Preliminary study on air pollution source identification in Xinzhen,Beijing, using NAA and PIXE

A total of 178 aerosol samples in two size fractions, PM10-2.5 (coarse) and PM2.5 (fine), were collected on nucleopore films using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler at the Graduate School of China Nuclear Industrial Group during May 2007 to November of 2009. Black carbon was determined by a reflectometer. A total of 16 elements, Mg, Al, S, Si, P, Cl, Ca, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb, were determined by Particle Induced X-ray Emission. Mg, Al, Ca, K and Mn were also determined by Neutron Activation Analysis. Concentrations of all these elements were used to identify possible pollution sources and directions of the airborne particulate matter by means of softwares PMF and CPF. Some extraordinary events, such as sandstorms, firework and transboundary fire smoke were pinpointed by a combination of time series of multielement, relevant meteorological data and softwares Wind rose, Hysplit, and Google earth.     

Aerosol and air pollution study by neutron activation analysis

Thermal neutron activation analysis technique was used in air pollution and aerosol elemental content and size distribution investigations. Air pollution samples were collected on Whatman 41 paper filters which were activated along with known quantities of standards in a flux of ～10¹³ n·cm^?2·s^?1. The activity of the samples was measured with a 40 cm³ Ge(Li) detector and analyzed with the computer program JANE, which identified the isotopes and found their quantities by normalization with the standard measurement results. Correlation between the various elements, in particular those belonging to dust from the desert and those considered typical urban air pollution, is investigated.     

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of pollen as an indicator for atmospheric pollution

The viability of pollen is affected by environmental pollution and its use as a bio-indicator is proposed. Such effects can be observed and quantified by biological tests. However, a more accurate identification of the agents affecting the viability is required in order to validate the biological assay for environmental monitoring. The chemical analysis of pollen is meant to ascertain the existence of a correlation between its reduced biological functions and the presence of pollutants. Moreover, such biological systems act as accumulators and allow the detection and quantification of species present in the environment at low concentrations. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) has been chosen for the investigation due to its high sensitivity, multielement capability and wide dynamic range. Corylus avellana L. (hazel) pollen has been collected in areas with different anthropic impact in the province of Trento, Italy. For the TXRF measurements, a liquid sample is needed, especially if a quantitative analysis is required. In the present work, the analysis after a microwave digestion has been compared with the analysis of a suspension of the pollen samples. In both cases, an internal standard has been used for the quantification. The concentrations of 17 elements ranging from Al to Pb have been determined in 13 samples. Analysis of the suspensions showed to be comparable to that of digested samples in terms of spectral quality, but the latter preparation method gave better reproducibility. Sub-ppm lowest limits of detection were obtained for iron and heavier elements detected.     

A mass spectrometry study of alkanes in air plasma at atmospheric pressure

The positive APCI-mass spectra in air of linear (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane), branched [2,4-dimethylpentane, 2,2-dimethylpentane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (i-octane)], and cyclic (cyclohexane) alkanes were analyzed at different mixing ratios and temperatures. The effect of air humidity was also investigated. Complex ion chemistry is observed as a result of the interplay of several different reagent ions, including atmospheric ions O₂^+•, NO⁺, H₃O⁺, and their hydrates, but also alkyl fragment ions derived from the alkanes. Some of these reactions are known from previous selected ion/molecule reaction studies; others are so far unreported. The major ion formed from most alkanes (M) is the species [M − H]⁺, which is accompanied by M^+• only in the case of n-octane. Ionic fragments of C _n H_2n ^+1/+ composition are also observed, particularly with branched alkanes: the relative abundance of such fragments with respect to that of [M − H]⁺ decreases with increasing concentration of M, thus suggesting that they react with M via hydride abstraction. The branched C₇ and C₈ alkanes react with NO⁺ to form a C₄H₁₀NO⁺ ion product, which upon collisional activation dissociates via HNO elimination. The structure of t-Bu⁺(HNO) is proposed for such species, which is reasonably formed from the original NO⁺(M) ion/molecule complex via hydride transfer and olefin elimination. Finally, linear alkanes C₅–C₈ give a product ion corresponding to C₄H₇⁺(M), which we suggest is attributed to addition of [M − H]⁺ to C₄H₈ olefin formed in the charge-transfer-induced fragmentation of M. The results are relevant to applications of nonthermal plasma processes in the fields of air depuration and combustion enhancement.     

An indirect study of air pollution by neutron activation analysis of snow

Al, As, Br, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were determined in the soluble and insoluble fractions of snow which was collected at 6 differents sites in the Montreal area. From these data the variability coefficients and the enrichment factors were calculated and the probable sources of each element are discussed. The overall concentrations found in the snow were compared with the concentrations of these elements in the air sampled in the same area by high volume samplers. From these, the snow-out ratios for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V and Zn and their mean were calculated. They are equal to 3338, 3389, 2322, 526, 563, 2603 and 2913 m³/kg respectively.     

