Pb-containing Particles Research Articles

Removal of lead ions in an aqueous solution by living and modified Aspergillus niger.

An indigenous lead-tolerant fungal strain was isolated from lead-contaminated soil and identified as Aspergillus niger, via 18S rRNA gene sequencing. We determined the adsorption and accumulation of Pb(II) by living A.niger and the adsorption of Pb(II) via modified A.niger. This strain resisted and removed 96.21%-100% Pb(II) ranging from 2 to 8mmol/L Pb(II). Pb-containing particles were observed outside of the cell, and lead was detected inside the cell under scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The process of measuring the adsorption ability of modified fungal biomass, freeze-dried, high-temperature, and alkali-treated fungal samples was analyzed; they adsorbed 25.02%, 8.76%, and 15.05% Pb(II) under 8mmol/L Pb(II) in 43, 10, and 10hr, respectively. These three types of modified A.niger fit the pseudo-second-order model equation well. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Isolation and identification of effective Pb(II) removal strain from the soil around Dexing lead-zinc mine. The ability of living and modified Aspergillus niger to remove Pb(II) in an aqueous environment was evaluated. Lead distributions inside and outside the cell were analyzed by SEM and TEM. Kinetic models for modified biomass adsorbing Pb(II) were made for describing adsorption process.

C-Sr-Pb isotopic characteristics of PM2.5 transported on the East-Asian continental outflows

This study investigated isotopic signatures of carbon (C), lead (Pb) and strontium (Sr) in PM2.5 samples collected from two paired sites (urban vs. rural/background) in northern Taiwan during the summer of 2015 and the spring of 2016, respectively. Significant seasonality was revealed in the isotopic signatures of C and Pb, whereas no seasonal difference was observed in 87Sr/86Sr ratio. The values of δ13C, 206Pb/207Pb, and 208Pb/207Pb were more diverse and exhibited local features in summer. However, during the episodes of continental pollution outbreaks in springtime, the δ13C and Pb isotope ratios of PM2.5 shifted and converged consistently toward the documented characteristics of particulate matters in northern China. Moreover, the results showed that the differences in the Pb and Sr isotopic characteristics between the paired urban and rural sites were statistically insignificant, whereas marginally lower δ13C values were observed at the urban site. It was inferred accordingly that a substantial amount of gaseous hydrocarbons emitted in local urban areas could have been converted to secondary organic aerosols with lower δ13C. On the contrary, the consistency in the spatial and temporal variations of mass concentration and isotope ratios of Pb at the two sites suggested that East-Asian continental pollution outbreak was the major source of Pb-containing particles in the northern Taiwan during springtime. It is noteworthy that there was neither seasonal nor spatial differences in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio observed in this study, which suggested that the Sr-containing particles collected in this study could be originating from a common mixture of sources, including not only natural dust but also the anthropogenic emissions, coal-combustion for instance. This investigation upon the C-Pb-Sr isotopic features evidenced the substantial impacts of the continental pollution outbreaks on the aerosol composition and air quality in the downwind areas of the East-Asian winter monsoons.

Characterization of lead-containing atmospheric particles in a typical basin city of China: Seasonal variations, potential source areas, and responses to fireworks

Lead (Pb) in individual aerosol particles was measured using a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer at an urban site in Chengdu, a typical basin city of China, for four one-month periods in 2016–2017 – one period for each season. The highest mass concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous species (CO, NO, NO2, and SO2) were observed in winter. Cluster analysis was applied to Pb-containing particles, and eight major classes were identified based on mass spectral features. The contribution of these classes to the total Pb-containing particles varied seasonally – for example, Pb-nitrate (PbNO3) particles showed a higher contribution in spring and winter (47%), while Pb-sulfate (PbSO4) particles exhibited a higher contribution in summer and autumn (14%–19%). The size range of particles also changed with seasons as a result of different sources and formation mechanisms under different climatic conditions. A weighted potential source contribution function (WPSCF) analysis suggested that the potential source areas of Pb-containing particles were mainly located to the northeast, east, southeast, and south of Chengdu, and their contribution intensity and coverage area significantly varied in the four seasons. Although almost all pollutants decreased during the Spring Festival holiday (SF) period, fireworks caused the most serious PM and SO2 pollution episodes during the whole study period. During the SF period, the contributions of industrial and traffic-related particles (Pb-organic + elemental carbon (PbOE) and PbNO3 particles) decreased, whereas those of Pb-chloride (PbCl), Pb-metal (PbM), and Pb-sulfate + nitrate (PbSN) particles increased due to fireworks. Results from this study may provide valuable information for a deeper understanding of Pb in particles and evaluation its impacts on atmospheric environment and human health.

