Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of concrete in different curing media containing ZnO2 nanoparticles

In the present work, the effect of curing medium on microstructure together with physical, mechanical and thermal properties of concrete containing ZnO₂ nanoparticles have been investigated. Portland cement was partially replaced by ZnO₂ nanoparticles with the average particle size of 15 nm and the specimens were cured in water and saturated limewater for specific ages. The results indicate that ZnO₂ nanoparticles up to maximum of 2.0% produces concrete with improved compressive strength and setting time when the specimens cured in saturated limewater. The optimum level of replacement for cured specimens in water is 1.0 wt%. Although the limewater reduces the strength of concrete without nanoparticles when it is compared with the specimens cured in water, curing the specimens bearing nanoparticles in saturated limewater results in more strengthening gel formation around ZnO₂ nanoparticles causes more rapid setting time together with high strength. Accelerated peak appearance in conduction calorimetry tests, more weight loss in thermogravimetric analysis and more rapid appearance of peaks related to hydrated products in X-ray diffraction results, all indicate that ZnO₂ nanoparticles could improve mechanical and physical properties of the specimens.     

Abrasion resistance of concrete containing SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles in different curing media

In the present study, abrasion resistance and compressive strength of concrete specimens containing SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles which are cured in different curing media have been investigated. Portland cement was partially replaced by up to 2.0 wt.% SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles and mechanical properties of the produced specimens were measured. Increasing the nanoparticles content have found to increase the abrasion resistance of the specimens which were cured in water and saturated limewater, while this condition was not observed for compressive strength in both curing media. The enhancement of abrasion resistance was more for the specimens containing SiO₂ nanoparticles in both curing media. Since, abrasion resistance and compressive strength of the specimens follow a similar regime by increasing the nanoparticles content when they are cured in saturated limewater, some experimental relationships has been presented to correlate these two properties of concrete for this curing medium. On the whole, it has been concluded that the abrasion resistance of concrete does not only depend on the corresponding compressive strength.     

TiO2 nanoparticles effects on physical, thermal and mechanical properties of self compacting concrete with ground granulated blast furnace slag as binder

In this work, strength assessments and percentage of water absorption of self compacting concrete containing different amounts of ground granulated blast furnace slag and TiO₂ nanoparticles as binder have been investigated. Portland cement was replaced by 45 wt% of ground granulated blast furnace slag and up to 4.0 wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles and the properties of concrete specimens were investigated. TiO₂ nanoparticle as a partial replacement of cement up to 3.0 wt% could accelerate C-S-H gel formation as a result of increased crystalline Ca(OH)₂ amount at the early age of hydration and hence increase strength and improve the resistance to water permeability of concrete specimens. Several empirical relationships have been presented to predict flexural and split tensile strength of the specimens by means of the corresponding compressive strength at a certain age of curing.     

Splitting tensile strength of concrete using ground granulated blast furnace slag and SiO2 nanoparticles as binder

In the present study, split tensile strength together with pore structure, thermal behavior and microstructure of concrete containing ground granulated blast furnace slag and SiO₂ nanoparticles have been investigated. Portland cement was replaced by different amounts of ground granulated blast furnace slag and the properties of concrete specimens were measured. Although it negatively impacts the properties of concrete at early ages, ground granulated blast furnace slag was found to improve the physical and mechanical properties of concrete up to 45 wt% at later ages. SiO₂ nanoparticles with the average particle size of 15 nm were partially added to concrete with the optimum content of ground granulated blast furnace slag and physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were studied. SiO₂ nanoparticle as a partial replacement of cement up to 3 wt% could accelerate C-S-H gel formation as a result of increased crystalline Ca(OH)₂ amount at the early age of hydration and hence increase split tensile strength of concrete specimens. The increased the SiO₂ nanoparticles’ content more than 3 wt% causes the reduced the split tensile strength because of the decreased crystalline Ca(OH)₂ content required for C-S-H gel formation. SiO₂ nanoparticles could improve the pore structure of concrete and shift the distributed pores to harmless and few-harm pores.     