An experimental study of the electrospraying of water in air at atmospheric pressure

Water solutions with electrical conductivities ranging from that of the deionized water up to 2 S/m have been electrosprayed in air through narrow silica tubes. Results show unambiguously that steady cone jets of water in air without the assistance of glow discharge can be formed for the range of electrical conductivities we have explored. The absence of corona discharge has been proven not only for the good agreement between the experimental results and the scaling laws given in the cone-jet literature but also for the independence of the spray current on the atmosphere (air or CO(2)) in which water was being electrosprayed. Other regimes such as the electric dripping and the assisted glow discharge cone-jet mode that appear in the electrospraying of water in air at room temperature have also been investigated.     

Gas-chromatographic determination of alkylphenols in atmospheric air and the air of the working area

Sampling conditions are optimized in the determination of industrial alkylphenols (agidols) in atmospheric air and in the air of the working area using solid-phase preconcentration on Amberlite KhAD-7 and absorption by toluene. A procedure is developed for the gas-chromatographic determination of alkylphenols on their simultaneous presence in concentration ranges from 0.01 to 1 mg/m³ in atmospheric air and 0.1–50 mg/m³ in the air of the working area.     

Application of NAA to air particulate matter collected at thirteen sampling sites in eight Asian countries: A collaborative study

Air particulate matter (APM) samples (PM_2.5 and PM_10–2.5) were collected at 13 sampling points in 8 Asian countries and their chemical compositions were determined by using neutron activation analysis (NAA) with the k ₀-standardization method in addition to conventional comparative method of NAA. Analytical data showed that mass concentration and elemental composition of the APM collected are variable in terms of time and space, and are related to the characteristics of the sampling sites concerned. NAA was proved to be highly effective for the regional characterization of APM in chemical composition.     

Influence of air pollution on chronic obstructive respiratory diseases: comparison between city (Rome) and hillcountry environments and climates

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPDs) constitute a social problem of widespread interest. These diseases increase slowly and constantly. Air pollution and its impact on public health continually repropose certain absolute priorities, such as the pin-pointing of strategies to control the pollution sources, the planning of observational studies and the epidemic control. This work shows that a climate marked by always windy weather and low humidity and with low chemical pollutant concentrations (Pietracupa; Molise, Italy) is connected to smaller prevalence of COPDs in comparison with big cities like Rome. Living in non-polluted areas, the benefits of a healthy climate in terms of an improvement in breathing and bronchial hyperactivity reduction, may only in part be backed up by epidemic evidence; however, they are a solid base on which to build definite research projects which can effectively validate it even from an experimental point of view supported by statistics.     

The roles of heterogeneous chemical processes in the formation of an air pollution complex and gray haze

Urban and regional air pollutions are characterized by high concentrations of secondary pollutants such as photo-oxidants (mainly ozone) and fine particulate matter,which are formed through chemical reactions of the primary pollutants emitted from various sources.The accumulation of these pollutants under stagnant meteorological conditions results in the formation of gray haze,reducing visibility and causing major impacts on human health and climate.In an air pollution complex,the coexistence of high concen...     

大气复合污染及灰霾形成中非均相化学过程的作用

城市和区域大气复合污染的特征为污染源排放的一次污染物通过大气中的化学反应生成高浓度的氧化剂(臭氧等)及细颗粒物等二次污染物,它们在静稳天气下积累,导致低能见度的灰霾现象并严重影响人体健康和气候.大气复合污染中同时存在高浓度的一次排放和二次转化的气态及颗粒污染物,这为细颗粒表面非均相反应提供了充足的反应物;而气态污染物在细颗粒表面的非均相反应可改变大气氧化性及颗粒物的化学组分、物化性质和光学性质,从而可能对大气复合污染和灰霾的形成起到促进的作用.利用漫反射红外傅里叶变换光谱和单颗粒显微拉曼原位在线技术,我们对大气气态污染物NO2、SO2、O3、甲醛在CaCO3、高岭石、蒙脱石、NaCl、海盐、Al2O3和TiO2等大气主要颗粒物表面的反应进行了系统的反应动力学和机制研究,我们发现反应主要产物为硫酸盐、硝酸盐或甲酸盐,它们可极大改变颗粒物吸湿性和消光性质.通过分析这些非均相反应的动力学过程,我们识别出NO2-颗粒物-H2O、SO2-颗粒物-O3、有机物/SO2-颗粒物-光照等三元反应体系的协同作用机制,这些协同机制对于阐明大气复合污染及灰霾形成的反馈机制和非线性过程提供了实验证据和理论依据.     

