High-Volume Diffusion Denuder Sampler for the Routine Monitoring of Fine Particulate Matter: II. Field Evaluation of the PC-BOSS

The high-volume Brigham Young University organic sampling system with a particle concentrator (PC-BOSS) has been field evaluated for the determination of airborne fine particulate matter including semivolatile chemical species during 3 intensive sampling programs in 1997: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Lawrence County, TN; Riverside, CA; and Provo, UT. The PC-BOSS precision was tested using 2 collocated PC-BOSS samplers. In addition, the PC-BOSS results were compared with results from a prototype PM 2.5 U.S. EPA federal reference method (FRM sampler), a filter pack sampler (quartz and charcoal sorbent filters), the BIG BOSS, an annular denuder sampler, and the ChemSpec sampler for the determination of major fine particulate species. Fine particulate mass, sulfate, nitrate, and organic carbonaceous material (OC) determined by 2 PC-BOSS samplers agreed within - 10%. Possibly due to absorption of SO 2 by a quartz filter, the sulfate concentrations determined by the filter pack sampler and the BIG BOSS were higher (by 10 - 3%) than concentrations obtained with the other samplers. No absorption of SO 2 (g) by the quartz filters of the PC-BOSS occurred due to the high efficiency (>99%) of its denuder. The PC-BOSS, annular denuder, and ChemSpec samplers agreed with each other (to within - 0.5 w g/m 3 , - 17%, with no bias) for the determination of fine particulate nitrate concentrations, including volatilization losses. The prototype PM 2.5 FRM sampler collected only particle-retained nonvolatile mass. The mass concentrations determined by the PM 2.5 FRM agreed with those collected by the post-denuder Teflon filters of the PC-BOSS (to within - 1.1 w g/m 3 , - 10%, with no bias). The overall loss of material from particles and the resultant underestimation of the particulate mass concentrations by the PM 2.5 FRM depended on the fine particle composition and the ambient temperature.     

Artefacts in semivolatile organic compound sampling with polyurethane foam substrates in high volume cascade impactors

Polyurethane foam (PUF) is known to sorb gas-phase semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from ambient air and is used routinely in conventional high volume filter-sorbent sampling of such pollutants. PUF rings have also been employed as impaction substrates in a high volume cascade impactor (HVCI) used as a sampler for the evaluation of particle toxicity. Though nonvolatile particles (e.g., trace metals, inorganic ions) have been the primary focus, the sampler has also been used to measure particulate SVOC concentrations in ambient air. The aim of this work is to investigate the validity of the latter approach. The results of three sets of experiments conducted in Canada and Denmark are reported herein. Model compounds included native and deuterated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The experiments demonstrated that HVCI PUF substrates sorb gas-phase PAH compounds and that the sorbed mass is subject to mobilization through and out of the sampler. Particulate concentrations of low molecular weight and volatile PAHs are therefore prone to overestimation in samples that have been analyzed after extraction of whole PUF substrates. Sonication of collected particles in water before solvent extraction is effective at dislodging them from the PUF but also acts to redistribute their originally particulate PAH mass back to the PUF and to the sonication water. As a result, the PAH content of particles measured after sonication and subsequent filtration does not accurately represent their true values. These artefacts affect not only measured PAH concentrations but also the results of toxicological assays that are conducted to test the characteristics of particles collected using HVCI PUF samplers.     

GAS/PARTICLE AND SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN AMBIENT AIR IN TOKYO 2001–2002

By using an Andersen sampler equipped with a low-pressure impactor, samples of 12 size-classified (>0.13 μm to <12 μm) airborne particles and samples of gaseous components were taken from the air in Tokyo for continuous periods of 19 weeks in the summer of 2001 and 17 weeks in the winter of 2001–2. The sampling filters were changed weekly. The concentrations of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the particulate and gas-phase samples were measured by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Pyrene was detected in the gas phase in both summer and winter: 59% of the total pyrene detected was present in the gas phase in summer, but this fraction decreased to 40% in winter. In the particle fractions, the summer levels of benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (dBahA), and benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) peaked in particles of diameter 1.25 μm, and benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP), benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]chrysene (BbC), and dibenzo[a,e]pyrene (dBaeP) peaked in particles of diameter 0.76 μm. In winter, BkF, BghiP, BaA, BbC, and dBaeP levels peaked in particles of diameter 0.52 μm, whereas dBahA peaked in particles of diameter 0.76 μm.     

