High Levels Of SO Research Articles

PM10 VE SO2 KONSANTRASYONLARI VE METEOROLOJİK PARAMETRELERİN KONSANTRASYONLAR ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in most developing countries. Industrialization, due to rapid population growth and urban infrastructure in Turkey to determine air quality is important. In this study, PM 10 and SO 2 concentration levels measured using data from the measurement station 103 has been evaluated in Turkey in 2017. The annual PM 10 concentration values ​​obtained during the measurement period vary between 15.1-135.0 µg/m 3 (55.3±20.2 µg/m 3 ) and the SO 2 concentration values ​​vary between 2.5-99.0 µg/m 3 (14.9±12.8 µg/m 3 ). When the PM 10 concentration levels throughout Turkey usually indicates a homogeneous distribution except Eastern Anatolia Region. Similarly, when we look at the distribution of SO 2 concentration levels throughout Turkey; coal deposits in the Thrace and Aegean Regions and Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, especially in the cold season, the use of coal in these regions caused high levels of SO 2 concentration. In addition, as a result of mapping of pollutant concentrations and meteorological factors, it was found that especially the mixing height, temperature and wind speeds were effective in the distribution of pollutant concentrations.

Effect of Air Pollution on Exacerbations of Bronchiectasis in Badalona, Spain, 2008–2016

Introduction: Air pollution has been widely associated with respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, the association between air pollution and exacerbations of bronchiectasis has been less studied. Objective: To analyze the effect of air pollution on exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in Badalona. The number of daily hospital admissions and emergency room visits related to exacerbation of bronchiectasis (ICD-9 code 494.1) between 2008 and 2016 was obtained. We used simple Poisson regressions to test the effects of daily mean temperature, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and PM₁₀ levels on bronchiectasis-related emergencies and hospitalizations on the same day and 1–4 days after. All p values were corrected for multiple comparisons. Results: SO₂ was significantly associated with an increase in the number of hospitalizations (lags 0, 1, 2, and 3). None of these associations remained significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. The number of emergency room visits was associated with higher levels of SO₂ (lags 0–4). After correcting for multiple comparisons, the association between emergency room visits and SO₂ levels was statistically significant for lag 0 (p = 0.043), lag 1 (p = 0.018), and lag 3 (p = 0.050). Conclusions: The number of emergency room visits for exacerbation of bronchiectasis is associated with higher levels of SO₂.

Proposal for Reducing Emissions of SOx in Cement Plants

In the cement industry, emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water are inherent in the manufacturing process. However, there are limits to the amount of SO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> and NO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> emissions; the inhalation of such substances entails risks to human health, and their interaction with the atmosphere results in the formation of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, causing acid rain. These emission limits are even more severe when there is co-processing in the production process. SO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> emissions can be formed by burning fuel, but they can also be present in the raw materials used. The presence of sulfur-based compounds in the raw materials has a great impact on the cement industry, owing to the large amount of limestone used in the process, especially when the deposits have a high content of pyrite (FeS<SUB>2</SUB>). One of the barriers encountered in the process of environmental licensing for co-processing is the high level of SO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> emissions. To decrease these emissions and to enable co-processing in a cement industry, tests were performed, using abatement with lime (CaO). By varying the conditions of the manufacturing process, it was possible to obtain a reduction of up to 90% of the SO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> emissions. With the implementation of this technique, SO<SUB><i>x</i></SUB> emissions reached values that met the legal limits, which could enable the start of co-processing in the industry.

