Black carbon and chemical characteristics of PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> at an urban site of North India

The concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and their water-soluble ionic species were determined for the samples collected during January to December, 2007 at New Delhi (28.63° N, 77.18° E), India. The annual mean PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations (± standard deviation) were about 219 (± 84) and 97 (±56) μgm⁻³ respectively, about twice the prescribed Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards values. The monthly average ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ varied between 0.18 (June) and 0.86 (February) with an annual mean of ∼0.48 (±0.2), suggesting the dominance of coarser in summer and fine size particles in winter. The difference between the concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, is deemed as the contribution of the coarse fraction (PM_10−2.5). The analyzed coarse fractions mainly composed of secondary inorganic aerosols species (16.0 μgm⁻³, 13.07%), mineral matter (12.32 μgm⁻³, 10.06%) and salt particles (4.92 μgm⁻³, 4.02%). PM_2.5 are mainly made up of undetermined fractions (39.46 μgm⁻³, 40.9%), secondary inorganic aerosols (26.15 μgm⁻³, 27.1%), salt aerosols (22.48 μgm⁻³, 23.3%) and mineral matter (8.41 μgm⁻³, 8.7%). The black carbon aerosols concentrations measured at a nearby (∼300 m) location to aerosol sampling site, registered an annual mean of ∼14 (±12) μgm⁻³, which is significantly large compared to those observed at other locations in India. The source identifications are made for the ionic species in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. The results are discussed by way of correlations and factor analyses. The significant correlations of Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, NO₃⁻ and Mg²⁺ with PM_2.5 on one hand and Mg²⁺ with PM₁₀ on the other suggest the dominance of anthropogenic and soil origin aerosols in Delhi.     

Secondary aerosol formation and identification of regional source locations by PSCF analysis in the Indo-Gangetic region of India

Secondary aerosol formation was studied at Allahabad in the Indo-Gangetic region during a field campaign called Land Campaign-II in December 2004 (northern winter). Regional source locations of the ionic species in PM₁₀ were identified by using Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF analysis). On an average, the concentration of water soluble inorganic ions (sum of anions and cations) was 63.2 μgm⁻³. Amongst the water soluble ions, average NO₃⁻ concentration was the highest (25.0 μgm⁻³) followed by SO₄²⁻ (15.8 μgm⁻³) and NH₄⁺ (13.8 μgm⁻³) concentrations. These species, contributed 87% of the total mass of water soluble species, indicating that most of the water soluble PM₁₀ was composed of NH₄NO₃ and (NH₄)₂SO₄/NH₄HSO₄ or (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ particles. Further, the concentrations of SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and NH4⁺ aerosols increased at high relative humidity levels up to the deliquescence point (∼63% RH) for salts of these species suggesting that high humidity levels favor the conversion and partitioning of gaseous SO₂, NO_x, and NH₃ to their aerosol phase. Additionally, lowering of ambient temperature as the winter progressed also resulted in an increase of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ concentrations, probably due to the semi volatile nature of ammonium nitrate. PSCF analysis identified regions along the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) including Northern and Central Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Northern Pakistan, and parts of Rajasthan as source regions of airborne nitrate. Similar source regions, along with Northeastern Madhya Pradesh were identified for sulfate.     

Compositions and source apportionments of atmospheric aerosol during Asian dust storm and local pollution in central Taiwan

A study has been carried out on water soluble ions, trace elements, as well as PM_2.5 and PM_2.5–10 elemental and organic carbon samples collected daily from Central Taiwan over a one year period in 2005. A source apportionment study was performed, employing a Gaussian trajectory transfer coefficient model (GTx) to the results from 141 sets of PM_2.5 and PM_2.5–10 samples. Two different types of PM₁₀ episodes, local pollution (LOP) and Asian dust storm (ADS) were observed in this study. The results revealed that relative high concentrations of secondary aerosols (NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NH₄⁺) and the elements Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and As were observed in PM_2.5 during LOP periods. However, sea salt species (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) and crustal elements (e.g., Al, Fe, Mg, K, Ca and Ti) of PM_2.5–10 showed a sharp increase during ADS periods. Anthropogenic source metals, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and As, as well as coarse nitrate also increased with ADS episodes. Moreover, reconstruction of aerosol compositions revealed that soil of PM_2.5–10 elevated approximately 12–14% in ADS periods than LOP and Clear periods. A significantly high ratio of non-sea salt sulfate to elemental carbon (NSS-SO₄²⁻/EC) of PM_2.5–10 during ADS periods was associated with higher concentrations of non-sea-salt sulfates from the industrial regions of China. Source apportionment analysis showed that 39% of PM₁₀, 25% of PM_2.5, 50% of PM_2.5–10, 42% of sulfate and 30% of nitrate were attributable to the long range transport during ADS periods, respectively.     

