scholarly journals Remarkable dynamics of nanoparticles in the urban atmosphere

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 6623-6637 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dall'Osto ◽  
A. Thorpe ◽  
D. C. S. Beddows ◽  
R. M. Harrison ◽  
J. F. Barlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Number Count ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

Abstract. Nanoparticles emitted from road traffic are the largest source of respiratory exposure for the general public living in urban areas. It has been suggested that adverse health effects of airborne particles may scale with airborne particle number, which if correct, focuses attention on the nanoparticle (less than 100 nm) size range which dominates the number count in urban areas. Urban measurements of particle size distributions have tended to show a broadly similar pattern dominated by a mode centred on 20–30 nm diameter emitted by diesel engine exhaust. In this paper we report the results of measurements of particle number concentration and size distribution made in a major London park as well as on the BT Tower, 160 m aloft. These measurements taken during the REPARTEE project (Regents Park and BT Tower experiment) show a remarkable shift in particle size distributions with major losses of the smallest particle class as particles are advected away from the traffic source. In the Park, the traffic related mode at 20–30 nm diameter is much reduced with a new mode at <10 nm. Size distribution measurements also revealed higher number concentrations of sub-50 nm particles at the BT Tower during days affected by higher turbulence as determined by Doppler Lidar measurements and are indicative of loss of nanoparticles from air aged during less turbulent conditions. These results are suggestive of nanoparticle loss by evaporation, rather than coagulation processes. The results have major implications for understanding the impacts of traffic-generated particulate matter on human health.

scholarly journals Remarkable dynamics of nanoparticles in the urban atmosphere

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 30651-30689 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dall'Osto ◽  
A. Thorpe ◽  
D. C. S. Beddows ◽  
R. M. Harrison ◽  
J. F. Barlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Number Count ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

Abstract. Nanoparticles emitted from road traffic are the largest source of respiratory exposure for the general public living in urban areas. It has been suggested that the adverse health effects of airborne particles may scale with the airborne particle number, which if correct, focuses attention on the nanoparticle (less than 100 nm) size range which dominates the number count in urban areas. Urban measurements of particle size distributions have tended to show a broadly similar pattern dominated by a mode centred on 20–30 nm diameter particles emitted by diesel engine exhaust. In this paper we report the results of measurements of particle number concentration and size distribution made in a major London park as well as on the BT Tower, 160 m high. These measurements taken during the REPARTEE project (Regents Park and BT Tower experiment) show a remarkable shift in particle size distributions with major losses of the smallest particle class as particles are advected away from the traffic source. In the Park, the traffic related mode at 20–30 nm diameter is much reduced with a new mode at <10 nm. Size distribution measurements also revealed higher number concentrations of sub-50 nm particles at the BT Tower during days affected by higher turbulence as determined by Doppler Lidar measurements and indicate a loss of nanoparticles from air aged during less turbulent conditions. These results suggest that nanoparticles are lost by evaporation, rather than coagulation processes. The results have major implications for understanding the impacts of traffic-generated particulate matter on human health.

scholarly journals Particle number size distributions in urban air before and after volatilisation

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 4643-4660 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Birmili ◽  
K. Heinke ◽  
M. Pitz ◽  
J. Matschullat ◽  
A. Wiedensohler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Volume Concentration ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Particulate Emissions ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Before And After