Cu-Chabazite SCR Catalysts의 황 피독 및 탈황에 의한 NOx 저감 성능에 관한 연구

Abstract: Small-pore Cu-chabazite SCR catalysts with high NOx conversion at low temperatures are of inter-est for marine diesel engines with exhaust temperatures in the range of 150 to 300℃. Unfortunately, fuels for marine diesel engines can contain a high level of sulfur of up to 1.5% by volume, which corresponds to a SO 2 level of 500 ppm in the exhaust gases for an engine operating with an A/F ratio of 50:1. This high lev-el of SO 2 in the exhaust may have detrimental effects on the NOx performance of the Cu-chabazite SCR catalysts. In the present study, a bench-flow reactor is used to investigate the effects of sulfur poisoning on the NOx performance of Cu-chabazite SCR catalysts. The SCR catalysts were exposed to simulated diesel ex-haust gas stream consisted of 500 ppm SO 2 , 5% CO 2 , 14% O 2 , 5% H 2 O with N 2 as the balance gas at 150, 200, 250 and 300℃ for 2 hours at a GHSV of 30,000 h -1 . After sulfur poisoning the low-temperature NOx performance of the SCR catalyst is evaluated over a temperature range of 150-300℃ to determine the extent of the catalyst deactivation. Desulfation is also carried out at 600 and 700℃ for 30 minutes to determine whether it is possible to recover the NOx performance of the sulfur-poisoned SCR Catalysts.

Development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Producing Higher Levels of Sulfur Dioxide and Glutathione to Improve Beer Flavor Stability

Sulfur compounds, such as sulfite (SO(2)), hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), and glutathione (GSH), play different roles in beer flavor stability. SO(2) and GSH have antiaging effects which are helpful to improve the flavor stability of beer, whereas H(2)S is undesirable to beer flavor because of its unpleasant aroma. Here, we report the development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which produces higher levels of SO(2) and GSH but lower level of H(2)S to improve beer flavor stability by nongenetic engineering approaches. After two rounds of UV mutagenesis coupled with specific plate screening methods, one promising mutant named MV16 was obtained. Compared with the original strain, the SO(2) and GSH production of MV16 in fermenting liquor increased by 31% and 30.2%, respectively, while H(2)S content decreased by 74.9%, and the DPPH radical clearance and the resistance staling value of beer fermented by MV16 increased by 24.6% and 33.0%, respectively. The antioxidizability of the mutant was improved significantly. The strategy adopted in our study could be used to obtain S. cerevisiae of improved antiaging properties, and the mutant would be safe for public use.

Influence of local and regional Mediterranean meteorology on SO2 ground-level concentrations in SE Spain

This work presents the results of a 4-year study on sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) ground-level concentrations in an area of southeastern Spain, the L'Alacantí region, where the cement industry is important and coke use extends to other industries as well. The main source of SO(2) emissions in the area was found to be a the Lepold cement plant (one of the two cement plants in the area). The high levels of SO(2) probably extend back to 1920 when this plant began operations. Both local and Mediterranean-scale meteorological processes influence the SO(2) ground-level concentration and together explain the dispersion dynamics of this pollutant. The location and topography of the study zone result in NW Atlantic advections and E-SE sea breezes being the dominant atmospheric circulation patterns in the area. Under stable meteorological conditions, minor local circulations are also relevant to the SO(2) concentration levels. The high frequency of local circulations determines a concentration pattern that changes during the day, with impacts occurring preferentially in a W-NW direction from the source at midday (sea breeze and strong thermal mixture), and in a SE direction at night. This causes the SO(2) concentrations to present well-defined diurnal cycles with well-differentiated shapes depending on the location of the sampling station relative to the source. The dependence of SO(2) 10 min levels on the wind origin and speed throughout the day has been evaluated by studying statistical parameters including P95, P50 and arithmetic mean. Exceedances occur under specific dispersion conditions at distances less than 1 km from the source. However, the source is traceable at larger distances and the levels are higher than typical urban ones. P95 was used as an estimator of the occurrence of larger levels or impacts. Leeward of NW winds and the source, at night and in early morning, P95 levels are comprised between 30 and 55 µg m(-3). In contrast, with SE winds and at midday, P95 levels stay at 17 µg m(-3). The same P95 was obtained for winds lower than 5 m s(-1), which represent 89% of the winds in the area. However, stronger winds can have P95 levels above 125 µg m(-3).

