Intra-Community Variability in Total Particle Number Concentrations in the San Pedro Harbor Area (Los Angeles,California)

Recent evidence links elevated ultrafine particle (UFP) concentrations with adverse health effects, but exposure assessments based upon PM _2.5 mass concentrations may be misleading. In order to better understand and quantify intra-community variability in UFP concentrations, a dense network of 14 monitoring sites was set-up in Los Angeles in two clusters—San Pedro/Wilmington and West Long Beach—in communities surrounding the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The network measured total particle number concentrations greater than 7 nm in diameter. In this range, UFP comprise approximately 90% of the total. Port-related activities—particularly goods movement associated with high volumes of heavy-duty diesel vehicle (HDDV) traffic—represent significant UFP sources. The field study was conducted from mid-February through mid-December 2007 to assess diurnal, seasonal, and spatial patterns and intra-community variability in total particle number concentrations. For sites within a few km of each other, simultaneous particle number concentrations can vary up to a factor of 10 (< 10,000 cm^?3 up to 90,000 cm^?3 for hourly averages calculated by month). The median hourly correlation coefficient (r) across all sites was modest and varied from 0.3 to 0.56. Specific site locations, particularly proximity to roadways used for goods movement, strongly affect observations. Clear diurnal and seasonal patterns are evident in the data. A diurnal pattern associated with high HDDV volumes and goods movement was identified. Coefficients of Divergence calculated for the site pairs suggest moderate heterogeneity overall (median study COD ≈ 0.35). The intra-urban variability observed in this study is comparable to and exceeds the inter-urban variability observed in a previous study in Los Angeles. UFP concentrations can vary considerably on short spatial scales in source-rich environments strongly influencing the accuracy of exposure assessments.     

Seasonal and Spatial Coarse Particle Elemental Concentrations in the Los Angeles Area

The concentrations of trace metals and elements in the coarse fraction of atmospheric particulate matter (CPM, particles smaller than 10 and larger than 2.5 μm in diameter, PM_10–2.5) and their spatial and temporal trends were investigated in the greater Los Angeles area. Ten distinct sampling sites were chosen to encompass a variety of CPM sources, including urban, rural, coastal, inland, and near-freeway sites. Time-integrated 24-h CPM samples were collected at each location once a week, for an entire year, from April 2008 to March 2009, to characterize drivers of the seasonal and spatial patterns of the CPM trace metal content. Metals were quantified using sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS).

Trace metals in CPM displayed distinct seasonal and temporal variations, and a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to aid the identification of the CPM sources underlying these variations. The probable sources of each principal component were identified using elemental tracers. Major sources of CPM metals and elements identified were crustal and mineral matter, abrasive vehicular emissions, industrial, sea spray, and catalytic converters, explaining more than 80% of the total variance of CPM metal content. Mineral and crustal elements, most notably Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, K, Ti, and Mn, were the main contributors to the overall CPM mass, accounting for over 33% of the total variance, followed by abrasive vehicular markers such as Cu, Ba, and Sb, accounting for over 16% of the variance, with an increasing contribution in the urban sites. Temporal and spatial variations in each identified class of CPM sources were also investigated.     

徐州市大气颗粒物PM_(10)与PM_(2.5)污染水平分析

在徐州市的7个典型城市功能区采集大气颗粒物样品,对PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)的污染水平进行了分析。结果表明,徐州市PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)的污染较严重,超标率分别为26.3%和31.2%;空间上,工业区和交通居住混合区污染严重;时间上,污染水平呈现为冬季春季秋季夏季;PM_(2.5)在PM_(10)中的比重大于粗颗粒物,约占58%,应重视对其监测与治理。     

广州黄埔区可吸入颗粒物(PM_(10))的监测与分析

城市大气可吸入颗粒物(PM_(10))是造成全球大部分城市空气污染严重的原因之一,是影响城市空气质量的首要污染物。本论文对广州新创建工业区黄埔区大气中PM_(10)浓度进行了监测,并依据该区PM_(10)的现状,对它们的污染水平及污染原因进行了探讨。     

PM 1 , Intermodal (PM 2.5-1 ) Mass,and the Soil Component of PM 2.5 in Phoenix,AZ, 1995-1996

Concentrations of size-resolved airborne particulate matter measured in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995-1996 indicate a strong linear relationship between the soil components of PM 2.5 and the intermodal PM concentration and similarly between the nonsoil components of PM 2.5 and the PM 1 concentration. Moreover, the ratio of PM 1 to intermodal PM varies considerably at all reported concentrations of PM 2.5 , and this variation appears to be systematically related to the proportion of PM 2.5 comprised of soil components.     