Greywater treatment by UVC/H2O2

Greywater treatment by UVC/H₂O₂ was investigated with regard to the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). A COD reduction from 225 to 30 mg l⁻¹ (overall removal of 87%) was achieved after settling overnight and subsequent irradiation for 3 h with 10 mM H₂O₂. Most of the contaminants were removed by oxidation since only 13% COD was removed by settlement.The removal of COD in the greywater followed a second-order kinetic equation, r = 0.0637[COD][H₂O₂], up to 10 mM H₂O₂. A slightly enhanced COD removal was observed at the initial pH of 10 compared with pH 3 and 7. This was attributed to the dissociation of H₂O₂ to O₂H⁻. The treatment was not affected by total concentration of carbonate (c_T) of at least 3 mM, above which operation between pH 3 and 5 was essential. The initial biodegradability of the settled greywater (as BOD₅:COD) was 0.22. After 2 h UVC/H₂O₂ treatment, a higher proportion of the residual contaminants was biodegradable (BOD₅:COD = 0.41) which indicated its potential as a pre-treatment for a biological process.     

Ceramsite obtained from water and wastewater sludge and its characteristics affected by (Fe2O3 + CaO + MgO)/(SiO2 + Al2O3)

To control and optimize the process for making ceramsite from wastewater treatment sludge (WWTS) and drinking-water treatment one (DWTS), the effect of mass ratios of (Fe₂O₃ + CaO + MgO)/(SiO₂ + Al₂O₃) (defined as F/SA ratios); SiO₂:Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃:CaO:MgO (under the condition of fixed F/SA ratio) on the characteristics of ceramsite were investigated. It was found that the optimal F/SA ratios for making ceramsite range 0.175-0.45. Na-Ca feldspars and amorphous phases increase in ceramsite as F/SA ratios increase. Ceramsite with porous surfaces, expanded structures, and complex crystalline phases can be obtained at 0.275 ≤ F/SA ≤ 0.45, which accordingly cause the decrease in compressive strength. Higher strength of ceramsite with lower porosity can be obtained at 0.175 ≤ F/SA < 0.275, and under the condition of F/SA ratio = 0.275, the raw materials can produce ceramsite with desired physical properties at 18.2:35 ≤ SiO₂:Al₂O₃ ≤ 45:10.2 and 10:2.7:1.4 ≤ Fe₂O₃:CaO:MgO ≤ 5.3:6:1.6. Ceramsite with higher compressive strength and lower porosity can be obtained at SiO₂:Al₂O₃ > 27.2:15.8 and Fe₂O₃:CaO:MgO > 6:3.5:1.8. Results indicate that F/SA ratios could be used as an important parameter to control the production process of ceramsite with desired physicochemical properties and resolve the disposal problems of residual sludges.     

Anatoxin-a degradation by Advanced Oxidation Processes: Vacuum-UV at 172 nm, photolysis using medium pressure UV and UV/H2O2

Two Advanced Oxidation Processes, namely vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis at 172 nm and ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H₂O₂) were investigated for the degradation of anatoxin-a in aqueous solutions. Solutions of anatoxin-a-fumarate were treated with VUV light at 172 nm with a UV dose of 200 mJ/cm², where fumaric acid served as a reference compound for a competition kinetics analysis. The second-order rate constant for the reaction between anatoxin-a and the hydroxyl radical was found to be (5.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and was independent of pH, temperature, and initial concentration of anatoxin-a. The direct photolysis of anatoxin-a using a medium pressure (MP) UV lamp was also investigated, in which case a UV dose of 1285 mJ/cm² was required to degrade anatoxin-a by 88% and 50% at concentrations of 0.6 mg/L and 1.8 mg/L of toxin, respectively. Treatment of anatoxin-a with a low pressure (LP) UV lamp in the presence of 30 mg/L of H₂O₂ was examined, where it was found that more than 70% of toxin could be degraded at a UV dose of 200 mJ/cm². The degradation arises from the oxidation of the toxin by hydroxyl radicals. The addition of H₂O₂ clearly enhanced the degradation of anatoxin-a, up to a concentration of 40 mg/L, after which addition of more H₂O₂ had little effect on the degradation kinetics of anatoxin-a. The effect of background constituents in the water on the degradation of anatoxin-a was also investigated using natural and synthetically produced model waters.     