Water-Particle Distribution of Hydrophobic Micro Pollutants in Storm Water Runoff

Sorptive behaviors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as other classes of hydrophobic pollutants (i.e., n-alkanes and linear alkylbenzenes: LABs) were investigated for street runoff and for particle-size segregated river water samples. PAHs, except for 3-ring aromatics, were mostly transported with particles >1.2μm. In all the environmental samples PAHs were more hydrophobic than expected from their Kow; whereas vigorous mixing of road dust with water for 24 hours resulted in more desorption of PAHs into the aqueous phase. It indicates that although strongly associated with particles, at least some part of the “particle bound” PAHs could be available for active exchange wirh their dissolved counterparts. As opposed to PAHs, n-alkanes and LABs revealed less hydrophobic nature than expected from Kow, although their majorities were in “particulate form”.     

污染物的微生物毒性检测方法的比较研究

根据文献调查,选择了微生物脱氢酶活性(TTC)、微生物毒性Microtox(MTX)、微生物呼吸率(BOD)、以及微生物降解动力学(DKT)等四种方法系统地比较研究了其表征污染物对微生物的毒性效应的灵敏性、准确性、可靠性和实用性。研究结果表明MTX方法能够最好地反映污染物的微生物毒性,而且操作简单、费时极少,数据的解释也最为方便。该方法可以应用于评价自然水体的毒性以及污染物生物降解所受的毒性效应。     

The Exposure Profiles,Correlation Factors and Comparison of PAHs and Nitro-PAHs in Urban and Non-Urban Regions in Suspended Particulate Matter in Poland

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitrated derivatives are responsible for mutagenic activation of ambient air. The aim of the study was the assessment of exposure for PAHs and nitro-PAHs in the urbanized region in Poland in comparison with the non-urbanized region and assessment of seasonal variation of PAHs and nitro-PAHs. Concentrations of 12 PAHs, 8 nitrated PAHs in total suspended particulate matter in air of urban and suburban (reference samples-mountain region) region in Poland during four seasons have been shown. The method of solvent extraction of particulate matter, fractionation organic extract and HPLC and GC/MS analysis were applied. The concentrations of PAHs and nitro-PAHs were 10–100 times lower in reference samples than concentrations of PAHs and nitro-PAHs in urban region in summer. The concentrations of PAHs and nitro-PAHs were highest in winter. The exposure profiles of PAHs and nitro-PAHs in four seasons have been shown. The correlation factor between concentrations of PAHs and nitro-PAHs was found. Important influence of ambient air temperature for PAHs and nitro-PAHs concentrations was shown. Obtained results suggest that the coal combustion in Polish households was the main source of PAHs and their nitro derivatives contaminations. Emission from transport sources is a secondary source of air pollution in urban areas.     

Characteristics of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air through a Long-Term Sampling Program at a Metropolitan City in Taiwan

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in total suspended particulate (TSP) matter as well as gaseous PAH contents are measured at an urban site adjacent to the capital of Taiwan. Several factors, such as seasonal variation, ring number, G/P (gas/particulate) ratio, and C-atom number, are utilized to characterize the pollution features of 14 PAHs. The results show that the total PAH content in TSP has been reduced gradually. The probable carcinogenic PAH compounds exist primarily in the particulate phase. The concentration distributions of each PAH compound are different, and the quantities and ring distributions of PAHs are significantly affected by seasonal fluctuation. The G/P ratio is highly associated with the C-atom number of PAHs. Factor analysis, along with the characteristic ratios of PAHs, is used to qualitatively identify the probable contributors. The results suggest that traffic exhaust and industrial origins are the predominant contributors.     