Long-term measurements of atmospheric PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> and its chemical composition in rural Korea

Long-term measurements of ambient particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM_2.5) and its chemical compositions were performed at a rural site in Korea from December 2005 to August 2009. The average PM_2.5 concentration was 31 μg m⁻³ for the whole sampling period, and showed a slightly downward annual trend. The major components of PM_2.5 were organic carbon, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺, which accounted for 55 % of total PM_2.5 mass on average. For the top 10 % of PM_2.5 samples, anionic constituents and trace elements clearly increased while carbonaceous constituents and NH₄⁺ remained relatively constant. Both Asian dust and fog events clearly increased PM_2.5 concentrations, but affected its chemical composition differently. While trace elements significantly increased during Asian dust events, NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺ and Cl were dramatically enhanced during fog events due to the formation of saturated or supersaturated salt solution. The back-trajectory based model, PSCF (Potential Source Contribution Function) identified the major industrial areas in Eastern China as the possible source areas for the high PM_2.5 concentrations at the sampling site. Using factor analysis, soil, combustion processes, non-metal manufacture, and secondary PM_2.5 sources accounted for 77 % of the total explained variance.     

Fine mode aerosol chemistry over a tropical urban atmosphere: characterization of ionic and carbonaceous species

An extensive aerosol sampling program was conducted during January-December 2006 over Kolkata (22o33?? N and 88o20?? E), a mega-city in eastern India in order to understand the sources, distributions and properties of atmospheric fine mode aerosol (PM_2.5). The primary focus of this study is to determine the relative contribution of natural and anthropogenic as well as local and transported components to the total fine mode aerosol loading and their seasonal distributions over the metropolis. The average concentrations of fine mode aerosol was found to be 71.2?±?25.2???gm^-3 varying between 34.5???gm^-3 in monsoon and 112.6???gm^-3 in winter. The formation pathways of major secondary aerosol components like nitrate and sulphate in different seasons are discussed. A long range transport of dust aerosol from arid and semi-arid regions of western India and beyond was observed during pre-monsoon which significantly enriched the total aerosol concentration. Vehicular emissions, biomass burning and transported dust particles were the major sources of PM_2.5 from local and continental regions whereas sea-salt aerosol was the major source of PM_2.5 from marine source regions.     

Particulate morphology and elemental characteristics: variability at middle Indo-Gangetic Plain

Airborne particulates were monitored at an urban location of middle Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and subsequently analyzed for particulate diversity and mixing states. Exceptionally high particulate loadings were found both in case of coarser (PM₁₀: 157.5 ± 102.9 μgm^?3, n = 46) and finer particulates (PM_2.5: 92.5 ± 49.8 μgm^?3). Based on particulate morphology and elemental composition, five different clusters of particulates namely tarball, soot, sulphur-rich, aluminosilicate and mineral species were found to dominate. Soot particles (0.1–5 μm) were found to be partly coated, having voids filled by coating material without being completely engulfed. A specific type of amorphous, carbonaceous spherules was evident in wintertime fine particulates signifying emissions from biomass burning and wild fire. Traces of S, Na and Ca were found associated with carbonaceous agglomerates suggesting its metal scavenging behavior. Particle laden filters were further processed for metallic and water soluble ionic species to constitute aerosol composition. Coarser particulates were characterized with higher metallic species (9.2–17.8 %), mostly of crustal origin (Ca: 5.5 %; Fe: 1.6 %; Zn: 1.3 % and Na: 3.8 %) while PM_2.5 also revealed their association with metallic components (6.0–14.9 %) having Ca (4.6 %), Fe (0.9 %) and K (0.8 %) as principle constituents. Ca, Na and NH₄ ⁺ found to generate chloride and sulphate salts thus affecting particulate hygroscopicity. Elevated fractions of NO₃ ^? and K⁺ in PM_2.5 signified contribution of biomass burning while presence of Cl^? with carbonaceous aerosols having traces of Si and K denoted contribution of farming and burning practices. Black carbon aerosol exhibited significant seasonal variability (6.9?21.9 μgm^?3) which support larger association of carbonaceous aerosols in particle micrograph.     