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity of engineered metal oxide nanoparticles

The recent advances in nanotechnology and the corresponding popular usage of nanomaterials have resulted in uncertainties regarding their environmental impacts. In this study, we used a systematic approach to study and compare the in vitro cytotoxicity of selected engineered metal oxide nanoparticles to the test organisms — E. coli. Among the seven test nano-sized metal oxides, ZnO, CuO, Al₂O_3, La₂O_3, Fe₂O_3, SnO₂ and TiO_2, ZnO showed the lowest LD₅₀ of 21.1 mg/L and TiO₂ had the highest LD₅₀ of 1104.8 mg/L. Data of ¹⁴C-glucose mineralization test paralleled the results of bacteria viability test. After regression calculation, the cytotoxicity was found to be correlated with cation charges (R² = 0.9785). The higher the cation charge is, the lower the cytotoxicity of the nano-sized metal oxide becomes. To the best of our knowledge, this finding is the first report in nanotoxicology.     

A Taguchi approach for investigation of some physical properties of concrete produced from mineral admixtures

Durability of concrete structures is often liked to the presence (or not) of deleterious chemical species in the environment. Sulfate or acid-bearing environment originating, for instance, from industrial wastes is one of the severe conditions for durability of the concrete. In this paper, laboratory tests were performed to assess the damage caused by chemical attack on high strength concrete mixtures prepared with silica fume (SF) and blast furnace slag (BFS). The “Taguchi method” has been used to determine the optimum conditions required to obtain the physical properties that will yield to the most durable concrete mixtures. Concrete specimens were cured up to 14 days in lime-saturated water at 23±2 °C. After this period, the concrete specimens were immersed in various aggressive solutions until the experimental days. Test variables selected in this investigation were mineral admixture, water-to-binder ratio, curing regime and curing time. Results of the analysis have shown that the most durable mixtures to be the one prepared with 10% SF and 5% BFS. The water–binder (W/B) ratio of this mixture was 0.30 and it was cured in limewater for 120-day period.     

Photoelectrocatalytic COD determination method using highly ordered TiO2 nanotube array

This work focuses on the experimental studies of a photoelectrocatalytic method for COD determination in a thin-cell reactor based on a highly effective TiO₂ nanotube array electrode. The effect of preparation parameters on the photoelectrocatalytic performance of TiO₂ nanotube array electrodes including the electrolyte, anodic potential, anodic time, solution pH, calcination temperature and time was examined. The TiO₂ nanotube array electrode prepared in preparation parameters at 1% HF electrolyte solution, anodic potential 20 V, anodic time 5 min, calcination temperature 450 °C with highly photoelectrocatalytic performance was chosen as the working electrode. When it is used in a thin-cell photoeletrocatalytic reactor for COD determination, it requires about 1-5 min to complete the oxidation of organics without further titration, much faster than the standard K₂Cr₂O₇ method (2-4 h). It consumes very limited harmless and inexpensive supporting electrolyte, free from secondary pollution. A wide dynamic working range of 0-850 mg/L can be achieved by this method, much wider than any other photoeletrocatalytic methods using TiO₂ nanoparticles or nanofilms in the reported literature. The effects of the water components were studied to propose the TiO₂ nanotube array method. Real sample analyses were also carried out and the COD value of real samples determined by this method agreed well with the standard dichromate method, and it shows good accuracy, stability and reproducibility.     

