PM10 Content Research Articles

Tillage and straw management affect PM10 emission potential in subarctic Alaska

Emission of windblown dust and PM10 (particulates ≤10μm in diameter regulated by many nations as an air pollutant) from agricultural soils can impact regional air quality. Little information exists that describes the potential for PM10 and airborne dust emissions from subarctic soils or agricultural soils subject to different tillage and residue management. This study documents the influence of tillage and residue management on fine particulate emissions from a subarctic soil in Interior Alaska. Surface characteristics and properties of a silt loam soil subject to conventional, spring disk, autumn chisel plow, and no tillage, with stubble and loose straw retained or removed from the soil surface after harvest of continuous barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), was measured twenty years after establishing treatments. These soil characteristics and properties were used to simulate PM10 emission potential and soil loss from tillage and residue treatments using the Single-event Wind Erosion Evaluation Program (SWEEP). Primary particle size analysis indicated no statistical difference in the size of primary soil particles among tillage or residue treatments. Aggregate size distribution analysis showed that tillage affected the freely-available PM10 content of the soil in the field. No tillage resulted in the lowest freely-available PM10 content as compared with other tillage treatments. Simulations made with SWEEP suggest that PM10 emissions and soil loss are potentially highest for conventional tillage and lowest for no tillage while emissions and soil loss were lower from spring disk than autumn chisel plow. Tillage practices can therefore affect air quality and long range transport of fine particulates emitted into the atmosphere during high wind events in subarctic Alaska.

Organic characterisation of PM10 in Cape Verde under Saharan dust influxes

The current study presents, for the first time, a long-term organic speciation of aerosol at the Cape Verde archipelago. The Cape Verde location, in the Atlantic Ocean, provides a unique laboratory to study background aerosol, long-range transport, aerosol mixing with mineral dust, biomass burning and sea surface components. In order to contribute to a better understanding of this environment, a one-year long measurement campaign was performed in Praia City, Santiago Island. PM10 concentrations (20.5–370 μg/m3) and the organic composition of PM10 were influenced by the African dust influxes. The carbonaceous content of PM10 was very low, suggesting that most of the mass has mineral origin. The PM10 composition was essentially characterised by a large variety of organic compounds, which can be grouped into general compound classes, such as n-alkanes, n-alkanols, n-acids and sugars. The n-alkane total concentrations varied from 3.77 to 53.2 ng/m3. The n-alkanols distribution showed a significant biogenic contribution whether from microbial origin or from epicuticular plants during African dust outbreaks. The total concentrations of n-alkanoic acids varied from 0.011 to 4.51 ng/m3. The lower n-alkenoic acids content, obtained during the periods of long-range transport from Africa, indicated a more aged aerosol. The monosaccharide anhydrides were detected in all samples with a range of concentrations from 2.06 to 12.7 ng/m3.

Urban Boundary Layer Height Characteristics and Relationship with Particulate Matter Mass Concentrations in Xi’an, Central China

The characteristics of the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and the relationship between PBLH and particular matter (PM) mass concentration in Xi’an, central China, are analyzed in this study. Three PBLH calculation methods are used in this study, namely the Holzworth, Liu, and Nozaki approaches. The daily minimum and maximum PBLHs are determined by the Holzworth method, the hourly PBLHs are calculated by the Nozaki method, and the results of the Nozaki method are evaluated by the Liu method. The PBLH characteristics of annual, seasonal, daily, and diurnal variations are based on hourly values obtained from the Nozaki method. The results show that the Nozaki method can depict typical PBLH diurnal variations, although it substantially overestimates the related values. The daily maximum PBLH occurs from 11:00 to 16:00 Beijing time, and the seasonal maximum PBLH is during spring, due to the annual maximum wind speed at this time. PM2.5, PM1.0 and PM10 mass concentrations are negatively correlated with PBLH on the inter-annual, annual, and seasonal time scales. The anti-phase diurnal variations of PM mass concentrations and PBLH further indicate that PBLH is one of the important factors affecting air quality. The PM2.5 in PM10, PM1.0 in PM2.5, and PM1.0 in PM10 contents show notable monthly variations, indicating that the air quality in Xi’an city is affected upwind windy and dusty weather, along with local pollution sources.

