Total Suspended Particulate Matter Samples Research Articles

Bee Pollinator Mortality Due to Pesticide-Laden Particulate Matter from Beef Cattle Feedyards.

Wild and managed bees are critical for the stability of trophic webs, angiosperm reproduction, and agricultural productivity. Unfortunately, as many as 40% of crop pollinators are in a steep decline due to habitat loss and exposure to agrochemicals. Pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and macrocyclic lactones are among the many agrochemicals toxic to pollinating insects that are used extensively in industrial beef cattle feeding operations throughout the world. Fugitive feedyard particulate matter (PM) transports agrochemicals into the surrounding environs. To determine the impact of agrochemical-laden feedyard particulate matter on bee pollinators, we conducted in situ experiments wherein honeybees and mason bees were placed downwind and upwind of feedyards (N = 40). Concurrent, colocated total suspended particulate matter samples contained multiple insecticides and parasiticides including pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and macrocyclic lactones, in significantly higher concentrations downwind of feedyards (bifenthrin, 8.45 ± 4.92; permethrin, 1032.34 ± 740.76; clothianidin, 3.61 ± 1.48; imidacloprid, 73.32 ± 47.52; thiamethoxam, 5.81 ± 3.16; abamectin, 0.45 ± 0.29; ivermectin, 8.88 ± 5.06 ng/g). Honeybees and mason bees sited downwind of feedyards always experienced higher mortality than those correspondingly sited upwind, and male mason bees experienced significantly higher mortality compared to females when both were sited downwind. Bees occurring downwind of beef cattle feedyards for 1 h are 232-260% more likely to die than those occurring upwind. Thus, agrochemicals used on and emitted from beef cattle feedyards are significant threats to bee pollinators.

Summer–winter contrast in carbon isotope and elemental composition of total suspended particulate matter in the urban atmosphere of Krakow, Southern Poland

Abstract The city of Krakow located in southern Poland ranks among the most polluted urban agglomerations in Europe. There are persisting controversies with respect to impact of different pollution sources operating in Krakow agglomeration on air quality within the city. The presented pilot study was aimed at exploring the possibilities offered by elemental and carbon isotope composition of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) for better characterization of its sources in Krakow atmosphere. The analyses of carbon isotope composition of total carbon in the investigated TSPM samples were supplemented by parallel analyses of radiocarbon content in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This study revealed large seasonal variability of carbon isotope composition in the analysed TSPM samples. This large variability reflects seasonally varying contribution of different sources of fossil and modern carbon to the TSPM pool. The elemental composition of TSPM also reveals distinct seasonal variability of the analysed elements, reflecting varying mixture of natural and anthropogenic sources of those elements. A linear relationship between the fossil carbon load in the TSPM samples and the fossil carbon load in the atmospheric CO2 was found, pointing to the presence of additional source of anthropogenic carbonaceous particles not associated with burning of fossil fuels. Wearing of tyres and asphalt pavement is most probably the main source of such particles.

Investigation on spatiotemporal distribution of aerosol optical properties over two oceanic regions surrounding Indian subcontinent during summer monsoon season.

