Concentrations of ambient air particulates (TSP, PM2.5 and PM2.5-10) and ionic species at offshore areas near Taiwan Strait

The concentrations of total suspended particulate (TSP), fine particles PM(2.5) (with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm), coarse particles PM(2.5-10) (with aerodynamic diameter 2.5-10 microm,), and water-soluble inorganic ions were studied at two offshore sampling sites, Taichung Harbor (TH) and Wuci Traffic (WT), near Taiwan Strait in central Taiwan during March 2004 to January 2005. Statistical analyses were also carried out to estimate the possible sources of particulate pollution. Experimental results showed that the average mass concentrations of TSP, PM(2.5) and PM(2.5-10) at TH and WT sampling sites were 154.54 +/- 31.45 and 113.59 +/- 31.94 microg m(-3), 54.03 +/- 16.92 and 42.76 +/- 12.52 microg m(-3), and 30.31+/- 9.79 and 24.16 +/- 7.27 microg m(-3), respectively. The dominant inorganic ions at two sampling sites were SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), and NH(4)(+) for TSP and PM(2.5), but that were Ca(2+), Cl(-), and Na(+) for PM(2.5-10). The concentrations of most particulates and inorganic ions were higher in winter at both two sampling sites, and were higher at TH than WT sampling site in each season. From statistical analysis, air-slake of crust surface, sea-salt aerosols, agriculture activities, coal combustion, and mobile vehicles were the possible emission sources of particulate pollution at TH and WT sampling sites.     

Burning characteristics and emission products related to metallic content in incense

This study mainly compared particulate emission factors of nine popular incense. The influence of metallic contents upon the burning rate, ash and particulate emission factors of combustion was discussed. The contents of Ca and K were the highest among all metallic elements in the raw materials of the incense (the geometric mean contents 8.7 and 2.5mgg(-1), respectively), followed by Al, Mg, Fe, Na (0.1-1.0mgg(-1)) and Ba, then Sr, Mn, Cu and Zn (<0.01-0.1mgg(-1)). Most calcium existed as inorganic salts, such as CaCO(3). Under the same burning conditions, the particulate generation rates are similar (0.50mgmin(-1)+/-9%) among different types of incense-the shorter the combustion duration of a stick, the lower the total suspended particulate emission. Additionally, with the same incense weight burned, the greater the emission of ash is, the lower the emission of suspended particulate. It is recommended that consumers select incense which produces more ash, hence less particulate, to minimize the threat to their' health. Additionally, when the total metallic content (with Ca as the major component) was lower than 2% of the raw materials, properly increasing the total metallic content (from 0.5 to 2.0%) can effectively reduce the level of particulates (about 40%) during the combustion.     

Statistical analysis of atmospheric trace metals and particulate fractions in Islamabad, Pakistan

Airborne suspended particulate matter was collected on glass fibre filters in urban atmosphere of Islamabad, Pakistan, using high volume sampler. The particulate samples were analysed for 10 selected metals (Fe, Na, Zn, K, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni, Co and Cd) by FAAS method. Maximum mean contribution was noted for Fe (1.761microg/m(3)), followed by Na (1.661microg/m(3)), Zn (1.021microg/m(3)), K (0.488microg/m(3)) and Pb (0.128microg/m(3)). The particle size determination on vol.% basis for nine fractions (PM(<1.0), PM(1.0-2.5), PM(2.5-5), PM(5-10), PM(10-15), PM(15-25), PM(25-50), PM(50-100) and PM(>100)) was carried out using Mastersizer. PM(5.0-10) were found to be most abundant in the local atmosphere followed by PM(2.5-5.0) and PM(15-25) while coarse/giant particles (PM(50-100) and PM(>100)) showed lower contribution. The trace metals were found to be mainly associated with smaller particulate fractions up to PM(10-15). Among the climatic parameters temperature has significant relationship with fine particles and airborne metal levels while relative humidity showed negative correlation. The source identification was carried out by principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Five metal sources were identified: industrial, vehicular emissions, metallurgical operations, garbage incineration and soil derived dust. The metal levels were also compared with those reported for other rural and urban parts around the world.     

A review of atmospheric fine particulate matter and its associated trace metal pollutants in Asian countries during the period 1995-2005

Many studies have monitored atmospheric particulates and gaseous phases of PM(2.5) in Asia over the past 10 years. This work also compared and discussed different sample collection, pretreatment and analytical methods in Asia countries in past decade. The results indicated that the main PM(2.5) sources are traffic exhausts. PM(2.5) concentrations are also ranked highest in the areas of traffic, followed by the urban sites, and lowest in rural sites in Asian countries. This work elucidates the sources, analytical tools, and the average concentrations for PM(2.5) and related metallic elements during 1995-2005. The results indicated that the average highest concentrations order of metallic elements for PM(2.5) were Fe>Mg>Zn, and the average concentrations of lowest metallic elements was Pb>Cu>Mn>Cr>Cd. The results also indicated that the concentration of metallic element Cu increased as the averaged concentrations of metallic element Zn and Mn increased during the past 10 years in Asian countries.     

