Resuspended Soil Dust Research Articles

Cosmogenic radionuclide Beryllium-7 and Beryllium-10 characteristics and influencing factors in different natural climate regions, China

The cosmogenic radionuclide 7Be (T1/2: 53.29 days) and 10Be (T1/2: 1.39 My), as unique tracers, play an excellent indicative role in atmospheric environmental changes and Earth surface processes. Currently, their different characteristics and influencing factors in various natural climate environments are still vague. Here, we used a state-of-the-art accelerator mass spectrometry to synchronously measure the ultra-trace 7Be and 10Be in aerosols, obtaining the spatial and temporal variability of daily-resolution atmospheric 7Be and 10Be in different natural climate regions (n = 11) of China. The survey results show that the 10Be and 7Be concentrations in the central/southern regions of China (22–38°N, 85–119°E) in 2020/21 are (0.5–18.7)·104 and (0.4–6.1)·104 atoms·m−3, respectively, with 10Be/7Be ratios of 0.7–3.3. Except for the Tibetan Plateau, there are differences in the concentration thresholds of 10Be and 7Be in various regions, especially in 10Be concentration. These 10Be/7Be thresholds are consistent in areas with an altitude range of 4–3420 m a.s.l and reach their highest values throughout the spring of the year. The analysis results indicate that both 7Be and 10Be are influenced by local meteorological conditions such as rainfall and boundary layer disturbances, while also exhibiting different distribution states. This distribution states is due to the re-suspended soil dust 10Be interference caused by soil wind erosion to varying degrees in different regions, with an average contribution to aerosol 10Be of 5.0 ± 2.6 %–24.2 % ± 13.3 %, and is controlled by local annual rainfall (r = 0.8, p < 0.01). Furthermore, unlike the characteristics of 10Be and 7Be concentrations influenced by local meteorological conditions, the daily variation of corrected 10Be/7Be exhibits independence from meteorological processes other than stratosphere troposphere transport, and its significant seasonal oscillations indicate changes in atmospheric circulation in the East Asian monsoon region.

Air Quality Impact Estimation Due to Uncontrolled Emissions from Capuava Petrochemical Complex in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP), Brazil

In the second quarter of 2021, the companies at the Capuava Petrochemical Complex (CPC, Santo André, Brazil) carried out a 50-day scheduled shutdown for the maintenance and installation of new industrial equipment. This process resulted in severe uncontrolled emissions of particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a densely populated residential area (~3400 inhabitants/km2). VOCs can be emitted directly into the atmosphere in urban areas by vehicle exhausts, fuel evaporation, solvent use, emissions of natural gas, and industrial processes. PM is emitted by vehicle exhausts, mainly those powered by diesel, industrial processes, and re-suspended soil dust, in addition to that produced in the atmosphere by photochemical reactions. Our statistical analyses compared the previous (2017–2020) and subsequent (2021–2022) periods from this episode (April–May 2021) from the official air quality monitoring network of the PM10, benzene, and toluene hourly data to improve the proportion of this period of uncontrolled emissions. Near-field simulations were also performed to evaluate the dispersion of pollutants of industrial origin, applying the Gaussian plume model AERMOD (steady-state plume model), estimating the concentrations of VOC and particulate matter (PM10) in which the population was exposed in the region surrounding the CPC. The results comparing the four previous years showed an increase in the mean concentrations by a factor of 2 for PM10, benzene, and toluene, reaching maximum values during the episode of 174 µg m−3 (PM10), 79.1 µg m−3 (benzene), and 58.7 µg m−3 (toluene). Meanwhile, these higher concentrations continued to be observed after the episode, but their variation cannot be fully explained yet. However, it is worth highlighting that this corresponds to the post-pandemic period and the 2022 data also correspond to the period from January to June, that is, they do not represent the annual variation. A linear correlation indicated that CPC could have been responsible for more than 60% of benzene measured at the Capuava Air Quality Station (AQS). However, the PM10 behavior was not fully explained by the model. AERMOD showed that the VOC plume had the potential to reach a large part of Mauá and Santo André municipalities, with the potential to affect the health of more than 1 million inhabitants.

