Correlations between mutagenic activity of organic extracts of airborne particulate matter, NOx and sulphur dioxide in southern Germany: results of a two-year study

Goals, Scope and Background Among other substances, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are parameters which are routinely measured to describe basic air quality. Organic extracts of airborne particulate matter contain mutagenic chemical compounds of different origins. The aim of the study was to find correlations between routine monitoring data and mutagenic activity of organic extracts of simultaneously drawn samples.Methods Specimens were collected over a period of two years at 8 sampling sites in south-west Germany. Simultaneously, concentrations of NO, NO2, and SO2 were measured on-line within the framework of the official air monitoring network of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Dust samples were collected for biotesting using high volume air samplers equipped with glass fibre filters. After sampling was completed, filters were extracted and samples were prepared for biological testing. Mutagenic activity was tested by means of the plate incorporation assay (Ames test) using S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 tester strains. During the first year of the study, all tests have been performed with and without metabolic activation. Additionally, a series of tests has been performed in parallel with TA98 and TA98NR.Results and Discussion Comparison of Ames test data obtained with and without metabolic activation indicates no statistically significant difference between both methods. Therefore, during the second year of the study, all tests have been performed without metabolic activation. Average yearly activities at the sampling sites were between 1 und 27 Revertants per m³ (Rev/m³). High activities were preferably found at congested sites (Karlsruhe, up to 95 Rev/m³). However, peak values of over 100 Rev/m³ were found in other places where pollution by traffic is significantly lower. The reason for these high level values is not evident. Tests performed using TA98NR tester strain indicate a significant share (average 31%) of compounds requiring activation by nitroreductase for mutagenic activity. Average mutagenic activity can be correlated to routine monitoring parameters. Comparison of averaged data for particular sampling sites indicates significant correlation between nitric oxide and mutagenic activity in TA98 (r²=0.90), while correlation between nitrogen dioxide (0.84) or sulphur dioxide (0.52) and mutagenic activity is weaker. For TA100, correlations are generally weaker than for TA98. Comparison of data for mutagenic activity and routine monitoring data of distant sites being sampled simultaneously shows parallel behaviour.Conclusions Results from this study show that mutagenic activity can be compared to seasonal and local variations of gaseous indicator air pollutants. Tester strain TA98 generally shows the best correlations. Although pollution by particle-bound mutagenic substances is significantly higher during the cold season than during summer on average, mutagenic activity of airborne dust is not a continuous effect. During winter, peak levels as well as low pollution periods can occur. Even during winter time mutagenic activity can reach very low levels typical for summertime. Comparison of results for distant sampling sites where samples have been collected simultaneously indicate that “classical” indicators of air pollution and bacterial mutagenicity of organic extracts from airborne particulate matter are influenced by connected effects. Seasonal trend of mutagenic activity, in particular, is similar to the concentrations of nitrogen oxide. NO is a strong indicator for vehicle exhaust gases. It is concluded that the average mutagenic activity at particular sites can be estimated using NO concentrations as an indicator.     

秸秆成型燃料棒替代普通燃煤在0.8 t/h锅炉应用性试验

采用新研制开发的秸秆成型燃料棒与普通燃煤在基本相同的条件下进行对比试验，结果表明在0.8t／h工业锅炉上燃用相等量秸秆成型燃料棒与普通燃煤时锅炉的出力相当，而烟气污染物排放浓度远低于国家排放标准的限值。     

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in the urban atmosphere

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in air has been well known as the indicator of photochemical smog due to its frequent occurrences in Seoul metropolitan area. This study was implemented to assess the distribution characteristics of atmospheric PAN in association with relevant parameters measured concurrently. During a full year period in 2011, PAN was continuously measured at hourly intervals at two monitoring sites, Gwang Jin (GJ) and Gang Seo (GS) in the megacity of Seoul, South Korea. The annual mean concentrations of PAN during the study period were 0.64 ± 0.49 and 0.57 ± 0.46 ppb, respectively. The seasonal trends of PAN generally exhibited dual peaks in both early spring and fall, regardless of sites. Their diurnal trends were fairly comparable to each other. There was a slight time lag (e.g., 1 h) in the peak occurrence pattern between O₃ and PAN, as the latter trended to peak after the maximum UV irradiance period (16:00 (GJ) and 17:00 (GS)). The concentrations of PAN generally exhibited strong correlations with particulates. The results of this study suggest that PAN concentrations were affected sensitively by atmospheric stability, the wet deposition of NO₂, wind direction, and other factors.     

Comparisons of ambient air particulates concentrations (TSP,PM2.5) and dry depositions during smog and non-smog periods at Luliao,Shalu District sampling site

The concentrations of ambient total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5, and the dry depositions at a sample site at Luliao Junior High School (Luliao) in central Taiwan were measured during smog and non-smog days between December 2017 and July 2018. The results are compared to those obtained during non-smog periods in the years 2015–2017. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux were 72.41?±?26.40, 41.88?±?23.51?μg/m³, and 797.57?±?731.46?μg/m² min, respectively, on the smog days. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux on the non-smog days were 56.39?±?18.08, 34.81?±?12.59?μg/m³ and 468.93?±?600.57?μg/m² min, respectively. The mean TSP concentration in the smog period was 28% greater than that in the non-smog period, and the mean PM_2.5 concentration was 20% higher. The mean dry deposition flux in the smog period was 70% higher than that in the non-smog period at Luliao. The PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the standards set by the Taiwan EPA (35?μg/m³ daily, and 15?μg/m³ annually). Therefore, the TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition must be reduced in central Taiwan on smog days. In addition, atmospheric TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations at various sampling sites were compared, and those herein were not higher than those measured in other countries. Finally, apart from the local traffic emissions, during smog periods, the other pollution source originated from the transportation process of traffic pollutants emitted in the northwest side of Taiwan.     

