Source apportion of atmospheric particulate matter: a joint Eulerian/Lagrangian approach

PM_2.5 samples were collected during an annual monitoring campaign (January 2012–January 2013) in the urban area of Naples, one of the major cities in Southern Italy. Samples were collected by means of a standard gravimetric sampler (Tecora Echo model) and characterized from a chemical point of view by ion chromatography. As a result, 143 samples together with their ionic composition have been collected. We extend traditional source apportionment techniques, usually based on multivariate factor analysis, interpreting the chemical analysis results within a Lagrangian framework. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) model was used, providing linkages to the source regions in the upwind areas. Results were analyzed in order to quantify the relative weight of different source types/areas. Model results suggested that PM concentrations are strongly affected not only by local emissions but also by transboundary emissions, especially from the Eastern and Northern European countries and African Saharan dust episodes.     

Decomposition of non-ionic surfactant Tergitol TMN-10 by the Fenton process in the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles

The aim of our studies was to determine the efficiency of decomposition of non-ionic surfactant by the Fenton method in the presence of iron nanocompounds and to compare it with the classical Fenton method. The subject of studies was water solutions of non-ionic detergent Tergitol TMN-10 used in textile industry. Water solutions of the surfactant were subjected to treatment by the classical Fenton method and to treatment in the presence of iron nanocompounds. In the samples of liquid solutions containing the surfactant, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined. The Fenton process was optimized based on studies of the effect of compounds used in the treatment, doses of iron and nanoiron, hydrogen peroxide and pH of the solution on surfactant decomposition. Iron oxide nanopowder catalyzed the process of detergent decomposition, increasing its efficiency and the degree of mineralization. It was found that the efficiency of the surfactant decomposition in the process with the use of iron nanocompounds was by 10 to 30 % higher than that in the classical method. The amounts of formed deposits were also several times smaller.     

Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment in a multistorey shopping mall by high-spatial-resolution monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOC)

In order to assess indoor air quality (IAQ), two 1-week monitoring campaigns of volatile organic compounds (VOC) were performed in different areas of a multistorey shopping mall. High-spatial-resolution monitoring was conducted at 32 indoor sites located in two storehouses and in different departments of a supermarket. At the same time, VOC concentrations were monitored in the mall and parking lot area as well as outdoors. VOC were sampled at 48-h periods using diffusive samplers suitable for thermal desorption. The samples were then analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The data analysis and chromatic maps indicated that the two storehouses had the highest VOC concentrations consisting principally of terpenes. These higher TVOC concentrations could be a result of the low efficiency of the air exchange and intake systems, as well as the large quantity of articles stored in these small spaces. Instead, inside the supermarket, the food department was the most critical area for VOC concentrations. To identify potential emission sources in this department, a continuous VOC analyzer was used. The findings indicated that the highest total VOC concentrations were present during cleaning activities and that these activities were carried out frequently in the food department. The study highlights the importance of conducting both high-spatial-resolution monitoring and high-temporal-resolution monitoring. The former was able to identify critical issues in environments with a complex emission scenario while the latter was useful in interpreting the dynamics of each emission source.     

鼠李糖脂洗脱氯丹和灭蚁灵污染场地土壤的工艺参数

优化了鼠李糖脂洗脱氯丹、灭蚁灵污染土壤的工艺条件,为开展有机氯农药污染场地土壤洗脱修复工程实践提供科学依据和技术参数。实验结果表明,随着洗脱剂———鼠李糖脂浓度的增加,氯丹和灭蚁灵的洗脱量呈现先增加后降低的趋势;洗脱时间和液固比对洗脱效果的影响趋势与浓度相同;在0~120 r/min范围内,氯丹和灭蚁灵洗脱量随着搅拌速度的增加而增大,80、120和200 r/min的洗脱量间差异不显著;单次洗脱量随洗脱次数的增加而降低,累计洗脱量则逐渐增大。综上所述,氯丹、灭蚁灵污染场地土壤鼠李糖脂洗脱的适宜工艺参数为鼠李糖浓度10 mmol/L,搅拌速度80 r/min,固液比1∶10,洗脱时间20 min,洗脱3次。     