Estimating the Possibility of Surface Soil Pollution with Atmospheric Lead Deposits Using the ADMER Model

The literature assessing the risks of soil pollution from atmospheric lead (Pb) deposition is still insufficient, given that Pb deposition can cause large-scale surface soil pollution. This study estimated the possibility of Pb deposition causing soil pollution by calibrating a numerical model of deposition flux with a measured Pb content dataset in proximity to a pollution source. A total 34 surface soil samples were collected around an industrial park that emits Pb into the atmosphere. The sample’s Pb content was determined using hydrochloric acid extraction and an ICP-MS. The amount of annual Pb deposition was estimated using the atmospheric dispersion model for exposure and risk assessment (ADMER model). This approach resulted in accurate predictions of Pb distribution for most sites (<800 m from the pollution source), but the results indicated that the dry deposition velocity of Pb-containing particles was a significant determinant of horizontal Pb distribution. We conducted a sensitivity analysis of the ADMER’s estimated Pb deposition flux values by changing the diameter of Pb-containing particles. This analysis showed large fluctuations in soil Pb content within 1 km of the source, within the range of the previously reported dry deposition velocity.

Source apportionment of Pb-containing particles in Beijing during January 2013

Although leaded gasoline has been banned in some megacities in China since 1997 and nationally since 2000, atmospheric lead (Pb) pollution is still an important issue in China, as its concentration in megacities such as Beijing remains high. To measure the Pb concentration and identify sources of Pb-containing particles in Beijing during January 2013, both an online Single Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SPAMS) and offline filters analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) were used at a monitoring site on the Peking University (PKU) campus. The average Pb concentration in PM2.5 was 370 ng/m3 in January 2013 and the highest daily concentration was as high as 1.3 μg/m3 during our sampling period. Based on the mass spectra from the SPAMS, these particles were classified into 4 major types, including NO3-rich (61%), ECOC-rich (18%), Fe-rich (14%), and SO4-rich (7%). Results from this study suggest that combustion processes and the iron/steel industry were the major primary sources of Pb in Beijing. On clean days, the importance of the primary combustion particle type (ECOC-rich) increased, while during severe haze episodes, Pb-containing particles mixed with secondary ions and Fe were dominant. Based on estimates from the CMAQ model, on average 45% of Pb in PM2.5 in urban Beijing was transported in January 2013, with a much higher percent transported during the haze episodes. The percentage of transported Pb increased with the concentration of Pb and PM2.5, indicating that emissions from the surrounding areas need to be controlled during high Pb episodes in Beijing in winter.

Characterization of lead-containing aerosol particles in Xiamen during and after Spring Festival by single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry.

To comparatively analyze lead (Pb)-containing particles during and after the Chinese Spring Festival (SF), real-time single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) was conducted in Xiamen during February 9-19 and March 4-14, 2013. Pb-containing particles were found in 2.4% and 5.3% of the total particle numbers during and after SF, respectively. Based on the SPAMS mass spectral results, the Pb-containing particles were classified into three major types and 11 subtypes: Pb-rich particles comprising Pb-nitrate, Pb-sulfate and Pb-chloride; K-rich particles comprising K-nitrate, K-sulfate, K-metal, K-carbonaceous, K-phosphate, and K-chloride; and metal particles including Fe-rich and Mn-nitrate particles. During SF, lower contributions of Pb-containing particles were due to the effect of the SF holiday. Firework emissions contributed little to the Pb-containing particles. K-rich particles were a major contribution to Pb-containing particles during SF, accounting for approximately 70% of the total number of Pb-containing particles. After SF, significantly increased Pb-containing particles were observed, coincided with NO2 and SO2, due to increased industrial activities and other anthropogenic activities, and Pb-rich particles increased to approximately 50.3% of the total number of Pb-containing particles. Local industrial emissions and the stagnant meteorological conditions resulted in the higher concentrations of Pb-containing particles in the early morning after SF, especially Pb-nitrate particles. This study provides data on the in-situ monitoring of Pb emissions during and after SF and could be helpful for the mitigation of Pb pollution.