臭氧与二甲硫醚和乙烯的反应速率常数测定

在室温和1.01×105 Pa条件下,利用烟雾箱以及气相色谱和臭氧分析仪研究手段,采用绝对方法(准一级反应)获得了臭氧与二甲硫醚(DMS)和乙烯(C2H4)的反应速率常数,分别为:kDMS=(1.48±0.12)×10-20 cm3·molecule-1·s-1;kC2H4=(1.35±0.10)×10-18cm3·molecule-1·s-1.其中,臭氧与乙烯的反应速率常数与文献报道吻合较好,臭氧与DMS的反应速率常数比文献报道的上限值低约两个数量级.     

interactions amongst policies designed to resolve individual air issues

Six air issues are currently on science and policy agendas in Canadaand elsewhere. These are climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion(increased UV-B radiation), acidic deposition, SMOG (increasedground-level ozone), suspended particulate matter, and hazardous airpollutants. Atmospheric scientists and decision makers have largelyaddressed these issues individually resulting in single-issue policies. However, it is now recognized that these issues are inter-related, andthey may interact to cause negative as well as some beneficial effects,not only on the state of the atmosphere but also on societal andecological systems. This paper illustrates through several examples theatmospheric dysfunction caused by the linkages among the six airissues. It also points to potentially conflicting policies arising from thesingle-issue approach, and it emphasizes the need for better integrationof air issues. The linkages are summarized qualitatively in Table I.     

Three-Dimensional Ground-Based Measurements of Urban Air Quality to Evaluate Satellite Derived Interpretations for Urban Air Pollution

Urban air quality and meteorological measurements were carried out in the region of Brescia (Italy) simultaneously to the acquisition of satellite data during winter and summer smog conditions in 1999. The main objectives of the campaigns were: delivery of data for the validation of air pollution interpretations based on satellite imagery, and determination of the aerosol optical thickness in spectral ranges similar to those used by satellites. During the winter campaign the ground-based network was complemented by local stations and by SODAR, DOAS, and FTIR remote sensing measurements. Size distributions of aerosol particles up to 4,000 m a.s.l. were measured by means of an ultra-light aircraft, which was also equipped with meteorological sensors and an ozone sensor. During the summer campaign an interference filter actinometer, an integrating nephelometer and an ozone LIDAR were operated additionally. The satellite images acquired and processed were taken from SPOT. Optical thickness retrieved from interference filter actinometer measurements were compared with the retrievals from the satellite imagery in the same spectral intervals. It is concluded that remaining aerosols in the reference image yield an off-set in the satellite retrieval data and that information about the vertical structure of the boundary layer is very important.     

Photochemical pollution in Lanzhou, China - A case study

The photochemical air pollution in Xigu district of Lanshou city, Gansu Province was studied during a period of 1981-1984. The extremely high NMHC/NOx ratio and ozone level elevation after rain have been noticed. A series of outdoor and indoor reaction chamber simulation experiments conducted in order to understand the specific conditions. The ozone formation under NMHC/NOx condition and the possible reason for high ozone concentration after rain are discussed.     

NO2对二甲苯光氧化生成SOA及其吸光度影响

NO₂是大气中常见污染气体,影响大气二次有机气溶胶（Secondary organic aerosol,SOA）的形成.运用实验室烟雾箱模拟二甲苯大气光氧化反应过程,研究NO₂对二甲苯SOA生成量、光学特性和化学组成的影响.结果显示,NO₂促进二甲苯SOA的形成,NO₂浓度从0增长到900×10^-9,二甲苯SOA的质量浓度增长2倍左右,并且邻二甲苯SOA质量浓度大于对二甲苯SOA.这是因为邻位取代基相比于对位取代基更倾向于形成醛,有利于聚合反应形成低聚物,促进SOA形成.此外,NO₂浓度增加显著提高所生成SOA的单位质量吸光度（Mass absorption coefficients,MAC）,这是由于前体物邻二甲苯和对二甲苯化学结构不同,邻二甲苯所生成的含氮有机物具有更强吸光性,从而导致邻二甲苯SOA的MAC_{λ=365 nm}大于对二甲苯SOA的MAC_{λ=365 nm}.在线气溶胶质谱仪分析结果进一步显示：二者光化...     

煤烟粒子中PAHS光化学降解的动力学

 利用TEFLON薄膜室内光化学烟雾箱研究了光强、湿度和温度对燃煤烟颗粒物上多环芳烃（PAH_s）的光化学降解速率的影响。结果表明，PAH_S光解速率常数随光强、湿度和温度的升高而增大。在冬季低光强和低水蒸汽浓度的条件下，PAH_s降解速率很小，可在大气中停留数日，因而可传输较远距离。在夏季高光强和高水蒸汽浓度条件下，PAH_s在数小时内即全部降解。通过对光强、水蒸汽浓度和温度的实验数据进行多元回归，得到了降解速率常数与各参数的函数式，即降解反应的动力学方程式。