Sulfur Dioxide Levels Research Articles

Analisis Uji Emisi Pada Asap Hasil Pembakaran Briket dari Campuran Batubara dan Limbah Plastik LDPE

This research was conducted by mixing coal and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) waste. This study aimed to determine the smoke resulting from burning briquettes with a calorific value of 9,187 Kcal/gr. Judging from the emission levels of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NO2), it becomes a consideration for the feasibility of briquettes be produced as alternative fuels, harmful or not for human health and the surrounding environment. They are first testing the quality of the briquettes and the smoke emissions from burning briquettes. From the test results, the sulfur content is 0.01%, the moisture content is 1.15%, the ash content is 10.22%, the volatile matters are 87.76%, and the calories are 9187.64 Kcal/gr. Then the smoke resulting from burning briquettes was tested for emission levels of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NO2). The results obtained with a high value and exceed the maximum standard that has been set by PERMEN ESDM No. 047 of 2006, namely CO 13715 mg/Nm3 and SO 2550 mg/Nm3, while the NO 2 produced does not exceed the maximum standard set by PERMEN ESDM No. 047 of 2006 which is 7 mg/Nm3. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that the briquettes produced have the potential to pollute the environment and are dangerous if inhaled at high levels by humans. The resulting briquettes are also unfit to be produced as an alternative fuel.

Influence of pH and Sulfur Dioxide in Unaged Wine Distillates on the Physicochemical and Sensory Profile of the Brandies de Jerez

AbstractBrandies are spirits produced from wine spirits and wine distillates aged in less than 1000 L oak casks for at least 6 months. The composition of each brandy is determined by its raw material and its aging. During aging, two different phenomena occur: the extraction of compounds from the cask wood and reactions between the different compounds. Characteristics of the casks have a significant impact during this process. Those casks that have previously contained some type of Sherry wine give rise to the so-called Sherry Cask®, which not only contributes to the compounds from the wood but also to those that were originally found in the Sherry wine previously aged in them. The quality of brandy is also determined by the physicochemical composition and characteristics of the distillate, which depends both on the quality of the distilled wine and on the distillation process itself. This work studied the effect of sulfur dioxide and the role that the pH of the distillate plays on the physicochemical and sensory composition of three brandies aged 24 months in a static system of Sherry Casks®. The analyses were carried out following the OIV methods. Results have revealed that high levels of sulfur dioxide and the distillate pH significantly condition the extraction of phenolic compounds and organic acids from the wood, as well as reactions such as hydrolysis or esterification that take place between the compounds in the spirits. These factors have led to a differentiated sensory evaluation of the final brandies.

Robust Multivariate Dispersion Charts for Quality Control: Application to Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring

ABSTRACTThis study introduces two robust multivariate Shewhart‐type control charts based on grouped observations to detect changes in the covariance matrix, with a focus on monitoring sulfur dioxide levels during quality control processes. We compute the covariance matrix of observations, and apply the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to penalize it in the in‐control process. Logarithms are then applied to eigenvalues derived through singular value decomposition (SVD) of the shrunken covariance matrix, ensuring robustness to non‐normality in the multivariate data. The proposed methods offer significant advantages, particularly in their ability to maintain robustness to non‐normality without relying on strict distributional assumptions. Performance comparisons using the average run length demonstrate that the proposed charts exhibit superior robustness to normality assumptions compared with existing methods. However, potential limitations include the computational complexity of the shrinkage and SVD processes, which may affect the scalability of large datasets. An application to the white wine production process illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed methods for analyzing complex multivariate chemical data. These findings indicate that the introduced charts enhance the detection of shifts in the covariance matrix of physicochemical properties, thereby improving the reliability of quality control processes in non‐normal environments. This study provides valuable tools for quality engineers and practitioners in industries dealing with multivariate analytical data, contributing to improved process monitoring and control, ensuring higher quality standards, and ensuring consistent product outcomes in fields such as food science and industrial chemistry.

