnels that also simulate natural wind profiles may be more useful for comparing treatments than micrometeorological methods because the latter require larger plots and are, thus, difficult to replicate. For determining absolute ammonia flux, the micrometeorological methods are the most suitable because they are nonintrusive. For use with micrometeorological methods, both the passive denuders and optical methods give comparable accuracies, although the latter give real-time C _g but at a higher cost. The passive denuder is wind weighted and also costs less than forced-air C _g measurement methods, but it requires calibration. When ammonia contamination during sample preparation and handling is a concern and separating the gas-phase ammonia and aerosol ammonium is not required, the scrubber is preferred over the passive denuder. The photothermal interferometer, because of its low detection limit and robustness, may hold potential for use in agriculture, but it requires evaluation. With its simpler theoretical basis and fewer restrictions, the integrated horizontal flux (IHF) method is preferable over other micrometeorological methods, particularly for lagoons, where berms and land-lagoon boundaries modify wind flow and flux gradients. With uniform wind flow, the ZINST method requiring measurement at one predetermined height may perform comparably to the IHF method but at a lower cost.     

Green Synthesis and Antioxidant Study of Silver Nanoparticles of Root Extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sageretia thea</Emphasis> and Its Role in Oxidation Protection Technology

Development of environmentally friendly synthesis of nanoparticles is one of the important areas of research in nanotechnology. In present study silver naopartticles (AgNPs) of root extract of Sageretia thea (S. thea) were synthesized at room temperature. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV. Visible spectroscopy (UV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Formation of AgNPs was confirmed by visual examination the colour change from yellow to brick red due to surface Plasmon resonance band at 435 nm. SEM and TEM analysis of synthesized AgNPs revealed spherical morphology with average particle size 25 nm. Crystalline nature of the AgNPs in face centered cubic structure is evident from the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and XRD pattern. The presence of elemental Ag was confirmed by EDX analysis at 3kv. Different functional groups which responsible for reduction and stabilization of reaction medium was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed strong DPPH and dye protection radical scavenging assay while modest hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay as compare to crude extract. The present investigations suggest that biosynthesized nanoparticles have a high potential for use in the preparation of drugs used against various diseases and also a promising candidate for many medical applications.     

西安市机动车污染物排放清单与空间分布特征

基于机动车排放因子(MOVES)模型和地理信息系统(ArcGIS)技术,建立了西安市2017年分辨率为1km×1km的机动车污染物排放清单。结果显示:2017年西安市机动车污染物PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、NO_x(NO+NO_2)、NO、NO_2、N_2O和挥发性有机物(VOCs)的年排放总量分别为126.1×10~4、138.2×10~4、2 884.2×10~4、2 577.8×10~4、306.4×10~4、27.9×10~4、1 281.2×10~4 kg;柴油车是PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)和NO_x排放的主要来源,贡献率分别为80.2%、79.5%和75.8%;VOCs和N_2O则主要来自汽油车,贡献率分别为74.2%、89.7%;总体看来,研究区域内不同污染物的空间分布规律相似,这与西安市公路分布有关,PM_(2.5)和NO_x的排放主要集中在主城区及周边县区的高速路和国道,而VOCs的排放主要集中在主城区二环及环内。     

Benzo(a)pyrene induced structural and functional modifications in lung cystatin

Cystatins are thiol proteinase inhibitors ubiquitously present in the mammalian body. They serve a protective function to regulate the activities of endogenous proteinases, which may cause uncontrolled proteolysis and damage. In the present study, the effect of benzo(a)pyrene [BaP] on lung cystatin was studied to explore the hazardous effects of environmental pollutant on structural and functional integrity of the protein. The basic binding interaction was studied by UV-absorption, FT-IR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The enhancement of total protein fluorescence with a red shift of 5 nm suggests structural scratch of lung cystatin by benzo(a)pyrene. Further, ANS binding studies reaffirm the unfolding of the thiol protease inhibitor (GLC-I) after treating with benzo(a)pyrene. The results of FT-IR spectroscopy reflect perturbation of the secondary conformation (alpha-helix to β-sheet) in goat lung cystatin on interaction with BaP. Finally, functional inactivation of cystatin on association with BaP was checked by its papain inhibitory activity. Benzo(a)pyrene (10 μM) caused complete inactivation of goat lung cystatin. Benzo(a)pyrene-induced loss of structure and function in the thiol protease inhibitor could provide a caution for lung injury caused by the pollutants and smokers.     

Assessment of background levels of trace metals in water and soil from a remote region of Himalaya

Selected trace metals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry in the water and soil samples collected from the remote region of Himalaya. The soil samples were analysed for soluble and acid extractable fraction of trace metals. In water samples, Ca, Na, Mg and K emerged as dominant contributors, whereas, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe and Pb were estimated at comparatively higher levels in the water extract of the soil. In case of acid extract of the soil samples, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Mn and Na were found at elevated concentrations. Based on mean levels of the metals, following decreasing concentration order was observed in water samples: Ca > Na > Mg > K > Pb > Co > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Fe > Cd > Li, however, in the acid extract of the soil, following order was noted: Ca > K > Fe > Mg > Mn > Na > Pb > Zn > Cr > Li > Cu > Co > Cd. The correlation study revealed appreciably diverse mutual relationships of trace metals in the water and soil samples. The multivariate cluster analyses exhibited divergent apportionment of trace metals in water and soil samples. Among the trace metals, Cd, Pb, Li, Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn and Co exhibited extreme to significant anthropogenic enrichment in the soil samples, while the rest of the metals were mostly contributed by the natural processes.     