PM2.5 and PM10 Mass Measurements in California's San Joaquin Valley

PM _2.5 and PM ₁₀ mass measurements from different sampling systems and locations within California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV) are compared to determine how well mass concentrations from a unified data set can be used to address issues such as compliance with particulate matter (PM) standards, temporal and spatial variations, and model predictions. Pairwise comparisons were conducted among 20 samplers, including four Federal Reference Method (FRM) units, battery-powered MiniVols, sequential filter samplers, dichotomous samplers, Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors (MOUDIs), beta attenuation monitors (BAMs), tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs), and nephelometers. The differences between FRM samplers were less than 10 and 20% for 70 and 92% of the pairwise comparisons, respectively. The TEOM, operating at 50°C in this study, measured less than the other samplers, consistent with other comparisons in nitrate-rich atmospheres. PM _2.5 mass measured continuously with the BAM was highly correlated with filter-based PM _2.5 although the absolute bias was greater than 20% in 45% of the cases. Light scattering (B _sp ) was also highly correlated with filter-based PM _2.5 at most sites, with mass scattering efficiencies varying by 10 and 20% for B _sp measured with Radiance Research nephelometers with and without PM _2.5 size-selective inlets, respectively. Collocating continuous monitors with filter samplers was shown to be useful for evaluating short-term variability and identifying outliers in the filter-based measurements. Comparability among different PM samplers used in CRPAQS is sufficient to evaluate spatial gradients larger than about 15% when the data are pooled together for spatial and temporal analysis and comparison with models.     

哈尔滨市大气中TSP、PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)相关性分析

对哈尔滨市大气环境中的TSP、PM10、PM2.5进行了采集和质量浓度的分析。实验结果表明:细颗粒(PM2.5)所占比例全年变化比较明显,1月、10月、11月和12月含量较高,均占到总量的55%以上,同时PM2.5/PM10也处于全年最高值,说明此期间细颗粒污染较为严重,环境危害较大;PM10含量全年变化相对稳定,PM10/TSP变化幅度仅为0.71~0.79,说明全年颗粒物质量分布的变化主要由PM2.5和PM2.5-10引起。根据TSP和PM10、PM10和PM2.5之间的相对关系曲线可以看出,两种大气颗粒物均来自相似的污染源,且污染源排放大气颗粒物的粒度分布长期比较稳定,而PM10和PM2.5的相关系数R值为0.973,也具备一定的相关性,可认为两者的变化趋势是一致的。     

Comparison of the Chemical and Oxidative Characteristics of Particulate Matter (PM) Collected by Different Methods: Filters,Impactors, and BioSamplers

In this study, we compare the chemical and oxidative characteristics of concentration-enriched PM_2.5 samples simultaneously collected by a filter, a Nano-Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposition Impactor, and a BioSampler. Gravimetric measurements showed considerable agreement in particulate matter (PM) collection efficiency for all three samplers. Accordingly, samples from the three collectors exhibited similar chemical compositions. The mass fractions of their inorganic ions, labile and nonlabile, were comparable. Moreover, the organic carbon (OC) content of the BioSampler slurry was similar to that of the filter, while water-soluble OC levels of the filter and impactor samples were close to a 100% agreement. Lastly, linear regression analyses demonstrated that the water-soluble elements existed in similar proportions for the filter and impactor samples. Their respective total components were also in very good agreement. By contrast, the recoverable elements from the BioSampler slurry, determined by high-resolution magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, were in good agreement with the water-soluble elements of the filter and impactor samples but not their corresponding total components. In spite of the overall agreement among the samples on their chemical composition, findings from a macrophage reactive oxygen species (ROS), a dithiothreitol (DTT), and a dihydroxybenzoate (DHBA) assay revealed that the oxidative potential of aqueous extracts of the filter and impactor substrates was similar yet substantially lower than that of the BioSampler slurry. However, filtering of the BioSampler slurry, i.e., removal of insoluble PM components, attenuated its ROS activity to about the same level as that of the water extracts of the filter and impactor samples. These findings first indicate that insoluble PM species are potentially redox active, and second that particle collection by the BioSampler, which circumvents the need for PM extraction, constitutes a viable alternative for collecting concentrated particles for characterization of the oxidative properties of PM.     