Characteristics of carbonaceous particles in Beijing during winter and summer 2003

Campaigns were conducted to measure Organic Carbon (OC) and Elemental Carbon (EC) in PM2.5 during winter and summer 2003 in Beijing. Modest differences of PM2.5 and PM10 mean concentrations were observed between the winter and summer campaigns. The mean PM2.5/PM10 ratio in both seasons was around 60%, indicating PM2.5 contributed significantly to PM10. The mean concentrations of OC and EC in PM2.5 were 11.2±7.5 and 6.0±5.0μg m-3 for the winter campaign, and 9.4±2.1 and 4.3±3.0 μg m-3 for the summer campaign, respectively. Diurnal concentrations of OC and EC in PM2.5 were found high at night and low during the daytime in winter, and characterized by an obvious minimum in the summer afternoon. The mean OC/EC ratio was 1.87±0.09 for winter and Z39±0.49 for summer. The higher OC/EC ratio in summer indicates some formation of Secondary Organic Carbon (SOC). The estimated SOC was 2.8 μg m-3 for winter and 4.2μg m-3 for summer.     

Size distributions and dry deposition fluxes of water-soluble inorganic nitrogen in atmospheric aerosols in Xiamen Bay,China

Size-segregated aerosol particles were collected using a high volume MOUDI sampler at a coastal urban site in Xiamen Bay, China, from March 2018 to June 2020 to examine the seasonal characteristics of aerosol and water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and the dry deposition of nitrogen species. During the study period, the annual average concentrations of PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP were 14.8?±?5.6, 21.1?±?9.0, 35.4?±?14.2 μg m^?3, and 45.2?±?21.3 μg m^?3, respectively. The seasonal variations of aerosol concentrations were impacted by the monsoon with the lowest value in summer and the higher values in other seasons. For WSIIs, the annual average concentrations were 6.3?±?3.3, 2.1?±?1.2, 3.3?±?1.5, and 1.6?±?0.8 μg m^?3 in PM₁, PM_1-2.5, PM_2.5–10, and PM_>10, respectively. In addition, pronounced seasonal variations of WSIIs in PM₁ and PM_1-2.5 were observed, with the highest concentration in spring-winter and the lowest in summer. The size distribution showed that SO₄^2?, NH₄⁺ and K⁺ were consistently present in the submicron particles while Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^? mainly accumulated in the size range of 2.5–10 μm, reflecting their different dominant sources. In spring, fall and winter, a bimodal distribution of NO₃^? was observed with one peak at 2.5–10 μm and another peak at 0.44–1 μm. In summer, however, the fine mode peak disappeared, likely due to the unfavorable conditions for the formation of NH₄NO₃. For NH₄⁺ and SO₄^2?, their dominant peak at 0.25–0.44 μm in summer and fall shifted to 0.44–1 μm in spring and winter. Although the concentration of NO₃–N was lower than NH₄–N, the dry deposition flux of NO₃–N (35.77?±?24.49 μmol N m^?2 d^?1) was much higher than that of NH₄–N (10.95?±?11.89 μmol N m^?2 d^?1), mainly due to the larger deposition velocities of NO₃–N. The contribution of sea-salt particles to the total particulate inorganic N deposition was estimated to be 23.9—52.8%. Dry deposition of particulate inorganic N accounted for 0.95% of other terrestrial N influxes. The annual total N deposition can create a new productivity of 3.55 mgC m^?2 d^?1, accounting for 1.3–4.7% of the primary productivity in Xiamen Bay. In light of these results, atmospheric N deposition could have a significant influence on biogeochemistry cycle of nutrients with respect to projected increase of anthropogenic emissions from mobile sources in coastal region.