Micropollutants in urban stormwater: occurrence,concentrations, and atmospheric contributions for a wide range of contaminants in three French catchments

This study aimed at: (a) providing information on the occurrence and concentration ranges in urban stormwater for a wide array of pollutants (n?=?77); (b) assessing whether despite the differences between various catchments (land use, climatic conditions, etc.), the trends in terms of contamination level are similar; and (c) analyzing the contribution of total atmospheric fallout (TAF) with respect to sources endogenous to this contamination. The studied contaminants include conventional stormwater contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Zn, Cu, Pb, etc.), in addition to poorly or undocumented pollutants such as nonylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO and OPnEO), bisphenol A (BPA), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a wide variety of pesticides, and various metals of relevance (As, Ti, Sr, V). Sampling and analysis were performed using homogeneous methods on three urban catchments with different land use patterns located in three distinct French towns. For many of these pollutants, the results do not allow highlighting a significant difference in stormwater quality at the scale of the three urban catchments considered. Significant differences were, however, observed for several metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sr and Zn), PAHs, and PBDEs, though this assessment would need to be confirmed by further experiments. The pollutant distributions between dissolved and particulate phases were found to be similar across the three experimental sites, thus suggesting no site dependence. Lastly, the contributions of TAF to stormwater contamination for micropollutants were quite low. This finding held true not only for PAHs, as previously demonstrated in the literature, but also for a broader range of molecules such as BPA, NPnEO, OPnEO, and PBDEs, whose high local production is correlated with the leaching of urban surfaces, buildings, and vehicles.     

A robust simulation–optimization modeling system for effluent trading—a case study of nonpoint source pollution control

In this study, a robust simulation–optimization modeling system (RSOMS) is developed for supporting agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) effluent trading planning. The RSOMS can enhance effluent trading through incorporation of a distributed simulation model and an optimization model within its framework. The modeling system not only can handle uncertainties expressed as probability density functions and interval values but also deal with the variability of the second-stage costs that are above the expected level as well as capture the notion of risk under high-variability situations. A case study is conducted for mitigating agricultural NPS pollution with an effluent trading program in Xiangxi watershed. Compared with non-trading policy, trading scheme can successfully mitigate agricultural NPS pollution with an increased system benefit. Through trading scheme, [213.7, 288.8]?×?10³ kg of TN and [11.8, 30.2]?×?10³ kg of TP emissions from cropped area can be cut down during the planning horizon. The results can help identify desired effluent trading schemes for water quality management with the tradeoff between the system benefit and reliability being balanced and risk aversion being considered.     

Annual and weekly patterns of ozone and particulate matter in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

Air pollution has been an increasing concern within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. In this work the authors present an analysis of daily ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxide (NO_x), and particulate matter (<10 μm aerodynamic diameter; PM₁₀) concentrations for two years (2010 and 2011) at sites in and around the coastal city of Jeddah, as well as a remote background site for comparison. Monthly and weekly variations, along with their implications and consequences, were also examined. O₃ within Jeddah was remarkably low, and exhibited the so-called weekend effect—elevated O₃ levels on the weekends, despite reduced emissions of O₃ precursors on those days. Weekend O₃ increases averaged between 12% and 14% in the city, suggesting that NO_x/volatile organic compound (VOC) ratios within cities such as Jeddah may be exceptionally high. Sites upwind or far removed from Jeddah did not display this weekend effect. Based on these results, emission control strategies in and around Jeddah must carefully address NO_x/VOC ratios so as to reduce O₃ at downwind locations without increasing it within urban locations themselves. PM₁₀ concentrations within Jeddah were elevated compared with North American cites of similar climatology, though comparable to other large cities within the Middle East.

Implications:Daily concentrations of O₃, PM₁₀, and NO_x in and around the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are analyzed and compared with those of other reference cities. Extremely low O₃ levels, along with a significant urban weekend effect (higher weekend O₃, despite reduced NO_x concentrations), is apparent, along with high levels of PM₁₀ within the city. Urban O₃ in Jeddah was found to be lower than that of other comparable cities, but the strong weekend effect suggests that care must be taken to reduce downwind O₃ levels without increasing them within the city itself. Further research into the emissions and chemistry contributing to the reduced O₃ levels within the city is warranted.