Real time analysis of lead-containing atmospheric particles in Beijing during springtime by single particle aerosol mass spectrometry

Using a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS), the chemical composition and size distributions of lead (Pb)-containing particles with diameter from 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm in Beijing were analyzed in the spring of 2011 during clear, hazy, and dusty days. Based on mass spectral features of particles, cluster analysis was applied to Pb-containing particles, and six major classes were acquired consisting of K-rich, carboneous, Fe-rich, dust, Pb-rich, and Cl-rich particles. Pb-containing particles accounted for 4.2–5.3%, 21.8–22.7%, and 3.2% of total particle number during clear, hazy and dusty days, respectively. K-rich particles are a major contribution to Pb-containing particles, varying from 30.8% to 82.1% of total number of Pb-containing particles, lowest during dusty days and highest during hazy days. The results reflect that the chemical composition and amount of Pb-containing particles has been affected by meteorological conditions as well as the emissions of natural and anthropogenic sources. K-rich particles and carbonaceous particles could be mainly assigned to the emissions of coal combustion. Other classes of Pb-containing particles may be associated with metallurgical processes, coal combustion, dust, and waste incineration etc. In addition, Pb-containing particles during dusty days were first time studied by SPAMS. This method could provide a powerful tool for monitoring and controlling of Pb pollution in real time.

Characteristics of atmospheric aerosols containing heavy metals measured on Fukue Island, Japan

To investigate transport and chemical compositions of fine aerosols in the East Asian region, aerosol chemical components and their mixing states were measured at Fukue Island in the spring of 2010. Off-line chemical analyses using an ion chromatographic analyzer and an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer for the aerosols sampled by a high volume sampler have also been conducted. The mixing state and temporal variation of number concentrations of the particles containing lead (Pb) and vanadium (V) were studied by using a laser ionization single–particle aerosol mass spectrometer (LISPA-MS). The temporal variation of number concentrations of particles containing Pb measured by the LISPA-MS is well consistent with those obtained by the chemical analysis of the aerosols sampled by the high volume sampler. The Pb-containing particles were classified into four types from the statistical analysis on the basis of the single-particle mass spectra with assists of laboratory experiments. It is estimated that 52% of observed particles containing Pb were originated from coal combustion. The concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis suggests that these particles are mainly transported from China continent. The V-containing particles were classified into three types. The 41% of V-containing particles were internally mixed with sea salt and the result of CWT analysis suggests that the potentially anthropogenic V-containing particles possibility emitted from ships are mixing with sea salt in the region that is highly loaded with sea salt in the Pacific Ocean.

Identification of sources of atmospheric PM at the Pittsburgh Supersite, Part I: Single particle analysis and filter-based positive matrix factorization

