scholarly journals AIRUSE-LIFE+: a harmonized PM speciation and source apportionment in 5 Southern European cities

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (17) ◽  
pp. 23989-24039 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Amato ◽  
A. Alastuey ◽  
A. Karanasiou ◽  
F. Lucarelli ◽  
S. Nava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
Local Dust

Abstract. The AIRUSE-LIFE+ project aims at characterising similarities and heterogeneities in PM sources and contributions in urban areas from the Southern Europe. Once the main PMx sources are identified, AIRUSE aims at developing and testing the efficiency of specific and non-specific measures to improve urban air quality. This article reports the results of the source apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 conducted at three urban background sites (Barcelona, Florence and Milan, BCN-UB, FI-UB, MLN-UB) one sub-urban background site (Athens, ATH-SUB) and one traffic site (Porto, POR-TR). After collecting 1047 PM10 and 1116 PM2.5 24 h samples from January 2013 to February 2014 simultaneously at the 5 cities, these were analysed for the contents of OC, EC, anions, cations, major and trace elements and levoglucosan. The USEPA PMF5 receptor model was applied to these datasets in a harmonised way for each city. The sum of vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust contributes within 3.9–10.8 μg m−3 (16–32 %) to PM10 and 2.3–9.4 μg m−3 (15–36 %) to PM2.5, although a fraction of secondary nitrate is also traffic-related but could not be estimated. Important contributions arise from secondary particles (nitrate, sulphate and organics) in PM2.5 (37–82 %) but also in PM10 (40–71 %) mostly at background sites, revealing the importance of abating gaseous precursors in designing air quality plans. Biomass burning (BB) contributions vary widely, from 14–24 % of PM10 in POR-TR, MLN-UB and FI-UB, 7 % in ATH-SUB to < 2 % in BCN-UB. In PM2.5, BB is the second most important source in MLN-UB (21 %) and in POR-TR (18 %), the third one in FI-UB (21 %) and ATH-SUB (11 %), but again negligible (< 2 %) in BCN-UB. This large variability among cities is mostly due to the degree of penetration of biomass for residential heating. In Barcelona natural gas is very well supplied across the city and used as fuel in 96 % of homes, while, in other cities, PM levels increase on an annual basis by 1–9 μg m−3 due to this source. Other significant sources are: - Local dust, 7–12 % of PM10 at SUB and UB sites and 19 % at the TR site, revealing a contribution from road dust resuspension. In PM2.5 percentages decrease to 2–7 % at SUB-UB sites and 15 % at the TR site. - Industries, mainly metallurgy, contributing 4–11 % of PM10 (5–12 % in PM2.5), but only at BCN-UB, POR-TR and MLN-UB. No clear impact of industrial emissions was found in FI-UB and ATH-SUB. - Natural contributions from sea salt (13 % of PM10 in POR-TR but only 2–7 % in the other cities) and Saharan dust (14 % in ATH-SUB), but less than 4 % in the other cities. During high pollution days, the largest specific source (i.e. excluding SSO and SNI) of PM10 and PM2.5 are: VEX+NEX in BCN-UB (27–22 %) and POR-TR (31–33 %), BB in FI-UB (30–33 %) and MLN-UB (35–26 %) and Saharan dust in ATH-SUB (52–45 %) During those days, there are also quite important Industrial contributions in BCN-UB (17–18 %) and Local dust in POR-TR (28–20 %).

scholarly journals AIRUSE-LIFE+: a harmonized PM speciation and source apportionment in five southern European cities

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 3289-3309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulvio Amato ◽  
Andrés Alastuey ◽  
Angeliki Karanasiou ◽  
Franco Lucarelli ◽  
Silvia Nava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
Local Dust