Assessment of water quality of Manchar Lake in Sindh (Pakistan)

Manchar Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Pakistan. The Lake has received less fresh water in past few years. In addition, drainage water is being discharged in the Lake through Main Nara Valley Drain (MNVD) since many years. Consequently, concern has grown regarding the water quality of the Lake. The aim of this study was to assess the water quality of Manchar Lake and MNVD and the objectives were to determine physiochemical properties and the concentrations of common cations and anions as well as seven trace metals i.e. Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Fe, Pb and Cd. The concentration of the trace metals were determined by simultaneous preconcentration and solvent extraction using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Results of physicochemical parameters of Manchar Lake water samples showed mean pH 8.4 (±0.2), conductivity 2,310.3 (±581.3) μS cm⁻¹ and hardness (as CaCO₃) 213.1 (±62.3) mg l⁻¹. Mean concentrations of cations and anions were Na 521.5 (±49.7), Cl⁻ 413.6 (±225.7), Ca 70.7 (±12.9), Mg 56.2 (±28.9), K 17.6 (±6.5), 0.34 (±0.2) and 0.02 (±0.01) mg l⁻¹. Mean concentrations of trace metals were Zn 15.7 (±1), Fe 12 (±3.5), Pb 9 (±2.7), Cu 8.9 (±7.7), Ni 4.3 (±3.4), Co 4 (±3.4) and Cd 1.1 (±1) μg l⁻¹. MNVD water samples showed mean pH 8.9 (±0.8), conductivity 1,735.7 (±567.8) μS cm⁻¹ and hardness (as CaCO₃) 184.8 (±32.4) mg l⁻¹. In MNWD, the mean concentrations of cations and anions were Na 482.7 (±11.7), Cl⁻ 395.7 (±271.5), Ca 79.1 (±23.5), Mg 54.2 (±28.1), K 26.2 (±21.3), NO⁻³ 0.5 (±0.3) and 0.1 (±0.1) mg l⁻¹. Mean concentrations of trace metals observed in MNWD water were Fe 14.9(±3.5), Cd 8.3 (±9.4), Pb 6.9 (±2.4), Cu 6.6 (±3.1), Zn 6.2 (±1.8), Co 4.5 (±2.7), and Ni 3.5 (±2.9) μg l⁻¹. The pH of both Manchar Lake and MNVD waters and concentration of Pb in Manchar Lake and concentration of Cd in MNVD water were higher than the World Health Organisation’s guideline values for the drinking water quality. The water quality of Manchar Lake was found degraded.     

Spatial variations in selected metal contents and particle size distribution in an urban and rural atmosphere of Islamabad, Pakistan

Spatial variations in total suspended particulate matter (TSP) were investigated for distribution of metals and particle size fractions in the urban and rural atmosphere of Islamabad, Pakistan. The metals Na, K, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni and Co, and the particle fractions <2.5, 2.5-10, 10-100 and >100 microm were included in the study. TSP samples were trapped on glass fibre filters using high volume samplers and quantification of metals was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry employing HNO(3) based wet digestion. At the urban site, Na was dominant at 2.384 microg/m(3) followed by K, Fe and Zn with 0.778, 0.667 and 0.567 microg/m(3) as mean concentrations, respectively. The metal levels for the rural site ranged from 0.002 microg/m(3) for Cd to 1.077 microg/m(3) for Na. However, compared with the urban site, mean Pb concentration showed an almost two-fold enhancement, i.e., 0.163 Vs. 0.327 microg/m(3). Metals and particle size source identification was done using Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis. Five sources were traced out for the urban site: industrial, soil, automobile emissions, metallurgical industries and excavation activities. For the rural site, four sources were recorded: agricultural, automotive emissions, excavation activities and metallurgical units. Collectively, for both the sites, PM(10-100) emerged as a major contributor to TSP, followed by PM(2.5-10), PM(<2.5) and PM(>100) in that order. The metals showed in general positive relationship with fine particulate fractions (PM(2.5-10), PM(<2.5)), and negative correlation with coarse fractions (PM(10-100), PM(>100)). Comparison with the corresponding data from various Asian sites revealed that the levels of Na, K, Fe, Mn, Co and Ni for the present study were lower than those reported for grossly polluted cities of the world.     

化工区风险源的灰色聚类分级方法的研究

建设化工区需对企业进行合理规划布局,且化工区风险预警和防范具有优先性问题,需要对企业进行有效的风险分级。现有研究中的区域风险源分级方法上存在较大的不足。根据化工区风险源的特点,基于环境风险评价和灰色系统的基本理论,探索性的将灰色聚类分析方法应用于化工区风险源分级中。建立了一套适合化工园区的指标,对各个企业进行聚类分析,划分风险等级。以大连市某化工区为例,筛选8个指标,并选取了6个化工企业进行灰色聚类分析。将它们归为4个不同的风险级别。该方法不仅能较全面地反映化工区各个风险源的风险级别,对风险源的规划、布局和管理起到较好的决策支持作用,而且能指导预警和防范体系的建立,合理分配有限的资源。