Geochemical study of submicron particulate matter(PM1)in a metropolitan area

Air pollution has become a major problem in urban areas due to increasing industrialization and urbanization.In this study ambient concentrations of PM1 and metal concentrations as well as source contributions were identified and quantified by using Positive Matrix Factorization(PMF)in receptor modeling in the Metropolitan Area of Porto Alegre,Brazil.The PM1 samples were collected on PTFE filters from December 2012 to December 2014 in two sampling sites.Major ion and trace element concentrations were assessed.The average concentrations were 12.8 and 15.2μg/m^(3) for Canoas and Sapucaia do Sul sites,respectively.Major ion contributions of PM1 were secondary pollutants such as sulfate and nitrate.Trace elements,especially Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,and Ni also made important contributions which are directly associated with anthropogenic contributions.Our results show significantly higher levels in winter than in summer.Most of the PM1 and the analyzed PM species and elements originated from anthropogenic sources,especially road traffic,combustion processes and industrial activities,which are grouped in 7 major contributing sources.A back-trajectory analysis showed that the long-range transport of pollutants was not relevant in relation to the contribution to PM1 and metal concentrations.This work highlights the importance of urban planning to reduce human health exposure to traffic and industrial emissions,combined with awareness-raising actions for citizens concerning the impact of indoor sources.

Magnitude and Trends of High-elevation Cloud Water Pollutant Concentrations and Modeled Deposition Fluxes

Cloud water samples, LWC （Liquid Water Content） and meteorological data were collected at the Clingmans Dome, Tennessee, high-elevation site in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the warm season from 1994 through 2011. This paper presents results from 2000 through the conclusion of the study in 2011. Samples were analyzed for SO42＂, NO3, NH4＋ and H＋. These measurements were supplemented by measurements of ambient air and precipitation concentrations to estimate dry and wet deposition. Cloud water concentrations, LWC, cloud frequency, various meteorological measurements and information on nearby forest canopy were used to model cloud water deposition to gauge trends in deposition. Total deposition was calculated as the sum of cloud, dry and wet deposition estimates. Concentrations and deposition fluxes declined over the study period. The decreases in cloud water SO42＂ and NO3 concentrations were 40 percent and 26 percent, respectively. Three-year mean 5042 and NO3 deposition rates decreased by 71 percent and 70 percent, respectively. Trends in concentrations and depositions were comparable with trends in SO2 and NOx emissions from Tennessee Valley Authority power plants and aggregated emission reductions from electric generating units in adjacent states. Back trajectories were simulated with the HYSPLIT model and aggregated over cloud sampling periods from 2000 through 2007 and 2009 through 2011. Trajectories during periods with high H＋ concentrations traveled over local EGU （Electric Generating Unit） emission sources in Tennessee and Kentucky to the Ohio River Valley, Alabama and Georgia with the conclusion that these source regions contributed to acidic cloud water deposition at Clingmans Dome. This work was supported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Valley Authority with infrastructure support provided by the National Park Service.

Chemical characteristics and source apportionment of PM_(2.5) between heavily polluted days and other days in Zhengzhou, China

PM（2.5） samples were collected in Zhengzhou during 3 years of observation, and chemical characteristics and source contribution were analyzed. Approximately 96% of the daily PM（2.5） concentrations and annual average values exceeded the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Daily and Annual Standards, indicating serious PM（2.5） pollution. The average concentration of water-soluble inorganic ions was 2.4 times higher in heavily polluted days（daily PM32.5 concentrations ＆gt; 250 μg/mand visibility ＆lt; 3 km） than that in other days, with sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium as major ions. According to the ratio of NO-3/SO2-4,stationary sources are still the dominant source of PM（2.5） and vehicle emission could not be ignored. The ratio of secondary organic carbon to organic carbon indicated that photochemical reactivity in heavily polluted days was more intense than in other days.Crustal elements were the most abundant elements, accounting for more than 60% of 23 elements. Chemical Mass Balance results indicated that the contributions of major sources（i.e., nitrate, sulfate, biomass, carbon and refractory material, coal combustion, soil dust,vehicle, and industry） of PM（2.5） were 13%, 16%, 12%, 2%, 14%, 8%, 7%, and 8% in heavily polluted days and 20%, 18%, 9%, 2%, 27%, 14%, 15%, and 9% in other days, respectively.Extensive combustion activities were the main sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the episode（Jan 1-9, 2015） and the total benzo[a]pyrene equivalency concentrations in heavily polluted days present significant health threat. Because of the effect of regional transport, the pollution level of PM（2.5） in the study area was aggravated.

Ionic composition of submicron particles(PM_(1.0)) during the long-lasting haze period in January 2013 in Wuhan, central China

In January 2013, a long-lasting severe haze episode occurred in Northern and Central China; at its maximum, it covered a land area of approximately 1.4 million km2. In Wuhan, the largest city in Central China, this event was the most severe haze episode in the 21st century. Aerosol samples of submicron particles （PMI.o） were collected during the long-lasting haze episode at an urban site and a suburban site in Wuhan to investigate the ion characteristics of PMi.0 in this area. The mass concentrations of PM1.0 and its water-soluble inorganic ions （WSIIs） were almost at the same levels at two sites, which indicates that PM1.0 pollution occurs on a regional scale in Wuhao. WSIIs （Na^＋, NH4^＋, K^＋, Mg^2＋, Ca^2＋, Cl^-, NO3 and SO2-） were the dominant chemical species and constituted up to 48.4% and 47.4% of PM1.0 at WD and TH, respectively. The concentrations of PM1.0 and WSIIs on haze days were approximately two times higher than on normal days. The ion balance calculations indicate that the particles were more acidic on haze days than on normal days. The results of the back trajectory analysis imply that the high concentrations of PM1.0 and its water-soluble inorganic ions may be caused by stagnant weather conditions in Wuhan.