scholarly journals Status of Air Pollution over the Last Three Decades in Thimphu City, Bhutan

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Govinda Prasad Sharma ◽  
Ramesh Prasad Sapkota ◽  
Enna Mool ◽  
Tulsi Gurung ◽  
Rejina Maskey Byanju
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Agriculture Residues ◽  
Ambient Concentration ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Legal Frameworks

With an increasing human population and vehicles, air pollution in Thimphu City is growing and causing a risk to human health, properties, and ecosystems. The population of Thimphu was 79,185 in 2005 but in 2017 it surged up to 114,551. An increase in the human population has also led to the rising demands for vehicles and thus increased the vehicular emissions in the area. Additionally, the use of traditional fuels, burning of waste and agriculture residues, forest fire, and transboundary pollutants are other sources resulting in poor air quality in Thimphu City. Air pollution data from journal articles, government documents, reports from national and international organizations, and books were reviewed. Concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 were increasing over the decades. The annual average PM10 recorded in Thimphu was 28 µg/m3 in 2005, 47 µg/m3 in 2010, 43 µg/m3 in 2014, and 42 µg/m3 in 2015. Winter months were found to have higher PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The 24-hourly average concentrations of SO2 ranged from 0.0 to 6.9 µg/m3 and NO2 8.2-26.6 µg/m3. There is a need for comprehensive studies to identify spatial and temporal variations in the ambient concentration of the pollutants in the area. Strict enforcement of the legal frameworks is essential for the mitigation of air pollution in Thimphu City.

scholarly journals Gaseous and particulate urban air pollution in the region of Vojvodina (Serbia)

2015 ◽  
pp. 87-97
Author(s):  
Slavica Malinovic-Milicevic ◽  
Dragutin Mihailovic ◽  
Emilija Nikolic-Djoric ◽  
Marija Jevtic
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Air Pollution ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Heating Season ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Calm Wind

The present study focuses on interpretations of the temporal variations and variations between urban locations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and black smoke (BS) during the period 2001-2008 in the Vojvodina Region of Serbia (VR_S). In this study we examined variations of pollutants concentrations during household heating and non-heating seasons and the effect of household heating, traffic, rainfall and wind speed on the air pollution levels of SO2, NO2 and BS in eight locations. The analyses showed that the annual limit values of these pollutants as recommended by the Serbian regulations and recommendations were not exceeded, unlike the daily limits. Higher SO2 concentrations during household heating season in four locations indicate the substantial impact of house?hold heating on air quality. Positive effects of the use of environmentally cleaner fuels were observed in only two locations. The growing impact of traffic on air pollution is shown by the increasing trend of NO2 during both seasons. Calm wind conditions and an absence of rainfall were found to have incremental effects on pollution levels in most locations.

scholarly journals Analysis of Temporal Variations of Air Pollutant Concentrations in Ogoni Area, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
B. Yorkor ◽  
T. G. Leton ◽  
J. N. Ugbebor
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Concentrations ◽  
Hourly Data ◽  
Air Pollutant Concentrations

This study investigated the temporal variations of air pollutant concentrations in Ogoni area, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The study used hourly data measured over 8 hours for 12 months at selected locations within the area. The analyses were based on time series and time variations techniques in Openair packages of R programming software. The variations of air pollutant concentrations by time of day and days of week were simulated. Hours of the day, days of the week and monthly variations were graphically simulated. Variations in the mean concentrations of air pollutants by time were determined at 95 % confidence intervals. Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground level Ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations exceeded permissible standards. Air pollutant concentrations showed increase in January, February, November and December compared to other months. Simulation showed that air pollutants varied significantly by hours-of-the-day and days-of-the-week and months-of-the-year. Analysis of temporal variability revealed that air pollutant concentrations increased during weekdays and decreased during weekends. The temporal variability of air pollutants in Ogoni area showed that anthropogenic activities were the main sources of air pollution in the area, therefore further studies are required to determine air pollutant dispersion pattern and evaluation the potential sources of air pollution in the area.

