High Total Suspended Particle Research Articles

Insight into the relationships between total suspended particles and mercury in meltwater in a typical glacierized basin in the inland Tibetan Plateau

Mercury (Hg) released by melting glaciers is likely to bind to suspended particles in meltwater runoff, posing potential risks to downstream ecosystems. The rapidly receding glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau promote the export of total suspended particles (TSP), increasing the uncertainty of Hg export released by glacier melting. To investigate the relationships between TSP and Hg, a multimedia sampling campaign was conducted in July 2020 in the Kuoqionggangri glacier region of the Lhasa River Valley No. 1 glacierized basin located in the inland Tibetan Plateau. Samples from glacier snow/ice, supraglacial rivers, subglacial rivers, proglacial lakes, and meltwater runoff were obtained, and the relationships between TSP and Hg and their transport in glacier meltwater runoff in the context of glacier retreat were explored. The average TSP concentration of different environmental samples ranged from 9.51 mg/L to 399. 27 mg/L, showing significant differences. The average total Hg (THg) concentrations ranged from 0.52 ng/L to 58.81 ng/L and decreased in the order of snow/ice >runoff> subglacial river > proglacial lake > supraglacial river. Both TSP mass concentration and number concentration have an impact on the diurnal variation in meltwater runoff Hg, and the influence of TSP number concentration is stronger than that of concentration. Sites with high TSP concentrations and quantities tended to have higher Hg concentrations, while TSP particle size had no significant effect on Hg concentration or spatial distribution. Our study further divided the glacier recharge basin into the glacier cover zone, the periglacial zone, and the downstream zone and discussed the potential impact of TSP on Hg transport in each zone. Our analysis highlights that the periglacial zone will expand and activate the resuspension process of river sediments in the warming future, which may increase the export of TSP and Hg downstream.

Legacy and novel halogenated flame retardants in seawater and atmosphere of the Bohai Sea: Spatial trends, seasonal variations, and influencing factors

Seventeen halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) were concurrently analyzed in surface seawater and low atmospheric samples from the Bohai Sea during four research cruises. HFRs mainly existed in particulate phases, and in general decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was the predominant compound in both air and water samples. Relatively high concentrations were observed in the water of Laizhou Bay (LB), where the largest manufacturing base of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in China is located and weak water exchange occurs. Transport from LB by coastal currents may be the main source of BFRs in some areas without emission sources. The HFRs in seawater exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with significantly higher concentrations in winter than those in summer. The controlling factors include the resuspension of sediment induced by large wind waves in winter and phytoplankton scavenging in spring and seawater stratification in summer. HFRs composition varied largely in different seasons, due to the different extents of riverine input and atmospheric deposition. Normally, for air masses passing through the nearby industrial regions, high concentrations of DBDPE (up to 1780 pg m−3) co-existed with high total suspended particle (TSP) levels (up to 150 μg m−3). The estimated atmospheric deposition fluxes of HFRs were 19, 51, and 80 kg season−1 in spring, summer, and winter, respectively, indicating that the Bohai Sea is a sink of HFRs via atmospheric deposition. This study has increased our understanding of the behaviors and fates of the legacy and novel HFRs in the shallow coastal sea.

Severe air pollution and characteristics of light-absorbing particles in a typical rural area of the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Total suspended particles (TSP) were collected in Lumbini from April 2013 to March 2016 to better understand the characteristics of carbonaceous aerosol (CA) concentrations, compositions and sources and their light absorption properties in rural region of severe polluted Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Extremely high TSP (203.9 ± 109.6μgm-3), organic carbon (OC 32.1 ± 21.7μgm-3), elemental carbon (EC 6.44 ± 3.17μgm-3) concentrations were observed in Lumbini particularly during winter and post-monsoon seasons, reflecting the combined influences of emission sources and weather conditions. SO42- (7.34 ± 4.39μgm-3) and Ca2+ (5.46 ± 5.20μgm-3) were the most dominant anion and cation in TSP. These components were comparable to those observed in urban areas in South and East Asia but significantly higher than those in remote regions over the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, suggesting severe air pollution in the study region. Various combustion activities including industry, vehicle emission, and biomass burning are the main reasons for high pollutant concentrations. The variation of OC/EC ratio further suggested that biomass such as agro-residue burning contributed a lot for CA, particularly during the non-monsoon season. The average mass absorption cross-section of EC (MACEC) and water-soluble organic carbon (MACWSOC) were 7.58 ± 3.39 and 1.52 ± 0.41m2g-1, respectively, indicating that CA in Lumbini was mainly affected by local emissions. Increased biomass burning decreased MACEC; whereas, it could result in high MACWSOC during the non-monsoon season. Furthermore, dust is one important factor causing higher MACWSOC during the pre-monsoon season.