Design and Calibration of the EPA PM2.5 Well Impactor Ninety-Six (WINS)

The EPA well impactor ninety-six (WINS) was designed and calibrated to serve as a particle size separation device for the EPA reference method sampler for particulate matter under 2.5     

A Macrophage-Based Method for the Assessment of the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Activity of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) and Application to Routine (Daily-24 h) Aerosol Monitoring Studies

Both short- and long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution have been demonstrated to cause increases in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disorders. Although the specific mechanisms by which exposure to PM cause these affects are unclear, significant evidence has accumulated to suggest that PM exposure leads to increased inflammation as the result of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in critical cell types. In order to better understand how real-world PM exposure causes adverse health effects, there is a need to efficiently integrate metrics of PM toxicity into large scale air monitoring and health effects/epidemiology studies. Here we describe a rapid, inexpensive, method that can be employed to assess the potential of sub-mg masses of PM to generate oxidative stress in alveolar macrophage cells. Importantly, the approach is compatible with routine daily PM sampling programs such as those administered by EPA (Speciation trends network (STN), IMPROVE network, PM2.5 mass monitoring network), allowing for multiple samples to be assessed simultaneously with low volumes and brief exposure periods. We apply the method to a set of water extracts of daily PM2.5 samples (25–350 μ g PM mass) collected in the Denver-Metro area. Variations in the magnitude of the ROS response observed between the samples were only partially explained by differences in mass loading, with the highest levels of ROS being observed in samples collected during the summer months. This assay provides a very useful tool that can be coupled with detailed chemical analysis and statistical models to work towards the goal of attributing PM toxicity to specific real-world chemical sources.     

大气颗粒物PM2.5中重金属的研究进展

大气颗粒物,特别是可吸入颗粒物(PM2.5)中含有的重金属通过呼吸进入人体后,会造成各种人体机能障碍,影响身体健康。这篇文章综述了大气颗粒物PM2.5中重金属的检测方法、来源、分布特征和化学形态分析方面的研究进展,并且对以后的研究方向进行了展望。     

PM1.0 and PM2.5 Characteristics in the Roadside Environment of Hong Kong

Daily mass concentrations of PM _1.0 (particles less than 1.0 μm in diameter), PM _2.5 (particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter), organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) were measured from January through May 2004 at a heavily trafficked sampling site in Hong Kong (PU). The average concentrations for PM _1.0 and PM _2.5 were 35.9 ± 12.4 μ g cm ^{? 3} and 52.3 ± 18.3 μ g cm ^{? 3} . Carbonaceous aerosols were the dominant species in fine particles, accounting for ～ 45.7% of PM _1.0 and ～ 44.4% of PM _2.5 . During the study period, seven fine-particle episodes occurred, due to the influence of long-range transport of air masses from mainland China. PM _1.0 and PM _2.5 responded in similar ways; i.e., with elevated mass and OC concentrations in those episode days. During the sampling period, PM _1.0 OC and EC generally behaved similarly to the carbonaceous aerosols in PM _2.5 , regardless of seasonal variations and influence by regional pollutions. The low and relatively constant OC/EC ratios in PM _1.0 and PM _2.5 indicated that vehicular emissions were major sources of carbonaceous aerosols. PM _1.0 and PM _2.5 had the same dominant sources of vehicular emissions in winter, while in spring PM _2.5 was more influenced by PM _{1 ? 2.5} (particles 1–2.5 μ m in diameter) that did not form from vehicle exhausts. Therefore, PM _1.0 was a better indicator for vehicular emissions at the Roadside Station.     

Large Particle Size Distribution in Five U.S. Cities and the Effect on a New Ambient Participate Matter Standard (PM10)

A mobile aerosol-sampling system was used to determine the large particle ambient aerosol size distribution (up to approximately 100 μm particle diameter) in five cities across the United States: Birmingham, Alabama; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Riverside, California. A mobile wide range aerosol classifier (WRAC) developed at the University of Florida was used. The study shows that any measurement of ambient particulate matter with a size-fractionating inlet sampler will be influenced by the ambient particle size distribution.

Mass distribution measurements determined by the WRAC were compared with mass measurements obtained simultaneously using TSP Hi-Vol and 15 μm cut-size inhalable particulate network samplers. Aerosol size-classification results showed the presence of a large particle mass mode at all sites sampled. The position and magnitude of the large particle mode varied and was not a simple function of concentration. The percentage of the total aerosol mass collected by the present EPA reference method high-volume air sampler varied from about 85 to 95%. The percentage of total aerosol mass less than 10 μm varied from about 50 to 90%, depending on the sampling location and sampling condition.     

