Total Suspended Particulate Concentrations Research Articles

화력발전소에서의 국내 배출계수 산정 방안 연구 -먼지를 중심으로-

In Korea, PM (Particulate Matter) emissions caused by coal-fired power plants are measured by a system, so called Clean Air Policy Support System (CAPSS), which uses foreign emission factors. However, the system fails to reflect the characteristics of domestic power plants. In this regard, this study aims to develop local, accurate domestic emission factors. The study measured the amount of TSP (Total Suspended Particulates), PM10 and PM2.5 by collecting samples from the latter parts of pollution control devices which were installed at 3 bituminous-fired power plants and 3 anthracite-fired power plants. The results showed that the average concentrations of TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 measured at bituminous-fired power plants were 4.63 mg/, 2.96 mg/ and 3.07 mg/ respectively, much higher than those from anthracite-fired power plants (2.96 mg/, 2.47 mg/ and 1.37 mg/, respectively). In addition, bituminous-fired power plants showed higher ratios of PM10/TSP and PM2.5/TSP with 0.66 and 0.92, respectively, compared to 0.82 and 0.46, the ratios of PM10/TSP and PM2.5/TSP measured in anthracite-fired power plants. Emission factors based-on concentration measurements were also higher for bituminous-fired power plants, and PM with smaller particles tended to have bigger difference in emission factors between the two fuels. This study calculated the amount of PM emissions by using the estimated emission factors. When it comes to the PM emissions, it was less than that of CAPSS while similar to that of CleanSYS in its amount. It is expected that the emission factors developed by this study will be used in Korea replacing foreign emission factors currently used in Korea by ensuring the objectivity and reliability as domestic emission factors.

Distribution of inorganic nitrogen-containing species in atmospheric particles from an island in the Yellow Sea

In this study, total suspended particles (TSP) and size-segregated atmospheric aerosol samples were measured on Qianliyan Island in the Yellow Sea in spring (April–May), summer (July–August) and fall (October–November) of 2006 and in water (January–February) of 2007. The mass concentration of the TSP varied from 75.6 to 132.0 μg/m 3. The average concentration were 9.37 ± 7.56 μg/m 3 and 5.32 ± 4.25 μg/m 3 for nitrate and ammonium in the TSP, respectively. TSP concentration showed a significant correlation with those of nitrate (n = 27, r = 0.73) and ammonium (n = 27, r = 0.60). The mass-size distribution of atmospheric particles exhibited two modes with an accumulation mode at 0.43–1.1 μm and a coarse mode at 3.3–4.7 μm throughout the sampling months. A bi-modal size distribution of nitrate in concentration occurred in the April–May, October–November and January–February, but a uni-modal size distribution occurred in the August. The uni-modal size distribution of ammonium at 0.43–0.65 μm was observed throughout the sampling months. The average of inorganic nitrogen in mass concentration accounted for 4.0% of the total mass of aerosol particles while ammonium-N was the dominant fraction of TIN (Total Inorganic Nitrogen), contributing to 62–71% of the TIN.

Effect of Air Contaminants on Poultry Immunological and Production Performance

The concentration and particle size distribution of airborne particles and toxic gases in two commercial poultry houses were measured and analyzed. This field study was conducted at Al-Ahsa of Saudi Arabia in order to characterize air contaminants in the mechanically ventilated poultry houses under the climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. In the mechanically ventilated poultry houses (M.V.), the mean Total Suspended Particle concentration (TSP) was 4.25 and 3.64 mg/m , respectively, the PM10 concentration 3 (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 μm) was 2.26 and 1.79 mg/m , respectively and 3 the PM2.5 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm) was 0.08 and 0.07 mg/m respectively. The TSP values were greater than the suggested threshold values for indoor air 3 contaminants in livestock buildings; however, the PM2.5 values of both houses did not exceed the suggested threshold values for indoor air contaminants in livestock buildings. The Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) based on the mass concentration of particles in both houses was 8.45 and 8.31 μm, respectively. The concentration of NH3, CO2, SO2, NO2 and H2S was measured and the results indicated that ammonia was the dominant gas in both houses. Moreover, the majority of gases did not exceed the threshold values. At the M.V. poultry house, the concentration of airborne particles and toxic gases was strongly affected by the barn ventilation rate. The current results suggested that the increase of air contaminants and gases negatively affect the general productive performance and immune response under commercial conditions.