Abstract. The AIRUSE-LIFE+ project aims at characterizing similarities and heterogeneities in particulate matter (PM) sources and contributions in urban areas from southern Europe. Once the main PMx sources are identified, AIRUSE aims at developing and testing the efficiency of specific and non-specific measures to improve urban air quality. This article reports the results of the source apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 conducted at three urban background sites (Barcelona, Florence and Milan, BCN-UB, FI-UB and MLN-UB), one suburban background site (Athens, ATH-SUB) and one traffic site (Porto, POR-TR). After collecting 1047 PM10 and 1116 PM2.5 24 h samples during 12 months (from January 2013 on) simultaneously at the five cities, these were analysed for the contents of OC, EC, anions, cations, major and trace elements and levoglucosan. The USEPA PMF5 receptor model was applied to these data sets in a harmonized way for each city. The sum of vehicle exhaust (VEX) and non-exhaust (NEX) contributes between 3.9 and 10.8 µg m−3 (16–32 %) to PM10 and 2.3 and 9.4 µg m−3 (15–36 %) to PM2.5, although a fraction of secondary nitrate is also traffic-related but could not be estimated. Important contributions arise from secondary particles (nitrate, sulfate and organics) in PM2.5 (37–82 %) but also in PM10 (40–71 %), mostly at background sites, revealing the importance of abating gaseous precursors in designing air quality plans. Biomass burning (BB) contributions vary widely, from 14–24 % of PM10 in POR-TR, MLN-UB and FI-UB, 7 % in ATH-SUB, to  <  2 % in BCN-UB. In PM2.5, BB is the second most important source in MLN-UB (21 %) and in POR-TR (18 %), the third one in FI-UB (21 %) and ATH-SUB (11 %), but is again negligible (< 2 %) in BCN-UB. This large variability among cities is mostly due to the degree of penetration of biomass for residential heating. In Barcelona natural gas is very well supplied across the city and is used as fuel in 96 % of homes, while in other cities, PM levels increase on an annual basis by 1–9 µg m−3 due to biomass burning influence. Other significant sources are the following. – Local dust, 7–12 % of PM10 at SUB and UB sites and 19 % at the TR site, revealing a contribution from road dust resuspension. In PM2.5 percentages decrease to 2–7 % at SUB-UB sites and 15 % at the TR site. – Industry, mainly metallurgy, contributing 4–11 % of PM10 (5–12 % in PM2.5), but only at BCN-UB, POR-TR and MLN-UB. No clear impact of industrial emissions was found in FI-UB and ATH-SUB. – Natural contributions from sea salt (13 % of PM10 in POR-TR, but only 2–7 % in the other cities) and Saharan dust (14 % in ATH-SUB, but less than 4 % in the other cities). During high pollution days, the largest sources (i.e. excluding secondary aerosol factors) of PM10 and PM2.5 are VEX + NEX in BCN-UB (27–22 %) and POR-TR (31–33 %), BB in FI-UB (30–33 %) and MLN-UB (35–26 %) and Saharan dust in ATH-SUB (52–45 %). During those days, there are also quite important industrial contributions in BCN-UB (17–18 %) and local dust in POR-TR (28–20 %).

scholarly journals Source Apportionment and Assessment of Air Quality Index of PM2.5–10 and PM2.5 in at Two Different Sites in Urban Background Area in Senegal

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Moustapha Kebe ◽  
Alassane Traore ◽  
Manousos Ioannis Manousakas ◽  
Vasiliki Vasilatou ◽  
Ababacar Sadikhe Ndao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Air Quality Index ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Background Area

Identifying the particulate matter (PM) sources is an essential step to assess PM effects on human health and understand PM’s behavior in a specific environment. Information about the composition of the organic or/and inorganic fraction of PM is usually used for source apportionment studies. In this study that took place in Dakar, Senegal, the identification of the sources of two PM fractions was performed by utilizing data on the elemental composition and elemental carbon content. Four PM sources were identified using positive matrix factorization (PMF): Industrial emissions, mineral dust, traffic emissions, and sea salt/secondary sulfates. To assess the effect of PM on human health the air quality index (AQI) was estimated. The highest values of AQI are approximately 497 and 488, in Yoff and Hlm, respectively. The spatial location of the sources was investigated using potential source contribution function (PSCF). PSCF plots revealed the high effect of transported dust from the desert regions to PM concentration in the sampling site. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first source apportionment study on PM fractions published for Dakar, Senegal.

scholarly journals Spatial Distribution, Source Apportionment, Ozone Formation Potential, and Health Risks of Volatile Organic Compounds over a Typical Central Plain City in China