Study of ambient air particulates pollutants near Taichung airport sampling site in central Taiwan

This study monitored the atmospheric pollutants at Taichung airport (TA) sampling site during September to December of 2005 near Taiwan Strait in central Taiwan. The distributions of the particle concentrations between the TSP, coarse and fine were also displayed at TA sampling site. Analysis the average percentage of various kinds of metallic elements, the data obtained here indicated that the average percentage concentrations of metallic elements Fe and Mg were higher in fine particulate than that of the coarse particulate at Taichung airport sampling site. These foundry factories were by the TA sampling site was the possible reason responsible for this result. In addition, by a non-parametric (Spearman) correlation analysis, the results indicated that Fe, Mn and Pb have high correlation coefficients of metallic elements in different particle size. The results indicate that the airport pollutants might come from similar pollutant sources at this airport sampling site. In addition, high correlation coefficients of non-airport pollutants were observed on the ionic species of SO(4)(2-), NH(4)(+) and K(+). The r(sp) correlate values between closed to r(sp)=0.7 and 0.9 at different particles size mode. Besides, the ionic Ca(2+) has high negative values (r(sp)=-0.66, -0.66 and 0.61) with the increasing of the temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, respectively at fine particle size.     

Chemical mass balance source apportionment of PM10 and TSP in residential and industrial sites of an urban region of Kolkata, India

Daily average PM(10) (particulate matter which passes through a size selective impactor inlet with a 50% efficiency cut-off at 10 microm aerodynamic diameter), TSP (total suspended particulate matter) and their chemical species mass concentrations were measured at residential and industrial sites of an urban region of Kolkata during November 2003-November 2004. Source apportionment using chemical mass balance model revealed that the most dominant source throughout the study period at residential site was coal combustion (42%), while vehicular emission (47%) dominates at industrial site to PM(10). Paved road, field burning and wood combustion contributed 21%, 7% and 1% at residential site, while coal combustion, metal industry and soil dust contributed 34%, 1% and 1% at industrial site, respectively, to PM(10) during the study period. The contributors to TSP included coal combustion (37%), soil dust (19%), road dust (17%) and diesel combustion (15%) at residential site, while soil dust (36%), coal combustion (17%), solid waste (17%), road dust (16%) and tyre wear (7%) at industrial site. Significant seasonal variations of the particulate matters have been observed during the study period. In the monitoring sites total carbon, organic carbon and iron were found to be the marker species of road dust, while organic carbon, total carbon, chloride and sulfate have been observed as the marker species of soil dust in TSP.     

沙尘期间大气颗粒PM_(10)与PM_(2.5)化学组分的浓度变化及来源研究

于2006年3月—4月北京沙尘发生期间,监测了沙尘与非沙尘期间悬浮颗粒PM10和PM2.5质量浓度,分析了样品中无机水溶性离子和金属元素。结果显示:沙尘天气导致PM10和PM2.5质量浓度上升,粗颗粒物质量浓度明显上升,细颗粒物受到的影响相对较小。SO42-、NO3-和NH4+为PM10与PM2.5主要水溶性离子。沙尘与非沙尘期间SO42-、NO3-和NH4+浓度变化表现出不稳定性,可能与沙尘的强度和持续时间、来源有关,沙尘下来自于土壤源Ca2+和Mg2+浓度都显然提高。沙尘期间Sc、Ti、V、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、Rb和Cs金属元素浓度高于非沙尘期间浓度,并且富集因子系数都小于10,说明主要来自于自然源,而Zn、Se、Cd、Pb和Bi这5种元素浓度随沙尘的侵入并没增加其含量,反而使浓度有所下降,富集因子和富集程度对比表明这些元素主要来自于当地污染源。     

Apply appropriate statistic methods in analyzing ambient air particulate and metallic elements concentrations at a traffic sampling site

A study of the characteristics of the metallic elements concentrations in fine and coarse particulates at traffic sampling site in central Taiwan by using appropriate statistical analysis methods was described in this paper. The Spearman correlation analysis and non-linear regression analysis were used to analyze the collected data during sampling period from August 2003 to March 2004. During a half-month analysis periods, the average metallic elements concentrations, the major meteorological effects and temporal variation were discussed in this study. The major meteorological parameters during daytime and nighttime sampling periods are temperature, average wind velocity and prevailing wind degree. The relationships between the metallic elements concentrations and meteorological parameters in fine and coarse particulates during daytime and nighttime are also established in this paper. According to the proposed equations, the variation of the particle concentrations can be predicted with known meteorological parameters during daytime and nighttime at traffic sampling site in central Taiwan.     