Provenance and Geochemical Characteristics of the Silt and Clay Fraction in the Taklamakan Desert, Northwestern China

To advance understanding of the provenance of the silt and clay fraction (particles <0.063 mm in diameter) in the Taklamakan Desert, where dust events occur frequently, we have investigated the spatial distribution and geochemical characteristics of the silt and clay content of surface sediment in the region. The mean PM10 (particles <0.01 mm in diameter) and PM50 (particles <0.05 mm in diameter) content of the surface sediment of the mobile desert were <0.97% and <3.98%, respectively, which was lower than for the Gobi Desert (PM10 = 2.13–6.46%, PM50 = 7.94–20.86%) and the degraded land surrounding the Taklamakan Desert (PM10 = 3.71–13.70%, PM50 = 12.33–32.29%). These results indicate that the Taklamakan Desert is surrounded by potential sources of silt and clay. The relationships between TiO2 and Fe2O3, MgO, V, and Zr confirm that the geochemical composition of the silt and clay fraction have striking spatial differences in the interior of the Taklamakan Desert. Three regions with different silt and clay fraction provenances were identified: the Southeastern (I), Northeastern (II), and Western (III) deserts. Homogeneous geochemical characteristics of the silt and clay fractions from the Southeastern (I) Desert, Gobi Desert and degraded land surrounding the Taklamakan Desert, under prevailing wind conditions, means that the same sources of silt and clay fraction source existed among these areas. The significant differences in the geochemical characteristics of the silt and clay fraction from upwind degraded land, the Western (III) Desert and the Northeastern (II) Desert, indicate that they are sourced from different locations.

Variations in air quality at filling stations, Delhi, India

The air was monitored for two consecutive periods, in the dry and the rainy seasons (2009–2010) at 40 petroleum-filling stations in the Indian capital, Delhi, to assess variations in carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM10, PM2.5, benzene, toluene and xylene content. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the national ambient air quality standards at all the monitoring locations with maximum values of 1105 and 625 μg m−3, respectively, in the dry season. At one location, carbon monoxide was found to be at as high a value as 7843 μg m−3 in the dry season and crossed the national ambient air standard (2000 μg m−3) at many locations. Benzene, toluene and xylene were present in very high concentrations in the dry season. Generally, all the air pollutants exhibited seasonal trends with higher levels in the dry season as compared to those in the rainy season.

Chemical characterization of atmospheric PM in Delhi, India, during different periods of the year including Diwali festival

A study of the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter has been carried out in the city of Delhi. During two 6–day special observation periods, in November 2009 and in March 2010, we have determined atmospheric concentration of element, ions, elemental carbon, organic carbon and levoglucosan, obtaining a satisfactory mass closure (better than 94%). The results show that during these periods, pollutants produced by combustion sources constituted 6 –7 % of the total mass, and that the rest of it, in the absence of desert storms, was evenly divided among species coming from the soil, inorganic secondary compounds formed in the atmosphere and organic species. The results of the analysis of levoglucosan concentration showed that during the cold season in the atmosphere of Delhi about one fifth of the organics was directly produced by biomass burning.Elemental content of PM10 has also been determined once a week during the year 2008. It has been found that PM10 composition varies according to the season: soil components increase during the summer while secondary pollutants and organics increase during the post–monsoon and the winter.Elemental and ionic content of PM10 and PM2.5 have been determined every day during the week of Diwali festivals in 2008 and 2009. PM10 concentration has reached the value of 767μg m−3 in 2008 and 620μg m−3 in 2009; a remarkable increase of elements produced by firework combustion (Sr, Ba, Ti, Mg, Cu, K, S, V, Cl, Bi, Ga) has been detected. The analysis of the extractable and residual fraction of elements has shown that most of the elements were predominantly in the residual fraction and that changes in the size and solubility distribution occurred as a consequence of fireworks.

Total suspended particulate matter emissions at high friction velocities from desert landforms