Columnar spectral aerosol optical depths (AODs) and total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) concentrations were collected on board the Oceanographic Research Vessel (ORV) of Sagar Kanya (SK) during 7-21 June 2014 (SK-313) and 31 July-14 August 2015 (SK-323) over the Arabian Sea (AS) and Bay of Bengal (BoB), respectively, for the two successive years during summer monsoon season. AOD measured at 500nm (AOD500) varied significantly from 0.08 to 0.66 (0.07 to 0.60), with a mean of 0.48 ± 0.13 (0.34 ± 0.13) over the BoB (AS) during SK-313 (SK-323). It simply implies that aerosol load was higher over BoB, not variability as the standard deviations of AOD over both oceans are identical (0.13). Daily AOD500 ranged between 0.15 and 0.60 accounted for 70-75% of the total occurrences over two oceanic regions. Mean Ångström exponent (α or alpha) and Ångström turbidity coefficient (β or beta) were found to be 0.43 ± 0.17 (0.39 ± 0.19) and 0.37 ± 0.15 (0.27 ± 0.13), respectively, which are higher over the AS during SK-323 (SK-313) that indicate predominance of coarse-relative to fine-mode particles. On the other hand, the spectral curvature and second derivative of alpha (α') also showed significant contribution of coarse-mode particles over fine during the two campaigns. Further, column aerosol size distribution (CSD) derived from the King's inversion also exhibited bimodal distribution with a predominant peak observed in the coarse mode (~1.0μm) compared to the fine mode at a geometric mean radius at ~0.1μm over two oceans. The observed data showed that the two marine regions are significantly influenced by various types of aerosols with a predominance of mixed type (MT) of aerosols. From the morphological study, it is inferred that the particles are a flake, spherical, irregular, and in flower and aggregated shapes conducted for the TSPM samples collected during SK-323 over the AS. Finally, the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model is used to study the impact of long-distance transported aerosols and identify their sources.

Trace metals concentration assessment in urban particulate matter in Yenagoa and its environs

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and correlation of selected trace elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and its environs. Air particulate matter was collected gravimetrically at five stations (using a high volume portable SKC air check MTXSidekickair sampler (Model: 224-52MTX). The total suspended particulate matter samples were extracted in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of the trace elements by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method (Model: AA 6600, GBC Avanta PM AAS). The estimated elemental data were then subjected to a set of Multivariate statistical analysis and evaluated for their mutual variations in the urban particles. The concentrations of trace elements (μgm-3) found in the particulate matter were in the order of Ca>Fe>Zn>Ni>Pb> Mn>Cu>Cd>Co>Cr. On the average, the correlation of the trace elements of the study area shows strong correlations between Pb-Ni, Fe-Mn, Co-Ni, Zn-Pb, with correlation coefficients of 0.767, 0.595, 0.508, and 0.791 respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that major sources of trace metals in ambient air of the study areas were mainly emissions from automobile exhaust, industrial emissions and gas flaring.Keywords: Particulate matter, trace elements, enrichment factor, toxic

Profile of particulate-bound organic compounds in ambient environment of Srinagar: a high-altitude urban location in the North-Western Himalayas.

Twenty-four hourly samples of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) were collected once a week over 17months in the ambient environment of Srinagar (altitude 1524m), an urban montane location in the North-Western Himalayas. The samples were analyzed to identify and quantify the presence of diverse organic compounds (OCs) using thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TD-GCMS). Non-polar organic compounds-n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and molecular tracers (retene and nicotine), were detected in the TSPM samples. Molecular diagnostic ratios, derived from the quantified n-alkanes and PAHs in TSPM, assisted in characterization of the contributing sources. Significant variation in the planetary boundary layer height (meters) with change in season (summer to winter) in this region, also, affected the observed variation in the temporal profile of TSPM-bound OCs. TSPM-bound OCs were predominantly contributed from petroleum and biomass combustion; to a lesser extent from biogenic sources. High concentrations of retene and nicotine, known molecular tracers for coniferous wood combustion and tobacco smoke, respectively, were detected in the winter samples. Seasonal variation in TSPM-bound retene corresponded with the periodicity of biomass burning activity in the region. The benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BAPE) concentrations, a measure for the carcinogenicity of TSPM-bound PAHs was calculated and the value exceeded the prescribed international standards in winter. This finding poses a major health concern for the inhabitants of this region. High BAPE concentration of PAHs during winter was linked to fossil fuel and biomass combustion, where the prevalent meteorology and topography played a synergistic role.