     

Particle composition and size distributions in and around a deep-pit swine operation,Ames, IA

The contribution of emissions from agricultural facilities is rapidly becoming a major concern for local and regional air quality. Characterization of particle properties such as physical size distribution and chemical composition can be valuable in understanding the processes contributing to emissions and ultimate fate of particulate matter from agricultural facilities. A measurement campaign was conducted at an Iowa, deep-pit, three-barn swine finishing facility to characterize near-source ambient particulate matter. Size-specific mass concentrations were determined using minivol samplers, with additional size distribution information obtain using optical particle counters. Particulate composition was determined via ion chromatographic analysis of the collected filters. A thermal-CO₂ elemental/organic carbon analyzer measured particulate carbon. The chemical composition and size distribution of sub-micron particles were determined via real-time aerosol mass spectrometry. Primary particulate was not found to be a major emission from the examined facility, with filter-based impactor samples showing average near-source increases (~15–50 m) in ambient PM₁₀ of 5.8 ± 2.9 μg m⁻³ above background levels. PM_2.5 also showed contribution attributable to the facility (1.7 ± 1.1 μg m⁻³). Optical particle counter analysis of the numerical size distributions showed bimodal distributions for both the upwind and downwind conditions, with maximums around 2.5 μm and below the minimum quantified diameter of 0.3 μm. The distributions showed increased numbers of coarse particles (PM₁₀) during periods when wind transport came from the barns, but the differences were not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The PM₁₀ aerosols showed statistically increased concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, calcium, organic carbon, and elemental carbon when the samplers were downwind from the pig barns. Organic carbon was the major constituent of the barn-impacted particulate matter in both sub-micron (54%) and coarse size (20%) ranges. The AMS PM₁ chemical speciation showed similar species increases, with the exception of and Ca⁺², the latter not quantified by the AMS.     

Chemical characterization and multivariate analysis of atmospheric PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> particles

The new European Council Directive (PE-CONS 3696/07) frames the inhalable (PM₁₀) and fine particles (PM_2.5) on priority to chemically characterize these fractions in order to understand their possible relation with health effects. Considering this, PM_2.5 was collected during four different seasons to evaluate the relative abundance of bulk elements (Cl, S, Si, Al, Br, Cu, Fe, Ti, Ca, K, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr and V) and water soluble ions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) over Menen, a Belgian city near the French border. The air quality over Menen is influenced by industrialized regions on both sides of the border. The most abundant ionic species were NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻ and NH₄ ⁺, and they showed distinct seasonal variation. The elevated levels of NO₃ ⁻ during spring and summer were found to be related to the larger availability of the NO_x precursor. The various elemental species analyzed were distinguished into crustal and anthropogenic source categories. The dominating elements were S and Cl in the PM_2.5 particles. The anthropogenic fraction (e.g. Zn, Pb, and Cu) shows a more scattered abundance. Furthermore, the ions and elemental data were also processed using principal component analysis and cluster analysis to identify their sources and chemistry. These approach identifies anthropogenic (traffic and industrial) emissions as a major source for fine particles. The variations in the natural/anthropogenic fractions of PM_2.5 were also found to be a function of meteorological conditions as well as of long-range transport of air masses from the industrialized regions of the continent. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Influence of regional pollution and sandstorms on the chemical composition of cloud/fog at the summit of Mt. Taishan in northern China

Cloud/fog samples were collected during spring of 2007 in the highly polluted North China Plain in order to examine the impact of pollution and dust particles on cloud water chemistry. The volume weighted mean pH of cloud water was 3.68. The cloud acidity was shown to be associated with air mass origins. Cloud water with its air mass trajectories originating from the southern part of China was more acidic than those from northern China. Anthropogenic source and dust had obvious impact on cloud water composition as indicated by the very high mean concentrations of SO₄^2? (1331.65 μeq L^? 1), NO₃^? (772.44 μeq L^? 1), NH₄⁺ (1375.92 μeq L^? 1) and Ca²⁺ (625.81 μeq L^? 1) in the observation periods. During sandstorm days, cloud pH values were relatively high, and the concentrations of all the ions in cloud water reached unusual high levels. Significant decreases in the mass concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were observed during cloud events. The average scavenging ratio for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was 52.0% and 55.7%, respectively. Among the soluble ions in fine particles, NO₃^?, K⁺ and NH₄⁺ tend to be more easily scavenged than Ca²⁺ and Na⁺.     

