scholarly journals Seasonal variations in PM10 inorganic composition in the Andean city

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasa Zalakeviciute ◽  
Katiuska Alexandrino ◽  
Yves Rybarczyk ◽  
Alexis Debut ◽  
Karla Vizuete ◽  
...  

Abstract Particulate matter (PM) is one of the key pollutants causing health risks worldwide. While the preoccupation for increased concentrations of these particles mainly depends on their sources and thus chemical composition, some regions are yet not well investigated. In this work the composition of chemical elements of atmospheric PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 µm), collected at the urban and suburban sites in high elevation tropical city, were chemically analysed during the dry and wet seasons of 2017–2018. A large fraction (~ 68%) of PM10 composition in Quito, Ecuador is accounted for by water-soluble ions and 16 elements analysed using UV/VIS spectrophotometer and Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to study a correlation between the chemical composition of urban pollution and meteorological parameters. The suburban area displays an increase in PM10 concentrations and natural elemental markers during the dry (increased wind intensity, resuspension of soil dust) season. Meanwhile, densely urbanized area shows increased total PM10 concentrations and anthropogenic elemental markers during the wet season, which may point to the worsened combustion and traffic conditions. This might indicate the prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory problems in motorized areas of the cities in the developing world.


2021 ◽  
Vol 316 ◽  
pp. 521-526
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Nosenko ◽  
Alexander V. Fetisov ◽  
Semen P. Kuznetsov

The article summarizes the results of the of the titanium alloy surface morphology and chemical composition study after grinding with a wheel of cubic boron nitride on a ceramic bond. The titanium alloy was treated using the method of cut-in grinding in the finishing mode using a synthetic water-soluble lubricant-cooling liquid that does not contain mineral oil. The research was carried out using the FEI Versa 3D LoVac electron microscope. Digital photos of the titanium alloy surface at different magnifications are given. Individual objects’ morphology allows us to identify them as wear products of abrasive tools. The chemical composition of the selected objects was studied by local x-ray spectral analysis. CBN crystals are partially or completely pressed into the treated surface and covered with a layer of the treated material. On the surface of CBN crystals, there are chemical elements that are part of the abrasive tool bond.



Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 847
Author(s):  
Hao Xiao ◽  
Hua-Yun Xiao ◽  
Zhong-Yi Zhang ◽  
Neng-Jian Zheng ◽  
Qin-kai Li ◽  
...  

Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium (SNA) are the dominant components of water-soluble ions (WSIs) in PM2.5, which are of great significance for understanding the sources and transformation mechanisms of PM2.5. In this study, daily PM2.5 samples were collected from September 2017 to August 2018 within the Guiyang urban area and the concentrations of the major WSIs in the PM2.5 samples were characterized. The results showed that the average concentration of SNA (SO42−, NO3−, NH4+) was 15.01 ± 9.35 μg m−3, accounting for 81.05% (48.71–93.76%) of the total WSIs and 45.33% (14.25–82.43%) of the PM2.5 and their possible chemical composition in PM2.5 was (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. The highest SOR (sulfur oxidation ratio) was found in summer, which was mainly due to the higher temperature and O3 concentrations, while the lowest NOR (nitrogen oxidation ratio) found in summer may ascribe to the volatilization of nitrates being accelerated at higher temperature. Furthermore, the nitrate formation was more obvious in NH4+-rich environments so reducing NH3 emissions could effectively control the formation of nitrate. The results of the trajectory cluster analysis suggested that air pollutants can be easily enriched over short air mass trajectories from local emission sources, affecting the chemical composition of PM2.5.



2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 10773-10797 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Shilling ◽  
Mikhail S. Pekour ◽  
Edward C. Fortner ◽  
Paulo Artaxo ◽  
Suzane de Sá ◽  
...  