Abstract. Aerosol particle number size distributions (size range 0.003–10 μm) in the urban atmosphere of Augsburg (Germany) were examined with respect to the governing anthropogenic sources and meteorological factors. The two-year average particle number concentration between November 2004 and November 2006 was 12 200 cm−3, i.e. similar to previous observations in other European cities. A seasonal analysis yielded twice the total particle number concentrations in winter as compared to summer as consequence of more frequent inversion situations and enhanced particulate emissions. The diurnal variations of particle number were shaped by a remarkable maximum in the morning during the peak traffic hours. After a mid-day decrease along with the onset of vertical mixing, an evening concentration maximum could frequently be observed, suggesting a re-stratification of the urban atmosphere. Overall, the mixed layer height turned out to be the most influential meteorological parameter on the particle size distribution. Its influence was even greater than that of the geographical origin of the prevailing synoptic-scale air mass. Size distributions below 0.8 μm were also measured downstream of a thermodenuder (temperature: 300 °C), allowing to retrieve the volume concentration of non-volatile compounds. The balance of particle number upstream and downstream of the thermodenuder suggests that practically all particles >12 nm contain a non-volatile core while additional nucleation of particles smaller than 6 nm could be observed after the thermodenuder as an interfering artifact of the method. The good correlation between the non-volatile volume concentration and an independent measurement of the aerosol absorption coefficient (R2=0.9) suggests a close correspondence of the refractory and light-absorbing particle fractions. Using the "summation method", an average diameter ratio of particles before and after volatilisation could be determined as a function of particle size. The results indicated that particles >60 nm contain a significantly higher fraction of non-volatile compounds, most likely black carbon, than particles <60 nm. The results are relevant for future health-related studies in that they explore the size distribution and time-dependent behaviour of the refractory component of the urban aerosol over an extended time period.

scholarly journals Contribution of traffic-originated nanoparticle emissions to regional and local aerosol levels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miska Olin ◽  
David Patoulias ◽  
Heino Kuuluvainen ◽  
Jarkko V. Niemi ◽  
Topi Rönkkö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Total Particle Number ◽  
Total Particle

Abstract. Sub-50 nm particles originating from traffic emissions pose risks to human health due to their high lung deposition efficiency and potentially harmful chemical composition. We present a modelling study using an updated EUCAARI number emission inventory, incorporating a more realistic, empirically justified particle size distribution (PSD) for sub-50 nm particles from road traffic. We present experimental PSDs and CO2 concentrations, measured in a highly trafficked street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, as an emission factor particle size distribution (EFPSD), which was then used in updating the EUCAARI inventory. We applied the updated inventory in a simulation using the regional chemical transport model PMCAMx-UF over Europe for May 2008 to test the effect of updated emissions in regional and local scales and in contrast to atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). Updating the inventory increased simulated average total particle number concentrations by only 1 %, although the total particle number emissions were increased to a 3-fold level. The concentrations increased up to 11 % when only 1.3–3 nm-sized particles (nanocluster aerosol, NCA) were considered. These values indicate that the effect of updating overall is insignificant in a regional scale during this photochemically active period, during which the fraction of the total particle number originating through atmospheric NPF processes was 91 %. These simulations give a lower limit for the contribution of traffic to the aerosol levels. Nevertheless, the situation is different when examining the effect of the update spatially or temporally, or when focusing to the chemical composition or the origin of the particles. For example, daily average NCA concentrations increased by a factor of several hundreds or thousands in some locations on certain days. Overall, the most significant effects–reaching several orders of magnitude–from updating the inventory are observed when examining specific particle sizes (especially 7–20 nm), particle components, and specific urban areas. While the model still has a tendency to predict more sub-50 nm particles compared to the observations, the most notable underestimations in the concentrations of sub-10 nm particles are, after updating, overcome and the simulated distributions now agree better with the data observed at locations having high traffic densities. The findings of this study highlight the need to consider emissions, PSDs, and composition of sub-50 nm particles from road traffic in studies focusing on urban air quality. Updating this emission source brings the simulated aerosol levels particularly in urban locations closer to observations, which highlights its importance for calculations of human exposure to nanoparticles.

scholarly journals Emerging Investigator Series: COVID-19 lockdown effects on aerosol particle size distributions in northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiali Shen ◽  
Alessandro Bigi ◽  
Angela Marinoni ◽  
Janne Lampilahti ◽  
Jenni Kontkanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Aerosol Particle ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Number Size Distribution ◽  
Aerosol Particle Size