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1365
Author(s):  
Kun He ◽  
Zhenxing Shen ◽  
Jian Sun ◽  
Yali Lei ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Ozone Formation ◽  
Industrial Site ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Volatile Organic

The profiles, contributions to ozone formation, and associated health risks of 56 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) species were investigated using high time resolution observations from photochemical assessment monitoring stations (PAMs) in Luoyang, China. The daily averaged concentration of total VOCs (TVOCs) was 21.66 ± 10.34 ppbv in urban areas, 14.45 ± 7.40 ppbv in suburbs, and 37.58 ± 13.99 ppbv in an industrial zone. Overall, the VOCs levels in these nine sites followed a decreasing sequence of alkanes > aromatics > alkenes > alkyne. Diurnal variations in VOCs exhibited two peaks at 8:00–9:00 and 19:00–20:00, with one valley at 23:00–24:00. Source apportionment indicated that vehicle and industrial emissions were the dominant sources of VOCs in urban and suburban sites. The industrial site displayed extreme levels, with contributions from petrochemical-related sources of up to 38.3%. Alkenes and aromatics displayed the highest ozone formation potentials because of their high photochemical reactivity. Cancer and noncancer risks in the industrial site were higher than those in the urban and suburban areas, and USEPA possible risk thresholds were reached in the industrial site, indicating PAMs VOC–related health problems cannot be ignored. Therefore, vehicle and industrial emissions should be prioritized when considering VOCs and O3 control strategies in Luoyang.

scholarly journals Chemical Composition and Source Apportionment of PM2.5 in Urban Areas of Xiangtan, Central South China

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyao Ma ◽  
Zhenghui Xiao ◽  
Lizhi He ◽  
Zongbo Shi ◽  
Yunjiang Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Source Apportionment ◽  
South China ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Vehicle Exhaust ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Wind Speeds

Xiangtan, South China, is characterized by year-round high relative humidity and very low wind speeds. To assess levels of PM2.5, daily samples were collected from 2016 to 2017 at two urban sites. The mass concentrations of PM2.5 were in the range of 30–217 µg/m3, with the highest concentrations in winter and the lowest in spring. Major water-soluble ions (WSIIs) and total carbon (TC) accounted for 58–59% and 21–24% of the PM2.5 mass, respectively. Secondary inorganic ions (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+) dominated the WSIIs and accounted for 73% and 74% at the two sites. The concentrations of K, Fe, Al, Sb, Ca, Zn, Mg, Pb, Ba, As, and Mn in the PM2.5 at the two sites were higher than 40 ng/m3, and decreased in the order of winter > autumn > spring. Enrichment factor analysis indicates that Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, Tl, and Pb mainly originates from anthropogenic sources. Source apportionment analysis showed that secondary inorganic aerosols, vehicle exhaust, coal combustion and secondary aerosols, fugitive dust, industrial emissions, steel industry are the major sources of PM2.5, contributing 25–27%, 21–22%, 19–21%, 16–18%, 6–9%, and 8–9% to PM2.5 mass.

scholarly journals The impact of biomass burning and aqueous-phase processing on air quality: a multi-year source apportionment study in the Po Valley, Italy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Paglione ◽  
Stefania Gilardoni ◽  
Matteo Rinaldi ◽  
Stefano Decesari ◽  
Nicola Zanca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Po Valley

