African dust contributions to mean ambient PM10 mass-levels across the Mediterranean Basin |
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| Authors: | X Querol J Pey M Pandolfi A Alastuey M Cusack N Pérez T Moreno M Viana N Mihalopoulos G Kallos S Kleanthous |
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| Institution: | 1. Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), C/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;2. Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), C/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;3. CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), C/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;4. INSERM U1018, CESP—Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, UMRS U1018, Respiratory and Environmental Epidemiology Team, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94807 Villejuif, France;5. University Paris Sud, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94807, Villejuif, France;6. Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;7. Air Pollution Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, 1515 Clay St 16th floor, 94612 Oakland, CA, USA;8. Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Region Health Service, Via di Santa Costanza 53, 00198 Rome, Italy;9. Center of Research on Environmental Health (CYSMA), University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, 21007 Huelva, Spain;10. Departamento de Medio Ambiente, CIEMAT, C/Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain;11. CSIC-IDAEA/CIEMAT Associate Unit on Atmospheric Pollution, Spain;12. C.N.R. Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Via Salaria Km 29, 300 Montelibretti, Rome, Italy;13. Associate Unit CSIC—University of Huelva “Atmospheric Pollution”, Centre of Research of Sustainable Chemistry (CIQSO), Campus of Excellence CEIA3, University of Huelva, Edificio Robert H Grubbs, Campus de El Carmen, 21007 Huelva, Spain;14. National School of Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, C/Sinesio Delgado 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain;15. Environmental Protection Agency of Emilia—Romagna, Via F. Rocchi, 19, Via Triachini, 17, 40138 Bologna, Italy;p. Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi, GR-11527 Athens, Greece;q. IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), C/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Data on mass-levels of PM10 measured at regional background sites across the Mediterranean Basin, available from Airbase (European Environmental Agency) and from a few aerosol research sites, are compiled. PM10 levels increase from north to south and west to east of the Basin. These variations are roughly coincident with the PM10 African mineral dust load. However, when subtracting the African dust from mean PM10 levels using a consistent methodology, the PM10 background levels are still 5–10 μg m?3 higher in the Eastern Basin (EMB) when compared with those in the Western (WMB), mainly due to the higher anthropogenic and sea spray loads.As regards for the seasonal trends, these are largely driven by the occurrence of African dust events, resulting in a spring-early summer maximum over the EMB, and a clear summer maximum in the WMB, although in this later region the recirculations of aged air masses play an important role. Furthermore, a marked seasonal trend is still evident when subtracting the African dust load. This is characterised by a high summer maximum (driven by low precipitation, high insolation) and a winter minimum (intense synoptic winds).Important inter-annual variations in the dust contribution are detected, more evident in the southern sites. These differences are generally associated with the occurrence of extreme dust events. Generally, the years with higher dust contributions over the EMB correspond with lower contributions over the WMB, and vice versa.The characterization of individual particles, collected in both basins during African dust events, by scanning electron microscopy reveals only slight differences between them. This fact probably reflects the high degree of mixture of mineral dust from different sources before the transport towards the receptor sites. |
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