Biodegradability and Toxicity of Cellobiosides and Melibiosides

In 2014, almost 16 million tons of surfactants were used globally for cleaning and industrial applications. As a result, massive quantities disperse into environmental compartments every day. There is great market interest in developing highly biodegradable, less-toxic, and renewable alternatives to currently used petroleum-based surfactants. Glycolipid surfactants, composed of a sugar headgroup and lipid tail, are effective surfactants and emulsifiers with a high tolerance to electrolytes and are easily tailored to address specific needs. The green synthesis and surfactant characteristics of a suite of cellobiosides and melibiosides were recently described. The biodegradability and toxicity of 1°-alkyl-O-cellobiosides, 2°-alkyl-O-cellobiosides, and 1°-alkyl-O-melibiosides with straight-chain alkyl tails of 8, 10, and 12 are reported in this study. Biodegradability was assessed by quantifying mineralization (CO₂ evolution). All of the glycosides were inherently biodegradable and most were readily biodegradable according to OECD and US environmental protection agency (EPA) definitions. The Microtox acute toxicity assay showed both chain length and headgroup had significant effects on toxicity, but most of the molecules were practically nontoxic according to EPA definitions with EC₅₀ values >100 mg L⁻¹. Cytotoxicity to human lung (H1299) and keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT) was measured by xCELLigence and MTS assays. Cytotoxicity values were comparable to similar glycosides previously reported. IC₅₀ values were determined but in general, exceeded surfactant concentrations that are found in the environment. These data demonstrate the promising nature of these molecules as green alternatives to petrochemical surfactants.     

Ozone for Removal of Acute Toxicity from Logyard Run-Off

Stormwater run-off from wood handling facilities is garnering increasing attention from environmental regulators. In an effort to develop treatment methods to deal with the problem of toxic run-off from logyard and dryland sorts, we are currently investigating the use of ozone.

Samples of logyard run-off were obtained from two British Columbia coastal sawmills. Ranges obtained for measured parameters of these samples were as follows: COD 2400-8700 mg/L, tannins and lignins 160-2500 mg/L, BOD 190-1900 mg/L, acute (Microtox) toxicity EC₅₀ 2%–27% v/v. Centrifuged samples were treated with ozone doses up to approximately 0.5 mg ozone/mg COD in a lab-scale reactor.

Ozonation was found to significantly reduce toxicity (80%-90%), tannin and lignin (TL) (90%-95%) and dehydroabietic acid (DHA) (95%-100%) levels. There were moderate reductions in COD (30-35%) and BOD (15%-25%). At slightly acidic to neutral pH, pH had no effect on the rate of COD oxidation; TL and toxicity removal were slightly improved in neutral solutions compared to acidic ones, while DHA removal significantly improved     

Performance of ventilation filtration technologies on characteristic traffic related aerosol down to nanocluster size

Near traffic routes and urban areas, the outdoor air particle number concentration is typically dominated by ultrafine particles. These particles can enter into the nearby buildings affecting the human exposure on ultrafine particles indoors. In this study, we demonstrate an aerosol generation system which mimics the characteristic traffic related aerosol. The aerosol generation system was used to determine the size-resolved particle filtration efficiencies of five typical commercial filters in the particle diameter range of 1.3–240 nm. Two different HEPA filters were observed to be efficient in all particle sizes. A fibrous filter (F7) was efficient at small particle sizes representing the nucleation mode of traffic related aerosol, but its efficiency decreased down to 60% with the increasing particle size. In contrast, the filtration efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) increased as a function of the particle size, being more efficient for the soot mode of traffic related aerosol than for the nucleation mode. An electret filter with a charger was relatively efficient (filtration efficiency >85%) at all the observed particle sizes. The HEPA, F7 and electret filters were found to practically remove the particles/nanoclusters smaller than 3 nm. All in all, the filtration efficiencies were observed to be strongly dependent on the particle size and significant differences were found between different filters. Based on these results, we suggest that the particulate filter test standards should be extended to cover the ultrafine particles, which dominate the particle concentrations in outdoor air and are hazardous for public health.

Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research     

ALIPHATIC,POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND NITRATED-POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN PM 10 IN SOUTHWESTERN MEXICO CITY

A sampling campaign of airborne particles ≤ 10 μ m (PM ₁₀ ) was carried out from February to April of 2004 at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in southwestern Mexico City. The average PM ₁₀ mass concentration was 51 ± 14 μ g m^?3. Extracted organic matter was determined, with a mean of 6.5 ± 1.7 μ g m^?3, which represents 12.9% of PM ₁₀ mass concentration. The standard additions method was used on real samples at four concentration levels for 13 n-alkanes, 14 PAHs and 5 nitro-PAHs. The average concentration for the sum was 99.04 ng m^{? 3} for n-alkanes, 4.9 ng m^?3 for PAHs and 710 pg m^{? 3} for nitro-PAHs. Higher concentrations of n-alkanes > C ₂₄ were found, indicating biogenic emissions as the dominant source. Coronene, benzo[ghi]perylene, benzo[b+j+k]fluoranthenes and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were the most abundant PAHs, suggesting a strong contribution from incomplete combustion of gasoline. The PAHs considered for calculating BaPE represented 52% of the total PAHs analyzed. The presence of 9-nitroanthracene indicates direct emission from diesel combustion and heterogeneous nitrating reactions on sorbed particles, while 2-nitrofluoranthene, indicates gas-phase reactions with fluoranthene, hydroxyl (OH^?) and/or nitrate (NO ₃ ^?) radicals in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx).     

乌鲁木齐市大气可吸入颗粒物中多环芳烃与颗粒物比表面积、气象因素相关性的探讨

通过对2011年1月至12月期间乌鲁木齐大气可吸入颗粒物(PM2.5、PM2.5-10)中多环芳烃(PAHs)浓度、颗粒物比表面积的分析,并查询采样期间的气象因素(风速、湿度和温度)。分别将多环芳烃浓度和气象因素、颗粒物表面积做相关性分析。其中可吸入颗粒物PM2.5中除蒽之外,PM2.5质量浓度、各多环芳烃的浓度随其PM2.5比表面积均为正相关;PM2.5-10中,PM2.5质量浓度、各多环芳烃的浓度随其PM2.5-10比表面积也均为正相关。PM2.5和PM2.5-10质量浓度和气象参数之间的相关关系具有很明显的季节性特征。在采暖和非采暖期间,PM2.5和PM2.5-10中的总多环芳烃和温度之间为负相关性;采暖期间,可吸入颗粒物中所含的总PAHS浓度和风速也呈负显著相关,在非采暖期间PM2.5-10的质量浓度和风速呈正相关,而多环芳烃与风速之间都没有显著相关性。采暖期间,颗粒物的浓度及对应的∑PAHS浓度和大气湿度呈显著正相关,而在非采暖期间总多环芳烃浓度和湿度之间没有显著的相关性。     

Development of a PM2.5 sampler with inertial impaction for sampling airborne particulate matter

A simple and low cost PM_2.5 impactor for sampling airborne particulate matter was developed, designed and evaluated. The design was an assembly of an acceleration nozzle and an impaction plate. Particles with sufficient inertia were unable to follow air streamlines and impacted on the plate. Smaller particles followed the streamlines, avoided being captured by the plate and could then be collected on a downstream filter. Analytical and numerical models were formulated to predict collection efficiency, flow fields and vectors, and particle trajectories in the impactor. The modeling suggested that an optimal operational domain exists for the PM_2.5 impactor. A prototype was then built and tested. The collected particles on the impaction plate and downstream of the PM_2.5 impactor were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results agreed well with the theoretical predictions. Testing of the PM_2.5 impactor prototype showed promising results for this airborne particulate matter sampler.     

Viskosimetrische Untersuchungen an Styrol-Acrylsäure-Copolymeren und deren Alkalisalzen in organischen Lösungsmitteln

The viscosity and conductivity of a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer containing 8.7 weight-% acrylic acid and of its Li-, K- and Cs-salts were studied in tetrahydrofuran and in a mixed solvent containing THF and methanol (volume ratio = 4/1). The change of the specific viscosities η_rel – 1 by variation of the neutralization degree, of the concentrations of the solutions and of the type of solvent was pursued. By increasing the neutralization degree solutions with concentrations > 2.5% were found to pass maxima of specific viscosity. Using THF as solvent at concentrations below 1% a decrease of the (η_rel – 1)-values takes place. The viscosity-number [η] decreases with increasing neutralization. In the mixed solvent (THF/CH₃OH = 4/1) the K- and Cs-salts are passing a minimum of viscosity at medium degrees of neutralization.     