Atmospheric NH3 and NO2 concentration and nitrogen deposition in an agricultural catchment of Eastern China

To assess the atmospheric environmental impacts of anthropogenic reactive nitrogen in the fast-developing Eastern China region, we measured atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ammonia (NH₃) as well as the wet deposition of inorganic nitrogen (NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) levels in a typical agricultural catchment in Jiangsu Province, China, from October 2007 to September 2008_. The annual average gaseous concentrations of NO₂ and NH₃ were 42.2 μg m⁻³ and 4.5 μg m⁻³ (0 °C, 760 mm Hg), respectively, whereas those of NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, and DON in the rainwater within the study catchment were 1.3, 1.3, and 0.5 mg N L⁻¹, respectively. No clear difference in gaseous NO₂ concentrations and nitrogen concentrations in collected rainwater was found between the crop field and residential sites, but the average NH₃ concentration of 5.4 μg m⁻³ in residential sites was significantly higher than that in field sites (4.1 μg m⁻³). Total depositions were 40 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for crop field sites and 30 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for residential sites, in which dry depositions (NO₂ and NH₃) were 7.6 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for crop field sites and 1.9 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for residential sites. The DON in the rainwater accounted for 16% of the total wet nitrogen deposition. Oxidized N (NO₃⁻ in the precipitation and gaseous NO₂) was the dominant form of nitrogen deposition in the studied region, indicating that reactive forms of nitrogen created from urban areas contribute greatly to N deposition in the rural area evaluated in this study.     

纳米SiO2超高强高流态混凝土及改性机理

通过正交试验提出纳米超高强高流态混凝土的胶凝材料配合比设计参数,并研究了纳米SiO_2的掺入对传统掺硅灰、粉煤灰超高强水泥基胶凝材料强度及工作性能的影响。在保证水胶比不变的条件下,开展了混凝土配合比试验,并研究了纳米SiO_2对混凝土抗压强度的影响及其微观机理。结果表明:超高强高流态混凝土中胶凝材料最优比例为:纳米SiO_2:硅灰:粉煤灰:水泥=1:8:20:71;在胶凝材料用量为600～1 000kg/m~3范围内,随着其掺量的增加,混凝土流动度不断增加,抗压强度先增大后减小,当其掺量为800kg/m~3时,抗压强度最大。分析认为,纳米SiO_2、硅灰与粉煤灰形成的三元多尺度堆积体系能优化粉体材料在混凝土中的微集料密实填充效应,纳米SiO_2的二次水化反应也有效改善了硬化水泥石的微观结构,并优化其形态分布,进一步增大其强度。     

Temporal variation of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM10 and PM2.5 collected in Northern Mexico City

With the aim to determine the presence of individual nitro-PAH contained in particles in the atmosphere of Mexico City, a monitoring campaign for particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) was carried out in Northern Mexico City, from April 2006 to February 2007. The PM₁₀ annual median concentration was 65.2 μg m^− 3 associated to 7.6 μg m^− 3 of solvent-extractable organic matter (SEOM) corresponding to 11.4% of the PM₁₀ concentration and 38.6 μg m^− 3 with 5.9 μg m^− 3 SEOM corresponding to 15.2% for PM_2.5. PM concentration and SEOM varied with the season and the particle size. The quantification of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH) was developed through the standards addition method under two schemes: reference standard with and without matrix, the former giving the best results. The recovery percentages varied with the extraction method within the 52 to 97% range depending on each nitro-PAH. The determination of the latter was effected with and without sample purification, also termed fractioning, giving similar results. 8 nitro-PAH were quantified, and their sum ranged from 111 to 819 pg m^− 3 for PM₁₀ and from 58 to 383 pg m^− 3 for PM_2.5, depending on the season. The greatest concentration was for 9-Nitroanthracene in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, detected during the cold-dry season, with a median (10th-90th percentiles) concentration in 235 pg m^− 3 (66-449 pg m^− 3) for PM₁₀ and 73 pg m^− 3 (18-117 pg m^− 3) for PM_2.5. The correlation among mass concentrations of the nitro-PAH and criteria pollutants was statistically significant for some nitro-PAH with PM₁₀, SEOM in PM₁₀, SEOM in PM_2.5, NO_X, NO₂ and CO, suggesting either sources, primary or secondary origin. The measured concentrations of nitro-PAH were higher than those reported in other countries, but lower than those from Chinese cities. Knowledge of nitro-PAH atmospheric concentrations can aid during the surveillance of diseases (cardiovascular and cancer risk) associated with these exposures.     