During the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study (PAQS), July 2001–September 2002, three co-located instruments analyzed the composition of ambient particulate matter (PM): (1) A single particle mass spectrometer, RSMS-3, was deployed to obtain high-temporal-resolution measurements of single particle size (>1.1 μm) and composition which were correlated with meteorological data to identify sources; (2) PM 2.5 and PM 10 were collected on cellulose filters using high-volume (hi-vol) samplers, followed by microwave-assisted digestion and analysis by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to identify possible source categories; and (3) a micro-orifice uniform-deposit impactor (MOUDI) obtained size-distributed samples of PM. Several days of MOUDI filters were selected for microwave-assisted digestion and analysis by ICP–MS. In this paper, sources identified using the single particle data were compared to the PMF results for the hi-vol/ICP–MS data. The strengths of each method were combined to hypothesize the most likely sources of various elements in ambient PM in Pittsburgh. In the final results, Mo and Cr are attributed to local specialty steel facilities; Fe, Mn, Zn, and K are attributed to a steel mill SE of the monitoring station; internally mixed Pb-containing particles are attributed to a major source to the NW; and Ga is attributed to coal combustion sources to the NW. There is a notable lack of oil combustion sources. The MOUDI data were used to resolve discrepancies between the single particle and hi-vol/ICP–MS data concerning the detection of Ti and Se. The hi-vol data showed appreciable Ti and Se masses, but RSMS-3 was unable to detect significant numbers of Ti-containing particles because of their large size, while we hypothesize that the volatility of Se caused it to be distributed more evenly over all emitted particles such that the amount of Se in any individual particle is below the limit of detection.

Identification of Individual Aerosol Particles Containing Cr, Pb, and Zn above the North Sea

Aerosol samples have been collected over the southern bight of the North Sea from an aircraft. In this way, 96 samples were taken for single-particle analysis during 16 flights. Almost 45 000 individual particles were analyzed with electron probe X-ray microanalysis. More than 5000 of these were found to contain significant concentrations of one or more of the heavy metals Cr, Pb, and Zn. With the help of hierarchical, nonhierarchical, and fuzzy clustering techniques, various heavy metal-containing particle types could be identified. Significant differences in abundances were detected in the North Sea heavy metal aerosol, depending on the origin of the air masses. In samples with continental influence 50 times more Zn- and Pb-containing particles were found than in samples with a marine history. For Cr, on the other hand, we found abundances in the marine sector that were one-third of the values for continental sectors. This might point to a rather undefined marine source, which could be the recycling of ...

Lead particles in an urban atmosphere: An individual particle approach

In air particulate matter, sampled at a suburban site near the city of Antwerp, Belgium, more than 1500 individual Pb-containing aerosol particles with projected diameters between 0.2 and 15 μm were analyzed by automated electron probe X-ray micro analysis (EPXMA) for 26 elements and morphological features. Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was used to detect elements with Z < 11, particularly ammonium compounds. The Pb-containing particles were classified into five main classes: Pb-sulfates, Pb-halides, soil related Pb, Pb associated with medium atomic number elements and Pb associated with high atomic number elements. Each class was divided into several distinct particle types, of which the abundance (in number and mass %), the mean projected particle diameter, and the chemical composition were determined. Auto exhaust products are responsible for Pb-sulfates and Pb-halides, making up respectively 66.7 and 27.8% by mass of the Pb-containing particles. Ammonium sulfate coatings were found to be present on nearly all Pb particles. The observations were correlated with daily concentrations of Pb and Br, obtained by particle induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE).

Characterization of airborne particles at a high-btu coal-gasification pilot plant

Airborne particles in fugitive emissions have been measured at a slagging fixed-bed coal-gasification pilot plant using lignite. Sampling was conducted during shutdown operations and opening of the gasifier following an aborted startup. Aerosol collected with a Sierra high-volume impactor was subjected to analysis by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy; aerosol collected with an Andersen low-volume impactor was subjected to flameless atomic absorption analysis. The data show that the bulk of the trace organic material is associated with small particles: these data are similar to data on ambient air reported in the literature. Particle morphologies resemble those of fly ash from coal combustion, including smooth spheres, vesicular spheres, and crystalline material. Trace element size distributions are bimodal and resemble data for ambient air. Pb-containing particles are generally submicron, while particles containing Al, Fe, and other crustal species are mostly of supermicron size. Aluminum-based aerosol enrichment factors calculated from the lignite composition show that the composition of the aerosol resembles that of the coal, with the exception of modest enrichments of Mg, Na, As, and Pb in the submicron size range. Aerosol enrichment factors based on the earth's crustal composition are somewhat greater than those based on coal composition for several elements, suggesting potential errors in using crustal enrichment data to investigate chemical fractionation during aerosol formation.