Abstract. The Po Valley (Italy) is a well-known air quality hotspot characterized by Particulate Matter (PM) levels well above the limit set by the European Air Quality Directive and by the World Health Organization, especially during the colder season. In the framework of the Emilia-Romagna regional project SUPERSITO, the southern Po Valley submicron aerosol chemical composition was characterized by means of High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectroscopy (HR-AMS) with the specific aim of organic aerosol (OA) characterization and source apportionment. Eight intensive observation periods (IOPs) were carried out over four years (from 2011 to 2014) at two different sites (Bologna, BO, urban background and San Pietro Capofiume, SPC, rural background), to characterize the spatial variability and seasonality of the OA sources, with a special focus on the cold season. On the multi-year basis of the study, the AMS observations show that OA accounts for an average 45 ± 8 % (ranging 33–58 %) and 46 ± 7 % (ranging 36–50 %) of the total non-refractory submicron particle mass (PM1-NR) at the urban and at the rural site, respectively. Primary organic aerosol (POA) comprises biomass burning (23 ± 13 % of OA) and fossil fuel (12 ± 7 %) contributions with a marked seasonality in concentration. As expected, the biomass burning contribution to POA is more significant at the rural site (urban/rural concentrations ratio of 0.67), but it is also an important source of POA at the urban site during the cold season, with contributions ranging from 14 to 38 % of the total OA mass. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) contribute to OA mass to a much larger extent than POA at both sites throughout the year (69 ± 16 % and 83 ± 16 % at urban and rural, respectively), with important implications for public health. Within the secondary fraction of OA, the measurements highlight the importance of biomass burning ageing products during the cold season, even at the urban background site. This biomass burning SOA fraction represents 14–44 % of the total OA mass in the cold season, indicating that in this region a major contribution of combustion sources to PM mass is mediated by environmental conditions and atmospheric reactivity. Among the environmental factors controlling the formation of SOA in the Po Valley, the availability of liquid water in the aerosol was shown to play a key role in the cold season. We estimate that organic fraction originating from aqueous reactions of biomass burning products (bb-aqSOA) represents 21 % (14–28 %) and 25 % (14–35 %) of the total OA mass and 44 % (32–56 %) and 61 % (21–100 %) of the SOA mass at the urban and rural sites, respectively.

scholarly journals PM2.5 Pollution in Xingtai, China: Chemical Characteristics, Source Apportionment, and Emission Control Measures

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Hu ◽  
Han Wang ◽  
Jingqiao Zhang ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Hefeng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Emission Control ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Emission Control Measures

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) and its surrounding areas are one of the most polluted regions in China. Xingtai, as a heavy industrial city of BTH and its surrounding areas, has been experiencing a severe PM2.5 pollution in recent years, characterized by extremely high concentrations of PM2.5. In 2014, PM2.5 mass concentrations monitored by online instruments in urban areas of Xingtai were 116, 77, 128, and 200 µg m−3 in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, with annually average concentrations of 130 µg m−3 exhibiting 3.7 times higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) value for PM2.5 (35 µg m−3). To identify PM2.5 emission sources, ambient PM2.5 samples were collected during both cold and warm periods in 2014 in urban areas of Xingtai. Organic carbon (OC), sulfate, nitrate, ammonium and elemental carbon (EC) were the dominant components of PM2.5, accounting for 13%, 11%, 12%, 11% and 8% in the cold period, respectively, and 11%, 12%, 9%, 6%, and 5% in the warm period, respectively. Source apportionment results indicated that coal combustion (24.4%) was the largest PM2.5 emission source, followed by secondary sulfate (22.2%), secondary nitrate (18.4%), vehicle exhaust dust (12.4%), fugitive dust (9.7%), construction dust (5.5%), soil dust (3.4%) and metallurgy dust (1.6%). Based on PM2.5 source apportionment results, some emission control measures, such as replacing bulk coal with clean energy sources, controlling coal consumption by coal-fired boiler upgrades, halting operations of unlicensed small polluters, and controlling fugitive and VOCs emission, were proposed to be implemented in order to improve Xingtai’s ambient air quality.

scholarly journals BAERLIN2014 – stationary measurements and source apportionment at an urban background station in Berlin, Germany

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 8621-8645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika von Schneidemesser ◽  
Boris Bonn ◽  
Tim M. Butler ◽  
Christian Ehlers ◽  
Holger Gerwig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Source Attribution ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Ecosystem Research ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Secondary Aerosols