PM2.5 exceedances and source appointment as inputs for an early warning system

Between June 2018 and April 2019, a sampling campaign was carried out to collect PM2.5, monitoring meteorological parameters and anthropogenic events in the Sartenejas Valley, Venezuela. We develop a logistic model for PM2.5 exceedances (≥ 12.5 µg m−3). Source appointment was done using elemental composition and morphology of PM by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). A proposal of an early warning system (EWS) for PM pollution episodes is presented. The logistic model has a holistic success rate of 94%, with forest fires and motor vehicle flows as significant variables. Source appointment analysis by occurrence of events showed that samples with higher concentrations of PM had carbon-rich particles and traces of K associated with biomass burning, as well as aluminosilicates and metallic elements associated with resuspension of soil dust by motor-vehicles. Quantitative source appointment analysis showed that soil dust, garbage burning/marine aerosols and wildfires are three majority sources of PM. An EWS for PM pollution episodes around the Sartenejas Valley is proposed considering the variables and elements mentioned.

Variation in Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) and Its Characterization at Multiple Locations in the Semiarid Region

Introduction: The elemental composition and morphological study of particulate matter are very important to understand the nature of particles influencing the environment, climate, soil, and health.Methods: The PM10 samples were collected during the winter season (2018) in Nowshera city, KPK, Pakistan, in three locations, namely, urban, industrial, and suburban. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used to examine the PM samples for morphological examination and elemental composition.Results: The average mass concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) at the urban, industrial, and suburban locations were 238.5, 505.1, and 255.0 μg m−3, respectively. The average PM10 mass concentration was higher than the WHO and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The results of EDX showed that samples contained variable amounts of thirteen elements, such as oxygen, carbon, silicon, magnesium, sodium, calcium, iron, aluminum, potassium, sulfur, titanium, gold, and chlorine. The probable sources of PM were biogenic like plant debris, pollen, and diatoms; geogenic like road dust and resuspended soil dust; and anthropogenic like carbonaceous particles and fly ash, as confirmed by SEM–EDX. The carbonaceous species, that is, OC and EC, had average values of 55.8 ± 13.1 and 4.6 ± 0.6, 5.2 ± 3.2, and 36.4 ± 10.4, 40.0 ± 2.6 and, 6.3 ± 0.2 in industrial, urban, and suburban locations, respectively. Similarly, OC/EC had average values of 12.0 ± 1.2, 8.0 ± 3.0, and 6.3 ± 0.2 in industrial, urban, and suburban locations, respectively. Highly significant correlations among water-soluble ions (K+), OC, and EC were found in each location.Conclusions: The examined PM10 mass concentration in Nowshera city was above the thresholds of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, the concentration of pollutants was the highest at the industrial site compared to the other sites. The HYSPLIT model showed that the air mass originated from local sources like cement industries, brick kiln industries, and others.

COMPARISON OF INORGANIC CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF TOTAL SUSPENDED AND RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF CAIRO

The inorganic chemical composition of atmospheric Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) and Particulate Matter with an aerodynadic diameter less than 10 µm (PM10) in different regions of Cairo, in spring and autumn of 2018 was illustrated in this work. The results showed that the highest concentration of TSP and PM10 were close to industrial and heavy traffic areas “Tabbin, Helwan, Shobra Elkhimah and Fifth Settlement area”. The results showed that dust mass concentrations in Shobra Elkhimah were higher than all the other locations in both TSP and PM10. These results were pointed out in both spring and autumn. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in Helwan area was higher than all other locations. These concentrations suggest that heavy metals pollution in Helwan was more serious. Ration analysis of soluble ions showed that sodium and chloride were not from sea salt but sodium might be from the resuspension of soil dust, and chloride might be associated with the activities of burning. Potassium had diversity of sources other than burning of biomass. Sulfate and nitrate were mostly from fossil fuel origin. The 16NO3-> / 16SO4-> ratios in Tabbin were higher than in Helwan and Shobra Elkhimah for two types of particles during spring and autumn, indicating that the contribution of stationary emission to total particles in Tabbin were higher than in Helwan and Shobra Elkhimah.