Association Between Chronic Pain and Fatigue Severity with Weather and Air Pollution Among Females with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Weather and air quality conditions have been anecdotally reported to be related to symptom fluctuations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), but this has never been empirically investigated. This exploratory study aims to examine the effects of weather and air quality on daily fluctuations of chronic pain and fatigue in women with ME/CFS. In an intensive longitudinal design, 58 participants with ME/CFS provided daily pain and fatigue ratings for an average of 61 days. Daily weather and air quality data were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency for the Birmingham, AL area. Linear mixed models revealed a significant relationship between days with more severe pain and worse Air Quality Indices (AQI, p < 0.001), lower wind speeds (p = 0.009), greater particulate matter (p = 0.037), and lower carbon monoxide (p = 0.004), sulfur dioxide (p = 0.003), and ozone levels (p = 0.015). Greater fatigue was associated with more particulates (p = 0.023) and lower barometric pressure (p = 0.048). These results suggest that air quality and weather can have small effects on ME/CFS symptom severity.

Combustion characteristics of a 660 MW tangentially fired pulverized coal boiler considering different loads, burner combinations and horizontal deflection angles

In the context of transitioning energy structures, thermal power generation is adapting to peak load regulation, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies on boiler combustion characteristics under varying load conditions. This study focuses on a 660 MW tangentially fired boiler, evaluating its combustion and pollutant generation at different operational loads: boiler maximum continuous rate (BMCR), turbine heat acceptance (THA), 75% of THA, and 40% of THA. The findings reveal a general decline in temperature, and nitrogen oxide concentration as the load decreases. However, at 40% THA, increased oxygen mole fractions lead to higher carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide levels compared to other conditions. Through the Analytic Network Process, each parameter's impact is evaluated and scored to identify the most effective burner and deflection angle combinations. Optimal configurations are identified: a 10-degree rightward adjustment for ABDE layer burners at BMCR and a 10-degree leftward adjustment for BD layer burners at 40% THA, both enhancing combustion performance and reducing pollutants at the furnace outlet. For THA and 75% THA conditions, the industrial standard combination is recommended.

Air quality in different urban hotspots in a metropolitan city in India and the environmental implication.

This research study investigates hourly data on concentrations of five major air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO) measured during 2022 at four hotspot sites (industrial site, traffic site, commercial site, harbour, and one residential site) in Chennai, India. The analysis encompasses temporal variations spanning annual, seasonal, and diurnal variations in the pollutants. Notably, PM10 and CO emerge as the predominant pollutants, with the highest concentrations at industrial and traffic sites (PM10: 67.64 ± 40.77µg/m3, CO: 1.41 ± 0.84mg/m3; traffic site: PM10: 58.67 ± 20.05µg/m3, CO: 0.99 ± 0.57mg/m3). Seasonal dynamics reveal prominent winter spikes in particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, while nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels peak during the summer season, particularly in the harbour area. The proximity to roadways exerts a discernible influence on diurnal patterns, with traffic sites showcasing broader rush hour peaks compared to sharper spikes observed at other sites. Furthermore, distinct bimodal patterns are evident for PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in residential and harbour areas. A common lognormal distribution pattern is identified across the studied sites, suggesting consistent air quality trends despite contrasting locations. The conditional probability function (CPF) is used in conjunction with local meteorological conditions for identifying key pollution sources in each location. The implementation of polar plots emphasizes industries as principal local sources of pollution, at industrial sites significantly contributing to PM10, SO2, and NO2 concentrations under specific wind conditions. The main objective of the present study is to facilitate a good understanding of pollutant dynamics, pollution sources, and their intricate interplay with meteorological factors, thereby contributing to the formulation and implementation of effective air pollution control and mitigation strategies.

Utilizing armchair and zigzag nanoribbons for improved detection of SO2 Toxicity with graphene biosensor

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), with their distinctive structural and electronic characteristics, offer significant potential for use as biosensors in the detection of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) levels. This study employs Density Functional Theory (DFT) to evaluate the sensitivity of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) to SO₂ gas. Specifically, we investigate the influence of SO₂ molecules on the electronic and transport characteristics of both pure and Cr-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) and Cr-doped AGNRs. Key electronic properties, including band structure, adsorption energy, and density of states (DOS), were analyzed following SO₂ adsorption. The results indicate that Cr doping leads to significant changes in the electronic properties of AGNRs upon SO₂ exposure, including alterations in the Fermi surface that result in band separation and the formation of a forbidden band. The adsorption energy of Cr-doped AGNR increased from 0.07 eV (pristine AGNR) to 0.55 eV (Cr-doped AGNR), nearly eight times higher, indicating strong chemisorption of SO₂. These findings suggest that Cr-doped AGNRs exhibit high sensitivity to SO₂, making them promising candidates for gas detection. Furthermore, this study reveals that SO₂ adsorption in the armchair direction results in a more pronounced peak-to-valley ratio compared to the zigzag direction, highlighting distinct characteristics in SO₂ adsorption behavior. These findings could facilitate the development of advanced sensors with improved sensitivity and selectivity for environmental monitoring and safety applications.

