Indicators of Natural and Anthropogenic Emission Source Impact

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Cecinato ◽  
Alessandro Bacaloni ◽  
Paola Romagnoli ◽  
Mattia Perilli ◽  
Catia Balducci
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate ◽  
Molecular Fingerprints ◽  
Chemical Signature ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Organic Halides ◽  
Source Markers

Abstract The composition of organic fraction released in emissions varies with its nature and contour conditions; hence, the chemical signature of atmospheric particulate matter and dusts are investigated to identify the pollution sources and assess the respective aftermaths on environment and health. For this purpose, three complementary tools are usually adopted, i.e. specific source markers, concentration ratios of pairs of congeners, and percent distribution profiles of homologues (including derived “carbon preference indexes”). This paper provides an overview of investigations dealing with chemical signature of emission sources, applied to non-polar aliphatic (alkanes), aromatic (PAHs, Nitro-PAHs) and polar (fatty acids, organic halides, polysaccharides) organics affecting atmospheric particulate matter and deposition dust. Despite a rich literature is nowadays available, further investigations seem necessary to clarify the nature, sources and behaviors of mid-volatile, non-polar organic contaminants. More sophisticated investigations have gained importance recently (principal component analysis, source factorization modelling), nevertheless molecular fingerprints remain suitable to draw primary insights about the nature and impact of sources of environmental pollution.

scholarly journals Toxic Organic Contaminants in Airborne Particles: Levels, Potential Sources and Risk Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4352
Author(s):  
Donatella Pomata ◽  
Patrizia Di Filippo ◽  
Carmela Riccardi ◽  
Federica Castellani ◽  
Giulia Simonetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Airborne Particulate Matter ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Emission Source ◽  
Size Fractions

In the last years, many studies have focused on risk assessment of exposure of workers to airborne particulate matter (PM). Several studies indicate a strong correlation between PM and adverse health outcomes, as a function of particle size. In the last years, the study of atmospheric particulate matter has focused more on particles less than 10 μm or 2.5 μm in diameter; however, recent studies identify in particles less than 0.1 μm the main responsibility for negative cardiovascular effects. The present paper deals with the determination of 66 organic compounds belonging to six different classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the ultrafine, fine and coarse fractions of PM (PM < 0.1 µm; 0.1 < PM < 2.5 µm and 2.5 < PM < 10 µm) collected in three outdoor workplaces and in an urban outdoor area. Data obtained were analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA), in order to underline possible correlation between sites and classes of pollutants and characteristic emission sources. Emission source studies are, in fact, a valuable tool for both identifying the type of emission source and estimating the strength of each contamination source, as useful indicator of environment healthiness. Moreover, both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were determined in order to estimate human health risk associated to study sites. Risk analysis was carried out evaluating the contribution of pollutant distribution in PM size fractions for all the sites. The results highlighted significant differences between the sites and specific sources of pollutants related to work activities were identified. In all the sites and for all the size fractions of PM both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values were below acceptable and safe levels of risks recommended by the regulatory agencies.

scholarly journals Use of Chemical Signature to Trace the Impact of Emission Sources

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Cecinato ◽  
Alessandro Bacaloni ◽  
Paola Romagnoli ◽  
Mattia Perilli ◽  
Catia Balducci
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Airborne Particulate Matter ◽  
Molecular Signature ◽  
Particulate Emissions ◽  
Airborne Particulate ◽  
Organic Fraction ◽  
Chemical Signature ◽  
Source Markers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The composition of organic fraction associated to particulate emissions depends on their nature as well as on contour conditions. Therefore, many Authors have investigated the chemical signature of airborne particulate matter and dusts with the goal of identifying the pollution sources and assessing their impact on the environment and health. Usually, Authors use three complementary tools for this goal; they are specific source markers, concentration ratios of pairs of congeners, and percent distributions of homologues within a group. After the presentation of the state-of-the-art about non-polar aliphatic (alkanes and alkenes), aromatic (PAHs, Nitro-PAHs) and polar (fatty acids, organic halides, polysaccharides) compounds associated to emissions, this paper provides new information with regard to chemical signature non-polar fraction, suitable to trace the impact of sources on airborne particulate matter and settled dust. Non-polar organic fraction comprises short/medium-chain alkenes and alkanes (with carbon numbers ranging from 12 to 23), which display distinct relative abundances in petrol-derived exhausts, microorganism residues and high vegetation leaf debris. Meanwhile, long-chain alkanes associated to tobacco smoke show a peculiar iso/anteiso/normal homologues fingerprint as well as n-hentriacontane percentages higher than other emissions. Based on this particular alkane distribution, two indexes (ATSR and AICR) have tentatively identified and tested though comparing their rates in some sets of particulate samples. Until now, the study of molecular signature has overall limited to qualitative purposes and seldom exploited to achieve quantitative estimates of contributions of sources to air pollution. Future investigations will reach this goal through further clarifying the nature and behavior of organic contaminants associated to airborne and settled particulate matters.