Characteristics of heavy metals on particles with different sizes from municipal solid waste incineration

Information on the concentration and size distribution of particles in the flue gas streams is essential for selecting and designing particle removal systems. Two municipal solid waste incinerators (MWIs) were selected for conducting flue gas sampling to determine the particulate distribution and heavy metals concentration on particles with different sizes by US EPA Method 5 sampling train and a cascade impactor. In addition, the characteristics of heavy metals contained on particles were investigated via isokinetic sampling of flue gas stream of air pollution control devices (APCDs). The experimental results indicated that average particulate matter (PM) concentrations at APCDs inlet were 2288.2+/-825.9 and 3069.2+/-810. 0mg/Nm(3), while the concentrations of PM at stack were 1.51+/-0.20 and 14.81+/-4.52mg/Nm(3) in MWI-A and MWI-B, respectively. The differential mass size distribution of PM and differential elemental size distribution of Zn, Pb, and Cu in front of APCDs were of bimodal forms. Results indicate that Zn>Pb>Cu in order of mass concentration in each stage. The fine particles represent approximately 70% and the coarse particles account for the rest 30% of total particulate matters collected on eight stages for both incinerators. Zn, Pb and Cu on fine particles account for approximately 80% and those on the coarse particles are less than 20% of the total heavy metals collected on eight stages of the cascade impactor for both incinerators.     

Metallic species in atmospheric particulate matter in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

In this work, we quantified the total, water-soluble and insoluble fractions of 12 metallic species (Na, Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Mn) present in total suspended particulates (TSP) in an urban area with heavy traffic (about 80 000 vehicles/day) of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). Experimental measurements were made from July to December 2003 on a total of 42 samples (7 per month). Particulate matter (TSP) was collected in fiber filters and high volume samplers. PM₁₀ levels were estimated assuming the PM₁₀ fraction is about 70% of all TSP. Total fractions was determined gravimetrically. Water-soluble fraction was extracted by sonication. Concentrations of metallic elements were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Temporal changes in the concentrations of the target elements were examined and a multivariate approach used to identify the primary sources for each species. Mean value for TSP is 71.92 μg/m³. The water-soluble fraction consisted mainly of Na, Ca, Mg, and K. The insoluble fraction contained higher concentrations of all elements than the soluble except Na. In the water-soluble fraction, Na, K, Ca and Mg were found to come mainly from natural sources; Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn and Cu from anthropogenic sources.     

Speciation of elements in NIST particulate matter SRMs 1648 and 1650

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra for S, Cl, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Cd and Pb and Mossbauer spectra for Fe have been obtained for two National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) particulate matter (PM) standard reference materials (SRMs): urban PM (SRM 1648) and diesel PM (SRM 1650). The spectral data, complemented by information on elemental concentrations from proton-induced X-ray-emission (PIXE) spectroscopy, were used to interpret the speciation of these elements in these complex materials. It appears that all the metallic elements investigated occur in oxidized forms, principally as sulfates in the diesel PM SRM and as sulfates, oxides, and possibly other forms (e.g. clays?) in the urban PM. A minor fraction of the sulfur and major fractions of the halogens, Cl and Br, occur as organosulfide (thiophene) and organohalide occurrences, respectively, that must be associated with the abundant carbonaceous matter that constitutes the major component of the two PM SRMs. Most of the sulfur, however, occurs as sulfate in the urban PM and as bisulfate in the diesel PM. In addition, elemental oxidation states have been determined directly by the spectroscopic techniques. Such information is often the key parameter in determining the toxicity and solubility of specific elements in PM, both of which are important in understanding the threat that such elements may pose to human health. For the two HAP elements, Cr and As, for which the toxicity depends greatly on oxidation state, the XAFS data showed that both elements are present in both SRMs predominantly in the less toxic oxidation states, Cr(III) and As(V). The potential of the XAFS spectra for use as source apportionment signatures is illustrated by reference to chromium, which exists in these two PM SRMs in very different forms.     