Impact of lockdown measures on the air pollutants and particle number size distribution.

scholarly journals Continental anthropogenic primary particle number emissions

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 6823-6840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauli Paasonen ◽  
Kaarle Kupiainen ◽  
Zbigniew Klimont ◽  
Antoon Visschedijk ◽  
Hugo A. C. Denier van der Gon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Coke Production ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
First Results ◽  
Aerosol Cloud Interactions

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol particle number concentrations impact our climate and health in ways different from those of aerosol mass concentrations. However, the global, current and future anthropogenic particle number emissions and their size distributions are so far poorly known. In this article, we present the implementation of particle number emission factors and the related size distributions in the GAINS (Greenhouse Gas–Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies) model. This implementation allows for global estimates of particle number emissions under different future scenarios, consistent with emissions of other pollutants and greenhouse gases. In addition to determining the general particulate number emissions, we also describe a method to estimate the number size distributions of the emitted black carbon particles. The first results show that the sources dominating the particle number emissions are different to those dominating the mass emissions. The major global number source is road traffic, followed by residential combustion of biofuels and coal (especially in China, India and Africa), coke production (Russia and China), and industrial combustion and processes. The size distributions of emitted particles differ across the world, depending on the main sources: in regions dominated by traffic and industry, the number size distribution of emissions peaks in diameters range from 20 to 50 nm, whereas in regions with intensive biofuel combustion and/or agricultural waste burning, the emissions of particles with diameters around 100 nm are dominant. In the baseline (current legislation) scenario, the particle number emissions in Europe, Northern and Southern Americas, Australia, and China decrease until 2030, whereas especially for India, a strong increase is estimated. The results of this study provide input for modelling of the future changes in aerosol–cloud interactions as well as particle number related adverse health effects, e.g. in response to tightening emission regulations. However, there are significant uncertainties in these current emission estimates and the key actions for decreasing the uncertainties are pointed out.

scholarly journals Continental anthropogenic primary particle number emissions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Paasonen ◽  
K. Kupiainen ◽  
Z. Klimont ◽  
A. Visshedijk ◽  
H. A. C. Denier van der Gon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Number ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Coke Production ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
First Results ◽  
Particulate Number ◽  
Aerosol Cloud Interactions

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol particle number concentrations impact our climate and health in ways different from those of aerosol mass concentrations. However, the global, current and future, anthropogenic particle number emissions and their size distributions are so far poorly known. In this article, we present the implementation of particle number emission factors and the related size distributions in the GAINS model. This implementation allows for global estimates of particle number emissions under different future scenarios, consistent with emissions of other pollutants and greenhouse gases. In addition to determining the general particulate number emissions, we also describe a method to estimate the number size distributions of the emitted black carbon. The first results show that the sources dominating the particle number emissions are different to those dominating the mass emissions. The major global number source is road traffic, followed by residential combustion of biofuels and coal (especially in China, India and Africa), coke production (Russia and China), and industrial combustion and processes. The size distributions of emitted particles differ across the world, depending on the main sources: in regions dominated by traffic and industry, the number size distribution of emissions peaks in diameters range from 20 to 50 nm, whereas in regions with intensive biofuel combustion and/or agricultural waste burning, the emissions of particles with diameters around 100 nm are dominant. In the baseline (current legislation) scenario, the particle number emissions in Europe, Northern and Southern Americas, Australia, and China decrease until 2030, whereas especially for India, a strong increase is estimated. The results of this study provide input for modelling of the future changes in aerosol-cloud interactions as well as particle number related adverse health effects, e.g., in response to tightening emission regulations. However, there are significant uncertainties in these current emission estimates and the key actions for decreasing the uncertainties are pointed out.

scholarly journals Size-resolved particle number emissions in Beijing determined from measured particle size distributions

