Variations of the aerosol concentration and chemical composition over the arid steppe zone of Southern Russia in summer

Variations in the surface aerosol over the arid steppe zone of Southern Russia have been measured. The parameters of atmospheric aerosol (mass concentration, both dispersed and elemental compositions) and meteorological parameters were measured in Tsimlaynsk raion (Rostov oblast). The chemical composition of aerosol particles in the atmospheric surface layer has been determined, and the coefficients of enrichment of elements with respect to clarkes in the Earth’s crust have been calculated. It is shown that, in summer, arid aerosols are transported from both alkaline and sandy soils of Kalmykia to the air basin over the observation zone. Aerosol particles in the surface air layer over this region have been found to contain the products of combustion of oil, coal, and ethylized fuel. These combustion products make a small contribution to the total mass concentration of atmospheric aerosol; however, they are most hazardous to the health of people because of their sizes and heavy-metal contents. A high concentration of submicron sulfur-containing aerosol particles of chemocondensation nature has been recorded. Sources of aerosol of both natural and anthropogenic origins in southern Russia are discussed.     

Experimental Studies of Aerosols in the Atmosphere of Semiarid Landscapes of Kalmykia: 1. Microphysical Parameters and Mass Concentration of Aerosol Particles

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - This paper summarizes the results of long-term (2004–2016) comprehensive experimental studies of microphysical parameters and the mass...     

Experimental Studies of Aerosols in the Atmosphere of Semiarid Landscapes of Kalmykia: 2. Landscape–Geochemical Composition of Aerosol Particles

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The chemical composition of aerosol particles in the atmospheric surface layer of semiarid regions of Kalmykia is considered. Background landscapes of...     

Comparative analysis of pollution of the surface atmospheric layer in such megalopolises as Moscow and Beijing

The results of simultaneous investigations of atmospheric aerosol in two large megalopolises—Moscow and Beijing—are presented. The purpose of these investigations was to compare parameters and reveal common characteristics of urban aerosols. Aerosol parameters were measured in the megalopolises simultaneously from October 23, 2007, through November 2, 2007. The mass concentrations of aerosols were measured continuously with a nephelometer (Mosscow) and discretely with the use of aspiration samplers according to the weight method (Moscow, Beijing). The number concentration and the particle size distribution function were determined with analyzers of the size spectrum in the interval 0.15–15.0 μm and were measured synchronously with sampling for elementary analysis. The elementary compositions of samples were determined by mass spectrometry, which made it possible to identify 60 chemical elements.