Seasonal variation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the Kaohsiung coast

Thirty-three air samples were collected by high-volume samplers from May 2007 to June 2008 in the coastal area of southwest Taiwan and analyzed for total suspended particulates (TSP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of TSP and total PAHs ranged from 40.4 to 251 μg m −3 and 1.86–56.4 ng m −3, respectively. Except for joss paper burning during the religious celebration of Ghost Month, which resulted in the highest concentration of PAHs in the summer of 2007, a seasonal variation in total PAH concentration was observed over this study period, with the highest concentrations in winter and the lowest in summer. Because of the geographical and climatic characteristics of the sampling site, monsoon activities modulate the seasonal variations of PAHs. Diagnostic ratios showed that PAHs in the atmosphere of the Kaohsiung coastal area arose predominantly from vehicle emissions (mainly from diesel exhaust), joss paper burning, and coal/wood combustion. The results of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the sampling days could be divided into three groups and that the major source identification of PAHs was the same as the identification by diagnostic ratios. In addition, the results of HCA and PCA suggest that the samples collected with a prevailing northerly or northeasterly wind direction contain both local emissions and those from neighboring sources. On the other hand, the cases related to westerly or northwesterly winds indicated that local emission was the major source for the sampling site.

Atmospheric arsenic (As) study at five characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan

The main purpose for this study is to observe the seasonal and monthly variations for arsenic (As) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration and dry deposition at five characteristic sampling sites during the years 2009 and 2010 in central Taiwan. The results show that the highest and lowest monthly average As concentrations in TSP occurred in January and May at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and Quan-xing (industrial) sampling sites. In addition, the results show that the highest and lowest monthly average As dry deposition occurred in October and May at Chang-hua (downtown) and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites. This study reflected that the mean highest As concentrations in TSP and mean highest As dry deposition occurred at Quan-xing (industrial). However, the mean lowest As concentrations in TSP and mean lowest As dry deposition also occurred at Gao-mei (wetland). Regarding seasonal variation, the results show that the As average seasonal concentration order in TSP was winter > spring > fall > summer, respectively, at Chang-hua (downtown) and He-mei (residential) sampling sites. Finally, the order of As average seasonal dry deposition was fall > winter > spring > summer, respectively, at Chang-hua (downtown), He-mei (residential), and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites.

Deposition fluxes of PCDD/Fs in a reservoir system in northern Taiwan

In this study, polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) concentrations and depositions in ambient air, water column and sediment were measured at a coupled reservoir-watershed system in northern Taiwan. The atmospheric PCDD/F concentration measured in the vicinity of the reservoir ranged from 4.9 to 39 fg I-TEQ m −3 and the Asian dust storm in February accounted for the peak value, which corresponded to a total suspended particle concentration of 128 μg m −3. The atmospheric PCDD/F deposition ranged from 1.4 to 19 pg I-TEQ m −2 d −1, with higher deposition occurring during winter and spring (long-range transport events). During summer, when atmospheric deposition is lower, consecutive tropical cyclones (typhoons) bring heavy rainfall that enhances soil erosion and creates turbidity-driven intermediate flow. This results in significantly higher PCDD/F deposition in water column of the reservoir at 70 m water depth (179 pg I-TEQ m −2 d −1) than at 20 m (21 pg I-TEQ m −2 d −1) during typhoon event. The accumulation rate of PCDD/Fs (9.1 ng I-TEQ m −2 y −1) in the reservoir sediments (depth: 0–2 cm) was consistent with PCDD/F deposition obtained from water column (6.1 and 8.3 ng I-TEQ m −2 y −1); however, it is significantly higher when compared to the atmospheric deposition (2.0 ng I-TEQ m −2 y −1). Based on the mass balance between the measurements of atmospheric deposition and sinking particles in water column, around 54–74% of PCDD/F inputs into the reservoir were contributed by the catchment erosion during normal period. However, the PCDD/F input contributed by the enhanced catchment erosion significantly increased to 90% during intensive typhoon events.

