scholarly journals Assessment of atmospheric trace element concentrations by lichen-bag near an oil/gas pre-treatment plant in the Agri Valley (southern Italy)

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 6531-6553
Author(s):  
R. Caggiano ◽  
S. Trippetta ◽  
S. Sabia
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Plant Emissions ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Almost All

Abstract. The atmospheric concentrations of 17 trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Ti and Zn) were measured by means of the "lichen-bag" technique in the Agri Valley (southern Italy). The lichen samples were collected from an unpolluted site located in Rifreddo forest (southern Italy). The bags were exposed to ambient air for 6 and 12 months. The exposed-to-control (EC) ratio values highlighted that the used lichen species were suitable for biomonitoring investigations. The results showed that the concentrations of almost all the examined trace elements increased with respect to the control after 6–12 month exposures. Furthermore, Ca, Al, Fe, K, Mg and S were the most abundant trace elements both in the 6 and 12 month-exposed samples. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) results highlighted that the major sources of the measured atmospheric trace elements were related both to anthropogenic contributions due to traffic, combustion processes, agricultural practices, construction and quarrying activities, and to natural contributions mainly represented by the re-suspension of local soil and road dusts. In addition, the contribution both of secondary atmospheric reactions involving Centro Olio Val d'Agri (COVA) plant emissions and the African dust long-range transport were also identified.

scholarly journals Assessment of atmospheric trace element concentrations by lichen-bag near an oil/gas pre-treatment plant in the Agri Valley (southern Italy)

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Caggiano ◽  
S. Trippetta ◽  
S. Sabia
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
The North ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Plant Emissions ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract. The atmospheric concentrations of 17 trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Ti and Zn) were measured by means of the "lichen-bag" technique in the Agri Valley (southern Italy). The lichen samples were collected from an unpolluted site located in Rifreddo forest (southern Italy), about 30 km away from the study area along the north direction. The bags were exposed to ambient air for 6 and 12 months. The exposed-to-control (EC) ratio values highlighted that the used lichen species were suitable for biomonitoring investigations. The results showed that the concentrations of almost all the examined trace elements increased with respect to the control after 6–12-month exposures. Furthermore, Ca, Al, Fe, K, Mg and S were the most abundant trace elements both in the 6-month and 12-month-exposed samples. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) results highlighted that the major sources of the measured atmospheric trace elements were related both to anthropogenic contributions due to traffic, combustion processes agricultural practices, construction and quarrying activities, and to natural contributions mainly represented by the re-suspension of local soil and road dusts. In addition, the contribution both of secondary atmospheric reactions involving Centro Olio Val d'Agri (COVA) plant emissions and the African dust long-range transport were also identified.

scholarly journals Oil/gas pre-treatment plants and air quality hazards: PM<sub>1</sub> measurements in Agri Valley (southern Italy)

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 2377-2403
Author(s):  
S. Trippetta ◽  
R. Caggiano ◽  
S. Sabia
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Atmospheric Reactions ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Plant Emissions ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Oil Gas

Abstract. A PM1 (i.e., aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameter less 1.0 μm) short term monitoring campaign was carried out in Agri Valley (southern Italy) in September 2012. This area is of international concern since it houses the largest European on-shore reservoir and the largest oil/gas pre-treatment plant (i.e., Centro Olio Val d'Agri – COVA) within an anthropized context. PM1 measurements were performed in Viggiano, the nearest town to the COVA plant and one of the most populated town of the Agri Valley. During the study period, the PM1 daily concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 8.4 μg m−3 with a mean value of 4.6 μg m−3. Regarding the PM1 chemical composition, it can be observed that S and typical crustal elements were the most abundant constituents of the PM1 collected. By applying the Principal Component Analysis, it was pointed out that crustal soil, biomass and wood burning, secondary atmospheric reactions involving COVA plant emissions and local soil particles, and traffic were the main sources contributing to the PM1 measured in the area under study. Moreover, a possible contribution of the long-range transport of African dust was observed.

scholarly journals PM<sub>1</sub> measurements at a site close to an oil/gas pre-treatment plant (Agri Valley – southern Italy): a preliminary study

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2337-2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Trippetta ◽  
R. Caggiano ◽  
S. Sabia
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
Plant Emissions ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
A Site ◽  
Oil Gas

Abstract. A PM1 (i.e. particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 1.0 μm) short-term monitoring campaign was carried out in the Agri Valley (southern Italy) in September 2012. This area is of international concern, since it houses one of the largest European on-shore reservoirs and the largest oil/gas pre-treatment plant (i.e. the Centro Olio Val d'Agri – COVA) within an anthropised context. PM1 measurements were performed in Viggiano, the nearest town to the COVA plant and one of the most populated towns of the Agri Valley. During the study period, the PM1 daily concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 8.4 μg m−3, with a mean value of 4.6 μg m−3. Regarding the PM1 chemical composition, it can be observed that S and typical crustal elements were the most abundant constituents of the PM1 collected. By applying principal component analysis (PCA), it was pointed out that crustal soil, biomass and wood burning, secondary atmospheric reactions involving COVA plant emissions and local soil particles, and traffic were the main sources contributing to the PM1 measured in the area under study. Moreover, a possible contribution of the long-range transport of African dust was observed.