Comparison of total suspended particulate concentration–response relationships for respiratory symptoms between Chinese children with a different susceptibility status

Few studies have explored concentration–response (C–R) relationships between levels of particulate matter (PM) and respiratory morbidity in terms of the susceptibility of children to respiratory diseases. We sought to determine whether the shapes of C–R curves for comparing total suspended particle (TSP) concentration versus the adjusted prevalence of bronchitis (persistent cough or phlegm) and asthma (current wheeze or asthma) symptoms between children with a different susceptibility status. We used the restricted cubic spline (RCS) function to characterize the C–R relationships between TSP and the adjusted prevalence rates of four respiratory symptoms, after controlling for possible confounding by SO2 and NO2 levels, in 11,860 children selected from 18 districts of six cities in Liaoning province. Susceptible children exhibited a 2- to 3-fold elevation in the prevalence of all four respiratory symptoms across the entire TSP range (188–689μg/m3). Significant differences in the shapes of C–R curves were evident in children with symptoms of bronchitis (ballistic “S”-shaped curves) and asthma (flattened “U”-shaped curves), as well as between the low and high TSP ranges of such curves, when children were grouped by susceptibility status. A significant linear association between TSP levels and current asthma prevalence was found only among susceptible children exposed to high levels of TSP. The shapes and properties of the TSP-morbidity C–R curves differed significantly by type of respiratory symptom, susceptibility status, and TSP range. More work is required to characterize CR relationships in terms of susceptibility status in countries with different PM levels.

Levels and speciation of arsenic in the atmosphere in Beijing, China

Arsenic levels and speciation in the total suspended particles (TSPs) were quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography on-line coupled with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry in Beijing, China from February 2009 to March 2011. The high TSP levels fluctuated between 0.07 and 0.79mgm−3, with a mean level of 0.32±0.17mgm−3. The total arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 0.31μgm−3 (mean: 0.13±0.06μgm−3) in Beijing‘s air. The concentrations of As(III) and As(V) ranged from 0.73 to 20ngm−3 (mean: 4.7±3.6ngm−3) and from 14 to 2.5×102ngm−3 (mean: 67±35ngm−3), respectively. As levels and speciation demonstrated relative higher levels in spring and autumn and lower values in summer and winter. As(V) accounted for 81–99% of the extractable species in the TSP samples which showed that As(V) was the major fraction of the extractable As. Organoarsenic species, monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) were not found in all samples. Higher values of enrichment factors demonstrated that arsenic in TSP mainly come from anthropogenic sources. High As and its species levels in air and respiratory exposure (0.30–0.84μgd−1) attributed to higher excess cancer risk ((4.2±2.0)×10−4) for people in Beijing.

In situ measurements of particle load and transport in dust devils

In situ (mobile) sampling of 33 natural dust devil vortices reveals very high total suspended particle (TSP) mean values of 296 mg m −3 and fine dust loadings (PM10) mean values ranging from 15.1 to 43.8 mg m −3 (milligrams per cubic meter). Concurrent three-dimensional wind profiles show mean tangential rotation of 12.3 m s −1 and vertical uplift of 2.7 m s −1 driving mean vertical TSP flux of 1689 mg m −3 s −1 and fine particle flux of ∼1.0 to ∼50 mg m −3 s −1. Peak PM10 dust loading and flux within the dust column are three times greater than mean values, suggesting previous estimates of dust devil flux might be too high. We find that deflation rates caused by dust devil erosion are ∼2.5–50 μm per year in dust devil active zones on Earth. Similar values are expected for Mars, and may be more significant there where competing erosional mechanisms are less likely.

Comparison of organic compositions in dust storm and normal aerosol samples collected at Gosan, Jeju Island, during spring 2005

To better understand the current physical and chemical properties of East Asian aerosols, an intensive observation of atmospheric particles was conducted at Gosan site, Jeju Island, South Korea during 2005 spring. Total suspended particle (TSP) samples were collected using pre-combusted quartz filters and a high-volume air sampler with the time intervals ranging from 3 h to 48 h. The kinds and amount of various organic compounds were measured in the samples using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Among the 99 target compounds detected, saccharides (average, 130 ± 14 ng m −3), fatty acids (73 ± 7 ng m −3), alcohols (41 ± 4 ng m −3), n-alkanes (32 ± 3 ng m −3), and phthalates (21 ± 2 ng m −3) were found to be major compound classes with polyols/polyacids, lignin and resin products, PAHs, sterols and aromatic acids being minor. Compared to the previous results reported for 2001 late spring samples, no significant changes were found in the levels of their concentrations and compositions for 4 years, although the economy in East Asia, especially in China, has sharply expanded from 2001 to 2005. During the campaign at Gosan site, we encountered two distinct dust storm episodes with high TSP concentrations. The first dust event occurred on March 28, which was characterized by a predominance of secondary organic aerosols. The second event that occurred on the next day (March 29) was found to be characterized by primary organic aerosols associated with forest fires in Siberia/northeastern China. A significant variation in the molecular compositions, which was found within a day, suggests that the compositions of East Asian aerosols are heterogeneous due to multi-contributions from different source regions together with different pathways of long-range atmospheric transport of particles.