Reduction of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

A total of 120 air samples were collected at three urban and one rural location in Beijing, China in the summers of 2007-2010, and before, during, and after the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (BOG), in order to assess the effectiveness of long-term and short-term emission-control measures in reducing polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the atmosphere. During the BOG (August, 2008), the PCDD/Fs concentrations decreased to an average value of 1150 fg m(-3) (63 fg I-TEQ m(-3)), which was reduced by approximately 70% from the average in 2007 and by 29% from that in July 2008, before the Olympic event began. Although 2009-2010 levels of PCDD/Fs were significantly higher than 2008, the overall temporal trend was decreasing for summer months during the sampling campaign period. The apparent half-lives of atmospheric PCDD/Fs were estimated to be 3.2-5.8 years by statistically regressing the logarithm PCDD/Fs concentrations versus the number of years passed since 2006. The air concentrations of total suspended particulates (TSP) during the BOG ranged between 135 and 183 μg m(-3), showing a 52% reduction from 2007 and 26% decrease from those prior to the Olympic event. No significant relationships were found between meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, and wind speed) and PCDD/Fs or TSP during the BOG, whereas the PCDD/Fs concentrations were significantly dependent on the air quality (p < 0.05, positive against TSP and negative against visibility). This work is one of few temporal trend studies of atmospheric PCDD/Fs in mainland China, and provides unique insight into the effects of large-scale control measures in improving air quality and reducing one of the most ubiquitous and toxic organic pollutants in the environment.

Measurement and modeling of concentrations of ambient air particles, chromium, copper and lead pollutants concentrations, as well as dry deposition in central Taiwan

The main purpose of this investigation was to monitor ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition. Furthermore, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) were evaluated using three dry deposition models at five characteristic sampling sites for the 2009–2010. The results show that the average concentrations of metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb in TSP were highest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and the lowest at Gao-mei (wetland) among the five characteristic sampling sites during the years 2009-2010. This study also shows that the mean rates of dry deposition of metallic elements Cr and Cu were highest at Quan-xing (industrial) and lowest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and Chang-hua (downtown). Finally, the Noll and Fang model was found to yield better predictions of the dry deposition of ambient air particles and metallic elements Cr and Cu than any of the other deposition models.

Measuring and modeling atmospheric particles and particle bound mercury Hg(p) at five characteristic-sampling sites

The main purpose of this study was to monitor ambient air particles and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition at five characteristic-sampling sites. In addition, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) using three dry deposition models during the years of 2009–2010 were also studied. The results showed that the order of seasonal variations for mean particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), Chang-hua (downtown) and He-mei (residential) were all shown as spring > fall, winter > summer, respectively. However, the order of seasonal variations mean particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP that occurred at Gao-mei (wetland) were shown as spring > fall > winter > summer, respectively. Finally, the results of this study also indicated that using the Noll and Fang model exhibited batten prediction results for ambient air particles and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) dry deposition when compared with the other depositions models at any of the characteristic-sampling sites for this study.

Evidence for aggregation and export of cyanobacteria and nano-eukaryotes from the Sargasso Sea euphotic zone

Abstract. Pico-plankton and nano-plankton are generally thought to represent a negligible fraction of the total particulate organic carbon (POC) export flux in oligotrophic gyres due to their small size, slow individual sinking rates, and tight grazer control that leads to high rates of recycling in the euphotic zone. Based upon recent inverse modeling and network analysis however, it has been hypothesized that pico-plankton, including the cyanobacteria Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, and nano-plankton contribute significantly to POC export, via formation and gravitational settling of aggregates and/or consumption of those aggregates by mesozooplankton, in proportion to their contribution to net primary production. This study presents total suspended particulate (&gt;0.7 μm) and particle size-fractionated (10–20 μm, 20–53 μm, &gt;53 μm) pigment concentrations from within and below the euphotic zone in the oligotrophic subtropical North Atlantic, collected using Niskin bottles and large volume in-situ pumps, respectively. Results show the indicator pigments for Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus and nano-eukaryotes are; (1) found at depths down to 500 m, and; (2) essentially constant, relative to the sum of all indicator pigments, across particle size fractions ranging from 10 μm to &gt;53 μm. Based upon the presence of chlorophyll precursor and degradation pigments, and that in situ pumps do not effectively sample fecal pellets, it is concluded that these pigments were redistributed to deeper waters on larger, more rapidly sinking aggregates likely by gravitational settling and/or convective mixing. Using available pigment and ancillary data from these cruises, these Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus and nano-plankton derived aggregates are estimated to contribute 2–13% (5 ± 4%), 1–20% (5 ± 7%), and 6–43% (23 ± 14%) of the total sediment trap POC flux measured on the same cruises, respectively. Furthermore, nano-eukaryotes contribute equally to POC export and autotrophic biomass, while cyanobacteria contributions to POC export are one-tenth of their contribution to autotrophic biomass. These field observations provide direct evidence that pico- and nano-plankton represent a significant contribution to the total POC export via formation of aggregates in this oligotrophic ocean gyre. We suggest that aggregate formation and fate should be included in ecosystem models, particularly as oligotrophic regions are hypothesized to expand in areal extent with warming and increased stratification in the future.