Contamination and Potential Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Heavy Metals in House Settled Dust Collected from Residences of Young Children

House settled dust (HSD) contains various hazardous materials, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals. Exposure to toxicants contained in HSD is of paramount concern especially in the case of young children, due to their particular behavioral characteristics. In this context, extracts of sieved vacuum cleaner dust from 20 residences with young children were examined for the presence of PAHs and trace metals, in Athens, Greece. The results indicated that PAHs and metals were ubiquitous in the studied residences. The calculated enrichment factors (EF) of trace metals indicated that Cu, Se, Zn, Hg, Cd, and Pb were mainly of anthropogenic. According to the PCA analysis, the main sources of household dust were: smoking inside the houses, combustion processes, resuspension of soil dust, and vehicle traffic. In general, the cancer risk due to PAHs exposure was found lower than the threshold value. The ingestion of house dust was the most important route of exposure to metals. The dose of almost all elements for the children was found 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding reference values. Both the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks of exposure were within the safety limits.

Evaluation of atmospheric particulate matter from an industrial area in Southeast Brazil.

A large number of pollutants, such as trace elements, can be found on the surface of atmospheric particulate matter. Since some trace elements can be hazardous to humans, monitoring the atmospheric emissions is relevant to generate comparative data over the years and to predict the health risks of the exposed population. Thus, the aim of this study was to monitor the concentrations of trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter samples from an industrial area in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, in Southeast Brazil. After the sampling campaign, the samples (n = 22) were prepared with microwave-assisted extraction and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Then, the analyte results were evaluated through statistical approaches. The enrichment factor calculation, Pearson correlation, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to identify the main source of each analyte. The samples presented high levels of Al and Fe, which were mainly associated with natural sources, such as resuspension of soil dust. Cr and Mn mostly can come from natural origin. The anthropogenic influence showed increasing trends for As and Cu, indicating that these elements can be from sources other than natural ones, such as industrial processes and vehicle emissions. Furthermore, extremely high enrichment was observed for Cd, Pb, and Zn, indicating strong anthropogenic impact, which may be related to industrial activity in this area. Thus, the industrial emissions were probably the main source of these analytes in the investigated samples.

Chemical Characteristics and Identification of PM10 Sources in Two Lima Districts, Peru

This study evaluates the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 and identification of source in the districts of San Juan de Lurigancho and Puente Piedra (PPD) in Lima-Peru. The samples were collected from April to May 2017 by the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (Senamhi). The concentration of PM10 and PM2.5, measured by gravimetric techniques, exceeded the international (WHO) and national standards; with maximum values for PM10 and PM2.5 of 160 and 121.56 µg/ m3 in PPD and 295.06 and 154.58 µg/ m3 in SJL. Identification of sources by the Positive Matrix Factorization Model (PMF 5.0) and Principal Component Analysis (ACP), showed similar sources for both districts. In SJL, the combination of vehicular traffic and resuspension of soil dust, marine aerosol and iron and steel industry was determined, while in PPD the resuspension of soil dust, vehicular source, industrial activity and marine aerosol.

Characterization of ambient PM1 at a suburban site of Agra: chemical composition, sources, health risk and potential cytotoxicity.