scholarly journals PM<sub>1</sub> geochemical and mineralogical characterization using SEM-EDX to identify particle origin – Agri Valley pilot area (Basilicata, Southern Italy)

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-318
Author(s):  
S. Margiotta ◽  
A. Lettino ◽  
A. Speranza ◽  
V. Summa
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Mineralogical Characterization ◽  
Flare Event ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoir ◽  
Mineralogical Study ◽  
Fine Quartz ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Observation Period

Abstract. A PM1 geochemical and mineralogical study using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was performed on a pilot site in the Agri Valley which is close to the oil pre-treatment plant (C.O.V.A) of the Europe's largest on-shore hydrocarbon reservoir. The study identified PM1 geochemical and mineralogical characters in a period before, during and immediately after a burning torch flare event. The finer fraction (DFe < 0.7 μm) consisted mainly of secondary particles and soot. In the coarser fraction (DFe ≥ 0.7 μm), natural particles originating from crustal erosion and soot were abundant. Fine quartz particles and lower Al/Si ratios are markers for desert dust origin, proving that a Saharan dust episode which occurred during the observation period played a significant role in supplying geogenic aerosol components to the PM1. Largest amounts of ≥0.7 μm fraction particles observed on the day of flare event may be due to a greater supply of Saharan geogenic particles. Soot had been significantly increasing long before the flare event, suggesting that this increase is also related to other causes, although we cannot exclude a contribution from flaring. S-rich aerosol consisted mainly of mixed particles originating from deposition and heterogeneous nucleation of secondary sulfates on mineral dust. Only-S particles were identified in the ≥0.7 μm fraction following the flare event. These particles may be indicators of larger amounts of sulphur in the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Black carbon and its impact on air quality in two semi-rural sites in Southern Italy near an oil pre-treatment plant

2020 ◽  
Vol 233 ◽  
pp. 117532
Author(s):  
Giulia Pavese ◽  
Mariarosaria Calvello ◽  
Jessica Castagna ◽  
Francesco Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Rural Sites

scholarly journals PM1 in Ambient and Indoor Air—Urban and Rural Areas in the Upper Silesian Region, Poland

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mainka ◽  
Elwira Zajusz-Zubek
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Coal Power Plants ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

(1) Background: The work presents results of concentration measurements of PM1, collected in the indoor air of four preschool buildings in Gliwice and its environs (Silesia Province) and in ambient air in the vicinity of four working hard coal power plants and four coking plants located in southern Poland. (2) Methods: The samples of <1 µm, 1–2.5 µm, 2.5–10 µm, and >10 µm fractions were collected with the use of Dekati® PM10 cascade impactor, and concentrations of seven trace elements (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se) were determined. (3) Results: The concentrations of PM1 changed in the range of 3.1 μg/m3–65.3 μg/m3. Among trace elements, the highest concentrations in indoor air were evidenced for Cr (129–219 ng/m3), while in outdoor air for Pb (12.6–21.2 ng/m3). Principal Component Analysis PCA analysis extracted three factors of rural dusts, city dusts, and natural soils. (4) Conclusions: The paper points to accumulation of carcinogenic Cd, Cr, and Ni in indoor air, and significant contribution of trace elements in PM1, which, owing to long-lasting exposure and elevated sensitivity of developing organisms, may evoke effects on health of children.

scholarly journals Elemental Composition of Particulate Matter in South-Asian Megacity (Faisalabad-Pakistan): Seasonal Behaviors, Source Apportionment and Health Risk Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman Alvi ◽  
Tariq Mahmud ◽  
Magdalena Kistler ◽  
Anne Kasper-Giebl ◽  
Imran Shahid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Enrichment Factors ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Us Epa

The composition of atmospheric aerosols can help to identify pollution sources, particulate transportation and possible impacts on human health. In this study, seasonal variations and sources of elemental contents in PM10 from Faisalabad area were investigated. In total 117 samples were collected on 24 hours basis from September 2015 to December 2016. The selected trace elements, viz., Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S and Zn were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The average PM10 concentration was found to be 744 � 392 μg m-3, exceeding the limits proposed by Pak-EPA (150 μg m-3), US-EPA (150 μg m-3) and WHO (50 μg m-3). On average concentration basis, the elements were in the order of Ca ] Al ] S ] Fe ] K ] Mg ] Zn ] Na ] Pb ] P ] Mn ] Ba. The elements apparently emitted from natural sources were dominant in spring and summer seasons, while those emitted from anthropogenic inputs were more prominent in winter and autumn seasons. A correlation analysis revealed that pairs of elements originated from common sources were suspended in the ambient air. The enrichment factors (EFs), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) indicated wind-blown dust, biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion and vehicular exhaust/non-exhaust emissions as major sources. A health risk caused by non-carcinogenic trace elements such as Pb, Zn and Mn was also assessed according to the method specified by US-EPA.