Solid-liquid-liquid extraction as an approach to the sensitive detection of a hydrophobic pollutant through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide), a dimethyl dithiocarbamate fungicide, were recorded after the adsorption on plasmonic silver nanowires from a system of water, organic solvent and nanoparticles. As organic solvents dichloromethane and 1-octanol were involved. A method for measuring the adsorption constant of thiram as a model molecule to the silver surface by studying its partition phenomena in a binary solvent system is presented. The method is based on the extraction of a hydrophobic molecule from an organic solvent by an aqueous suspension of silver anisotropic nanoparticles. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of SERS methodology for the sensitive analysis of compounds with low aqueous solubility, and a reliable SERS spectrum of thiram was obtained with excellent signal/noise ratio at low concentrations. In addition, for vibrational assignments, Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used for the simulation of the Raman and SERS spectra of thiram and its complexes with silver considering the following two models: a single silver atom and an Ag₂₀ cluster.     

Field-portable flow-injection analysers for monitoring of air and water pollution

There has been a rapid growth in the development of field-portable analytical instrumentation capable of in-situ and real-time feedback of data from remote sites. Advances have been made in applications for many technologies aided by developments in electronics, computing and telecommunications systems. This report presents a brief review of these developments and particularly of portable flow-injection systems applied in both the liquid and gas phase modes of operation with potentiometric sensors and gas sensors of the tin-oxide semiconductor types.     

Sensitivity and uncertainty of reaction mechanisms for photochemical air pollution

A sensitivity/uncertainty analysis is performed on a mechanism describing the chemistry of the polluted troposphere. General features of the photochemical reaction system are outlined together with an assessment of the uncertainties associated with the formulations of mechanistic details and rate data. The combined effects of sensitivity and uncertainty are determined using the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) method. The results of this analysis identify the key parameters influencing the chemistry of NO₂, O₃, and PAN. Based on these findings, a series of recommendations are made for future experimental kinetic studies.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the needles of a Scotch pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.), a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution

A procedure was developed for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the needles of a Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which is characterized by the simple and efficient sample preparation. The procedure involves the steps of the extraction of PAH with n-hexane on ultrasonic irradiation, the precipitation of concomitant cereous components from the extract on its cooling, the purification of the PAH fraction on a cartridge with silica gel (0.5 g), and the redissolution of the concentrated eluate in methanol. The quantitative determination of PAH (15 compounds including 13 priority) with the use of chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selective ion detection mode exhibits the interlaboratory precision of the results of the PAH determination V _Rl = 0.059–0.088 for the concentration of PAH in needles from 0.3 to 600 ng/g and a detection limit of 0.06 ng/g (signal-to-noise ratio = 3; mass of the sample for extraction was 10 g). The accumulation levels of PAH in the Scotch pine needles were presented; the needles were first studied as a biomonitor of atmospheric pollution over the southern part of the Baikal natural territory.     

PIXE analysis of Tillandsia usneoides for air pollution studies at an industrial zone in Central Mexico

In order to find out if there is a relation between atmospheric particulate matter composition and human health effects, metals and other elements measurement are performed. Analysis of atmospheric aerosols collected in filters is the usual method to achieve this task. Biological monitors provide an advantageous alternative way of sampling, since there is no need of special sampling devices, and accumulation time can be as long as desired. In this study, Tillandsia usneoides a reliable air pollution biological monitor that occurs naturally throughout Mexico was used to monitor air quality of Tula–Tepeji corridor at central Mexico. This area is considered critical zone because of atmosphere contaminants high concentration. Some biomonitors were transplanted from a clean environment to four sites at the Tula corridor. Plants samples were collected every two weeks from February to April 2008. PM₁₀ sampling in filters was also performed simultaneously at three locations where T. usneoides was transplanted, for a comparison. Chemical composition was determined by PIXE. Results showed that T. usneoides incorporates anthropogenic elements reaching maximal levels after 6 to 10 weeks approximately. Since results obtained with biomonitors agree with those obtained with aerosol filters, T. usneoides could be employed as a first approximation to provide insights of the atmospheric pollution level previous to a detailed study using filters.     

Microbial growth and air pollution in carbonate rock weathering. Preliminary results of a in situ experimental study

Preliminary results on limestone weathering caused by air pollution and microbial colonization are presented in this study. Outdoor exposure experimental assays were performed on Scaglia limestone samples. Samples were exposed in two areas in Perugia (Italy) that differ for degree of urban air pollution. At different times of exposure, ranging from 1 to 12 months, microbial contamination and textural modifications of sampled surfaces were evaluated by microbiological procedures, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. After one year of exposure a significant fungal colonization and the presence of weathering products (i.e. gypsum) were detected on sampled surfaces.