Abstract. The “Berlin Air quality and Ecosystem Research: Local and long-range Impact of anthropogenic and Natural hydrocarbons” (BAERLIN2014) campaign was conducted during the 3 summer months (June–August) of 2014. During this measurement campaign, both stationary and mobile measurements were undertaken to address complementary aims. This paper provides an overview of the stationary measurements and results that were focused on characterization of gaseous and particulate pollution, including source attribution, in the Berlin–Potsdam area, and quantification of the role of natural sources in determining levels of ozone and related gaseous pollutants. Results show that biogenic contributions to ozone and particulate matter are substantial. One indicator for ozone formation, the OH reactivity, showed a 31 % (0.82 ± 0.44 s−1) and 75 % (3.7 ± 0.90 s−1) contribution from biogenic non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) for urban background (2.6 ± 0.68 s−1) and urban park (4.9 ± 1.0 s−1) location, respectively, emphasizing the importance of such locations as sources of biogenic NMVOCs in urban areas. A comparison to NMVOC measurements made in Berlin approximately 20 years earlier generally show lower levels today for anthropogenic NMVOCs. A substantial contribution of secondary organic and inorganic aerosol to PM10 concentrations was quantified. In addition to secondary aerosols, source apportionment analysis of the organic carbon fraction identified the contribution of biogenic (plant-based) particulate matter, as well as primary contributions from vehicles, with a larger contribution from diesel compared to gasoline vehicles, as well as a relatively small contribution from wood burning, linked to measured levoglucosan.

scholarly journals The impact of biomass burning and aqueous-phase processing on air quality: a multi-year source apportionment study in the Po Valley, Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1233-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Paglione ◽  
Stefania Gilardoni ◽  
Matteo Rinaldi ◽  
Stefano Decesari ◽  
Nicola Zanca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Po Valley ◽  
Rural Sites

Abstract. The Po Valley (Italy) is a well-known air quality hotspot characterized by particulate matter (PM) levels well above the limit set by the European Air Quality Directive and by the World Health Organization, especially during the colder season. In the framework of Emilia-Romagna regional project “Supersito”, the southern Po Valley submicron aerosol chemical composition was characterized by means of high-resolution aerosol mass spectroscopy (HR-AMS) with the specific aim of organic aerosol (OA) characterization and source apportionment. Eight intensive observation periods (IOPs) were carried out over 4 years (from 2011 to 2014) at two different sites (Bologna, BO, urban background, and San Pietro Capofiume, SPC, rural background), to characterize the spatial variability and seasonality of the OA sources, with a special focus on the cold season. On the multi-year basis of the study, the AMS observations show that OA accounts for averages of 45±8 % (ranging from 33 % to 58 %) and 46±7 % (ranging from 36 % to 50 %) of the total non-refractory submicron particle mass (PM1-NR) at the urban and rural sites, respectively. Primary organic aerosol (POA) comprises biomass burning (23±13 % of OA) and fossil fuel (12±7 %) contributions with a marked seasonality in concentration. As expected, the biomass burning contribution to POA is more significant at the rural site (urban / rural concentration ratio of 0.67), but it is also an important source of POA at the urban site during the cold season, with contributions ranging from 14 % to 38 % of the total OA mass. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) contributes to OA mass to a much larger extent than POA at both sites throughout the year (69±16 % and 83±16 % at the urban and rural sites, respectively), with important implications for public health. Within the secondary fraction of OA, the measurements highlight the importance of biomass burning aging products during the cold season, even at the urban background site. This biomass burning SOA fraction represents 14 %–44 % of the total OA mass in the cold season, indicating that in this region a major contribution of combustion sources to PM mass is mediated by environmental conditions and atmospheric reactivity. Among the environmental factors controlling the formation of SOA in the Po Valley, the availability of liquid water in the aerosol was shown to play a key role in the cold season. We estimate that the organic fraction originating from aqueous reactions of biomass burning products (“bb-aqSOA”) represents 21 % (14 %–28 %) and 25 % (14 %–35 %) of the total OA mass and 44 % (32 %–56 %) and 61 % (21 %–100 %) of the SOA mass at the urban and rural sites, respectively.

scholarly journals Carbonaceous aerosols in Norwegian urban areas

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 2007-2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Yttri ◽  
C. Dye ◽  
O.-A. Braathen ◽  
D. Simpson ◽  
E. Steinnes
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Wood Burning ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Suburban Site