scholarly journals PM<sub>1</sub> geochemical and mineralogical characterization using SEM-EDX to identify particle origin – Agri Valley pilot area (Basilicata, southern Italy)

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1551-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Margiotta ◽  
A. Lettino ◽  
A. Speranza ◽  
V. Summa
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Mineralogical Characterization ◽  
Flare Event ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoir ◽  
Mineralogical Study ◽  
Fine Quartz ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Observation Period

Abstract. A PM1 geochemical and mineralogical study using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was performed on a pilot site in the Agri Valley which is close to the oil pre-treatment plant (C.O.V.A) of Europe's largest on-shore hydrocarbon reservoir. The study identified PM1 geochemical and mineralogical characters in the period before, during and immediately after a burning torch flare event. The finer fraction (DFe < 0.7 μm) consisted mainly of secondary particles and soot. In the coarser fraction (DFe ≥ 0.7 μm), natural particles originating from crustal erosion and soot were abundant. Fine quartz particles and lower Al / Si ratios are markers for desert dust origin, proving that a Saharan dust episode which occurred during the observation period played a significant role in supplying geogenic aerosol components to the PM1. Largest amounts of ≥ 0.7 μm fraction particles observed on the day of flare event may be due to a greater supply of Saharan geogenic particles. Soot had been significantly increasing long before the flare event, suggesting that this increase is also related to other causes, although we cannot exclude a contribution from flaring. S-rich aerosol consisted mainly of mixed particles originating from deposition and heterogeneous nucleation of secondary sulfates on mineral dust. Only-S particles were identified in the ≥ 0.7 μm fraction following the flare event. These particles may be indicators of larger amounts of sulphur in the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Selected trace element concentrations in ambient air and in horse chestnut leaves in Belgrade

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 169-178
Author(s):  
I. Deljanin ◽  
D. Antanasijevic ◽  
Anicic Urosevic ◽  
M. Tomasevic ◽  
Z. Sekulic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Horse Chestnut ◽  
Element Concentrations ◽  
Stationary Heating ◽  
Atmospheric Concentrations ◽  
Pm10 Mass

In this study, airborne particulates (PM10) and leaves of horse chestnut were collected at selected urban sites in Belgrade, Serbia, in years 2006, 2009 and 2012. All samples were analysed for trace element concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb. It has been shown that, during the study period, the differences among PM10 mass trace element concentrations were not considerable, and that the measured mass and trace elements concentrations were below the Serbian and EU legislation limits. Highest values of trace element concentrations in leaves were observed in year 2012, with the exception of Pb. Lead concentration had a decreasing trend during the whole studied period, in both PM10 and tree leaves. Since leaded gasoline was banned in 2011, a possible reason could be an increasing number of vehicles using unleaded kind along the previous years. Although trace elements in horse chestnut leaves were accumulated only during summer season, horse chestnut leaves showed good response to changes in trace element atmospheric concentrations. However, seasonal variability was evident in trace element source apportionment due to the lack of stationary heating system influence. The Principal Component Analysis showed that during the studied period, one of the major sources of the measured elements was fossil fuel combustion.

Improving the biological stability of drinking water by ion exchange

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Grefte ◽  
M. Dignum ◽  
S. A. Baghoth ◽  
E. R. Cornelissen ◽  
L. C. Rietveld
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Biological Stability ◽  
Biological Activated Carbon ◽  
Pre Treatment

To guarantee a good water quality at the consumer’s tap, natural organic matter (NOM) should be (partly) removed during drinking water treatment. The objective of this research is to measure the effect of NOM removal by ion exchange on the biological stability of drinking water. Experiments were performed in two lanes of the pilot plant of Weesperkarspel in the Netherlands. The lanes consisted of ozonation, softening, biological activated carbon filtration and slow sand filtration. Ion exchange in fluidized form was used as pre-treatment in one lane and removed 50% of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC); the other lane was used as reference. Compared to the reference lane, the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentration of the finished water in the lane pretreated by ion exchange was 61% lower. The biofilm formation rate of the finished water was decreased with 70% to 2.0 pg ATP/cm2.day. The achieved concentration of AOC and the values of the biofilm formation rate with ion exchange pre-treatment showed that the biological stability of drinking water can be improved by extending a treatment plant with ion exchange, especially when ozonation is involved as disinfection and oxidation step.

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