13C‐ and 14C‐based study of sources and atmospheric processing of water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) in South Asian aerosols

Water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is typically a large component of carbonaceous aerosols with a high propensity for inducing cloud formation. The sources of WSOC, which may be both of primary and secondary origins, are in general poorly constrained. This study assesses the concentrations and dual‐carbon isotope (14C and 13C) signatures of South Asian WSOC during a 15‐month continuous campaign in 2008–2009. Total suspended particulate matter samples were collected at Sinhagad (SINH) India and at the Maldives Climate Observatory at Hanimaadhoo (MCOH). Monsoon‐driven meteorology yields significant WSOC concentration differences between the dry winter season (0.94 ± 0.43 µg m−3 MCOH and 3.6 ± 2.3 µg m−3 SINH) and the summer monsoon season (0.10 ± 0.04 µg m−3 MCOH and 0.35 ± 0.21 µg m−3 SINH). Radiocarbon‐based source apportionment of WSOC not only shows the dominance of biogenic/biomass combustion sources but also a substantial anthropogenic fossil‐fuel contribution (17 ± 4% MCOH and 23 ± 4% SINH). Aerosols reaching MCOH after long‐range over‐ocean transport were enriched by 3–4‰ in δ13C‐WSOC relative to SINH. This is consistent with particle‐phase aging processes influencing the δ13C‐WSOC signal in the South Asian regional receptor atmosphere.

Assessment of the trace elements level in urban atmospheric particulate matter and source apportionment in Islamabad, Pakistan

The present study was conducted to investigate the distribution, correlation, source apportionment and enrichment of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sb and Zn) in the urban atmospheric particulate matter. The total suspended particulate matter samples were extracted in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of the trace elements on flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The estimated elemental data were then evaluated for their mutual variations in the urban particles. Average 24-h concentrations of Fe and Zn were dominant in the atmospheric particles followed by Cu, Pb, Co, Cr, and Sb, while lowest concentrations were observed for Mn and Cd. The present TSP and elemental levels were also compared with those reported from other areas around the world. The correlation study showed strong relationships between TSP-Fe, Mn-Fe, TSP-Mn, Pb-Mn, Cd- Pb, and Co-Zn. Principal component and cluster analyses revealed automobile emissions, industrial activities, combustion processes and mineral dust as the major pollution sources in the atmospheric particles. Among the trace elements, Sb, Cd, Zn and Pb showed very high enrichment by the anthropogenic activities, while Co and Cu were also significantly enriched in the particulate samples. Most of the trace elements exhibited random distribution with diverse correlations in the atmospheric particles. Comparison of the present elemental levels with those reported from other areas around the world showed relatively elevated concentrations of the elements in the atmospheric particulates. Different anthropogenic activities were found to be mainly responsible for the trace element pollution duly supported by the enrichment factors.

Platinum and Palladium Emissions from On-Road Vehicles in the Kaisermühlen Tunnel (Vienna, Austria)

Total and size-segregated Pt and Pd emission factors from on-road vehicles were measured in the Kaisermühlen Tunnel in Vienna, Austria. Aerosol sampling was performed simultaneously inside and outside the tunnel during April and May 2005. Analysis of the acid-digested aerosol samples was performed using a preconcentration procedure with subsequent on-line detection by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Inside the tunnel distinctly increased Pt and Pd concentrations were found with highest levels in total suspended particulate matter samples and reduced concentrations in the size-segregated PM10 and PM2.5 samples. Emission factors were calculated from concentration differences between tunnel inside and tunnel outside samples, the distance between tunnel entrance and sampling location, the ventilation rate, and the number of vehicles passing through the tunnel. Emission rates observed for Pt ranged from 38 +/- 5.9 to 146 +/- 13 ng veh(-1) km(-1), whereas the emission factors of Pd varied between 13 +/- 2.1 and 42 +/- 4.1 ng veh(-1) km(-1). Variations in the emission rates were assumed to originate from alterations in traffic conditions. Size-segregated investigations revealed that the major part of Pt and Pd emissions were released in the coarse aerosol mode (size fraction > PM10), nevertheless a considerable fraction (approximately 12% and approximately 22% respectively) was emitted in the inhalable PM2.5 fraction.