Measuring Cattle Feedlot Dust Using Laser Diffraction Analysis

Considerable amounts of particulate matter (PM), including total suspended particulates (TSP), particulates with equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 m (PM10), and particulates with equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 m (PM2.5), are emitted from large beef cattle feedlots. Particle size distribution and concentrations of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 at a commercial cattle feedlot in Kansas were measured over a two-year period. The feedlot had a capacity of 30,000 head with a total pen area of 50 ha and was equipped with a sprinkler system for dust control. Collocated low-volume samplers for TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 were used to measure concentrations of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 at the upwind and downwind edges of the feedlot. A laser diffraction (LD) analyzer (Beckman Coulter LS 13 320) was utilized to determine the particle size distribution of dust samples collected by TSP samplers. A micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) was also used to measure particle size distribution at the downwind edge of the feedlot. Considering the same effective size range, the LD analyzer and MOUDI did not differ significantly in mean geometric mean diameter (GMD) (11.6 vs. 13.0 m) and in mean geometric standard deviation (2.3 vs. 2.3). Wind speed and period of sampling significantly affected the mean GMD of the particles. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations that were calculated from the LD method and TSP data were not significantly different from those measured by low-volume PM10 and PM2.5 samplers (122 vs. 131 g m-3 for PM10 and 26 vs. 35 g m-3 for PM2.5). Both PM10 and PM2.5 fractions decreased as pen surface water content increased, but the PM2.5/PM10 ratio showed little change as pen surface water content increased.

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Dust and Ammonia Concentrations in a Swine Building

Pollutants, especially dust, are rarely uniformly distributed within ventilated air spaces due to non-uniform flow fields, particle inertia, gravitational settling, and diffusion. Thus, selecting suitable sampling locations for representative sampling is a challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal distributions of dust and ammonia concentrations(NH3) in a swine building. Results of this study are useful in the design of sampling strategies that require limited sampling locations and in studying pollutant transport. This study was conducted in a commercial swine building in Illinois. The total suspended particulate (TSP) matter and ammonia concentrations were measured at 50 and 30 indoor sampling locations in December and June, respectively. Results showed that the average TSP concentrations ranged from 0.86 to 3.81 mg m-3 in December and from 0.24 to 1.68 mg m-3 in June. In December, the dust gradient across the length of the building was more pronounced than along its length. In June, the gradient along the length of the building was more pronounced, resulting in essentially uniform concentration in a cross-section. The spatial distributions of the TSP concentrations in both December and June were essentially symmetrical about the longitudinal section of the building. The spatial gradient of NH3 concentrations was more pronounced along the length of the building in December, while the spatial distribution was almost uniform in June. These results suggest that the choice of representative sampling locations indoors will vary depending on the air movement in the building, which is dictated by the ventilation scheme.

Air quality modelling study to analyse the impact of the World Bank emission guidelines for thermal power plants in Delhi

Recent strategies for air pollution control in Delhi have largely neglected the emission reduction measures from thermal power plants (TPPs), which are the second most polluting sources. The present study investigates how the ambient air quality of Delhi would improve if the World Bank emission guidelines (WBEG) for the TPPs were to be implemented. To accomplish this, a comprehensive inventory of point, area, and line sources was conducted in the selected study area, primarily aiming to estimate the sectoral emission contributions to ambient air quality. The Industrial Source Complex Short–Term Model, Version 3 (ISCST3) was used to predict the ambient concentrations of total suspended particulates (TSP), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at seven monitoring sites (receptor locations) operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the period from July 2004 to June 2005. The ISCST3 model predictions for TSP and NO2 were satisfactory at all receptor locations. However, for SO2, the model predictions were satisfactory at only two receptor locations. The vehicles contributed 58% of the total ambient air pollution, followed by TPPs contributing 30%. The study estimates that adoption of WBEG may reduce the ambient air pollution due to TPPs emissions by 56% to 82%, bringing it within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set for industrial areas in India, except at one location where TPP’s contribution to ambient air pollution is negligible compared to vehicular emissions.