YEAR TIME MODULATION OF n-ALKANES,PAH, NITRO-PAH AND ORGANIC ACIDS AT MONTELIBRETTI ROME,ITALY

The organic fraction of airborne particulates was investigated at Montelibretti RM, Italy, over 12 months and n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrated polycyclic aromatics and aliphatic acids were evaluated. The year time modulations were acquired from all groups of compounds, both in quantitative (cumulative concentrations) and qualitative (percent compositions) terms. Some distribution indexes and diagnostic ratio rates drawn from congener abundances provided information about the twin nature (anthropogenic and biogenic) of sources of organic particulate. Briefly, unlike past decades the appearance of the Montelibretti location was that of a site affected overall by local pollution, as a consequence of both direct anthropogenic emissions and secondary oxidized compounds. The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) seemed to depend overall upon vehicle emission (diesel powered in particular), although a second, unknown source with year time modulation was present, apparently not associated with biomass/wood burning. By contrast, nitro-PAHs were mainly associated to oxidation of parent PAHs. In summer, PAHs were found at concentrations similar to those measured in 1993–1995, whilst in winter they were three times more abundant than previously reported.     

Biomonitoring of Atmospheric PAHs by Evergreen Plants: Correlations and Applicability

This article deals with looking for the best passive samplers among eleven plants diffused in the Mediterranean basin for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere in substitution to the particulate matter sampling. The most recent research about biological passive samplers showed a quali-quantitative difference in pollutant sampling by different plants. Evergreen trees with long-lived leaves were selected in the urban area of Catania (Italy) and both samples (leaves and particulate matter) were extracted and purified by a two stage method before the analysis was performed by a GC/MS. Leaves and particulate matter were sampled in three different seasons (winter, spring and summer). PAHs concentrations found in the particulate matter and leaves were correlated. Some plants ( Olea europaea and Quercus ilex ) showed high values (r 2 > 0.85) of linear correlation coefficient in all seasons and are characterized by profiles similar to that of the particulate matter. Further, it has been observed that during the warmer seasons the total quantity of PAH adsorbed by the plants is greater but the fitting is better during winter. No difference was found by washing leaves with distilled water: this means that PAHs aren't deposited on the surface but are adsorbed in the lipidic layer of the leaves.     

Effects of solvent adsorption on solution properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/dimethylsulfoxide/water ternary systems

In this study, the solvent adsorption phenomena of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in cosolvent mixtures of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO; solvent 1) and water (solvent 2) were investigated. Typically, this cosolvent mixture could form hydrogen‐bonded DMSO/(water)₂ complexes, involving one DMSO and two water molecules. Because of the complex formation in the cosolvent mixtures, PVA chains preferentially adsorb water molecules at DMSO mole fraction X₁ < 0.33, but preferentially adsorb DMSO molecules at X₁ > 0.33. The preferential adsorption of DMSO (a good solvent for PVA) could cause the relatively extended conformation of PVA chains in solutions because of the increase in excluded volume effect. Because of various interactions between PVA chains and cosolvent mixtures, the aggregation and gelation behaviors of PVA solutions were significantly affected by the composition of cosolvent mixture. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3211–3217, 2004     

The rates of emissions of fine particles from some Canadian coal-fired power plants

Particles emitted from three coal-fired power plants burning subbituminous coals from Alberta, Canada were examined for total particulate matter (PM) and size fractions PM_>10, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5. The sampling was carried out following EPA Method 201A, which requires a 6 inch port. Three tests were performed at each station. The rates of emitted particulates from the three power plants are 9.9-53.4 mg/m³ (dry), 30-90 kg/hr (dry), and 0.039-0.118 kg/MWh, respectively. The emission rates of the various particle sizes for these three power plants are 8.7-39.5 kg/hr of PM_>10, 10.7-40.8 kg/hr of PM₁₀, and 9.65-10.7 kg/hr of PM_2.5. The present results indicate that 29-44% of emitted particles are PM_>10. The total emissions of particulates from two power plants are below the Canadian Guideline for emission from a coal-fired power plant (0.095 kg/MWh), while the third power plant is slightly higher than the Guideline (0.118 kg/MWh).The malfunctioning of control technology may result in unrealistic and wide variation in the measured rates of emitted particles.