A study on the relationship between biodegradability enhancement and oxidation of 1,4-dioxane using ozone and hydrogen peroxide

Advanced oxidation involving O₃/H₂O₂ was used to eliminate 1,4-dioxane and to enhance the biodegradability of dioxane-contaminated water. Oxidation experiments were carried out in a bubble column reactor operating in fed-batch. The rate of dioxane removal and enhancement in biodegradability was investigated at hydrogen peroxide to ozone ratios between 0 and 0.6 mol:mol and pH between 5 and 11. A theoretical model was also applied to predict the experimental data and to investigate the effects of dioxane concentration, pH, and H₂O₂ concentration. The model predictions fit the experimental data well and there was a linear correlation between dioxane oxidation and BOD enhancement. At low dioxane concentrations, the oxidation rate was first order and it gradually approached zero order with increasing dioxane concentration. Also, the biodegradability of the solution increased with pH up to about 9 and it stayed constant with further pH increase. Hydrogen peroxide initially enhanced dioxane removal and biodegradability enhancement of the solution. However, at H₂O₂:O₃ ratios greater than about 0.4-0.45 mol:mol, i.e. about 2.90 mM for H₂O₂ concentration, H₂O₂ had negative impacts and resulted in reduced dioxane removal and biodegradability increase.     

Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the air during a dust storm

Asian dust storms (ADS) originating from the arid deserts of Mongolia and China are a well-known springtime meteorological phenomenon throughout East Asia. The ventilation systems in office utilize air from outside and therefore it is necessary to understand how these dust storms affect the concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in both the indoor and outdoor air. We measured dust storm pollution particles in an office building using a direct-reading instrument (PC-2 Quartz Crystal Microbalance, QCM) that measured particle size and concentration every 10 min for 1 h, three times a day. A three-fold increase in the concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the indoor and outdoor air was recorded during the dust storms. After adjusting for other covariates, autoregression models indicated that PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the indoor air increased significantly (21.7 μg/m³ and 23.0 μg/m³ respectively) during dust storms. The ventilation systems in high-rise buildings utilize air from outside and therefore the indoor concentrations of fine and coarse particles in the air inside the buildings are significantly affected by outside air pollutants, especially during dust storms.     

Experimental study of mechanical properties of normal-strength concrete exposed to high temperatures at an early age

In China, accidental fires are known to occur during construction, causing concrete to be exposed to high temperatures when it is at an early age (i.e. “young”). In this paper, compressive and splitting tensile strengths of concretes cured for different periods and exposed to high temperatures were obtained. The effects of the duration of curing, maximum temperature and the type of cooling on the strengths of concrete were investigated. Experimental results indicate that after exposure to high temperatures up to 800 °C, early-age concrete that has been cured for a certain period can regain 80% of the compressive strength of the control sample of concrete. The 3-day-cured early-age concrete was observed to recover the most strength. The type of cooling also affects the level of recovery of compressive and splitting tensile strength. For early-age concrete, the relative recovered strengths of specimens cooled by sprayed water are higher than those of specimens cooled in air when exposed to temperatures below 800 °C, while the changes for 28-day concrete are the converse. When the maximum temperature exceeds 800 °C, the relative strength values of all specimens cooled by water spray are lower than those of specimens cooled in air.     

Influence of bacteria on the compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability of fly ash concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the influence of Sporoscarcina pasteurii bacteria on the compressive strength and rapid chloride permeability of concrete made without and with fly ash. Cement was replaced with three percentages (10, 20 and 30) with fly ash by weight. Three different cell concentration (0, 10³,10⁵,10⁷ cells/ml) of bacteria were used in making the concrete mixes. Tests were performed for compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability at the age of 28 days. Test results indicated that inclusion of S. pasteurii in fly ash concrete enhanced the compressive strength, reduced the porosity and permeability of fly ash concrete. Maximum increase (22%) in compressive strength and four-times reduction in water absorption was observed with 10⁵ cells/ml of bacteria. This improvement in compressive strength was due to deposition on the bacteria cell surfaces within the pores.Calcite deposition in concrete observed nearly eight times reduction in chloride permeability of fly ash concrete. The present work highlights the influence of bacteria on the properties of concrete made with supplementing cementing material such as like fly ash. Usage of bacteria like S. pasteurii improves strength and durability and strength of fly ash concrete through self-healing effect.     