Note on Conquest and Cession

2021 ◽  
pp. 280-281
Author(s):  
Martin Wight
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Fifteenth Century ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
League Of Nations ◽  
European History ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
National Policies ◽  
Saving Face ◽  
Legal Frameworks

In this note Wight provided a brief survey of institutions for the conquest and cession of territories, illustrated by examples in European history since the fifteenth century. Some legal and political forms concealed de facto conquest and cession to spare the amour propre of the losing party and thereby minimize its humiliation. In some cases, enfeoffment combined conquest with continuing vassal status. Other methods of saving face and bargaining over status included granting an imperial vicariate, diplomatically evading the issue, camouflaging the cession, and making the cession conditional. Conquest and cession became more direct and undisguised with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, if not earlier. Since the eighteenth century, however, the consent of the residents of the territory to be ceded has become a more prominent issue. Since 1919 disregard for previous approaches to conquest and cession has led to new political and legal frameworks on recognition involving national policies such as the Stimson Doctrine, international treaties such as the Kellogg–Briand Pact, and international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations.

scholarly journals Rainwater Chemistry Reveals Air Pollution in a Karst Forest: Temporal Variations, Source Apportionment, and Implications for the Forest

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1315
Author(s):  
Jie Zeng ◽  
Guilin Han
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Rainwater Chemistry ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Karst Forest ◽  
Pmf Model

Temporal rainwater chemistry was used to reveal air pollution in the Maolan National Karst Forest Park (MNKFP), which is representative of the typical karst forest region of southwest China (SW China). The rainwater ions’ sources, variations, trends, and potential environmental effects were investigated from 2007 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2014. Based on the analysis of the temporal ionic concentrations of rainwater in the MNKFP, significant variations of ions were observed, including in NH4+ (9.7~266.6 μeq L−1) and SO42− (14.5~1396.4 μeq L−1), which were mainly controlled by variations in the source and rainfall amount; a decreased trend of rainwater pH was also observed. Accordingly, NH4+, Ca2+, SO42−, and Cl− were regarded as the most dominant ions. Typical ionic ratios and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model-based source apportionment suggested that anthropogenic inputs (coal combustion, industrial, traffic, and agricultural emissions) contributed 51% of F−, 93% of NO3−, 62% of SO42−, and 87% of NH4+, while the natural sources (crustal dust and sea salt) were the main sources of Cl− (74%), Na+ (82%), K+ (79%), Mg2+ (94%), and Ca2+ (93%). In combination with the reducing neutralization trend of temporal rainwater observed in the MNKFP and the potential effect of rainwater ion deposition on karst forests, more detailed monitoring of the rainfall-related deposition process is required for a better understanding of its potential environmental effects on the Earth’s surface.

scholarly journals Secondary organic aerosol enhanced by increasing atmospheric oxidizing capacity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), China

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Feng ◽  
Shuyu Zhao ◽  
Naifang Bei ◽  
Jiarui Wu ◽  
Suixin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Sensitivity Studies ◽  
Distribution Studies ◽  
And Control

Abstract. The implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in China since 2013 has profoundly altered the ambient pollutants in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH). Here we show observations of substantially increased O3 concentration (about 30 %) and a remarkable increase in the ratio of organic carbon (OC) to elemental carbon (EC) in BTH during the autumn from 2013 to 2015, revealing an enhancement in atmospheric oxidizing capacity (AOC) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. To explore the impacts of increasing AOC on the SOA formation, a severe air pollution episode from 3 to 8 October 2015 with high O3 and PM2.5 concentrations is simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The model performs reasonably well in simulating the spatial distributions of PM2.5 and O3 concentrations over BTH and the temporal variations of PM2.5, O3, NO2, OC, and EC concentrations in Beijing compared to measurements. Sensitivity studies show that the change in AOC substantially influences the SOA formation in BTH. A sensitivity case characterized by a 31 % O3 decrease (or 36 % OH decrease) reduces the SOA level by about 30 % and the SOA fraction in total organic aerosol by 17 % (from 0.52 to 0.43). Spatially, the SOA decrease caused by reduced AOC is ubiquitous in BTH, but the spatial relationship between SOA concentrations and the AOC is dependent on the SOA precursor distribution. Studies on SOA formation pathways further show that, when the AOC is reduced, the SOA from oxidation, partitioning of semi-volatile POA and co-emitted intermediate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) decreases remarkably, followed by those from anthropogenic and biogenic VOCs. Meanwhile, the SOA decrease in the irreversible uptake of glyoxal and methylglyoxal on aerosol surfaces is negligible.

scholarly journals Secondary organic aerosol enhanced by increasing atmospheric oxidizing capacity in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), China

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7429-7443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Feng ◽  
Shuyu Zhao ◽  
Naifang Bei ◽  
Jiarui Wu ◽  
Suixin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Volatile Organic