Abstract. The Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon 2014/5) campaign, conducted from January 2014 to December 2015 in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, was designed to study the aerosol life cycle and aerosol–cloud interactions in both pristine and anthropogenically influenced conditions. As part of this campaign, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Gulfstream 1 (G-1) research aircraft was deployed from 17 February to 25 March 2014 (wet season) and 6 September to 5 October 2014 (dry season) to investigate aerosol and cloud properties aloft. Here, we present results from the G-1 deployments focusing on measurements of the aerosol chemical composition and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and aging. In the first portion of the paper, we provide an overview of the data and compare and contrast the data from the wet and dry season. Organic aerosol (OA) dominates the deployment-averaged chemical composition, comprising 80 % of the non-refractory PM1 aerosol mass, with sulfate comprising 14 %, nitrate 2 %, and ammonium 4 %. This product distribution was unchanged between seasons, despite the fact that total aerosol loading was significantly higher in the dry season and that regional and local biomass burning was a significant source of OA mass in the dry, but not wet, season. However, the OA was more oxidized in the dry season, with the median of the mean carbon oxidation state increasing from −0.45 in the wet season to −0.02 in the dry season. In the second portion of the paper, we discuss the evolution of the Manaus plume, focusing on 13 March 2014, one of the exemplary days in the wet season. On this flight, we observe a clear increase in OA concentrations in the Manaus plume relative to the background. As the plume is transported downwind and ages, we observe dynamic changes in the OA. The mean carbon oxidation state of the OA increases from −0.6 to −0.45 during the 4–5 h of photochemical aging. Hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA) mass is lost, with ΔHOA∕ΔCO values decreasing from 17.6 µg m−3 ppmv−1 over Manaus to 10.6 µg m−3 ppmv−1 95 km downwind. Loss of HOA is balanced out by formation of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA), with ΔOOA∕ΔCO increasing from 9.2 to 23.1 µg m−3 ppmv−1. Because hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA) loss is balanced by OOA formation, we observe little change in the net Δorg∕ΔCO values; Δorg∕ΔCO averages 31 µg m−3 ppmv−1 and does not increase with aging. Analysis of the Manaus plume evolution using data from two additional flights in the wet season showed similar trends in Δorg∕ΔCO to the 13 March flight; Δorg∕ΔCO values averaged 34 µg m−3 ppmv−1 and showed little change over 4–6.5 h of aging. Our observation of constant Δorg∕ΔCO are in contrast to literature studies of the outflow of several North American cities, which report significant increases in Δorg∕ΔCO for the first day of plume aging. These observations suggest that SOA formation in the Manaus plume occurs, at least in part, by a different mechanism than observed in urban outflow plumes in most other literature studies. Constant Δorg∕ΔCO with plume aging has been observed in many biomass burning plumes, but we are unaware of reports of fresh urban emissions aging in this manner. These observations show that urban pollution emitted from Manaus in the wet season forms less particulate downwind as it ages than urban pollution emitted from North American cities.



Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohao Zhang ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Min Zheng ◽  
Zhenyu Yan ◽  
Xufei Lu ◽  
...  

The present study aims to reveal the mechanism of element vaporization of Ti-6Al-4V alloy during selective laser melting (SLM). The equations of Redlich–Kister and the thermodynamics principles were employed to calculate the vaporization thermodynamics, which contributes to the obtaining the vaporization kinetic based on the Chapman-Enskog theory and the diffusion model. According to the achieved vaporization model, the elements with the most prominent tendency and flux to vaporize were distinguished. Moreover, the effect of the process parameters on the vaporization of Al and Ti is experimentally investigated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP) technology. The analyzed results of the chemical composition of the powders and builds show a great agreement with the kinetic results calculated by the vaporization model. Notably, the element vaporization can be curbed by regulating the laser energy input.



2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4222
Author(s):  
Bernadette Kirchsteiger ◽  
Magdalena Kistler ◽  
Thomas Steinkogler ◽  
Christopher Herzig ◽  
Andreas Limbeck ◽  
...  