Enhanced arsenic removal using mixed metal oxide impregnated chitosan beads

Mixed metal oxide impregnated chitosan beads (MICB) containing nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ and nanocrystalline TiO₂ were successfully developed. This adsorbent exploits the high capacity of Al₂O₃ for arsenate and the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ to oxidize arsenite to arsenate, resulting in a removal capacity higher than that of either metal oxide alone. The composition of the beads was optimized for maximum arsenite removal in the presence of UV light. The mechanism of removal was investigated and a mode of action was proposed wherein TiO₂ oxidizes arsenite to arsenate which is then removed from solution by Al₂O₃. Pseudo-second order kinetics were used to validate the proposed mechanism. MICB is a more efficient and effective adsorbent for arsenic than TiO₂-impregnated chitosan beads (TICB), previously reported on, yet maintains a desirable life cycle, free of complex synthesis processes, toxic materials, and energy inputs.     

Influence of biofilm on the transport of fullerene (C60) nanoparticles in porous media

The significance of biofilm on fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticles transport and deposition were examined both in porous media and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) systems under a variety of environmentally relevant ionic strength (1-25 mM in NaCl and 0.1-5 mM in CaCl₂) and flow conditions (4-8 m day⁻¹). The magnitudes of deposition rate coefficients (k_d) were compared between porous media with and without biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) coating under equivalent fluid velocities and solution chemistries. The observed k_d were greater in porous media with biofilm EPS coating relative to those without biofilm EPS coating across the entire solution ionic strengths and fluid velocities examined, demonstrating that the enhancement of C₆₀ deposition by the biofilm EPS coating is relevant to a wide range of environmental conditions. This greater deposition was also observed on silica surfaces with biofilm EPS coating in QCM-D system. The results clearly showed that biofilm EPS have a great influence on C₆₀ deposition. Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory could not explain the enhanced C₆₀ deposition by biofilm EPS. Biochemical and physical characteristics of biofilm EPS were responsible for the increased C₆₀ deposition.     

Chemically-speciated on-road PM2.5 motor vehicle emission factors in Hong Kong

PM_2.5 (particle with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) was measured in different microenvironments of Hong Kong (including one urban tunnel, one Hong Kong/Mainland boundary roadside site, two urban roadside sites, and one urban ambient site) in 2003. The concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble ions, and up to 40 elements (Na to U) were determined. The average PM_2.5 mass concentrations were 229 ± 90, 129 ± 95, 69 ± 12, 49 ± 18 µg m^− 3 in the urban tunnel, cross boundary roadside, urban roadside, and urban ambient environments, respectively. Carbonaceous particles (sum of organic material [OM] and EC) were the dominant constituents, on average, accounting for ∼ 82% of PM_2.5 emissions in the tunnel, ∼ 70% at the three roadside sites, and ∼ 48% at the ambient site, respectively. The OC/EC ratios were 0.6 ± 0.2 and 0.8 ± 0.1 at the tunnel and roadside sites, respectively, suggesting carbonaceous aerosols were mainly from vehicle exhausts. Higher OC/EC ratio (1.9 ± 0.7) occurred at the ambient site, indicating contributions from secondary organic aerosols. The PM_2.5 emission factor for on-road diesel-fueled vehicles in the urban area of Hong Kong was 257 ± 31 mg veh^− 1 km^− 1, with a composition of ∼ 51% EC, ∼ 26% OC, and ∼ 9% SO₄⁼. The other inorganic ions and elements made up ∼ 11% of the total PM_2.5 emissions. OC composed the largest fraction (∼ 51%) in gasoline and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) emissions, followed by EC (∼ 19%). Diesel engines showed higher emission rates than did gasoline and LPG engines for most pollutants, except for V, Br, Sb, and Ba.