The present study was conducted at a University campus of Agra to determine concentrations of crustal and trace elements in submicron mode (PM1) particles to reveal sources and detrimental effects of PM1-bound metals (Cr, Cd, Mn, Zn, As, Co, Pb, Cu and Ni) in samples collected in the foggy (1 December 2016-17 January 2017) and non-foggy periods (1 April 2016-30 June 2016). Samples were collected twice a week on preweighed quartz fibre filters (QM-A 47mm) for 24h using Envirotech APM 577 (flow rate 10lmin-1). Mass concentration of PM1 was 135.0 ± 28.2 and 54.0 ± 18.5µg/m3 during foggy and non-foggy period, respectively; crustal and trace elements were 13 and 4% during foggy and 11 and 3% in the non-foggy period. Source identification by PCA (principal component analysis) suggested that biomass burning and coal combustion was the prominent sources in foggy period followed by resuspended soil dust, industrial and vehicular emission, whereas in non-foggy period resuspended soil dust was dominant followed by biomass burning and coal combustion, industrial and vehicular emissions. In both episodes, Mn has the highest Hq (hazard quotient) value and Cr has the highest IlcR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) value for both adults and children. In vitro cytotoxicity impact on macrophage (J774) cells was also tested using MTT assay which revealed decreasing cell viability with increasing particle mass.

Seasonal variations in PM10 inorganic composition in the Andean city

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the key pollutants causing health risks worldwide. While the preoccupation for increased concentrations of these particles mainly depends on their sources and thus chemical composition, some regions are yet not well investigated. In this work the composition of chemical elements of atmospheric PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 µm), collected at the urban and suburban sites in high elevation tropical city, were chemically analysed during the dry and wet seasons of 2017–2018. A large fraction (~ 68%) of PM10 composition in Quito, Ecuador is accounted for by water-soluble ions and 16 elements analysed using UV/VIS spectrophotometer and Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to study a correlation between the chemical composition of urban pollution and meteorological parameters. The suburban area displays an increase in PM10 concentrations and natural elemental markers during the dry (increased wind intensity, resuspension of soil dust) season. Meanwhile, densely urbanized area shows increased total PM10 concentrations and anthropogenic elemental markers during the wet season, which may point to the worsened combustion and traffic conditions. This might indicate the prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory problems in motorized areas of the cities in the developing world.

A multi-analytical approach to study the chemical composition of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) to assess the impact on urban monumental heritage in Florence

In the present paper total suspended particulate matter (TSP) was collected at the S. Marco Museum in Florence during seasonal monitoring campaigns carried out in 2013 and 2014. The analyses focused on the determination of TSP chemical composition: main ions, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water soluble organic compounds (WSOC) and levoglucosa which is considered the specific marker for wood burning. The analysis of TSP composition in Florence historical centre is of interest to assess what the damage caused to the surfaces of the urban monumental heritage could be. TSP higher value has been registered during December 2013 (58,6 μg/m3 ± 7,3 μg/m3) while the lower value has been registered in July 2013 (28,5 μg/m3 ± 2,2 μg/m3). OC and EC were also higher in winter with respect to summer. Sulphate is characterized by quite constant values during all the examined periods while ammonium and nitrate were higher in winter. The seasonal contribution of different sources such as combustion processes (from traffic and wood burning) and soil dust resuspension has been evidenced. In particular during winter a high concentration of levoglucosan, the specific marker for wood combustion, has been determined. Finally, all the data obtained were correlated with those previously determined in another study carried out in 2003 at the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence in order to evaluate any possible change in the atmospheric pollution composition.

Morphological Traits Influence the Uptake Ability of Priority Pollutant Elements by Hypnum cupressiforme and Robinia pseudoacacia Leaves

In this paper, a biomonitoring survey of airborne priority pollutant elements was carried out using leaves of native black locust and moss bags filled with Hypnum cupressiforme. The aims of the work were (i) to evaluate if mosses and leaves provide similar information regarding the accumulation of the elements of environmental concern (As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, V, Zn, Tl); (ii) to evaluate if leaf traits are significantly involved in the uptake mechanisms. Hypnum transplants showed elemental contents generally higher than R. pseudoacacia leaves, despite the shorter exposure time. Moss accumulated larger amounts of elements linked to PM and the resuspension of soil dust. Based on the calculation of deposition flux for each element, R. pseudoacacia showed lower values for most elements—except Cr, Mo and Zn—indicating that uptake takes place both by deposition on the leaf surface and absorption via the root. Leaf traits (micromorphology of surface) play an important role in the interception and retention of PM-linked elements. Hypnum transplanted in bags was confirmed to be a powerful bio-accumulator of airborne elements; by contrast, R. pseudoacacia, with a smooth surface and scarce trichomes, showed a limited ability in airborne element retention. Therefore, widely diffused species, well-adapted to anthropized environments, such as black locust, not always can be considered as good biomonitors. The results are discussed in comparison to other vascular plant species used in biomonitoring studies.