Rain-aerosol coupling in the tropical atmosphere of Southeast Asia: distribution and scavenging ratios of major ionic species

Both aerosol and rainwater samples were collected and analyzed for ionic species at a coastal site in Southeast Asia over a period of 9 months (January–September 2006) covering different monsoons. In general, the occurrence and distribution of ionic species showed a distinct seasonal variation in response to changes in air mass origins. Real-time physical characterization of aerosol particles during rain events showed changes in particle number distributions which were used to assess particle removal processes associated with precipitation, or scavenging. The mean scavenging coefficients for particles in the range 10–500 nm and 500–10 μm were 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ ± 2.8 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ and 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ ± 1.6 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, respectively. A critical analysis of the scavenging coefficients obtained from this study suggested that the wet removal of aerosol particles was greatly influenced by rain intensity, and was particle size-dependent as well. The scavenging ratios, another parameter used to characterize particle removal processes by precipitation, for NH₄ ⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, and NO₃ ⁻ were found to be higher than those of Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ of oceanic and crustal origins. This enrichment implied that gaseous species NH₃, HCl, and HNO₃ could also be washed out readily. These additional sources of ions in precipitation presumably counter-balanced the dilution effect caused by high total precipitation volume in the marine and tropical area.     

The chemistry of heavy haze over Urumqi,Central Asia

A sampling campaign of aerosols over Urumqi from 2001–2007 and soil samples in the surrounding areas were carried out to investigate the severe air pollution in Urumqi, a typical inland city, located in the center of Asia. Urumqi is one of the heavy polluted cities in the world, as the days of haze spanned over one third of the year and accounted for 60–80% of the heating period for the past 6 years. High concentration of fine aerosols, frequent occurrence, and rapid formation of heavy haze were the three main characteristics. With comparison of the pollution elements, As, Cd, and S, and the ratio of Ca/Al in aerosols and soils in those sites located on the south of Jungger Basin as tracers, it was found that As, Cd, and S highly enriched in the aerosols over urban Urumqi were not only from the re-suspended road dust but also from the soil transported from south of the Jungger Basin. Different from the most cities in China, the high concentration of sulfate in Urumqi was partially from the primary soil dust transported from the surrounding areas. The mixing of the local anthropogenic aerosols with the soil transported from outside the city was the main source of the high sulfate concentration. Ammonium salts were higher than the summed equivalents of SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and Cl⁻ in Urumqi and much higher than that in other Chinese cities. The total water soluble ions and the total ammonium salts were as high as 57.8% and 51.0% in PM_2.5. The high concentration of soluble salts with high hygroscopicity, especially ammonium and sulfate salts, were the main factors contributing to the heavy haze over Urumqi.     

Long-term size-segregated particle (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) characterization study at Melpitz -- influence of air mass inflow, weather conditions and season

Size-segregated high-volume (HV) quartz filter samples were collected daily at the Melpitz rural site in Germany for PM₁₀ (November 1992 until April 2012), and for PM_2.5 and PM₁ (January 2003 until April 2012, PM₁ sampled every sixth day). The samples were analysed for mass concentration (gravimetrically), water-soluble ions (ion-chromatography) and since 2003 for organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) (thermography). The long-term measurements first show a decreasing trend for PM₁₀ (1993–2000) followed by a second period (2001–2011) with a mean mass concentration of about 22.4 μgm^?3 and an inter-annual variation of about?±?2.9 μgm^?3 (13% fluctuation margin). The absolute sulphate and calcium concentration (for the full period), as well as the EC concentration (time after 2003) decrease by about 50, 75 and 30% for PM₁₀, respectively. The nitrate concentration remains constant all the time. For the daily objective weather type classification (OWTC, 1993–2002) the highest PM₁₀ concentration was found for South-East (SE) and the lowest for North-West (NW) wind direction with 44 and 24 μgm^?3, respectively. These concentrations decrease for 2003–2011 in comparison to 1993–2002 by about 21% and 26%, respectively. The highest PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁ concentrations (2003–2011) were found for SE and the lowest for NW wind direction with about 34 and 17 μgm^?3 (PM₁₀), 28 and 19 μgm^?3 (PM_2.5) and 22 and 11 μgm^?3 (PM₁), respectively. The relative content of sulphate, OC and EC was the highest for SE wind direction. A differentiation into four categories for winter (Wi) and summer (Su) and air mass inflow from West (W) and East (E) was carried out. The highest PM concentrations were observed for WiE with the highest inter-annual fluctuation. In this category sulphate contents are largest. The lowest concentrations where found for SuW. The means for WiE show the strongest relative decreases, e.g. in PM₁₀ sulphate (1993–2011) and EC (2003–2011) by about 60% and 40%, respectively. Nitrate is an indicator for NO_x motor-car emissions. It shows a typical variation with maximum values in the middle of the week_, especially for air mass inflow from West. In contrast, chloride mostly originating from sea spray doesn’t show such a concentration pattern. The PM_2.5/PM₁₀ as well the PM₁/PM₁₀-ratio have the highest median (0.878 and 0.654) during WiE and the lowest (0.718 and 0.578) during SuW, respectively. For the ratio PM_2.5/PM₁₀ a slightly increasing trend was found (about 0.71 and 0.83 for 1995 and 2011, respectively). The increase is stronger in summer than in winter.     