杭州市大气悬浮颗粒PM_(2.5)污染状况及化学组成特征分析

为了解杭州市大气悬浮颗粒物PM2.5污染状况及化学组成特征,2006年在杭州市内布设2个监测点位,按季节进行采样,并对悬浮颗粒物PM2.5中20种元素进行定量研究。结果表明:杭州市区大气中悬浮颗粒物PM2.5的年均质量浓度值为77.5μg/m3,其中S、Si、Ca、K等元素年平均质量浓度大于1.0μg/m3。元素Si、Al、Fe、Mg、V、K、Na、Ti、Mn、Ca、P、Cr、Ni主要来源于地壳,而元素Cl、Cu、Zn、Pb、As、Br、S、Se等主要来源于人为排放源。     

秋收季节稻草燃烧粒子大气脱水醣类成分与粒径分布研究

以台湾中南部水稻作物区域为目标,探讨秋收稻草燃烧烟尘大气脱水醣类粒径分布成分特征;以改良离子层析仪解析3种大气悬浮粒子(PM2.5、PM10、总悬浮颗粒(TSP))大气脱水醣类成分浓度(左旋葡萄糖、甘露聚糖)与粒径分布,并探讨稻草燃烧对大气粒子的贡献率。结果显示,稻草燃烧期间大气(乡村/市郊)两种粒子(PM2.5与TSP)左旋葡萄糖浓度均大幅上升,两种粒子收成燃烧期间较非收成季节升高约5.5倍(较收成季节背景PM2.5与总悬浮颗粒分别高1.21倍与1.40倍)严重影响区域空气质量。市郊含左旋葡萄糖粒子分布以PM2.5细微粒为主(占TSP81%以上);乡村左旋葡萄糖粒径分布较广,PM2.5粒子占TSP56%左右,粗大粒子(PM>10)占总悬浮颗粒的35%。此外,结果显示稻草生物质燃烧对区域PM2.5粒子平均贡献率为12%,市郊稍高于乡村(乡村、市郊平均贡献率分别为10.5%、13.0%),显现稻草生物质燃烧对台湾中南部空气质量有严重影响。     

道路旁大气悬浮微粒的理化特性及污染源解析(英文)

旨在探讨道路旁悬浮微粒之理化成分,并解析其可能的污染来源。悬浮微粒采样作业于2003年5月～2004年1月期间进行,悬浮微粒样本采集时间包括春、夏、秋、冬四季的假日与非假日,所采集的悬浮微粒样本经化学成分分析可得水溶性离子成分与金属元素成分,并透过化学质量平衡受体模式及逆轨迹模式进行污染源解析。测量结果显示,假日的大气悬浮微粒PM10浓度高于非假日,而假日与非假日的总悬浮颗粒则无明显变化。此外,道路旁悬浮微粒PM10主要受非交通源的长程传输与当地的交通源所影响,而总悬浮颗粒则主要源自于附近道路的车行及逸散扬尘。另就悬浮微粒化学成分而言,金属元素成分以Ca、Fe、Al最多,水溶性离子成分则主要为SO42-、NO3-、NH4+等二次污染物。受体模式及逆轨迹模式分析结果得知,污染来源主要为交通污染及道路扬尘,然而,亦有相当部分的污染来自上风处的非交通源。     

道路旁大气悬浮微粒之理化特性及污染源解析

旨在探讨道路旁悬浮微粒之理化成分,并解析其可能的污染来源.悬浮微粒采样作业于2003年5月～2004年1月期间进行,悬浮微粒样本采集时间包括春、夏、秋、冬四季的假日与非假日,所采集的悬浮微粒样本经化学成分分析可得水溶性离子成分与金属元素成分,并透过化学质量平衡受体模式及逆轨迹模式进行污染源解析.测量结果显示,假日的大气悬浮微粒PM10浓度高于非假日,而假日与非假目的总悬浮颗粒则无明显变化.此外,道路旁悬浮微粒PM10主要受非交通源的长程传输与当地的交通源所影响,而总悬浮颗粒则主要源自于附近道路的车行及逸散扬尘.另就悬浮微粒化学成分而言,金属元素成分以Ca、Fe、Al最多,水溶性离子成分则主要为SO42-、NO3-、NH4+等二次污染物.受体模式及逆轨迹模式分析结果得知,污染来源主要为交通污染及道路扬尘,然而,亦有相当部分的污染来自上风处的非交通源.     