Size-resolved measurements of PM2.5 water-soluble elements in Iasi, north-eastern Romania: Seasonality, source apportionment and potential implications for human health

The present paper reports the first size-resolved element measurements in the PM2.5 fraction collected throughout 2016 in the Iasi urban area in north-eastern Romania. Concentrations of water-soluble elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Te, Ti, U, V, Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Several water-soluble heavy metals (Al, Fe, Zn, As, Cr, Pb) exhibit clear seasonal patterns with maxima over the cold season and minima over the warm season. Elements as Al, Fe, Mg, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cu present the highest levels in the PM2.5 fraction, indicating significant contributions from soil-dust resuspension or brake lining and tires. Clear fine mode size-dependent distributions were observed for anthropogenic source-origin elements (Pb, Zn, Cd, V, etc.) due to an acidity-driven metals dissolution process. Positive matrix factorization, concentration weighted trajectory and bivariate polar plot analyses were applied to the entire PM2.5 database. Based on relative concentrations of various elements, five factors associated with specific sources were identified. The most important contributions to the total PM2.5 mass concentration (during the total period) come from secondary formation of the ammonium sulfate form (~44%) and from nitrate (~37%). Resuspended dust accounts for a contribution of about 16%, while biomass burning mixed with NaCl salt/sea-salt sources contribute as much as ~3%. Traffic and industrial sources seem to yield little contribution (<0.05%). An assessment investigation of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks revealed water-soluble arsenic and chromium (VI) as elements with the largest incremental carcinogenic risks. Both metals have traffic and industrial related sources and therefore it is believed that in the future, at the local/regional level, these sources should receive attention by implementing appropriate emission control measures.

Exposure to indoor-outdoor particulate matter and associated trace elements within childcare facilities

Children’s exposure to trace elements through indoor and outdoor pollutants could be a risk to their health. Here, we investigated the concentrations of particulate matter (PM), and PM trace elements existed in indoor and outdoor environments of childcare facilities. The coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated to evaluate the relation between PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments, and I/O ratios for PM were investigated in hallway and indoors during summer and winter seasons. We performed the factor analysis to identify the sources of trace elements in indoor PM2.5. For all childcare facilities, PM2.5 concentrations correlated well with PM10 concentrations in both indoor and outdoor environments, and their slopes are similar. In indoor-outdoor PM concentrations, the higher I/O ratios were presented in winter season, and there were significant differences between hallway and indoors in PM concentrations: childcare C (residential) for PM10 and childcare A (residential) and B (near roadway) for PM10. The factor analysis (FA) results indicated that indoor PM2.5 concentrations were contributed by outdoor pollutant sources, and the variance (%) of trace elements existed in PM2.5 determined by factors 1, 2, and 3 showed over 85%. Thus, these sources are the most significant outdoor pollutants and are sourced from re-suspended soil dust and motor vehicle emissions. More importantly, trace elements (Zn and Ni) included in PM2.5 could not be removed by an air purifier and could lead to potential pollutants in indoors of a childcare facility.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Banagrass-Based Cellulosic Ethanol Production on Hawaii Island: A Spatial Analysis of Re-Suspended Soil Dust and Carbon Dioxide Emission

Environmental impacts from the development of banagrass (Pennisetum purpureum)-based ethanol production on Hawaii Island may create air quality problems. Air pollutants considered in this study include re-suspended soil dust (also known as PM2.5 and PM10) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. The resulting pollutant emissions are then compared against the Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) significant standard for the environmental impact assessment. This study combines GIS and a mathematical computational model to logically and effectively examine potential spatial impacts of ethanol development on air quality on Hawaii Island. This study found that mechanical harvesting of banagrass generates higher dust emission than other agricultural crops. The total PM10 emission of 248.18 tons per year was found statistically equivalent to the PSD significant permitting requirement limit of 250 tons per year (tpy) and thus considered as a major stationary source of fugitive dust pollution. The annual CO2 emission amount of 19,371.72 tons is less than the PSD significant permitting requirement of 75,000 tons of CO2 per year. As a result, this estimated amount is not considered as a major stationary source of pollution.