A Study on Ambient Air Quality and Management inCommercial Areas of Gorakhpur City

The current study evaluates the city of Gorakhpur's ambient air quality using an air quality index. For the period January 2018 to November 2022, the 24-hour average concentration of the three primary pollutants SO2, NO2, andPM10 in a commercial area close to Jalkal Bhawan in Gorakhpur city was measured. Pollutant measurements were made between January 2018 and November 2022. The IND-AQI technique was implemented to calculate the Air Quality Index. In July, the highest monthly average concentrations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were recorded at 401.13, 36.41, and 54.02, respectively. The yearly average SO2 concentration was found to be within the CPCB- recommended limit, while NO2 was found to be slightly above the maximum allowable level. However, PM10 wasconsistently found to be above the CPCB-recommended limit. The average monthly concentration of NO2 is higherthan SO2, and the overall AQI rating was determined to be moderate. The global experiences clearly demonstratedthat international action had been city specific rather than country oriented, and as a result, statistics show a reductionin PM2.5 of 35%–40% in five years for cities like Beijing and Seoul, whereas cities like Santiago and Mexico Cityhave shown reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration of 73% and 61% in 20 to 25 years, respectively. Recent research published in the Lancet found that over the past five years, CO and Sulphur dioxide levels decreased by 28.2% and 54.1%, respectively, while NO2 and O3 concertation showed no considerable improvement. The August2018 TERI and ARAI report examined several interventions and predicted their possible effects. PM2.5 and PM10 levelsin Delhi and the NCR are above average. A different scenario has been developed in light of the intervention that can improve air quality the most. The NCAP produces an estimated national level target of 20%-30% decreasesin PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 after taking into consideration the existing international and national studies. This keeps 2018 as the baseline year for concentration comparisons. Gorakhpur City has recently experienced an increase in development activity, which has led to particulate matter.

Air Quality Dynamics in Sichuan Province: Sentinel-5P Data Insights (2019-2023)

This study assesses air pollution in Sichuan Province, China, from January 2019 to December 2023 using Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite data. The analysis reveals distinct seasonal variations in levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), and Ozone (O₃), with urban areas experiencing higher concentrations due to industrial and vehicular emissions. CO and O₃ frequently exceeded WHO guidelines, particularly in winter and summer, indicating significant health risks. While most pollutant levels remained within safety limits, the findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to improve air quality and safeguard public health, especially in urban environments.

Impact of Outdoor Air Pollutants Exposure on the Severity and Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Gabes Region, Tunisia.

Background Acute community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is considered the leading cause of infectious death worldwide. Air pollution and prolonged exposure to airborne contaminants have been implicated in various respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the specific impact of air pollution on pneumonia, particularly CAP, remains underexplored. Given the rising levels of urban air pollution and its potential health ramifications, our study aimed to examine the association between exposure to outdoor air pollution and severity as well as the outcomes of pneumonia cases requiring hospitalization. Methodology A cohort analytical study with retrospective data collection was carried out in the pulmonology department of the Gabès University Hospital between January and October 2022. We compared levels of particulate matter less than or equal to 10µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10),sulfur dioxide (SO2),ozone (O3), moisture and ambient temperature with severity and outcomes ofpneumonia requiring hospitalization. The choice of these specific pollutants and environmental factors was based on their established impact on respiratory health and their prevalence in the study region. Results Increased sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were associated with increased use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) (r = 0.400). Higher levels of particulate matter (PM10) were significantly associated with the development of lung abscesses. Similarly, increased humidity and ambient temperature were strongly correlated with the development of lung abscesses. Increased air SO2 levels were correlated with a higher CURB65 score (r = 0.299). High outdoor SO2 levels and increasing moisture content were associated with increased Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) score (r = 0.303 and = 0.310, respectively). Higher levels of PM10 were associated with an increased risk of pleural effusion, a serious complication of pneumonia. Finally, higher ambient temperatures were correlated with more extensive opacities on chest X-rays (r = 0.706), suggesting the severity of pneumonia. Conclusion This study highlights the significant associations between environmental factors and various clinical parameters in pneumonia patients. The findings underscore the importance of considering environmental exposures, such as air quality and weather conditions, in understanding and managing the severity of pneumonia.