In early 2017 high particulate matter (PM) levels were observed across mid-Europe, including Austria. Here we characterize PM pollution in the city of Graz during January to March 2017, a period with substantial exceedances (34 days) of the European Union (EU) PM10 short time limit value. This study evaluates whether the observed exceedances can be attributed to the accumulation of pollutants emitted by local sources or to a larger scale pollution episode including transport. The analyses are based on the ratios of PM10 concentrations determined at an urban and background site, and the analyses of chemical composition of PM2.5 samples (i.e., water soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, anhydro-sugars, humic-like substances, aluminum, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Source apportionment was realized using a macro-tracer model. Overall, the combination of different approaches (PM10 ratios, chemical composition, and macro-tracer derived source apportionment) enabled a conclusive identification of time periods characterized by the accumulation of emissions from local sources or regional pollution episodes.



2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 5069-5081 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Z. Xu ◽  
Q. Zhang ◽  
Z. B. Wang ◽  
G. M. Yu ◽  
X. L. Ge ◽  
...  

Abstract. Aerosol filter samples were collected at a high-elevation mountain observatory (4180 m a.s.l.) in the northeastern part of the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QXP) during summer 2012 using a low-volume sampler and a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). These samples were analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIs), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and total organic nitrogen (TON) to elucidate the size-resolved chemical composition of free tropospheric aerosols in the QXP region. The average mass concentration of the sum of the analyzed species in PM2.5 (particle matter) (WSIs + OC + EC + TON) was 3.74 μg sm−3, 36% of which was sulfate, 18% OC, 17 % nitrate, 10% ammonium, 6.6% calcium, 6.4% TON, 2.6% EC, 1.5 % sodium, 0.9% chloride, 0.5% magnesium, and 0.3% potassium. The size distributions of sulfate and ammonium peaked in the accumulation mode (0.32–0.56 μm), whereas the size distributions of both nitrate and calcium peaked in the range of 1.8–3.2 μm, suggesting the formation of nitrate on mineral dust. OC, EC and TON were also predominantly found in the accumulation mode. The bulk chemical composition and the average oxidation degree of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) were assessed using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). WSOM was found to be highly oxidized in all PM2.5 samples with an average oxygen-to-carbon atomic ratio (O / C) of 1.16 and an organic mass-to-organic carbon ratio (OM / OC) of 2.75. The highly oxidized WSOM was likely related to active cloud processing during upslope air mass transport coupled with strongly oxidizing environments caused by snow/ice photochemistry. High average ratios of OC / EC (7.6) and WSOC / OC (0.79) suggested that organic aerosols were primarily made of secondary species. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was estimated on average accounting for 80% (62–96%) of the PM2.5, indicating that SOA is an important component of free tropospheric aerosols over the northern QXP.



Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1180
Author(s):  
Jingqiao Zhang ◽  
Han Wang ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
Wenwen Ding ◽  
Ruize Liu ◽  
...  

Analysis of chemical composition characteristics of PM2.5 under different pollution degrees can reveal the changes of pollution sources. In order to make clear the evolution process of PM2.5 compositions in autumn and winter, PM2.5 samples were continuously collected and analyzed at Liaocheng city, China. The collected samples were classified as clean days (CLD), mild-moderate pollution days (MMD) and severe-serious pollution days (SSD). It was concluded that with the increase of pollution degrees, the concentrations of water-soluble ions and carbon components increased significantly, while elements only increased slightly. In addition, as the pollution degrees increased, the percentage of NO3−, SO42− and NH4+ increased significantly, from 23.0% in CLD to 49.0% in SSD, while the percentage of other components decreased, especially crust material. The PMF analyzed results showed that secondary transformation (36.7%), combustion sources (20.4%), secondary organic aerosols (SOA) (11.7%), vehicle sources (11%), dust (10.5%) and industrial processes (9.7%) were the main sources of PM2.5 during autumn and winter in Liaocheng. The contribution of secondary transformation reached 57% at the SSD level, which indicated that it was the main reason for the increase of PM2.5 concentrations. The air mass mainly came from five paths to Liaocheng. The secondary transformation contribution of the air mass with short transmission distance was higher, while the contribution of the dust was higher from the long distance.



Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankang Liu ◽  
Honglei Wang ◽  
Yi Cui ◽  
Lijuan Shen ◽  
Yan Yin ◽  
...  

Particle size distribution, water soluble ions, and black carbon (BC) concentration in a long-term haze-fog episode were measured using a wide-range particle spectrometer (WPS), a monitor for aerosols and gases (MARGA), and an aethalometer (AE33) in Nanjing from 16 to 27 November, 2018. The observation included five processes of clean, mist, mix, haze, and fog. Combined with meteorological elements, the HYSPLIT model, and the IMPROVE model, we analyzed the particle size distribution, chemical composition, and optical properties of aerosols in different processes. The particle number size distribution (PNSD) in five processes differed: It was bimodal in mist and fog and unimodal in clean, mix, and haze. The particle surface area size distribution (PSSD) in different processes showed a bimodal distribution, and the second peak of the mix and fog processes shifted to a larger particle size at 480 nm. The dominant air masses in five processes differed and primarily originated in the northeast direction in the clean process and the southeast direction in the haze process. In the mist, mix, and fog processes local air masses dominated. NO3− was the primary component of water soluble ions, with the lowest proportion of 45.6% in the clean process and the highest proportion of 53.0% in the mix process. The ratio of NH4+ in the different processes was stable at approximately 23%. The ratio of SO42− in the clean process was 26.2%, and the ratio of other processes was approximately 20%. The average concentration of BC in the fog processes was 10,119 ng·m−3, which was 3.55, 1.80, 1.60, and 1.46 times that in the processes of clean, mist, mix, and haze, respectively. In the different processes, BC was primarily based on liquid fuel combustion. NO3−, SO42−, and BC were the main contributors to the atmospheric extinction coefficient and contributed more than 90% in different processes. NO3− contributed 398.43 Mm−1 in the mix process, and SO42− and BC contributed 167.90 Mm−1 and 101.19 Mm−1, respectively, during the fog process.



Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1697
Author(s):  
Lucien Reclaru ◽  
Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean ◽  
Catalin Adrian Miu ◽  
Alexandru Florian Grecu

Generally speaking, ceramic materials are insensitive to corrosion, compared to most other materials. The present study questions the fact that ceramics are inert. Two major aspects are to be considered: the stability of zirconia over time, the stable tetragonal phase transforming into an unstable monoclinic form; the multitude of manufacturing methods, using various additives, sintering additives, oxides mixing, impurities, grain boundaries, and porosities which strongly influence the corrosion behavior and chemical degradation. In case of the investigated ceramics two paths were pursued:a) Dissolutions of ceramics in a mixture of HNO3 60% and HF 40% ultrapure medium.b) Release of cations from ceramics in various mediums:dental bioceramics in a 0.07 M HCl medium and a 0.1% NaF+0.1% KF medium; ceramics used in jewelry and watchmaking applications in a HCl 0.07 M medium and an artificial sweat medium. By inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/MS), traces of significant chemical elements were assessed: Hf, Cr, Y, As, Pb, Al, Fe, Cu, Se, Sb, La, Ni, Co, Sb, Ta, Te, Ba, Sm, Nb, Hg, Cd, Sr, As and Se. In ceramics used in jewelry and watchmaking applications the concentrations found vary from one ceramic to another, including toxic elements such as Te, Ba, As, Pb, Sm, Hg and Cd, therefore being technical zirconia ceramics which are not intended for the medical field. For ceramics used in jewelry and watchmaking applications a screening identification test for Ni, Co, Cu and Fe with strips of type Merckoquant® (Merck, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) was also performed. The obtained data prove that the zirconia ceramics in question are far from being “inert”.



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