scholarly journals PAHs concentration and toxicity in organic solvent extracts of atmospheric particulate matter and sea sediments

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriatsu Ozaki ◽  
Shin-ya Takeuchi ◽  
Keisuke Kojima ◽  
Tomonori Kindaichi ◽  
Toshiko Komatsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Solvent ◽  
Vibrio Fischeri ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Isomer Ratio ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate ◽  
Pahs Concentration

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the toxicity to marine bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) were measured for the organic solvent extracts of sea sediments collected from an urban watershed area (Hiroshima Bay) of Japan and compared with the concentrations and toxicity of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). In atmospheric PM, the PAHs concentration was highest in fine particulate matter (FPM) collected during cold seasons. The concentrations of sea sediments were 0.01–0.001 times those of atmospheric PM. 1/EC50 was 1–10 L g−1 PM for atmospheric PM and 0.1–1 L g−1 dry solids for sea sediments. These results imply that toxic substances from atmospheric PM are diluted several tens or hundreds of times in sea sediments. The ratio of the 1/EC50 to PAHs concentration ((1/EC50)/16PAHs) was stable for all sea sediments (0.1–1 L μg−1 16PAHs) and was the same order of magnitude as that of FPM and coarse particulate matter (CPM). The ratio of sediments collected from the west was more similar to that of CPM while that from the east was more similar to FPM, possibly because of hydraulic differences among water bodies. The PAHs concentration pattern analyses (principal component analysis and isomer ratio analysis) were conducted and the results showed that the PAHs pattern in sea sediments was quite different to that of FPM and CPM. Comparison with previously conducted PAHs analyses suggested that biomass burning residues comprised a major portion of these other sources.

scholarly journals Effects of urban atmospheric particulate matter on higher plants using Lycopersicon esculentum as model species

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Hubai ◽  
Nora Kováts ◽  
Gábor Teke
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Treatment Experiment

AbstractAtmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the major environmental concerns in Europe. A wide range of studies has proved the ecotoxic potential of atmospheric particles. PM exerts chemical stress on vegetation by its potentially toxic constituents; however, relatively few studies are available on assessing phytotoxic effects under laboratory conditions. In our study, aqueous extract of particulate matter was prepared and used for treatment. Experiment was following the procedure defined by the No. 227 OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals: Terrestrial Plant Test. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were used; elucidated toxicity was assessed based on morphological and biochemical endpoints such as biomass, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, carotenoids, and protein content. Biomass reduction and protein content showed a clear dose–effect relationship; the biomass decreased in comparison with the control (100%) in all test groups (TG) at a steady rate (TG1: 87.73%; TG2: 71.77%; TG3: 67.01%; TG4: 63.63%). The tendency in protein concentrations compared to the control was TG1: 113.61%; TG2: 148.21% TG3: 160.52%; TG4: 157.31%. However, pigments showed a ‘Janus-faced’ effect: nutrient content of the sample caused slight increase at lower doses; actual toxicity became apparent only at higher doses (chlorophyll-a concentration decrease was 84.47% in TG4, chlorophyll-b was 77.17%, and finally, carotene showed 83.60% decrease in TG4).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document