IMPROVEMENTS OF THE SO2 TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTENDED STORAGE OF TABLE GRAPES

The SO 2 technology is the current practice for storage of table grapes. While it has been under scrutiny in the last decade and there is a constant demand for alternative technologies, it remains the only established method for extended storage of table grapes. We present 3 tools which improve the efficiency, longevity and accuracy of storage of grapes with SO 2 . Most of the industry is packaging grapes in cartons containing liners in which dual release SO 2 sheets are placed on the grapes. This packaging confines the SO 2 to the clusters but it compromises the efficiency of forced air cooling. The alternative method is to avoid the use of liners and to wrap the pallet with polyethylene stretch film. This process reduces forced-air cooling time, saving energy and a considerable amount of plastic packaging material. The level of SO 2 in the pallet is low because the pallet's bottom is open and the quality of the rachis is high because the humidity in the pallet is high as well. Adoption of this technology for extended storage of 'Red Globe' grapes stored in plastic boxes, by closing the bottom of the pallets, proved to be problematic due to high levels of SO 2 and short duration of release. By placing the SO 2 releasing sheets in plastic bags containing holes in the bottom, it was possible to extend the storage from 3 month to 4.5 month with satisfactory quality and levels of sulfites within the grapes that did not exceed the threshold of 10 mg kg -1 . To improve the quality of the process we developed an analytical method to measure the rate of SO 2 released from the SO 2 sheets. These 3 methodologies are practiced on a commercial scale enabling storage of table grapes of consistent quality.

Étude comparative des émissions de gaz volcanique du Piton de la Fournaise et des hospitalisations pour asthme de la population réunionnaise de 2005 à 2007

Introduction Several epidemiological studies show that asthma is a more frequent pathology at Reunion Island than in metropolitan France. One of the peculiarities of this island is the presence of a particularly active volcano, which amongst others is a significant sulfur dioxide (SO 2) emitter. The latter is known for its toxic effects on the upper human airways. A recent study on the gas emissions of the volcano Kilauea in Hawaii shows that the high levels of SO 2 emitted during eruptions can entail bronchial irritations and asthma attacks to the most vulnerable ones. Purpose of the study We want to compare the number of hospitalizations for asthma of the Reunion population with the levels of SO 2 recorded during the various volcanic eruptions from 2005 to 2007. Patients and methods Inventory of the patients by the data PMSI supplied by the Drass and comparison with the SO 2 concentrations measured by Observatoire Réunionnais de l’Air (Ora) during various campaigns during and off the volcanic eruptions from 2005 to 2007. Results There was no global increase of hospitalizations for asthma during eruptions, but a significant increase in certain areas of the island according to the measured SO 2 concentrations and meteorological conditions. Conclusion A prospective study with additional measurements (eg. fine particles…), in collaboration between Ora, Météo-France, Observatoire volcanique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF/IPGP), the emergency services and the general practitioners, is necessary to record quantitatively any consultancy for asthma, in connection with the atmospheric emissions during the eruptions of the Piton de la Fournaise.

Sex differences in autonomy-connectedness: The role of personality factors

We examined the relationships between autonomy-connectedness components (Self-awareness: SA; Sensitivity to others: SO; and Capacity for managing new situations: CMNS) and the Big Five personality factors. Given the robust much higher levels of SO found in women than in men, we specifically aimed to investigate the degree of mediation of this sex difference by (one or more of) the Big Five factors. SEM analyses revealed that the Big Five could explain about 35% of the three autonomy-connectedness components’ variance. However, the Big Five personality factors did not mediate the large sex difference on SO. Given the clinical relevance of SO, these results indicate that autonomy-connectedness, particularly SO, is an important factor to include in personality research and clinical practice.