Abstract. Little is known regarding levels and source strength of carbonaceous aerosols in Scandinavia. In the present study, ambient aerosol (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), water-insoluble organic carbon (WINSOC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) are reported for a curbside site, an urban background site, and a suburban site in Norway in order to investigate their spatial and seasonal variations. Aerosol filter samples were collected using tandem filter sampling to correct for the positive sampling artefact introduced by volatile and semivolatile OC. Analyses were performed using the thermal optical transmission (TOT) instrument from Sunset Lab Inc., which corrects for charring during analysis. Finally, we estimated the relative contribution of OC from wood burning based on the samples content of levoglucosan. Levels of EC varied by more than one order of magnitude between sites, likely due to the higher impact of vehicular traffic at the curbside and the urban background sites. In winter, the level of particulate organic carbon (OCp) at the suburban site was equal to (for PM10) or even higher (for PM2.5) than the levels observed at the curbside and the urban background sites. This finding was attributed to the impact of residential wood burning at the suburban site in winter, which was confirmed by a high mean concentration of levoglucosan (407 ng m−3). This finding indicates that exposure to primary combustion derived OCp could be equally high in residential areas as in a city center. It is demonstrated that OCp from wood burning (OCwood) accounted for almost all OCp at the suburban site in winter, allowing a new estimate of the ratio TCp/levoglucosan for both PM10 and PM2.5. Particulate carbonaceous material (PCM=Organic matter+Elemental matter) accounted for 46–83% of PM10 at the sites studied, thus being the major fraction.

scholarly journals Variability of levels of PM, black carbon and particle number concentration in selected European cities

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 8665-8717 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Reche ◽  
X. Querol ◽  
A. Alastuey ◽  
M. Viana ◽  
J. Pey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Emissions ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Gaseous Pollutants ◽  
Emission Sources ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
Road Traffic Emissions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. In many large cities of Europe standard air quality limit values of particulate matter (PM) are exceeded. Emissions from road traffic and biomass burning are frequently reported to be the major causes. As a consequence of these exceedances a large number of air quality plans, most of them focusing on traffic emissions reductions, have been implemented in the last decade. In spite of this implementation, a number of cities did not record a decrease of PM levels. Thus, is the efficiency of air quality plans overestimated? Or do we need a more specific metric to evaluate the impact of the above emissions on the levels of urban aerosols? This study shows the results of the interpretation of the 2009 variability of levels of PM, black carbon (BC), aerosol number concentration (N) and a number of gaseous pollutants in seven selected urban areas covering road traffic, urban background, urban-industrial, and urban-shipping environments from southern, central and northern Europe. The results showed that variations of PM and N levels do not always reflect the variation of the impact of road traffic emissions on urban aerosols. However, BC levels vary proportionally with those of traffic related gaseous pollutants, such as CO, NO2 and NO. Due to this high correlation, one may suppose that monitoring the levels of these gaseous pollutants would be enough to extrapolate exposure to traffic-derived BC levels. However, the BC/CO, BC/NO2 and BC/NO ratios vary widely among the cities studied, as a function of distance to traffic emissions, vehicle fleet composition and the influence of other emission sources such as biomass burning. Thus, levels of BC should be measured at air quality monitoring sites. During traffic rush hours, a narrow variation in the N/BC ratio was evidenced, but a wide variation of this ratio was determined for the noon period. Although in central and northern Europe N and BC levels tend to vary simultaneously, not only during the traffic rush hours but also during the whole day, in urban background stations in southern Europe maximum N levels coinciding with minimum BC levels are recorded at midday in all seasons. These N maxima recorded in southern European urban background environments are attributed to midday nucleation episodes occurring when gaseous pollutants are diluted and maximum insolation and O3 levels occur. The occurrence of SO2 peaks may also contribute to the occurrence of midday nucleation bursts in specific industrial or shipping-influenced areas, although at several central European sites similar levels of SO2 are recorded without yielding nucleation episodes. Accordingly, it is clearly evidenced that N variability in different European urban environments is not equally influenced by the same emission sources and atmospheric processes. We conclude that N variability does not always reflect the impact of road traffic on air quality, whereas BC is a more consistent tracer of such an influence. The combination of PM10 and BC monitoring in urban areas potentially constitutes a useful approach to evaluate the impact of road traffic emissions on air quality.

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