Polyols and glucose particulate species as tracers of primary biogenic organic aerosols at 28 French sites

Abstract. A growing number of studies are using specific primary sugar species, such as sugar alcohols or primary saccharides, as marker compounds to characterize and apportion primary biogenic organic aerosols (PBOAs) in the atmosphere. To better understand their annual cycles, as well as their spatiotemporal abundance in terms of concentrations and sources, we conducted a large study focusing on three major atmospheric primary sugar compounds (i.e., arabitol, mannitol, and glucose) measured in various environmental conditions for about 5300 filter samples collected at 28 sites in France. Our results show significant atmospheric concentrations of polyols (defined here as the sum of arabitol and mannitol) and glucose at each sampling location, highlighting their ubiquity. Results also confirm that polyols and glucose are mainly associated with the coarse rather than the fine aerosol mode. At nearly all sites, atmospheric concentrations of polyols and glucose display a well-marked seasonal pattern, with maximum concentrations from late spring to early autumn, followed by an abrupt decrease in late autumn, and a minimum concentration during wintertime. Such seasonal patterns support biogenic emissions associated with higher biological metabolic activities (sporulation, growth, etc.) during warmer periods. Results from a previous comprehensive study using positive matrix factorization (PMF) based on an extended aerosol chemical composition dataset of up to 130 species for 16 of the same sample series have also been used in the present work. The polyols-to-PMPBOA ratio is 0.024±0.010 on average for all sites, with no clear distinction between traffic, urban, or rural typology. Overall, even if the exact origin of the PBOA source is still under investigation, it appears to be an important source of particulate matter (PM), especially during summertime. Results also show that PBOAs are significant sources of total organic matter (OM) in PM10 (13±4 % on a yearly average, and up to 40 % in some environments in summer) at most of the investigated sites. The mean PBOA chemical profile is clearly dominated by contribution from OM (78±9 % of the mass of the PBOA PMF on average), and only a minor contribution from the dust class (3±4 %), suggesting that ambient polyols are most likely associated with biological particle emissions (e.g., active spore discharge) rather than soil dust resuspension.

Characteristics of aerosol during major biomass burning events over eastern central India in winter: A tracer-based approach

Size-segregated aerosol samples collected from a rural site (Rajim: 20˚59′N and 81˚55′E) in eastern central India during the winter of 2011 were analyzed for anhydrosugars, sugar alcohols and primary sugars to better understand their potential sources and formation. Anhydrosugars showed the predominance of levoglucosan, whereas sugar alcohol showed the predominance of mannitol, with glucose as a major primary sugar in the sub-micron (Da < 1.1 μm) and super-micron mode (Da > 1.1 μm). Levoglucosan gave a bimodal size distribution pattern with a major peak at 0.43–0.65 μm in the sub-micron mode during period 2 and period 3, suggesting its origin from biomass burning, whereas during period 1 the major peak was found at 4.4–5.8 μm in super-micron mode that may be due to the mixing of biomass burning derived particles with soil dust particles. Sugar alcohols (arabitol and mannitol) and primary sugars (glucose and trehalose) showed bimodal size distribution trend with a major peak at 4.4–5.8 μm in super-micron mode during all periods, perhaps due to fungal activity and soil dust re-suspension, respectively. The potential ingress of biomass burning derived particles into the lungs was calculated to be high whereas fungal spores and soil particles were more likely found in the upper respiratory tract. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis showed that biomass burning was a major source in the sub-micron mode whereas fungal spores and vegetative soil were dominant sources for quantified sugars in super-micron mode.