Characteristics of Air Contaminants in Naturally and Mechanically Ventilated Poultry Houses in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

A field study was conducted under the climatic conditions of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, to characterize air contaminants in naturally and mechanically ventilated poultry houses and to determine the effect of ventilation system on air contaminants within both types of houses. The concentration and particle size distribution of airborne particles and gases were measured and analyzed. In the naturally ventilated (NV) poultry house, the mean total suspended particle concentration (TSP) was 12.47 mg m-3, the PM10 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 m) was 4.81 mg m-3, and the PM2.5 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 m) was 0.18 mg m-3. In the mechanically ventilated (MV) poultry house, the mean TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations were 4.61, 2.26, and 0.09 mg m-3, respectively. The TSP values were greater than the suggested threshold values for indoor air contaminants in livestock buildings. The geometric mean diameter (GMD), based on the mass concentration of particles in the natural and mechanical ventilation systems, was 8.63 and 8.38 m, respectively. The concentrations of NH3, CO2, SO2, NO2, and H2S were measured, and the results indicated that ammonia was the dominant gas in both houses. Moreover, the majority of gases did not exceed the threshold values. In the MV poultry house, the concentration of airborne particles and toxic gases was strongly affected by the building ventilation rate.

Atmospheric-particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) study at five characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan

The main purpose for this study is to observe the seasonal and month variations for particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition at five characteristic sampling sites during years of 2009-2010 in central Taiwan. The results show that the highest and lowest monthly average particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP were occurred in Dec. and Oct. at Gao-mei (wetland), Chang-hua (downtown) and He-mei (residential) sampling site. In addition, the results show that the highest and lowest monthly average particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) dry deposition was occurred in Feb. and Oct. at Quan-xing (industrial) sampling site. This study reflected that the mean highest particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and mean highest particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) dry deposition were occurred at Gao-mei (wetland) and Quan-xing (industrial). However, the mean lowest particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and mean lowest particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) dry deposition were also occurred at Gao-mei (wetland). Regarding seasonal variation, the order of mean-particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in TSP in winter and spring were Gao-mei (wetland) > Quan-xing (industrial) > Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) > Chang-hua (downtown) > He-mei (residential). Finally, the order of mean-particulates-bound mercury Hg(p) dry deposition in fall, spring and summer were Quan-xing (industrial) > Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) > Chang-hua (downtown) > He-mei (residential) > Gao-mei (wetland).

Long-term record of aerosol optical properties and chemical composition from a high-altitude site (Manora Peak) in Central Himalaya

Abstract. A long-term study, conducted from February 2005 to July 2008, involving chemical composition and optical properties of ambient aerosols from a high-altitude site (Manora Peak: 29.4° N, 79.5° E, ~1950 m a.s.l.) in the central Himalaya is reported here. The total suspended particulate (TSP) mass concentration varied from 13 to 272 μg m−3 over a span of 42 months. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and TSP increase significantly during the summer (April–June) due to increase in the concentration of mineral dust associated with the long-range transport from desert regions (from the middle-East and Thar Desert in western India). The seasonal variability in the carbonaceous species (EC, OC) is also significantly pronounced, with lower concentrations during the summer and monsoon (July–August) and relatively high during the post-monsoon (September–November) and winter (December–March). On average, total carbonaceous aerosols (TCA) and water-soluble inorganic species (WSIS) contribute nearly 25 and 10% of the TSP mass, respectively. The WSOC/OC ratios range from 0.36 to 0.83 (average: 0.55 ± 0.15), compared to lower ratios in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (range: 0.35–0.40), and provide evidence for the enhanced contribution from secondary organic aerosols. The mass fraction of absorbing EC ranged from less than a percent (during the summer) to as high as 7.6% (during the winter) and absorption coefficient (babs, at 678 nm) varied between 0.9 to 33.9 Mm−1 (1 Mm−1=10−6 m−1). A significant linear relationship between babs and EC (μgC m−3) yields a slope of 12.2 (± 2.3) m2 g−1, which is used as a measure of the mass absorption efficiency (σabs) of EC.

