Development of an on-line measurement system for water-soluble organic matter in PM2.5 and its application in China

Water-soluble organic matter(WSOM) represents a critical fraction of fine particles(PM_(2.5))in the air, but its changing behaviors and formation mechanisms are not well understood yet, partly due to the lack of fast techniques for the ambient measurements. In this study,a novel system for the on-line measurement of water-soluble components in PM_(2.5), the particle-into-liquid sampler(PILS)–Nebulizer–aerosol chemical speciation monitor(ACSM), was developed by combining a PILS, a nebulizer, and an ACSM. High time resolution concentrations of WSOM, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and chloride, as well as mass spectra, can be obtained with satisfied quality control results. The system was firstly applied in China for field measurement of WSOM. The mass spectrum of WSOM was found to resemble that of oxygenated organic aerosol, and WSOM agreed well with secondary inorganic ions. All evidence collected in the field campaign demonstrated that WSOM could be a good surrogate of secondary organic aerosol(SOA). The PILS–Nebulizer–ACSM system can thus be a useful tool for intensive study of WSOM and SOA in PM_(2.5).     

Chemical characteristics and source apportionment of PM2.5 between heavily polluted days and other days in Zhengzhou, China

PM_(2.5) samples were collected in Zhengzhou during 3 years of observation, and chemical characteristics and source contribution were analyzed. Approximately 96% of the daily PM_(2.5) concentrations and annual average values exceeded the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Daily and Annual Standards, indicating serious PM_(2.5) pollution. The average concentration of water-soluble inorganic ions was 2.4 times higher in heavily polluted days(daily PM32.5 concentrations 250 μg/mand visibility 3 km) than that in other days, with sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium as major ions. According to the ratio of NO-3/SO2-4,stationary sources are still the dominant source of PM_(2.5) and vehicle emission could not be ignored. The ratio of secondary organic carbon to organic carbon indicated that photochemical reactivity in heavily polluted days was more intense than in other days.Crustal elements were the most abundant elements, accounting for more than 60% of 23 elements. Chemical Mass Balance results indicated that the contributions of major sources(i.e., nitrate, sulfate, biomass, carbon and refractory material, coal combustion, soil dust,vehicle, and industry) of PM_(2.5) were 13%, 16%, 12%, 2%, 14%, 8%, 7%, and 8% in heavily polluted days and 20%, 18%, 9%, 2%, 27%, 14%, 15%, and 9% in other days, respectively.Extensive combustion activities were the main sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the episode(Jan 1-9, 2015) and the total benzo[a]pyrene equivalency concentrations in heavily polluted days present significant health threat. Because of the effect of regional transport, the pollution level of PM_(2.5) in the study area was aggravated.     

Comparative investigation of coal- and oil-fired boilers based on emission factors, ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation potentials of VOCs

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are the important precursors of the tropospheric ozone(O_3) and secondary organic aerosols(SOA),both of which are known to harm human health and disrupt the earth's climate system.In this study,VOC emission factors,O_3 and SOA formation potentials were estimated for two types of industrial boilers:coal-fired boilers(n=3) and oil-fired boilers(n=3).Results showed that EVOCs concentrations were more than nine times higher for oil-fire d boilers compared to those for coal-fired boilers.Emission factors of ΣVOCs were found to be higher for oil-fired boilers(9.26-32.83 mg-VOC/kg) than for coal-fired boilers(1.57-4.13 mg-VOC/kg).Alkanes and aromatics were obtained as the most abundant groups in coal-fired boilers,while oxygenated organics and aromatics were the most contributing groups in oil-fired boilers.Benzene,n-hexane and o-ethyl toluene were the abundant VOC species in coal-fired boiler emissions,whereas toluene was the most abundant VOC species emitted from oil-fired boilers.O_3 and SOA formation potentials were found 12 and 18 times,respectively,higher for oil-fired than for coal-fired boilers.Total OFP ranged from 3.99 to 11.39 mg-O_3/kg for coal-fired boilers.For oil-fired boilers,total OFP ranged from 36.16 to 131.93 mg-O_3/kg.Moreover,total secondary organic aerosol potential(SOAP) ranged from 65.4 to 122.5 mg-SOA/kg and 779.9 to 2252.5 mg-SOA/kg for the coal-fired and oil-fired boilers,respectively.     

Market imperfections in recycling markets: conceptual issues and empirical study of price volatility in plastics

The effectiveness of recycling depends upon efficient functioning of secondary material markets. This paper focus on the role that price volatility can play in slowing investment and market development. However, a statistical analysis of the relative volatility of secondary and primary material prices does not confirm the widely-held belief that relative price volatility is higher in secondary than in primary materials, at least at national levels.An econometric estimation of the determinants of plastic recovery volumes in Seattle contributes to the literature in four ways: the use of monthly (as opposed to annual) data; the use of local (as opposed to national) data; the use of an explanatory variable to reflect price volatility; and, the focus on plastics, which have not been examined previously. Some tentative conclusions can be made: the results generally support the principal hypothesis that price volatility has a negative effect on recovery of secondary materials; in addition, and consistent with previous studies, price elasticities are low and insignificant; and finally, policy factors are clearly important. The concluding section treats the economic and policy implications of market inefficiency in secondary material markets.     

