scholarly journals Particle Size Analysis of African Dust Haze over the Last 20 Years: A Focus on the Extreme Event of June 2020

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Lovely Euphrasie-Clotilde ◽  
Thomas Plocoste ◽  
France-Nor Brute
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Extreme Event ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Over the last decades, the impact of mineral dust from African deserts on human health and climate has been of great interest to the scientific community. In this paper, the climatological analysis of dusty events of the past 20 years in the Caribbean area has been performed using a particulate approach. The focus is made on June 2020 extreme event dubbed “Godzilla”. To carry out this study, different types of data were used (ground-based, satellites, model, and soundings) on several sites in the Caribbean islands. First, the magnitude of June 2020 event was clearly highlighted using satellite imagery. During the peak of this event, the value of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μμm (PM10) reached a value 9 times greater than the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization in one day. Thereafter, the PM10, the aerosol optical depth, and the volume particle size distribution analyses exhibited their maximum values for June 2020. We also highlighted the exceptional characteristics of the Saharan air layer in terms of thickness and wind speed for this period. Finally, our results showed that the more the proportion of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μμm (PM2.5) in PM10 increases, the more the influence of sea salt aerosols is significant.

scholarly journals Impact of wildfires on particulate matter in the Euro-Mediterranean in 2007: sensitivity to the parameterization of emissions in air quality models

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Majdi ◽  
Solene Turquety ◽  
Karine Sartelet ◽  
Carole Legorgeu ◽  
Laurent Menut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fire Emissions ◽  
Fire Plumes ◽  
Emissions Modeling ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. This study examines the uncertainties on air quality modeling associated with the integration of wildfire emissions in chemistry-transport models (CTMs). To do so, aerosol concentrations during the summer 2007, which was marked by severe fire episodes in the Euro-Mediterranean region especially in Balkan (20–31 July 2007, 24–30 August 2007) and Greece (24–30 August 2007), are analysed. Through comparisons to observations from surface networks and satellite remote sensing, we evaluate the abilities of two CTMs, Polyphemus/Polair3D and CHIMERE, to simulate the impact of fires on the regional particulate matter (PM) concentrations and optical properties. During the two main fire events, fire emissions may contribute up to 90 % of surface PM2.5 concentrations, with a significant regional impact associated with long-range transport. Good general performances of the models and a clear improvement of PM2.5 and aerosol optical depth (AOD) are shown when fires are taken into account in the models with high correlation coefficients. Two sources of uncertainties are specifically analysed in terms of surface PM concentrations and AOD using sensitivity simulations: secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from intermediate and semi-volatile organic compounds (I/S-VOCs) and emissions' injection heights. The analysis highlights that surface PM2.5 concentrations are highly sensitive to injection heights (with a sensitivity that can be as high as 50 % compared to the sensitivity for I/S-VOCs emissions which is lower than 30 %). However, AOD which is vertically integrated is less sensitive to the injection heights (mostly below 20 %), but highly sensitive to I/S-VOCs emissions (with sensitivity that can be as high as 40 %). The maximum dispersion, which quantifies uncertainties related to fire emissions modeling, is up to 75 % for PM2.5 in Balkan and Greece, and varies between 36 and 45 % for AOD above fire regions. The simulated number of daily exceedance of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for PM2.5 over the considered region reaches 30 days in regions affected by fires and ∼ 10 days in fire plumes which is slightly underestimated compared to available observations. The maximum dispersion (σ) on this indicator is also large (with σ reaching 15 days), showing the need for better understanding of the transport and evolution of fire plumes in addition to fire emissions.

scholarly journals A review of particulate matter emissions and impacts on human health: A focus on Canadian agricultural and rural emission sources

2018 ◽  
pp. 6.09-6.21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Spencer ◽  
Bill Van Heyst
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Inorganic Aerosols ◽  
Particulate Matter Emissions ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Particulate matter (PM) has been documented in an increasing number of research studies as having a known or suspected negative impact on human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.1 million deaths were caused by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2010. While many Canadian studies focus on health impacts from PM2.5, there is a gap with respect to rural sourced PM2.5 and health impacts in these areas. This paper reviews the impact PM2.5 has on Canadians’ health, investigates where PM2.5 data is being gathered, and outlines the sources of PM2.5 reported. Secondary inorganic aerosols that are formed in and around animal production facilities due to the higher prevalence of ammonia gas is of particular interest. The conclusion drawn is that the reporting and gathering of rural sourced PM2.5 data is lacking, leading to a gap in the data used to determine the impacts on Canadian human health.

scholarly journals Road Verge Vegetation and the Capture of Particulate Matter Air Pollution

Environments ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Lory Sillars-Powell ◽  
Matthew J. Tallis ◽  
Mike Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Deposition Velocity ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Road Verge