Abstract. The implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in China since 2013 has profoundly altered the ambient pollutants in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region. Here we show observations of substantially increased O3 concentrations (about 30 %) and a remarkable increase in the ratio of organic carbon (OC) to elemental carbon (EC) in BTH during the autumn from 2013 to 2015, revealing an enhancement in atmospheric oxidizing capacity (AOC) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. To explore the impacts of increasing AOC on the SOA formation, a severe air pollution episode from 3 to 8 October 2015 with high O3 and PM2.5 concentrations is simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The model performs reasonably well in simulating the spatial distributions of PM2.5 and O3 concentrations over BTH and the temporal variations in PM2.5, O3, NO2, OC, and EC concentrations in Beijing compared to measurements. Sensitivity studies show that the change in AOC substantially influences the SOA formation in BTH. A sensitivity case characterized by a 31 % O3 decrease (or 36 % OH decrease) reduces the SOA level by about 30 % and the SOA fraction in total organic aerosol by 17 % (from 0.52 to 0.43, dimensionless). Spatially, the SOA decrease caused by reduced AOC is ubiquitous in BTH, but the spatial relationship between SOA concentrations and the AOC is dependent on the SOA precursor distribution. Studies on SOA formation pathways further show that when the AOC is reduced, the SOA from oxidation and partitioning of semivolatile primary organic aerosol (POA) and co-emitted intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) decreases remarkably, followed by those from anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Meanwhile, the SOA decrease in the irreversible uptake of glyoxal and methylglyoxal on the aerosol surfaces is negligible.

scholarly journals Electron beam flue gas technology for SOx and NOx simultaneous removal: its process and chemistry evolution from power plants to diesel off-gas treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 933-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa A. Zwolinska ◽  
Yongxia Sun ◽  
Andrzej G. Chmielewski
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Gas Treatment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transportation Emissions ◽  
Flue Gas Treatment

AbstractEnvironmental pollution is one of the most important problems in present-day society. Governments and international organizations try to mitigate this problem by enforcing strict laws concerning the emission of certain pollutants. This process is especially rapidly applied concerning air pollution. In the past, the main focus was placed on the regulation of the energy sector and of land-based transportation emissions, as they produce the vast majority of pollutants. Today, the emphasis is shifted toward marine-based transportation, as it is anticipated that after the year 2020, the emission from sea-based sources (with respect to sulfur and nitrogen oxides) will exceed the land-based emission. One of the technologies that have been successfully implemented in industries to decrease the level of air pollution caused by NOx and SOx is electron beam flue gas treatment. This review shows the chemical principles of this method as well as the chemical engineering issues and its development and modifications to suit the changing needs of industries worldwide.

scholarly journals Adopting English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Brazil and Flanders (Belgium): a comparative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-146
Author(s):  
Felipe Furtado Guimarães ◽  
Marcelo Kremer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Local Support ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Teaching Learning

The objective of this study is to discuss the adoption of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in the Brazilian and Flemish contexts, considering the influence of globalization and internationalization on the languages in higher education. To reach this goal, a bibliographic research was carried out, in order to analyze documents related to language teaching/learning, including books, journals, government documents, official websites and reports from international organizations. Information collected comprised the data retrieved in Brazil and in Flanders, in order to generate discussions around challenges and opportunities for adopting EMI in these contexts. The study concludes that some actions are necessary for overcoming some challenges identified, such as the creation of local support units (for languages) at universities, for the preparation and implementation of EMI courses.  

"Some Imperial Institute": Architecture, Symbolism, and the Ideal of Empire in Late Victorian Britain, 1887-93

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Alex Bremner
Keyword(s):  
British Empire ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Symbolic Form ◽  
Victorian Britain ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Cultural Implications ◽  
Sociopolitical Context ◽  
Imperial Institute ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Architecture Analysis

This article explores the relationship between architecture and imperial idealism in late Victorian Britain. It traces the development of the Imperial Institute in the South Kensington section of London from conception to completion, considering the proposals that surrounded the scheme in relation to the sociopolitical context within which it emerged. Sources such as letters, guidebooks, newspapers, journal articles, official publications, and government documents are drawn upon; from them an interpretation of the building is offered that moves beyond issues concerning style and patronage to broader cultural implications. The institute evolved as a consequence of the changing circumstances then affecting British foreign and imperial affairs, and commonly held beliefs relating to empire were reflected in the building's architecture. Analysis of the leading ideas that shaped the scheme formally and spatially reveals that the edifice was intended to stand literally as an emblem of the apparent strength and unity of the British empire. The importance of the institute as an architectural idea, therefore, lies not only in its attempt to give symbolic form to a concept of empire that was at the heart of late Victorian concerns, but also in the way it sought to mark and distinguish London as the center and capital of that empire.

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