Data-Driven Modeling for the Prediction of Stack Gas Concentration in a Coal-Fired Power Plant in Türkiye

In this research, deep learning and machine learning methods were employed to forecast the levels of stack gas concentrations in a coal-fired power plant situated in Türkiye. Real-time data collected from continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) serves as the basis for the predictions. The dataset includes measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), oxygen (O2), and dust levels, along with temperatures recorded. For this analysis, deep learning methods such as multi-layer perceptron network (MLP) and long short-term memory (LSTM) models were used, while machine learning techniques included light gradient boosted machine (LightGBM) and stochastic gradient descent (SGD) models were applied. The accuracy of the models was determined by analysing their performance using mean absolute error (MAE), root means square error (RMSE), and R-squared values. Based on the results, LightGBM achieved the highest R-squared (0.85) for O2 predictions, highlighting its variance-capturing ability. LSTM excelled in NOx (R-squared 0.87) and SO2 (R-squared 0.85) prediction, while showing the top R-squared (0.67) for CO. Both LSTM and LGBM achieved R-squared values of 0.78 for dust levels, indicating strong variance explanation. Conclusively, our findings highlight LSTM as the most effective approach for stack gas concentration forecasting, closely followed by the good performance of LightGBM. The importance of these results lies in their potential to effectively manage emissions in coal-fired power plants, thereby improving both environmental and operational aspects.Graphical

Indoor sulfur dioxide prediction through air quality modeling and assessment of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in industrial and non-industrial areas.

In this study, the levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured indoors and outdoors using passive samplers in Tymar village (20 homes), an industrial area, and Haji Wsu (15 homes), a non-industrial region, in the summer and the winter seasons. In comparison to Haji Wsu village, the results showed that Tymar village had higher and more significant mean SO2 and NO2 concentrations indoors and outdoors throughout both the summer and winter seasons. The mean outdoor concentration of SO2 was the highest in summer, while the mean indoor NO2 concentration was the highest in winter in both areas. The ratio of NO2 indoors to outdoors was larger than one throughout the winter at both sites. Additionally, the performance of machine learning (ML) approaches: multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural network (ANN), and random forest (RF) were compared in predicting indoor SO2 concentrations in both the industrial and non-industrial areas. Factor analysis (FA) was conducted on different indoor and outdoor meteorological and air quality parameters, and the resulting factors were employed as inputs to train the models. Cross-validation was applied to ensure reliable and robust model evaluation. RF showed the best predictive ability in the prediction of indoor SO2 for the training set (RMSE = 2.108, MAE = 1.780, and R2 = 0.956) and for the unseen test set (RMSE = 4.469, MAE = 3.728, and R2 = 0.779) values compared to other studied models. As a result, it was observed that the RF model could successfully approach the nonlinear relationship between indoor SO2 and input parameters and provide valuable insights to reduce exposure to this harmful pollutant.

Atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel: Results of one-year exposure in an andean tropical atmosphere in Colombia

In this study was examined the response of carbon steel to atmospheric corrosion after one-year exposure in Valle de Aburrá, a subregion located in northwestern Colombia. The study involved the assessment of material mass loss and corrosion rate, the characterization of atmospheric aggressiveness, and the analysis of the morphology and composition of corrosion products in five different sites. Climatological and meteorological factors were assessed by testing for chloride content, sulfur dioxide levels, and time of wetness (TOW). The analysis of corrosion products was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. Based on corrosion rates, two sites exhibited a more aggressive environment, with a corrosivity category of C3, while the remaining sites were categorized as C2. The study confirmed the presence of lepidocrocite and goethite phases on the surface of carbon steel at all test sites. Data analysis revealed that both the TOW and the industrial activity significantly influence the corrosion of this metal.

Analysis of Sulphur Dioxide Concentration in Central University of Jammu (Rahya Suchani) Campus

One major air pollutant that has a negative impact on both the environment and human health is sulfur dioxide (SO2). An analysis of the sulphur dioxide levels on the Central University of Jammu (Rahya Suchani) campus is presented in this abstract. The study's objectives are to measure the amount of SO2 pollution, locate probable sources, and analyze the effects of the pollution on the campus environment and the residents' health. In order to gather information on SO2 concentrations at different points on the university campus, the research makes use of quantitative measurements and environmental monitoring techniques. Data is gathered using specialized equipment that can measure SO2 in ambient air precisely. The study aims to investigate the temporal and spatial fluctuations in SO2 concentration, accounting for variables such as local pollution sources, automobile traffic, industrial processes, and weather patterns. The distribution patterns and locations of elevated SO2 pollution on campus are visualized by statistical analysis and spatial mapping approaches. The goal of this study's findings is to increase university stakeholders' knowledge of the level of SO2 pollution on the Central University of Jammu campus. Through the identification of pollutant sources and patterns, the study offers significant insights for the implementation of mitigation techniques and the promotion of a healthier campus environment.