Emission of fine organic aerosol from traditional charcoal broiling in China

The indoor PM_2.5 aerosol samples for charcoal broiling source under Chinese traditional charbroiling and the ambient fine aerosols samples (PM_2.5) were collected in Beijing to investigate the characteristics of the charcoal broiling source and its impact on the fine organic aerosols in the atmosphere. The concentrations of 20 species of the trace organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fatty acids, levoglucosan, and cholesterol in PM_2.5 were identified and quantified by GC/MS. The total PAHs and fatty acids emitted from charcoal broiling to PM_2.5 were 8.97 and 87,000 ng mg⁻¹ respectively. The concentrations of the light molecular weight (LMW) 3- and 4-ring PAHs were much higher than those of the high molecular weight (HMW) 5- and 6-ring PAHs. Fatty acids were the most abundant species in source profile, accounting for over 90% of all identified organic compounds. More polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acids) than the saturated fatty acid (stearic acids) emitted in the cooking. Charcoal broiling is a minor source of PAHs compared to the source of biomass burning. Comparing the ratios of levoglucosan/fatty acid and levoglucosan/cholesterol in the charcoal broiling samples to the ambient samples, it is evident that meat cooking is an important source of fatty acids, but a less important source of cholesterol. Cooking, as one of the source of fine organic particles, plus other anthropogenic sources would be related to the formation of the severe haze occurred and spread over the urban atmosphere in most of the cities of China in the past several years.     

基于国际大气化学—气候模式比较计划模式数据评估未来气候变化对中国东部气溶胶浓度的影响

气候变化引起的地面气溶胶浓度变化与区域空气质量密切相关。本文利用“国际大气化学—气候模式比较计划”（Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project, ACCMIP）中4个模式的试验数据分析了RCP8.5情景下2000~2100年气候变化对中国气溶胶浓度的影响。结果显示,在人为气溶胶排放固定在2000年、仅考虑气候变化的影响时,2000~2100年气候变化导致中国北部地区（31°N~45°N, 105°E~122°E）硫酸盐、有机碳和黑碳气溶胶分别增加28%、21%和9%,硝酸盐气溶胶在中国东部地区减少30%。气候变化对细颗粒物（PM_2.5）浓度的影响有显著的季节变化特征,冬季PM_2.5浓度在中国东部减少15%,这主要是由硝酸盐气溶胶在冬季的显著减少造成的;夏季PM_2.5浓度在中国北部地区增加16%,而长江以南地区减少为9%,这可能与模式模拟的未来东亚夏季风环流的增强有关。     

Characteristics of Elemental Composition of PM2.5 in the Spring Period at Tongyu in the Semi-arid Region of Northeast China

Continuous observations of mass concentration and elemental composition of aerosol particles （PM2.5） were conducted at Tongyu, a semi-arid site in Northeast China in the spring of 2006. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 at Tongyu station was 260.9±274.4 μg m^-3 during the observation period. Nine dust events were monitored with a mean concentration of 528.0±302.7 μgm^-3. The PM2.5 level during non- dust storm （NDS） period was 111.65±63.37 μg m^-3. High mass concentration shows that fine-size particles pollution was very serious in the semi-arid area in Northeast China. The enrichment factor values for crust elements during the dust storm （DS） period are close to those in the NDS period, while the enrichment factor values for pollution elements during the NDS period are much higher than those in the DS period, showing these elements were from anthropogenic sources. The ratios of dust elements to Fe were relative constant during the DS period. The Ca/Fe ratio in dust aerosols at Tongyu is remarkably different from that observed in other source regions and downwind regions. Meteorological analysis shows that dust events at Tongyu are usually associated with dry, low pressure and high wind speed weather conditions. Air mass back-trajectory analysis identified three kinds of general pathways were associated with the aerosol particle transport to Tongyu, and the northwest direction pathway was the main transport route.     