Particulate air pollution in Lanzhou China

Concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP) and PM 10 in Lanzhou China have been kept high for the past two decades. Data collected during the intensive observational period from October 1999 to April 2001 show high TSP and PM 10 concentrations. Starting from November, the PM 10 pollution intensifies, and reaches mid to high alert level of air pollution, continues until April next year, and is at low alert level in the summer. In the winter and spring, the TSP concentration is 2–10 times higher than the third-level criterion of air quality (severe pollution). Effects of intrinsic factors (sources of pollution) and remote preconditions (propagation of dust storms) for severe PM 10 and TSP pollution in Lanzhou are analyzed.

Size‐resolved particulate matter composition in Beijing during pollution and dust events

Each spring, Beijing, China, experiences dust storms which cause high particulate matter concentrations. Beijing also has many anthropogenic sources of particulate matter including the large Capitol Steel Company. On the basis of measured size segregated, speciated particulate matter concentrations, and calculated back trajectories, three types of pollution events occurred in Beijing from 22 March to 1 April 2001: dust storms, urban pollution events, and an industrial pollution event. For each event type, the source of each measured element is determined to be soil or anthropogenic and profiles are created that characterize the particulate matter composition. Dust storms are associated with winds traveling from desert regions and high total suspended particle (TSP) and PM2.5 concentrations. Sixty‐two percent of TSP is due to elements with oxides and 98% of that is from soil. Urban pollution events have smaller particulate concentrations but 49% of the TSP is from soil, indicating that dust is a major component of the particulate matter even when there is not an active dust storm. The industrial pollution event is characterized by winds from the southwest, the location of the Capitol Steel Company, and high particulate concentrations. PM2.5 mass and acidic ion concentrations are highest during the industrial pollution event as are Mn, Zn, As, Rb, Cd, Cs and Pb concentrations. These elements can be used as tracers for industrial pollution from the steel mill complex. The industrial pollution is potentially more detrimental to human health than dust storms due to higher PM2.5 concentrations and higher acidic ion and toxic particulate matter concentrations.

Seasonal characterization of dust days, mass concentration and dry deposition of atmospheric aerosols over qingdao, china

The seasonal characterization of dust days, mass concentration and dry deposition of atmospheric aerosols were investigated using the historical data of dust days observed over Qingdao during the period from 1961 to 2001 and ground-based aerosol sampling data collected in the period from May 2001 to November 2002. In Qingdao most of the dust days occurred in spring and in winter and no dust days existed in summer. The seasonal variation of the uplifting dust day over Qingdao was in phase with that analyzed over North China. The mean mass concentration of the total suspended particles (TSP) in spring, summer, autumn and winter was respectively 300, 110, 113 and 185 μg·m −3. The values and phase of the seasonal oscillation for fine particles were very similar to those for coarse particles except for the month March, during which the concentration of the coarse particles was about 4 times as high as that of the fine particles. Comparison between seasonal variation of mass concentration of aerosols and dust days indicated that high frequency of uplifting dust day was accompanied by high TSP mass concentration. The TSP mass concentration measured by the low-volume instrument was about 30% lower than that measured by high-volume instrument, though the two data sets are highly correlated (correlation coefficient=0.89). The dry deposition flux during the observation period from May 2001 to November 2002 ranged from 0.06 to 0.2 g·m −2·d −1 with a mean value of 0.13 g·m −2·d −1, which was about 1/3 as that over Beijing.

Impact of temperature and air pollution on the mortality of children in Madrid.

This work analyzes the impact of temperature and air pollution on infant mortality in Madrid. Daily values of mortality of children younger than 10 years, maximum and minimum temperatures, and air pollutants were considered for an 11-year period. In winter, mortality was mostly associated with very low temperatures and high total suspended particles (TSP) concentrations, whereas summer mortality depended crucially on the occurrence of high TSP and nitrogen oxides concentrations. In winter, the temperature effect increases dramatically for daily maximum temperature values lower than 6degreesC. This pattern is rather different from the one obtained for older age groups in the same location, which show the well-known V relationship between temperature and mortality. The association with TSP shows 2 linear branches without threshold and a strong increase in mortality for concentrations more than 100 microg/m3.