废旧巷道对含尘气流自净特性的研究

着重研究了废旧巷道对含尘气流的自净特性,进而对利用旧巷自净进行受控循环通风的设想进行探讨;在对浓度场和流体场测试的基础上,建立了粒子在废旧巷道沉降的紊流弥散模型,对边界条件进行了正确的假设,得出了稳态时的自净效率公式;导出了风量与巷道体积的关系表达式。     

Temporal evolution of charged and neutral nanoparticle concentrations during atmospheric new particle formation events and its implications for ion-induced nucleation

Time series of nanoparticle number concentration during new particle formation (NPF) events in the urban environment of Brisbane, Australia, showed that the formation of charged particles often occurred before that of neutral particles. We monitored 241 days during the calendar year 2012 over which NPF events were observed on 108 days. We studied the times at which the charged and neutral particle concentrations in the size range 1.8–3.2 nm reached their peak values and found that they were clearly different in 50 events with the peak neutral particle concentration lagging behind the charged particle concentration during 42 of these events with a mean time lag of 24±12 min. While the charged particles were more likely to form before the neutral particles, once formed, the growth rate of the particles did not depend on their charge. While ion-induced nucleation is not the dominant mechanism of NPF in the atmosphere, our observations suggest that the presence of ions in the atmosphere plays a role that cannot be ignored.

Open image in new window

     

南通市PM2.5中水溶性离子季节分布特征

对南通市2016年12月-2018年10月大气污染季节分布特征进行了分析。结果表明,南通市ρ(PM2.5)和ρ(水溶性离子)为冬、春季高,夏、秋季低。春夏秋冬四季ρ(水溶性离子)占ρ(PM2.5)百分比分别为68.2%,70.6%,64.5%和74.5%,其中二次离子SNA(NO3-、SO42-和NH4+)占ρ(PM2.5)的百分比分别为63.1%,67.0%,59.3%和66.8%;ρ(NO3-)/ρ(SO42-)表明,移动源已成为南通市春、秋、冬季的主要污染源,四季均存在不同程度的二次转化,且SO2的转化率均大于NO2,NO2冬季转化率最大、夏季最小,SO2夏季转化率最大、秋季最小。南通市NO2转化为硝酸盐的主要形式是气相均相反应,非均相反应和均相反应对SO2转化为硫酸盐的贡献差异不大。     

Bio-processing of solid wastes and secondary resources for metal extraction - A review

Metal containing wastes/byproducts of various industries, used consumer goods, and municipal waste are potential pollutants, if not treated properly. They may also be important secondary resources if processed in eco-friendly manner for secured supply of contained metals/materials. Bio-extraction of metals from such resources with microbes such as bacteria, fungi and archaea is being increasingly explored to meet the twin objectives of resource recycling and pollution mitigation. This review focuses on the bio-processing of solid wastes/byproducts of metallurgical and manufacturing industries, chemical/petrochemical plants, electroplating and tanning units, besides sewage sludge and fly ash of municipal incinerators, electronic wastes (e-wastes/PCBs), used batteries, etc. An assessment has been made to quantify the wastes generated and its compositions, microbes used, metal leaching efficiency etc. Processing of certain effluents and wastewaters comprising of metals is also included in brief. Future directions of research are highlighted.     

Spotted bowerbirds<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Chlamydera maculata</Emphasis> do not prefer rare or costly bower decorations

Females target elaborate secondary sexual traits to acquire either direct benefits, represented or provided by the trait, or indirect benefits usually in the form of genetic components. The link between a males trait and his potential genetic contribution is often unclear. Bowers are extreme examples of secondary sexual traits, built and decorated by males and targeted by females. However, why females should base their mate choice on such structures is unclear. One of the simplest suggestions is that bowers are sites where males exhibit collections of objects that are inherently highly costly, indicating male quality to the choosy female. Such costs can be imposed in two ways, acquisition from the local area, and maintenance in the face of degradation. We studied bowers of spotted bowerbirds Chlamydera maculata at three sites in central Queensland and tested whether components of the bowers that best predict mating success were some of the most costly in the local environment by measuring their abundance, physical dimensions and rate of decay. We also tested whether rare objects per se found on the bowers, were relatively good predictors of mating success. Finally, we experimentally tested whether males preferentially chose rare, and hence costly, objects to use as decorations. We found that objects used on bowers were not unusually costly. Specific objects identified as good predictors of mating success were also some of the more common objects found in the area. They were not the largest objects used on bowers and decayed slowly relative to other objects available for use as decorations. Rare objects in general were not good predictors of mating success and males did not prefer to use rare objects when offered choices. In conclusion, we found no support for the theory that by simply inspecting numbers of decorations and assessing their costs of acquisition and maintenance females can easily obtain information regarding the owners quality. This is due to the fact that decorations used by spotted bowerbirds are not inherently costly.Communicated by J. Graves     

生物加强超滤深度处理城市中水过程膜污染与清洗效果分析

金桥电厂采用生物加强超滤工艺对城市二级排放水进行深度处理,清水用于锅炉循环冷却水补给水。在连续半年的运行期间没有产生严重膜污染情况,通过反洗、在线反洗、鼓风曝气和适当操作条件能很好的防治并预防膜污染,保证系统的稳定运行。