Comprehensive analysis of inhalable toxic particulate emissions from an old municipal solid waste dumpsite and neighborhood health risks

This paper presents the temporal characteristics of toxic fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from a 30-year old municipal solid waste (MSW) dumpsite and associated health risks. The daily average concentrations of PM2.5 monitored near the MSW dump site were found to be 52.78 ± 23.22, 72.34 ± 24.90, 45.82 ± 13.91 μg/m3 respectively during monsoon, winter and summer seasons. The concentration of toxic heavy metals (THMs) such as As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were observed to be higher in the PM2.5 samples of dumpsite as compared to other urban locations. Results also confirmed that emissions of THMs were from burning of mixed waste (no source separated segregation). The ionic composition of PM2.5 indicated the dominance of SO42− (>25%) and NH4+ (>20%) ions which suggests the occurrence of frequent fires and organic decomposition of municipal wastes. The toxic organic functional groups of aldehyde and ketone, carbonyls were also detected by infrared attenuated total reflectance (IR-ATR) spectra. The analysis of PM2.5 samples collected at dumpsite indicated that ambient air is more toxic during winter periods. The estimated inhalation cancer risks associated with PM2.5 bound THMs indicated the adverse health implications in the neighboring communities. Source apportionment of PM2.5 by UNMIX model showed the significant contribution from mixed garbage burning, re-suspension of soil dust and sea salt.

Characterization of Light-Absorbing Oligomers from Reactions of Phenolic Compounds and Fe(III)

Phenolic compounds are common constituents of atmospheric aerosols. They form by pyrolysis of lignin and by biodegradation of plant material and are commonly found in biomass burning plumes, resuspended soil dust, and in anthropogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOA). In this study, we show that reactions of Fe(III), a major constituent of mineral dust, with several phenolic compounds (guaiacol, catechol, syringol, o- and p-cresol) that are common in atmospheric aerosols, result in the formation of water insoluble light-absorbing compounds and reduced Fe(II). The study was conducted under acidic conditions (pH = 1–2), relevant for areas impacted by biomass burning, anthropogenic emissions, and mineral dust. The reaction products have been characterized using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and high-resolution mass spectrometry detectors, UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The major identified chromophores are ol...

Chemical characterisation of total suspended particulate matter from a remote area in Amazonia

This research had as study object the total suspended particulate matter collected in the Alenquer region, a remote area in the Pará state. The main objectives were the characterisation of the inorganic and organic chemical composition of the aerosol, looking for seasonal patterns and the identification of probable emission sources and formation processes. A set of 30 samples were collected in the rainy (April–May) and dry season (August–September) of 2014. The analytical methods included gravimetric analysis, water-soluble ions analysis by ion chromatography (IC), elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipped with collision cell technology, carbonaceous content determination with a thermal-optical system and organic speciation by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The average concentrations of particulate matter ranged from 14±1.3μg·m−3 to 31±7.8μg·m−3, in the rainy and dry season, respectively. The carbonaceous content represented, on average, approximately 27% and 21% of the particulate matter in the rainy and dry season, respectively. Na+, Cl−, SO₄2−, and NO₃− yield the highest concentrations in both seasons. Na was the dominant element, reflecting the transport of air masses from the Atlantic. An increase in concentrations between the rainy and dry seasons was especially noted for the terrigenous elements such Mn, Fe and Al. The chromatographically resolved organics included n-alkanes, n-alkenes, PAHs, n-alkanoic acids, n-di-acids, resin acids and some phenolic compounds. The primary inputs of organic constituents to the aerosols of Alenquer based on the homologous compound series and biomarkers were: (i) natural emissions from terrestrial higher plants waxes, particularly in dry season; (ii) anthropogenic emissions from diesel fuel combustion and biomass combustion, predominating during the dry season. The chemical characterisation along with the backward trajectory cluster analysis suggests a great influence from natural sources such as marine aerosol, mainly in the rainy season. In the dry season, the region is also affected by soil dust re-suspension and some biomass burning.