Source Extraction Information from Air Quality Data Monitored in an Argentinean Steel Mill

A statistical analysis of a series of ambient air concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and NO2 is presented. Measurements were taken at four sites that belong to an Argentinean steel mill and in another site located in its vicinity. The air pollutants were measured during a three-week exploratory sampling. The monitoring sites were selected on the basis of relevant characteristics of the emission sources and the corresponding climatological statistics of the last decade. Suspended particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm (PM10) and NO2 were continuously measured at only one site, while 1-hr samples of NO2 and 24-hr samples of total SPM and SO2 were collected at the other sites. The registered concentrations show that SPM was the pollutant of major concern. A first estimate about the nature of the contribution of the different sources of particles and NO2 present in the area was obtained through the statistical analysis of measured concentration data coupled with prevalent meteorological variables.

Allergens in Paved Road Dust and Airborne Particles

Paved road dust present on the surface of streets in Southern California consists of a complex mixture of soil dust, deposited motor vehicle exhaust particles, tire dust, brake lining wear dust, plant fragments, and other biological materials. The research presented here shows that allergens from at least 20 different source materials are found in the paved road dust. These include pollens and pollen fragments, animal dander, and molds. When paved road dust is resuspended into the atmosphere by passing vehicle traffic, allergen concentrations in the air are increased above the levels that would prevail without the vehicle traffic. Using immunological assays that measure the proteins extracted from environmental samples that bind to IgE antibodies present in the blood serum of allergenic patients, it is possible to measure the allergen concentrations present in paved road dust and in airborne particle samples. Total protein contributions to monthly average airborne TSP and PM_(10) concentrations are found to be in the range from 1 to 5.8 μg m^(-3), potentially accounting for a significant fraction of the airborne particulate organic material that has not been identified to date by GC/MS techniques. Results show that up to 5−12% of the allergenicity of atmospheric total suspended particulate matter samples at Long Beach and Rubidoux, CA, is attributable to paved road dust emissions. In an industrial area of urban central Los Angeles where there is less proximity to vegetation and domestic activities, the paved road dust contribution to airborne allergen concentrations is lower, accounting for approximately 0.5% of the total allergenic activity of the atmospheric particle samples. In conclusion, paved road dust when entrained into the atmosphere by passing traffic is a source of allergen exposure for the general population and could be more important in areas with more abundant vegetation or with closer proximity of populations to major highways than is the case for the Southern California air monitoring sites studied here.

Visibility‐reducing organic aerosols in the vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park: Properties observed by high resolution gas chromatography

Fine particle and total airborne particle samples were collected during August 1989 within the Grand Canyon (Indian Gardens (IG)) and on its south rim (Hopi Point (HP)) to define summertime organic aerosol concentration and composition as a function of elevation at Grand Canyon National Park. Inorganic chemical constituents were analyzed also to help place the relative importance of organics in perspective. Fine particle organic aerosols were approximately equal in concentration to sulfate aerosols at both sites. Monthly average mass concentrations for fine aerosol organics ranged from 1.1 μg m−3 (IG) to 1.3 μg m−3 (HP), while the organic aerosol concentration within total suspended particulate matter samples ranged from 1.9 μg m−3 (IG) to 2.1 μg m−3 (HP). Aerosol organics that could be evaluated by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) (elutable organics) constituted 27% to 53% of the total organics mass collected as fine or total aerosol. At each site, roughly half of the elutable organics fine aerosol fraction was composed of highly polar organic compounds. Distributions of the elutable organics were compared to Los Angeles fine aerosol samples and to distributions of authentic sources of aerosol organics. It was found that the Grand Canyon organic aerosol during August 1989 did not resemble diluted aged Los Angeles organic aerosol, indicating that most of the organic particulate matter at the Grand Canyon at the time studied originated from other sources.