Vertical distributions of SO 2 and NO 2 in the lower atmosphere in Beijing urban areas, China

Measurements of SO 2 and NO 2 were conducted from January to March 2001 and August 2003 at a 325 m meteorological tower in Beijing. The concentrations of SO 2 and NO 2 observed by passive samplers at ten heights showed complex vertical distributions in winter and summer. The vertical profiles of pollutants were influenced by source emissions, meteorological conditions, urban canopy and other factors. The comparison analysis of winter and summer pollutant concentrations suggests that the decrease in SO 2 concentration was significant in summer, and the reduction of NO 2 was relatively not distinctive. Domestic heating and industrial sources were major sources of SO 2 in urban areas of Beijing. Differing from SO 2, urban NO 2 was closely related to traffic emission. Meteorological evidence suggests that strong temperature inversions influence vertical distribution of air pollutants over urban Beijing. The high levels of SO 2 and NO 2 concentrations were due to the accumulation of pollutants resulting from the stable atmosphere prevalent during the measurement period. The vertical distributions of air pollutants were controlled and affected by atmospheric dynamical characteristics.

Geochemistry of the Rehai and Ruidian geothermal waters, Yunnan Province, China

The geochemical characteristics of the hot spring waters in the Rehai and Ruidian geothermal fields, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, China, are described and their possible environmental impact assessed. The results show that the alkaline spring waters contain high levels of K, Na, F, Cl, SiO 2, whereas the only acidic spring water in Rehai geothermal field contains high levels of SO 4 2−, Mn and Fe. As and Sb in the spring waters are in the range 43.6–687 μg/L and 0.38–23.8 μg/L, respectively. As(III) occurs in most spring waters, and constitutes up to 91% of the total As. A fraction of the geothermal As and Sb is trapped in the sinter deposits while most enters the environment. The diffusion of As and Sb into groundwater and downstream crop fields constitutes a threat to the health of the local population.

Characterization of Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions by a surplus agricultural waste—Rice straw

The removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution by rice straw, a surplus agricultural byproduct was investigated. The optimal pH was 2.0 and Cr(VI) removal rate increased with decreased Cr(VI) concentration and with increased temperature. Decrease in straw particle size led to an increase in Cr(VI) removal. Equilibrium was achieved in about 48 h under standard conditions, and Cr(III), which appeared in the solution and remained stable thereafter, indicating that both reduction and adsorption played a part in the Cr(VI) removal. The increase of the solution pH suggested that protons were needed for the Cr(VI) removal. A relatively high level of NO 3 − notably restrained the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), while high level of SO 4 2− supported it. The promotion of the tartaric acid modified rice straw (TARS) and the slight inhibition of the esterified rice straw (ERS) on Cr(VI) removal indicated that carboxyl groups present on the biomass played an important role in chromium remediation even though were not fully responsible for it. Isotherm tests showed that equilibrium sorption data were better represented by Langmuir model and the sorption capacity of rice straw was found to be 3.15 mg/g.

Monitoring environmental pollution in Erzurum by chemical analysis of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) needles

Pollution distribution maps of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) for Erzurum province were developed on the basis of chemical analysis of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) needles collected from randomly selected sampling points during 2 years. The maps show deposition zones for the studied elements and could help in identification of sources and directions of air pollution dispersion. This study indicated that vegetation in Erzurum was greatly endangered by sulphur dioxide (SO 2), whereas Zn does not pose an immediate threat to vegetation in most of the country's territory. However, in the city center, main and secondary road agglomeration, very high pollution with Pb and Cu could limit growth. Higher levels of SO 2 measured in some areas of Erzurum might be harmful for human and animal health. Results of this study indicated that Scots pine needles were not contaminated by Zn.

Measuring the benefits of air quality improvement: a spatial hedonic approach

The primary objective of this paper is to improve the methodology for estimating hedonic price functions when the data are inherently spatial. A spatial-econometric hedonic housing price model is developed and estimated for the Seoul metropolitan area to measure the marginal value of improvements in sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO x ) concentrations. Diagnostic testing favored the spatial-lag model over the spatial error model. Results showed that SO 2 pollution levels had a significant impact on housing prices while NO x pollution did not. The authors attribute this differential impact to the relatively higher levels of SO 2 pollution when compared with pollution standards and the relative recency of the NO x pollution. Marginal WTP for a 4% improvement in mean SO 2 concentrations is about $2333 or 1.4% of mean housing price.