Long-Term Dynamics of Atmospheric Sulfur Dioxide in Urban and Rural Regions of China: Urbanization and Policy Impacts

High levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) due to human activities pose a serious air pollution issue in China, especially in urban agglomerations. However, limited research has investigated the impact of anthropogenic emissions on higher SO2 concentrations in urban regions compared to rural areas in China. Here, we analyzed the trends in SO2 concentrations from 1980 to 2021 in China using the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) dataset. SO2 column concentrations from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) during the years 2007–2021 were also examined for validation and comparison purposes. Eight representative areas, including four urban regions (Pearl River Delta [PRD], Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei [BTH], Yangtze River Delta [YRD], and Sichuan Basin [SCB]) and four rural regions (Northeast Region [NER], Mongolian Region [MR], West Region [WR], and Tibetan Plateau Region [TR]) were selected for the analysis. Overall, a significant but fluctuating increase in SO2 concentrations over China was observed during 1980–2021. During 1980–1997 and 2000–2010, there was an increase in SO2 concentration, while during 1997–2000 and 2010–2021, a decreasing trend was observed. The average increase in SO2 concentration was approximately 16 times higher in urban regions than in the rural background. We also found that SO2 dynamics were highly associated with expansion of urban areas, population density, and gross domestic product. Nonetheless, since 2007, SO2 concentrations have exhibited a downward trend, which is mainly attributed to the air pollution policies implemented by the Chinese government. Our findings highlight the need for further studies on the impact of SO2 on regional climate change in China.

A mitochondria-specific NIR fluorescence probe for dual-detection of sulfur dioxide and viscosity in living cells and mice.

The level of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and viscosity in mitochondria play vital roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Abnormalities in mitochondrial SO2 and viscosity are closely associated with numerous biological diseases. It is of great significance to develop novel fluorescence probes for simultaneous detection of SO2 and viscosity within mitochondria. Herein, we have developed a water-soluble, mitochondrial-targeted and near-infrared fluorescent probe, CMBT, for the simultaneous detection of SO2 and viscosity. The probe CMBT incorporates benzothiazolium salt as a mitochondrial targeting moiety and 7-diethylaminocoumarin as a rotor for viscosity detection, respectively. Based on the prompt reaction between nucleophilic HSO3-/SO32- and the backbone of the benzothiazolium salt derivative, probe CMBT displayed high sensitivity and selectivity toward SO2 with a limit of detection as low as 0.17 μM. As viscosity increased, the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) process was restricted, resulting in fluorescence emission enhancement at 690 nm. Moreover, probe CMBT demonstrated exceptional mitochondrial targeting ability and was successfully employed to image variations of SO2 and viscosity in living cells and mice. The work highlights the great potential of the probe as a convenient tool for revealing the relationship between SO2 and viscosity in biological systems.

Comparison of ancestral and traditional methods for elaborating sparkling wines

This work compares the ancestral method for elaborating sparkling wines with the most widely used traditional method. Ancestral method is a single fermentation procedure in which the fermenting grape must is bottled before the end of alcoholic fermentation whereas traditional method involves a second fermentation of a base wine inside a bottle. Macabeo grapes were used to elaborate a traditional sparkling wine and two ancestral sparkling wines, one with a low yeast population and one with a high yeast population. The findings indicate that ancestral sparkling wines have lower ethanol content and can be elaborated using lower sulphur dioxide levels. In general, ancestral sparkling wines showed similar protein concentration, higher polysaccharide content, similar or better foamability (HM) than the traditional sparkling wine., No differences were found in the foam stability (HS). In addition, the sensory analysis indicated that ancestral sparkling wines have smaller bubble size, lower CO2 aggressivity, they seemed to have longer ageing time and were scored better than the traditional sparkling wine. These results therefore indicate that the ancestral method is of great interest for the elaboration of high-quality sparkling wines.