Long-term characterization of major water-soluble inorganic ions in PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> in coastal site on the Japan Sea

PM₁₀ samples were collected over three years at Monzenmachi, the Japan Sea coast, the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, Japan from January 17, 2001 to December 18, 2003, using a high volume air sampler with quartz filters. The concentrations of the water-soluble inorganic ions in PM₁₀ were determined with using ion chromatography. By analyzing the characteristics of these, the evidences were found that the Asian outflow had an obviously influence on the air quality at our study site. The results were as follows: the secondary pollutants SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ were the primary water-soluble inorganic ions at our study site. The monthly mean concentrations of SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻ and Ca²⁺ have prominent peak in spring due to the strong influence of the Asian continent outflow—these according to backward air trajectory analysis, the maximum of which were 6.09 for nss-SO₄²⁻ in May, 2.87 for NO₃⁻ and 0.68 μg m⁻³ for nss-Ca²⁺ in April, respectively. Comparable to similar data reported from various points around East Asia, it had the characteristics of a polluted coastal area at our study site. The concentration of nss-Ca²⁺ in PM₁₀ drastically increased when the Asian dust invaded, the mean value during the Asian dust days(AD) was 0.86 μg m⁻³, about 4 times higher than those of normal days (NAD). Meanwhile, the mean concentrations of nss-SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ in AD periods were higher than those in NAD periods which were 5.87, 1.76 and 1.82 μg m⁻³, respectively, it is due to the interaction between dust and secondary particles during the long-range transport of dust storms. Finally, according to the source apportionment with positive matrix factorization (PMF) method in this study, the major source profiles of PM₁₀ at our study site were categorized as (1) marine salt, (2) secondary sulfate, (3) secondary nitrate and (4) crustal source.     

Continuous observations of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 at Mount Tai (1534 m a.s.l.) in central-eastern China

Near real-time measurements of PM_2.5 ionic compositions were performed at the summit of the highest mountain in the central-eastern plains in the spring and summer of 2007 in order to characterize aerosol composition and its interaction with clouds. The average concentrations of total water soluble ions were 27.5 and 36.7 μg?m^?3, accounting for 44% and 62% of the PM_2.5 mass concentration in the spring and summer, respectively. A diurnal pattern of SO ₄ ^2- , NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^- was observed in both campaigns and attributed to the upslope/downslope transport of air mass and the development of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The average SO₂ oxidation ratio (SOR) in summer was 57% (±27%), more than twice that in spring 24% (±16%); the fine nitrate oxidation ratio (NOR) was comparable in the two seasons (9?±?6% and 11?±?10% in summer and spring, respectively). This result indicates strong summertime production of sulfate aerosol. A principal component analysis shows that short-range and long-range transport of pollution, cloud processing, and crustal source were the main factors affecting the variability of the measured ions (and other trace gases and aerosols) at Mt. Tai. Strong indications of biomass burning were observed in summer. Cloud scavenging rates showed larger variations for different ions and in different cloud events. The elevated concentrations of the water soluble ions at Mt. Tai indicate serious aerosol pollution over the North China plain of eastern China.     

Association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metallic species in a tropical urban atmosphere – Delhi,India

Ambient respirable particles (PM₁₀; aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) collected in a tropical urban environment (Delhi, India) during December 2008-November 2009 were characterized with respect to 16 US EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 8 major and trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cr). Concentrations of Σ₁₆PAHs (annual mean: 74.7 ± 50.7 ng m⁻³, range 22.1–258.4 ng m⁻³) and most metallic species were at least an order of magnitude greater than values reported from similar locations worldwide. Seasonal variations in Σ₁₆PAHs were significant (p < 0.001) with highest levels in winter while crustal and anthropogenic metals showed significant but mutually opposite seasonal dependence. Statistically significant associations were observed between chemical species and various meteorological parameters. The PAH profile was dominated by combustion-derived large-ring species (~85%) that were essentially local in origin. Principal component analysis–multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) apportioned four sources: crustal dust (73%), vehicular emission (21%), coal combustion (4%) and industrial emission (2%) that was further validated by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Temporal trend analysis showed that crustal sources were predominant in summer (p < 0.05) while the remaining sources were most active in winter. Summertime intrusions of Saharan dust were identified with the help of aerosol maps and air parcel backward trajectories. Inhalation cancer risk assessment showed that up to 3,907 excess cancer cases (357 for PAHs, 122 for Cd, 2040 for Cr (VI) and 1387 for Ni) are likely in Delhi considering lifetime inhalation exposure to these chemicals at their current concentrations.