[1] Most wind erosion studies that characterize dust emission potential measure particulate matter smaller than 10 mm (PM10) for air quality purposes or atmospheric modeling. Because the PM10 size fraction is only a portion of the total range of fine‐grained particles potentially emitted from desert landforms, we modified the miniature Portable In Situ Wind Erosion Lab (PI‐SWERL) by adding a new instrument to measure total suspended particulate matter (TSP). The modified PI‐SWERL is capable of measuring TSP with diameters <500 mm emitted from highly erodible surfaces at friction velocities up to 1.28 m s −1 . Undisturbed and artificially disturbed surfaces of six common landforms in the Negev Desert of Israel were studied to evaluate the utility of TSP measurements. These landforms include alluvial fans and plains armored by desert pavements, loessial soils with silt‐rich surficial crusts, fluvial loess with biological crusts, and active sand dunes. The landforms differ in character and surface age, thereby exhibiting a wide range of surface covers, soil properties, and soil strengths. Our results indicate that the magnitude of TSP emission is primarily controlled by geomorphic setting and surface characteristics. TSP and PM10 concentrations measured from dust‐rich loessial soils were significantly correlated, and TSP emission was best predicted at all sites using PM10 content and bearing capacity. Our results demonstrate that further research is needed to determine correction factors for friction velocities related to erodible, anisotropic surface roughness elements and that the modified PI‐SWERL is a promising tool to quantify total potential emission flux from desert landforms.

Monitoring of As, Cd and Ni in PM10 and topsoils in a ceramic cluster

Nowadays it is well known that ceramic clusters suffer from considerable air pollution due to the different pollutants into the atmosphere, whose levels can be toxic. Castellon province is home to the biggest nucleus of ceramic production in Spain, comprising 93% of the country's total production. This nucleus, located around the cities of Castellon, Vila-real, Alcora and Onda, has had an important process of industrial expansion. The emissions, most of them particulate matter, can constitute a real environmental problem. Three sampling points were chosen (Alcora, Vila-real and Castellon), forming a triangle that comprises most of the ceramic cluster in the province of Castellon, Spain. This is a problematic area in relation to fulfilling European Directive 2004/107/CE, due to its high industrial development. The following objectives are raised: i) The analysis of the temporal evolution of the levels of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmosphere; ii) The identification of similar behaviour patterns and of the possible common origins in the studied pollutants; iii) To show the existence of differences in the behaviour and evolution of As, Cd, Ni and PM10 in the atmospheric medium depending on the location of the sampling point; and iv) To determine As, Cd, Ni and PM10 content in five topsoils near the emission focus and their biodisponibility. The concentration levels of As, Cd and Ni in Alcora, Vila-real and Castellon have been determined for the year 2002 in order to check whether they fall below the limits established for the future directive regarding these elements. The following conclusions are reached from the results obtained after chemical analysis (using ICP-MS) of the samples collected at the three locations. In addition, it was suggested that there was a direct relationship between the content of heavy metals in soils with the levels of PM10 atmospheric particles. The origin was attributed to dry and wet atmospheric deposition processes. Consequently, interesting research on dry and wet deposition of urban atmospheric samples will be conducted as an issue of another study.

The study of TSP and PM10 concentration and their heavy metal content in central area of Tehran, Iran

Atmospheric particulate matter may exert serious health hazards because of its chemical characteristics. The main objective of this study is to assess the concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10), and air-transmitted particulate trace metals in Tehran University (a central location in Tehran, capital of Iran) ambient air, for the period of 5 months viz. February–June 2007. Furthermore, the present work examines the daily levels of fine particles in comparison with the proposed limiting values from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (65 μg m−3 for PM10). The sampling for TSP and PM10 was performed using a high-volume sampler. The TSP and PM10 levels were determined by gravimetry and the metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Arithmetic means of 151 ± 44 µg m−3 and 90 ± 38 µg m−3 were determined for TSP and PM10, respectively. Comparing with EPA primary and secondary air quality standards, only PM10 concentrations in 3 days were higher than the standard values. Heavy metal content of both TSP and PM10, such as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), were also analyzed separately during the same period using atomic absorption spectrometry. The average concentrations of heavy metal in TSP were Pb: 183.63 ± 147.81 ng m−3; Cr: 13.72 ± 2.40 ng m−3; and Cd: 6.80 ± 1.97 ng m−3 and for PM10 were: 150.36 ± 157.01 ng m−3; Cr: 9.12 ± 2.14 ng m−3 and Cd: 6.87 ± 2.22 ng m−3.