Status of atmospheric air pollution in Ukraine prior to the full-scale russian invasion. Part 2: Pollutants total content according to the satellite data

The paper describes the main features of pollutant total content distribution over Ukraine that can be used as baseline air quality data observed before the full-scale russian invasion in Ukraine. The study is based on the data derived from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard of the Sentinel-5 Precursor (5P) satellite that indicates nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and formaldehyde (CH2O) levels. We defined the characteristics of pollutants spatial distribution with full coverage of Ukrainian territory. Despite the increasing role of automotive emissions, the most polluted air in Ukraine was still observed over large industrial cities and smaller settlements having the biggest thermal power plants (TPP). The high level of pollutants content over these locations negatively affects air quality in suburban and rural areas by the prevailing wind. They form relatively stable polluted spots over larger areas. Hence, main polluted areas include: Donetsk Region; territories in the central part of Ukraine along the Dnipro River and near the destroyed Kakhovka reservoir; Kharkiv and Zmiiv TPPs; Kyiv and Trypillia TPPs; and the territories in the western part, including Lviv, Dobrotvir and Burshtyn TPPs. The polluted air from these territories determines the air quality depending on a prevailing wind. In case of high wind speeds polluted air can be distributed from urban areas towards relatively clean territories such as Carpathian and Crimean Mountains, northern Polissia, and the Medobory National Park of Podillia. We determined quantitative parameters of wind speed and direction for every pollutant that causes higher total content over relatively clean territories. Pollutants dispersion in the atmosphere varies depending on a boundary layer height (BLH). It was found that NO2, CO and SO2 content significantly increased when the BLH was below 500 m over both urban areas and clean territories with no emission sources available. The inverse dependence on the BLH was identified for CH2O. This can be explained by a more intense photochemical production at higher altitudes. The detected baseline air pollution conditions can be used in order to assess the impact of the war on air quality in Ukraine and come up with relevant post-war development measures.

Excellent Mercury Removal in High Sulfur Atmosphere Using a Novel CuS-BDC-2D Derived by Metal-Organic Frame.

To effectively remove high concentrations of mercury in a high sulfur atmosphere of nonferrous smelting flue gas, a novel two-dimensional CuS-MOF (CuS-BDC-2D) material is synthesized by anchoring S to Cu sites in the Cu-BDC MOF. The highly dispersed CuS active sites and MOF framework structural properties in CuS-BDC-2D enable efficiently collaborate in capturing mercury. CuS-BDC-2D exhibits a layered floral structure with high specific surface area and thermal stability, with poor crystallinity. Compared to CuS and the three-dimensional CuS-MOF (CuS-BDC-3D) structure, CuS-BDC-2D demonstrates significantly higher mercury capture capacity due to the high exposure of active sites and defects sites in the two-dimensional material. Moreover, CuS-BDC-2D exhibits excellent resistance to sulfur, maintaining its high efficiency in removing Hg0 even at high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2), such as 5000-20,000 ppm. The superior performance of CuS-BDC-2D makes it suitable for controlling mercury emissions in actual nonferrous smelting flue gas. This discovery also paves the way for the development of new mercury adsorbents, which can guide future advancements in this field.

Ambient Ozone and Fine Particular Matter Pollution in a Megacity in South China: Trends, Concurrent Pollution, and Health Risk Assessment

Over the past several years, Shenzhen’s air quality has significantly improved despite increased ground-level ozone (O3) and the challenges in reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We investigated concentration trends, concurrent pollution features, and long-term exposure health risks to enhance our understanding of the characteristics of O3 and PM2.5 pollution. From 2016 to 2022, there was a decrease in PM2.5 levels, but an increase in O3. Additionally, the premature mortality attributed to long-term air pollution exposure decreased by 20.1%. High-O3-and-PM2.5 days were defined as those when the MDA8 O3 ≥ 160 μg m–3 and PM2.5 ≥ 35 μg m–3. Significantly higher levels of O3, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), OX (OX = O3 + NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were observed on high-O3-and-PM2.5 days. Vehicle emissions were identified as the primary anthropogenic sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing the most to VOCs (58.4 ± 1.3%), O3 formation (45.3 ± 0.6%), and PM2.5 formation (46.6 ± 0.4%). Cities in Guangdong Province around Shenzhen were identified as major potential source regions of O3 and PM2.5 during high-O3-and-PM2.5 days. These findings will be valuable in developing simultaneous pollution control strategies for PM2.5 and O3 in Shenzhen.