Mass-specific scattering coefficient for natural minerogenic particle populations: particle size distribution effect and closure analyses

The relationship between the particulate scattering coefficient (b(p)) and the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM), as represented by the mass-specific scattering coefficient of particulates (b(p)*=b(p)/SPM), depends on particle size distribution (PSD). This dependence is quantified for minerogenic particle populations in this paper through calculations of b(p)* for common minerals as idealized populations (monodispersed spheres); contemporaneous measurements of b(p), SPM, and light-scattering attributes of mineral particles with scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image and x-ray analyses (SAX), for a connected stream-reservoir system where minerogenic particles dominate b(p); and estimates of b(p) and its size dependency (through SAX results-driven Mie theory calculations), particle volume concentration, and b(p)*. Modest changes in minerogenic PSDs are shown to result in substantial variations in b(p)*. Good closure of the SAX-based estimates of b(p) and particle volume concentration with bulk measurements is demonstrated. Converging relationships between b(p)* and particle size, developed from three approaches, were well described by power law expressions.     

室内外细粒子PM_(2.5)和总悬浮颗粒物污染水平的对比研究

为了解室内外空气颗粒物PM2.5和总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)的污染状况,自2008年3月24日～4月3日在西安交通大学学生办公室、教师办公室、化学实验室和室外同时采集PM2.5和TSP样品,对其质量浓度及无机水溶性离子组分(Na+、NH4+、K+、Mg2+、Ca2+、Cl-、NO3-和SO42-)进行了分析。结果表明,室内外PM2.5和TSP浓度都远远高于美国空气质量标准规定的35μg/m3。室内外颗粒物浓度具有相同的变化趋势,且室内总体上低于室外。室内PM2.5在TSP中所占比例在65%～85%,室外在40%左右。室内外TSP和PM2.5中二次污染离子SO42-、NO3-和NH4+占总离子质量的50%以上,主要富集在细颗粒中。NH4+、K+和Cl-在总离子中的比例均为室内大于室外,PM2.5中大于TSP。Ca2+、Mg2+主要富集在粗颗粒上,室外含量远远高于室内。     

Source apportionment of PM2.5 in Beijing in 2004

Based on measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, i.e., particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microm or less) in January and August 2004, serious air pollution persists in Beijing. The chemical analysis included organic and elemental carbon, water-soluble ions, and elemental compositions. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) method was used to apportion the PM2.5 sources. The sources contributing dominantly to PM2.5 mass concentrations are coal combustion in winter and the secondary products in summer. Furthermore, the contributions from motor vehicles, road dusts and biomass burning could not be neglected. The products of biomass burning for winter heating in the area around Beijing could enter the urban area during quasi-quiescent weather conditions. In conclusion, some effective control measures were proposed to reduce the PM2.5 pollution in Beijing.     

Characteristics of trace elements and lead isotope ratios in PM(2.5) from four sites in Shanghai

PM(2.5) samples were collected in Shanghai at four sites with different typical land-uses. The sampling was done concurrently once per month from April 2004 to April 2005, and the ambient mass concentration, the elemental composition and the stable lead isotope ratios in these PM(2.5) samples were determined. The annual average concentrations of PM(2.5) samples at each site were 84+/-30, 65+/-20, 55+/-18, and 41+/-10 microg m(-3), respectively, indicating there were severe air pollution levels in Shanghai. The enrichment factor was calculated for each element and the comparison and discussion of elements with significant anthropogenic contributions between Shanghai and Tokyo suggested that the major source of PM(2.5) in Shanghai was not traffic-derived emissions, but the stationary industrial contribution emitted from coal use. Moreover, the analysis of stable lead isotope ratios revealed only a slight difference within the samples at the four sites which fell well within the scope of coal composition difference, further confirming that the contribution from stationary industrial emissions to atmospheric lead pollution of PM(2.5) was very substantial in Shanghai.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for ambient air particulate monitoring: correlation of total and speciated aerosol particle counts

A statistical analysis of ambient air particle monitoring, namely PM2.5, is presented to elucidate the correlations between laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)-based speciated aerosol monitoring and non-speciated aerosol monitoring (i.e., total particle counts). LIBS was used in a real-time, conditional-processing mode to identify individual aerosol particles containing detectable quantities of either calcium or sodium, as based on the resulting atomic emission signals. Using this technique, real-time measurements of speciated aerosol particle concentrations and analyte mass concentrations were evaluated for a total of 60 1-hour sampling periods spread over a 5-week period. For each 1-hour sampling period, total aerosol counts were simultaneously monitored using a commercial light scattering-based instrument. Over the 30 sampling periods, aerosol counts (both total and LIBS-based) were found to vary by more than one order of magnitude. For aerosol particles in the 500 nm to 2.5 microm size range, significant correlations were found between the two sampling methods, resulting in correlation coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.22 to 0.93. In addition, transient fluctuations in aerosol counts on a timescale of 5 to 10 minutes were successfully observed simultaneously with the two monitoring techniques, thereby demonstrating the temporal resolution of LIBS.