EIS study of the effect of high levels of SO 2 on the corrosion of polyester-coated galvanised steel at different relative humidities

The effect of SO 2 on the degradation of polyester-coated galvanised steel at different relative humidities was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Measurements were performed on specimens which had been tested in an accelerated gaseous corrosion test. For this purpose the samples were subjected to SO 2 gas for 16 days in atmospheric test cells with adjusted relative humidity (RH) from 60 to 100%. Subsequently, the impedance response of the coated material was measured and evaluated. The results indicated that the coating performance varies with RH. Thus, under condensing conditions, the organic coating and galvanised layer was totally removed, the impedance response being interpreted as the formation of an iron sulphide film on the surface. At lower RH, remarkably, the coating remained effectively intact with the coating resistance varying inversely with RH. This work is relevant to the application of such organic-coated products adjacent to combustion flues where high levels of SO 2 occur in association with high humidity.

Influence of extreme pollution on the inorganic chemical composition of some plants

Leaves of nine different plant species (terrestrial moss: Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, blueberry: Vaccinium myrtillus, cowberry: Vaccinium vitis-idaea, crowberry: Empetrum nigrum, birch: Betula pubescens, willow: Salix spp., pine: Pinus sylvestris, and spruce: Picea abies) have been collected from up to nine catchments (size 14–50 km 2) spread over a 1,500,000 km 2 area in northern Europe. Additional soil samples were taken from the O-horizon and the C-horizon at each plant sample site. All samples were analysed for 38 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Y, Zn, and Zr) by ICP-MS, ICP-AES or CV-AAS (Hg) techniques. One of the 9 catchments was located directly adjacent (5–10 km S) to the nickel smelter and refinery at Monchegorsk, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The high levels of pollution at this site are reflected in the chemical composition of all plant leaves. However, it appears that each plant enriches (or excludes) different elements. Elements emitted at trace levels, such as Ag, As and Bi, are relatively much more enriched in most plants than the major pollutants Ni, Cu and Co. The very high levels of SO 2 emissions are generally not reflected by increases in plant total S-content. Several important macro- (P) and micro-nutrients (Mn, Mg, and Zn) are depleted in most plant leaves collected near Monchegorsk.

Flue gas desulfurization with phosphate rock in a fluidized bed

In the present study, the suitability of Mazıdağı (Turkey) phosphate ore as an alternative raw material for limestone and dolomite in flue gas desulfurization has been investigated. Raw and calcined phosphate samples were sulfated in a differential fluidized bed reactor at 500–900°C in air and 0.3% SO 2. Effects of the parameters affecting sulfation, e.g. temperature, SO 2 concentration and sorbent particle size were studied. Also, the changes in the pore structure and products obtained at the end of sulfation were investigated using XRD, scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry and BET surface area methods. It was observed that the sulfation conversion increased with temperature. It was also seen that there is a clear advantage of using calcined sorbent at low temperature where the calcination rate is low. In the calcined sample, sulfation conversion reached 90% at 900°C (30 min) while in uncalcined sample, the sulfation conversion was 76% at the same temperature. This conversion ratio is higher than those with limestone and dolomite. From the results of X-ray powder diffraction analysis and SEM photographs, it was confirmed that the parts with only calcite in the phosphate ore reacted with SO 2 and that the parts with phosphorus are unreacted. Although the initial conversion increases linearly at all concentrations of SO 2, at higher levels of SO 2 concentration the mouths of the pores choke faster than the SO 2 can diffuse inside the pores after 4 min. It was also observed that the sulfation conversion increased with decreasing particle size.