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 11329-11348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kontkanen ◽  
Chenjuan Deng ◽  
Yueyun Fu ◽  
Lubna Dada ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Integrated Assessment Model ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Measured Particle

Abstract. The climate and air quality effects of aerosol particles depend on the number and size of the particles. In urban environments, a large fraction of aerosol particles originates from anthropogenic emissions. To evaluate the effects of different pollution sources on air quality, knowledge of size distributions of particle number emissions is needed. Here we introduce a novel method for determining size-resolved particle number emissions, based on measured particle size distributions. We apply our method to data measured in Beijing, China, to determine the number size distribution of emitted particles in a diameter range from 2 to 1000 nm. The observed particle number emissions are dominated by emissions of particles smaller than 30 nm. Our results suggest that traffic is the major source of particle number emissions with the highest emissions observed for particles around 10 nm during rush hours. At sizes below 6 nm, clustering of atmospheric vapors contributes to calculated emissions. The comparison between our calculated emissions and those estimated with an integrated assessment model GAINS (Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies) shows that our method yields clearly higher particle emissions at sizes below 60 nm, but at sizes above that the two methods agree well. Overall, our method is proven to be a useful tool for gaining new knowledge of the size distributions of particle number emissions in urban environments and for validating emission inventories and models. In the future, the method will be developed by modeling the transport of particles from different sources to obtain more accurate estimates of particle number emissions.

The moment ratios of particle size distributions in some simple growth models

1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 956-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. L. MacGillivray
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Hazard Rate ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Initial Size ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Simple Growth

Important parameters of particle size distributions in dispersed systems in engineering and related fields are ratios of moments and inverse powers of these ratios, known as mean sizes. The variation in these parameters is examined for the simplest growth model in which the size distribution is translated, and the results for this process considered in relation to the problems of models of other growth processes. For initial size distributions with monotone hazard rate, the results are particularly significant, and the properties of the normalised moments of other distributions are also considered.

scholarly journals Spatial and Seasonal Variations of PM Concentration and Size Distribution in Manure-Belt Poultry Layer Houses

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyna M. Knight ◽  
Xinjie Tong ◽  
Zhenyu Liu ◽  
Sewoon Hong ◽  
Lingying Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Mass Concentrations

Abstract. Poultry layer houses are a significant source of particulate matter (PM) emissions, which potentially affect worker and animal health. Particulate matter characteristics, such as concentration and size distribution inside layer houses, are critical information for assessment of the potential health risks and development of effective PM mitigation technologies. However, this information and its spatial and seasonal variations are lacking for typical layer facilities. In this study, two TSI DustTrak monitors (DRX 8533) and an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS 3321) were used to measure PM mass concentrations and number-weighted particle size distributions in two typical manure-belt poultry layer houses in Ohio in three seasons: summer, autumn, and winter. Bimodal particle size distributions were consistently observed. The average count median diameters (mean ±SD) were 1.68 ±0.25, 2.16 ±0.31, and 1.87 ±0.07 µm in summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The average geometric standard deviations of particle size were 2.16 ±0.23, 2.16 ±0.18, and 1.74 ±0.17 in the three seasons, respectively. The average mass concentrations were 67.4 ±54.9, 289.9 ±216.2, and 428.1 ±269.9 µg m-3 for PM2.5; 73.6 ±59.5, 314.6 ±228.9, and 480.8 ±306.5 µg m-3 for PM4; and 118.8 ±99.6, 532.5 ±353.0, and 686.2 ±417.7 µg m-3 for PM10 in the three seasons, respectively. Both statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) and practically significant (difference of means &gt;20% of smaller value) seasonal variations were observed. Spatial variations were only practically significant for autumn mass concentrations, likely due to external dust infiltration from nearby agricultural activities. The OSHA-mandated permissible exposure limit for respirable PM was not exceeded in any season. Keywords: Air quality, Particulate matter, Poultry housing, Seasonal variation, Spatial variation.

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