Spatial and temporal variations in inhalable CuZnPb aerosols within the Mexico City pollution plume

We report on the CuPbZn content of PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected from three sites (urban T0, suburban T1 and rural T2) during the Mexico City MILAGRO campaign of March 2006. Daytime city centre concentrations of summation operator CuZnPb(PM10) were much higher (T0 > 450 ng m(-3)) than at the suburban site (T1 < 200 ng m(-3)). Rural site (T2) summation operator CuZnPb(PM10) concentrations exceeded 50 ng m(-3) when influenced by the megacity plume but dropped to 10 ng m(-3) during clean northerly winds. Nocturnal metal concentrations more than doubled at T0, as pollutants became trapped in the nightly inversion layer, but decreased at the rural site. Transient spikes in concentrations of different metals, e.g. a "copper event" at T0 (CuPM10 281 ng m(-3)) and "zinc event" at T1 (ZnPM10 1481 ng m(-3)) on the night of March 7-8, demonstrate how industrial pollution sources produce localised chemical inhomogeneities in the city atmosphere. Most metal aerosols are <2.5 microm and SEM study demonstrates the dominance of Fe, Ti, Ba, Cu, Pb and Zn (and lesser Sn, Mo, Sb, W, Ni, V, As, Bi) in metalliferous particles that have shapes including spherical condensates, efflorescent CuZnClS particles, cindery Zn, and Cu wire. Metal aerosol concentrations do not change in concert with PM10 mass, which is more influenced by wind resuspension than industrial emissions. Metalliferous particles can induce cell damage, and PM composition is probably more important than PM mass, with respect to negative health effects, so that better monitoring and control of industrial emissions would likely produce significant improvements in air quality.

Trace element fractionation processes in resuspended mineral aerosols extracted from Australian continental surface materials

Unconsolidated surface soil and dust samples of varying trace element (TE) content were collected from remote locations in central and south-eastern Australia. The finer grained fraction of the samples (&lt;10 µm, PM10) was separated and geochemically compared to the parent particulate matter (PMPAR). TE are mostly hosted in phosphates and oxides/hydroxides or adsorbed to clay minerals, and are normally fractionated into the PM10, producing PM10/PMPAR ratios &gt;1, especially in siliceous, TE-depleted dusts. In contrast, samples TE-enriched by primary silicate minerals eroded from igneous and metamorphic rocks can produce PM10/PMPAR &lt;1 for more mobile elements such as K, Na, Ba, Rb, and Sr. K/Rb is normally lower in PM10 (unless the PMPAR is muscovite-rich) as is the light/heavy rare earth elements (LREE/HREE) ratio because both Rb and HREE are preferentially adsorbed by fine clay particles. Zr and Hf are mostly hosted by zircon crystals initially &gt;10 µm but these diminish in size with time and sedimentological transport so that PM10 aerosol concentrations of these elements are typically telescoped into a narrower range than the PMPAR. Nb is strongly fractionated into PM10, with Nb/TiO2 ratios characteristic of the durable host mineral rutile in all but the most TE-enriched PM. TE content of PM10 in continental dusts is controlled by both physical and chemical processes. Fresh primary silicates suppress PM10/PMPAR ratios of TE with low ionic potential, whereas the opposite effect is induced by hydraulic sorting and/or physical attrition during surface transport, as well as clay absorbtion and fixation of TE in small, resistant accessory minerals.

Direct Gravimetric Measurements of the Mass of the Antarctic Aerosol Collected by High Volume Sampler: PM10 Summer Seasonal Variation at Terra Nova Bay

An on-site procedure was set up for direct gravimetric measurement of the mass of aerosol collected using high volume impactors (aerodynamic size cut point of 10 microm, PM10); this knowledge has hitherto been unavailable. Using a computerized microbalance in a clean chemistry laboratory, under controlled temperature (+/-0.5 degrees C) and relative humidity (+/-1%), continuous, long time filter mass measurements (hours) were carried out before and after exposure, after a 48 h minimun equilibration at the laboratory conditions. The effect of the electrostatic charge was exhausted in 30-60 min, after which stable measurements were obtained. Measurements of filters exposed for 7-11 days (1.13 m3 min(-1)) in a coastal site near Terra Nova Bay (December 2000 - February 2001), gave results for aerosol mass in the order of 10-20 mg (SD approximately 2 mg), corresponding to atmospheric concentrations of 0.52-1.27 microg m(-3). Data show a seasonal behaviour in the PM10 content with an increase during December - early January, followed by a net decrease. The above results compare well with estimates obtained from proxy data for the Antarctic Peninsula (0.30 microg m(-3)), the Ronne Ice Shelf (1.49 microg m(-3)), and the South Pole (0.18 microg m(-3), summer 1974-1975, and 0.37 microg m(-3), average summer seasons 1975-1976 and 1977-1978), and from direct gravimetric measurements recently obtained from medium volume samplers at McMurdo station (downwind 3.39 microg m(-3), upwind 4.15 microg m(-3)) and at King George Island (2.5 microg m(-3), summer, particle diameter <20 microm). This finding opens the way to the direct measurement of the chemical composition of the Antarctic aerosol and, in turn, to a better knowledge of the snow/air relationships as required for the reconstruction of the chemical composition of past atmospheres from deep ice core data.