Ambient sulfate concentration and chronic disease mortality in Beijing

In this study, ecological analysis was used to assess the relationship between ambient air pollution and human mortality. All the data on environmental measures and related factors, population size and number of deaths were collected for the city of Beijing, PR China and its eight districts for the years 1980–1992. In this study the concentration of SO 4 2− was selected as a main indicator of environmental pollution for the following reasons: (i) SO 4 2− data are available to cover all urban and suburban areas in Beijing compared with other air pollutants during the study period; (ii) SO 4 2− levels indicate the concentration of sulfide (include sulfate) and acid fog in the air, and they are significantly lower in cleaner districts than in others; and (iii) analyses showed that SO 4 2− levels are significantly correlated with daily mean concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, annual coal combustion, number of households using gas fuel, counts of motor vehicles and population density. Age-standardised mortality rates due to specific diseases were calculated using the Chinese population census data in 1990. Statistically significant correlations were observed between SO 4 2− concentration and total mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, malignant tumour and lung cancer ( r>0.50 in all cases). The correlations were not only found between the current SO 4 2− concentration and these mortalities, but also for SO 4 2− levels measured up to 12 years prior to death, which may suggest long-term effects of air pollution. No significant correlations were observed for mortality from respiratory diseases and cerebrovascular diseases ( r=0.30–0.50). This study indicates that the concentration of SO 4 2− in air is a useful air pollution indicator in the areas where coal is used as the main source of energy. Areas with high levels of SO 4 2− experienced higher mortality due to a variety of chronic diseases.

Precise determination of stable chlorine isotopic ratios in low-concentration natural samples

Investigation of stable chlorine isotopes in geological materials has been hindered by large sample requirements and/or lack of analytical precision. Here we describe precise methods for the extraction, isolation, and isotopic analysis of low levels of chlorine in both silicate and aerosol samples. Our standard procedure uses 2 μg of Cl for each isotopic analysis. External reproducibility (1 σ) is 0.25%. for the 37Cl 35Cl measurements. Chlorine is extracted from silicate samples (typically containing at least 20 μg of Cl) via pyrohydrolysis using induction heating and water vapor as the carrier, and the volatilized chlorine is condensed in aqueous solution. Atmospheric aerosols collected on filters are simply dissolved in water. Prior to isotopic measurement, removal of high levels of SO 4 2−, F −, and organic compounds is necessary for the production of stable ion beams. Sulfate is removed by BaSCO 4 precipitation, F − by CaF 2 precipitation, and organic compounds are extracted with activated carbon. Chlorine is converted to stoichiometric CsCl by cation exchange, and isotopic ratios are determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry of Cs 2Cl +. We demonstrate that the sensitivity and precision of this method allow resolution of natural variations in chlorine isotopic composition, and thereby provide insight to some fundamental aspects of chlorine geochemistry.

Augmentation recente du depot de polluants atmospheriques par les precipitations dans deux regions forestieres de Bulgarie

The temporal variation in rainwater chemistry has been studied during a 6-year period (1986–1991) in three sites located in forested and mountainous regions of western Bulgaria, away from local pollution sources. Two of these sites are in the Balkans mountain range, within the same catchment area, at 600 and 1500 m above sea level. The third siie is located at 1500 m above sea level, in the Rhodopes mountain range. Neither the field sampling procedure, nor the analytical methods have been changed during this study, except in the case of Cl − and Ca 2+ where deposition during the period 1986–1987 is very low and precipitation pH is circumneutral. Continuous monitoring of atmospheric deposition in these sites has shown a tremendous increase in concentrations, mostly in SO 4 2−, Ca 2+, K +, Na + but also in Cl −, N and Mg 2+ during the period 1988–1990. A strong decrease in pH is observed during this period. However, pH remains relatively high compared with other studies which is due to the high concentrations of Ca 2+, Na + and K + ions counteracting the high level of SO 4 2−. The coherence of bulk precipitation and throughfall chemical data as well as the ion budgets at the catchment scale confirm this evolution. Such high deposition rates are related to very high pollutant emissions in southeast Bulgaria (EMEP, 1991). The recent change is attributed to the general economic situation of the region. The lack of available energy might have led industrial firms to neglect the filtration of pollutant emissions.