Atmospheric Particulate and Metallic Elements at Five Characteristic Sampling Sites in Taiwan

The main purpose of this study is to observe the seasonal variations of total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition (and the metallic elements that attach to them) at five characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan during the years of 2009 and 2010. The highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Mn and Fe occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area), while the highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb was observed in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal area). The lowest average concentrations for metallic elements in TSP occurred in Gao-mei (wetland area). In addition, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Zn was observed in He-mei (residential area). Also, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area). The lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Cr occurred in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), while the lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Zn, Cu, and Pb was observed in Chang-hua (downtown). Regarding seasonal variation, the results show that the average seasonal dry deposition order for metallic elements Zn, Cr, and Pb was fall > spring > winter at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), Chang-hua (downtown), He-mei (residential), and Gao-mei (wetland). Finally, the average seasonal concentration order for Cu in TSP was fall > winter > spring, at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), He-mei (residential), Quan-xing (industrial), and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites.

Concentrations and sources of PAHs at three stations in Istanbul, Turkey

The chemical mass balance model was applied to atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 326 airborne samples were collected and analyzed for 16 PAHs and Total Suspended Particles (TSP) in the September 2006–December 2007 period at three monitoring stations: Yildiz, DMO (urban sites) and Kilyos (rural site). The total average PAH concentrations were 100.66±61.26, 84.63±46.66 and 25.12±13.34ngm−3 and the TSP concentrations were 101.16±53.22, 152.31±99.12, 49.84±18.58μgm−3 for Yildiz, DMO and Kilyos stations respectively. At all the sites, the lighter compounds were the most abundant, notably Nap, AcPy and PA. The average correlation values between TSP and total heavier PAH were greater than 0.5 for Yildiz and DMO stations. The patterns of PAH and TSP concentrations showed spatial and temporal variations. PAH concentrations were evaluated for the PAH contribution from four sources (diesel engines, gasoline engines, natural gas combustion, and coal+wood burning). Vehicle emissions appear to be the major source with contributions of 61.2%, 63.3% and 54.1% for Yildiz, DMO and Kilyos stations respectively. Seasonal and yearly variations had different trends for all sites.

Assessment of In-Plant Particulate Matter and its Toxic Metals Contents of Sponge Iron Industry in Goa, India

The present study attempted to assess toxic metal contents (Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Cobalt, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Lead and Zinc) in Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) and Particulate Matter less than ten micron (PM₁₀) in three sponge iron industries in Goa (India), one of the famous tourist place on the World map. TSP and PM(10) average concentration in all three sponge iron industries were found to be in the range 401-485 μg/m³ and 135-270 μg/m³ respectively. Amongst all the metals, concentration of iron was the highest in TSP as well as in PM₁₀. Statistical results indicate that proportion of specific metals were found higher in PM₁₀ as compared to the ratio of PM₁₀/TSP ratio. Value of correlation coefficient was found to be significant for Cr-Pb indicating coal burning was the major source contributor.

Monitoring of Ambient Air Particles and Inorganic Elements in China and Korea during an Asian Dust Storm

Concentrations of ambient air particles such as total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter <TEX>$(PM)_{10}$</TEX>, and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX>, were monitored simultaneously from May to June, 2007, at four locations at Alashan and Beijing in China, and Seoul and Gosan in South Korea. These monitoring sites are in the pathway of Asian dust (AD) storms traveling from China to the Korean peninsula. An AD event was observed in the Korean peninsula on May 25-26. During the sampling period, the average concentrations of TSP and PM10 were each higher than <TEX>$150\;{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX> in Alashan and Beijing, but not in Seoul and Gosan. The concentration of TSP in Alashan (where the dust storm originated) on the day of the AD event reached <TEX>$1824.7\;{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>, this being the highest concentration of air particles observed during the sampling period. The level was decreased to 15% of this (<TEX>$274.7\;{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>) in Seoul and to 8.7% (<TEX>$159.0\;{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>) in Gosan when the AD was observed two days later in Korea. Gosan, a representative background site in East Asia, displayed the lowest concentration of particles, with this maximal TSP concentration of <TEX>$159\;{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>. Inorganic element contents in the air particles were also measured, and the concentrations in the four different regions compared. Concentrations of anthropogenically-enriched heavy metals in <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> and <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX>, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, were higher in the metropolitan cities of Beijing and Seoul compared to non-industrialized regions of Alashan and Gosan. However, the concentrations of inorganic soil elements including iron, magnesium, aluminum sodium, and manganese, were higher in Alashan compared to those in other sampling sites.