Urban air quality is considered a major issue in cities worldwide, with particulate matter (PM) recognised as one of the most harmful pollutants regarding human health. The use of plants to act as air filters and immobilise PM has been identified as a potential method to improve the air quality in these areas. The majority of the work has focused on trees, with the application of shrub and herbaceous species largely overlooked. Two contrasting leaf morphologies from a shrub and herbaceous plant species were sampled at four locations across Southampton (UK), from varying traffic conditions. Samples were analysed for the mass of PM captured, particle size, and elemental composition. These analyses were used to characterise the different sites and the plants’ effectiveness at immobilisation of PM. Captured PM mass was shown to be directly related to traffic density, with greater traffic density leading to higher levels of captured PM. PM origins were attributed to emissions from vehicles and the resuspension of particles by vehicle movement. The bulk of the PM mass was shown to originate from natural, crustal sources including large proportions of Al, Si, and/or Ca. Increases in elements from anthropogenic enhancement (such as Fe and Zn) were related to high traffic density. Particle size analysis identified that, despite the use of standard leaf-washing protocols with a final 2.5 µm filter, PM was dominated by fine particles (<2.5 µm physical diameter), with particles >10 µm rare. Bramble leaves were calculated to have a species-specific deposition velocity 0.51 cm s−1 greater than ivy, with deposition velocities calculated at 1.8 and 1.3 cm s−1 for ivy and 2.3 and 1.8 cm s−1 for bramble at Redbridge Road and Brinton’s Road, respectively. These values can allow for the more accurate modelling and estimation of the PM removal abilities of these plants.

scholarly journals PARTICULATE MATTER AIR POLLUTION EFFECTS ON THE INCIDENCE OF HEART DISEASES AMONG THE URBAN POPULATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Tabakaev ◽  
G. V. Artamonova
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pollution Effects ◽  
Air Pollution Effects ◽  
Human Cardiovascular System ◽  
Clear Delineation ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Progression Of Atherosclerosis

Increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases induces an urgent need to identify and clear delineation of the most important risk factors for the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Unlike the second part of XXth century, today the World Health Organization considers particulate matter ambient pollution one of the most important predictors of cardiovascular events. However, results of similar studies conducted in the last decades, is highly fragmented. The authors’ objective was to try to understand and organize this massive of accumulated information and analyze it to draw conclusions about the impact of particulate matter on the functioning of human cardiovascular system.

scholarly journals Five-Year Analysis of Air Pollution in Istanbul Including Also the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilüfer Aykaç ◽  
Pınar Pazarlı Bostan ◽  
Sabri Serhan Olcay ◽  
Berker Öztürk
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Oxide ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
World Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION: Particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen oxide compounds are the main air pollutants. The purpose of this research is to analyze the five-year air quality of Istanbul and examine the effect of movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on pollutants. METHODS: The public data of the National Air Quality Observation Network has been utilized. The research has been conducted based on the five-year daily averages of PM10, NO2, and NOx pollutants for Istanbul between 2016 - 2020. The data of stations which measured for 75% and more throughout the year has been used. The effect of lockdowns enforced due to COVID-19 was revealed by comparing data of pollutants from April and May of 2020 to the same period in 2019. RESULTS: There were 12 stations between 2016 – 2018, and 39 stations in 2019 and 2020 which measured particulate matter and nitrogen oxide compounds. Only 9 stations reached the standard of measuring pollution for 75% and more throughout the year. The PM10, NO2, and NOx levels measured by all the 9 stations between 2016 - 2020 are above the limit values set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The lockdowns in 2020 have not been helping improvements in air pollution issue. However, there have been regressions of 33.4%, 59.6%, and 52.6% in the overall average particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide concentrations during the lockdowns between 23-26 of April, 1-3 of May, and 23-26 of May, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The air pollution issue in Istanbul has not improved in a meaningful and significant manner for the last five years. There is a significant deficiency in measuring traffic pollution. It has been found that two days long lockdowns and physical movement restrictions due to COVID-19 have significantly contributed to a significant regression in the overall concentration of air pollutants.

STOMACH CONTENTS AND MICROFEEDING OF SOME COMMON CIRRIPEDES

1959 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Small Particles ◽  
Pooled Sample

An account is given of the stomach contents of some common barnacles; these include both intertidal and sublittoral species. The contents reflect to some extent the environment, species taken from the same place at the same time having similar contents. With some species, a particle size analysis was possible on a pooled sample of stomach contents. It is evident that much debris is present, and that particulate matter with a diameter less than 2 μ can be taken. Detritus may be an important source of nutriment with sublittoral species. Small particles cannot be taken by the captorial activity of the cirri. It is considered that glandular secretions at the base of the cirri, where there are numerous setae, enmesh the food, which is then carried forward to the mouth parts to be rejected or accepted.

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