The effect of refurbishing a UK steel plant on PM10 metal composition and ability to induce inflammation

BackgroundIn the year 2000 Corus closed its steel plant operations in Redcar, NE of England temporarily for refurbishment of its blast furnace. This study investigates the impact of the closure on the chemical composition and biological activity of PM10 collected in the vicinity of the steel plant.MethodsThe metal content of PM10 samples collected before during and after the closure was measured by ICP-MS in order to ascertain whether there was any significant alteration in PM10 composition during the steel plant closure. Biological activity was assessed by instillation of 24 hr PM10 samples into male Wistar rats for 18 hr (n = 6). Inflammation was identified by the cellular and biochemical profile of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Metal chelation of PM10 samples was conducted using Chelex beads prior to treatment of macrophage cell line, J774, in vitro and assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.ResultsThe total metal content of PM10 collected before and during the closure period were similar, but on reopening of the steel plant there was a significant 3-fold increase (p < 0.05) compared with the closure and pre-closure samples. Wind direction prior to the closure was predominantly from the north, compared to south westerly during the closure and re-opened periods. Of metals analysed, iron was most abundant in the total and acid extract, while zinc was the most prevalent metal in the water-soluble fraction. Elevated markers of inflammation included a significant increase (p < 0.01) in neutrophil cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage of rats instilled with PM10 collected during the reopened period, as well as significant increases in albumin (p < 0.05). Extracts of PM10 from the pre-closure and closure periods did not induce any significant alterations in inflammation or lung damage. The soluble and insoluble extractable PM10 components washed from the reopened period both induced a significant increase in neutrophil cell number (p < 0.05) when compared to the control, and these increases when added together approximately equalled the inflammation induced by the whole sample. PM10 from the re-opened period stimulated J774 macrophages to generate TNF-α protein and this was significantly prevented by chelating the metal content of the PM10 prior to addition to the cells.ConclusionPM10-induced inflammation in the rat lung was related to the concentration of metals in the PM10 samples tested, and activity was found in both the soluble and insoluble fractions of the particulate pollutant.

Roadside particulate levels at 30 locations in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Roadside particulate levels (PM10) at 30 locations throughout the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal are reported. There were seven sampling cycles from January to December 1999. PM10 levels ranged between 1000 and 6000 µ/m³ for 1-h sampling. There was no consistent trend in PM10 levels with respect to monitoring cycle, average precipitation or wind speed. There is no WHO guideline for PM10 (no safe exposure threshold), but the EPA 24-h standard is 150 µ/m³. The major sources of roadside PM10 include dust re-suspension from vehicular movement and human activity, and particulate emissions from old vehicles. Other sources of PM10 in the valley include cement and brick factories. Studies are currently being conducted to determine the lead content of PM10 from roadside samples. Additional studies are warranted to assess the potential adverse human health effects of acute or chronic exposure to high particulate levels reported in this study.

KORELACJA ZMIAN STĘŻEŃ PYŁÓW ZAWIESZONYCH PM10 Z TYPAMI CYRKULACJI ATMOSFERYCZNEJ W KONINIE W LATACH 2012–2016

The subject of the paper is the influence of atmospheric circulation on the content of suspended PM10 in the air in Konin. For this purpose dust concentrations from the period 2012–2016 were generally characterized. PM10 particulate matter concentration average hourly data were obtained from the Main Inspectorate of Environmental Protection website. Based on these data, long-term, seasonal and daily changes in the PM10 concentration in the atmosphere were investigated. The study analysed the daily variability of the PM10 suspended particulate matter concentration to present seasonal differences (in hot and cold seasons). In order to determine the influence of atmospheric circulation on the PM10 particulate matter concentration, the concentration levels data were compared with the types of circulation prevailing on the same day. In this study according to synoptic maps the days with maximum and minimum concentrations PM levels were analysed. It was found which type of meteorological circulation is conducive to higher levels concentrations of particulate matter PM10, and which has a positive effect on the quality of the air in Konin.