Development of a Technology for Online Measurement of Total and Water-Soluble Copper (Cu) in PM2.5

A novel monitor for online, in situ measurement of copper (Cu) in ambient fine and ultrafine particulate matter (PM) was developed based on a recent published high flow rate aerosol-into-liquid collector. This aerosol-into-liquid collector operates at 200 L/min flow and collects particles directly as highly concentrated slurry samples. The Cu concentration in slurry samples is subsequently determined by a cupric ion selective electrode (ISE). Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the cupric ISE. The calibration curve of the cupric ISE was determined using Cu(NO₃)₂ standard solutions prepared by serial dilution. As part of the evaluation, the effects of ionic strength, temperature and pH of the aerosol slurry sample on the cupric ISE measurement were also evaluated. The Cu measurement system performance was evaluated by collecting and measuring samples of lab-generated Cu(NO₃)₂ aerosols with known mass concentration. Overall, very good agreement between the theoretical and measured Cu concentrations was obtained, corroborating the excellent high overall collection efficiency and measurement accuracy of the Cu measurement system. Field evaluations of the online Cu monitor demonstrated very good agreement for total and water-soluble Cu concentrations with measurements performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), suggesting that interferences from other components of particulate matter are minimal under real world sampling conditions. Moreover, the field tests indicated that the new online Cu monitor could achieve near-continuous collection and measurements (at 2–4 h intervals) for at least 4 to 7 days without any obvious shortcomings in its operation. Both laboratory and field evaluations of the online Cu monitor indicate that it is an effective and valuable technology for PM collection and characterization of Cu in ambient aerosols and provides the foundation for the wider use of ISE for metal analysis and speciation of aerosols.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

冬季重庆市主城区PM_(2.5)时空分布特征研究

利用2014年12月1日至2015年2月28日重庆市主城区17个国控点PM2.5的在线监测数据分析重庆市主城区冬季PM2.5的时间分布特征和空间分布特征。结果表明,冬季重庆市主城区周三PM2.5浓度最低,周六周日浓度最高;日变化趋势呈现两峰两谷,两峰分别出现在12时和21时,两谷出现在7时和16时,夜晚21时浓度最高,上午7时浓度最低;主城区东北部和西南部PM2.5浓度较高,西北和东南部浓度低。     

Source Allocation of Aliphatic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Particulate-Phase (PM10) in the City of Valdivia,Chile

The concentration and signature of n-alkanes (n-C₁₀ to n-C₃₃) and 18 PAHs were determined in air filters across a year period (2010) in an urban area of the city of Valdivia, Chile. Filter samples were extracted using sohxlet apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS techniques. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons ranged from 45–352 ng.m^?3 and total PAHs ranged from 2.93–78.01 ng.m^?3. Concentrations of hydrocarbons during the summer were high (288–352 ng.m^-3) and reduced when the autumn began (45–79 ng.m^?3) to then increase almost linearly to the next summer. The drop in concentration was attributed in part to the significant reduction of traffic when summer ends as tourists leave the city (about 9–15% of the total cars circulating). Results from the chemometric technique of Polytopic Vector Analysis (PVA) indicated three main sources for the alkanes: biogenic (terrestrial plants), signatures of oil combustion, and an unconfirmed source which is thought to come from non specific organic matter degradation. Total PAHs correlated well with total particulate matter with a R² = 0.94. Levels of PAHs in the atmosphere were higher during the winter (6.85–78.01 ng.m^?3) period than the rest of the year (2.93–36.30 ng.m^?3). PVA results indicate three key sources of PAHs and two of those sources derived from oil combustion and biomass burning.     

徐州市城郊雾霾天气中PM_(2.5)物化及微生物特征分析

选择雾霾天气对徐州市城郊大气PM_(2.5)采样,利用SEM/EDS对采集后PM_(2.5)颗粒物的物化特性进行分析,并利用DGGE法分析PM_(2.5)颗粒物上微生物的群落结构。结果表明:滤膜上PM_(2.5)大多为亚微米系颗粒物,颗粒物多数表面光滑无棱角,存在C、O、S、Si、Al、K、Na、Ca、Mg、Fe等元素;PM_(2.5)中的微生物种群分属于3个细菌类群:壁厚菌门,β变形细菌门和绿弯菌门。