Sources, Processing, Transport, Health and Climate Impacts of Air Pollutants

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 21509

Special Issue Editors

Department of Environment and Public Health, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Japan
Interests: air quality; secondary organic aerosols; atmospheric mercury; molecular markers; atmospheric oxidation; air transport; mass spectrometry; stable isotopes
Climate Chemistry Measurements and Research, Climate Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M3H 5T4, Canada
Interests: aerosol science; air sampling; atmospheric aerosols; air quality; black carbon; light absorption; light scattering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution is a human health threat and affects our environment and climate. The World Health Organization recently estimates that about 7 million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. At a micro-scale, human health is linked to indoor exposure and local air quality. At a macro-scale, air pollutants travel around the globe and affect the air quality of all countries. As a result, improving long-term air quality requires international collaboration. Atmospheric pollutions can be generated from a variety of processes, including anthropogenic activities (e.g., transportation and industrial activities) and natural processes (e.g., biomass burning and volcanic activity). The gaseous and particulate pollutants (e.g., black carbon, sulphur dioxide, organic particulate matter, etc.), when transported and mixed with other biogenic emissions in the presence of solar radiation, create excellent recipes for the formation of smog and secondary organic aerosols, which could enhance adverse health effects and cause various pollution issues. Black and brown carbons have different climate implications when transported to climate sensitive areas, such as the Arctic, due to direct and indirect aerosol effects. These topics have always been of great interest to atmospheric scientists; however, there are still many unanswered questions that require continuous research to better understand the emission sources, chemical transformation, physico-chemical characteristics, atmospheric transport, and processing. A fundamental understanding of all of these topics would provide valuable information for policy makers to develop effective regulations and mitigation strategies.

In this Special Issue, we call for manuscripts on various topics of atmospheric pollutants including aerosol and gaseous chemical substances. Suggested areas include, but are not limited to, the following: novel field and laboratory experiments for measuring and/or understanding atmospheric processes, emissions of air pollutants, and mitigation techniques of air pollution. We also welcome manuscripts of studies on health effects and climate impact of air pollutants.

Dr. Satoshi Irei
Dr. Tak W. Chan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • atmospheric oxidation
  • emission sources
  • mid-/long-range transport
  • health effects
  • light absorption
  • cloud condensation nuclei

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 161 KiB  
Editorial
Sources, Processing, Transport, Health and Climate Impacts of Air Pollutants
by Satoshi Irei and Tak W. Chan
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1361; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041361 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 386
Abstract
Atmospheric pollutants exist in both gaseous and particulate form and they have significant impacts on human health, air quality, and the climate [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 2150 KiB  
Article
Examining the Amount of Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions in Urban Areas
by Branislav Šarkan, Jozef Gnap, Michal Loman and Veronika Harantová
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1845; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031845 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1357
Abstract
Particulate matter significantly contributes to environmental pollution, negatively affects human health and irreparably damages all living things. The purpose of the research is to help determine the concentration of particulate matter in metropolitan areas. Three measuring stations in a city in central Slovakia [...] Read more.
Particulate matter significantly contributes to environmental pollution, negatively affects human health and irreparably damages all living things. The purpose of the research is to help determine the concentration of particulate matter in metropolitan areas. Three measuring stations in a city in central Slovakia were selected for the research. The sites were located at the main bus terminal, near primary schools, and at a railway crossing. Each station formed a measuring point. During the investigation, we monitored the amount of flying dust; at the same time, the intensity of traffic in the vicinity of the measuring stations was monitored. The research made it possible to determine the link between the volume of traffic and the concentration of particulate matter. The level of dependence between the concentration of particulate matter and the volume was first evaluated based on correlation coefficients. From the results of the research, it is possible to consider the dependence of the concentration of pollutants and the intensity of traffic as high. For each measurement, the correlation coefficient values were above 0.7 and, in some cases, exceeded 0.9, which can be considered very high levels of dependence. The highest level of pollution was detected at the bus station where the concentration of PM10 exceeded the value of 83 μg/m3 and the concentration of PM2.5 was at a level exceeding the limit of 16 μg/m3. This evidence can be considered very negative due to the high occurrence of people in this place. Different concentrations of particulate matter can also be monitored at other measuring points. According to research results, metropolitan road transport has a significant impact on the concentration of particulate matter, which have an adverse effect on nearby pedestrians. Full article
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24 pages, 5854 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Different Chemical Mechanisms on O3 and PM2.5 Predictions in Alberta, Canada
by Mujtaba Shareef, Sunny Cho, David Lyder, Michael Zelensky and Scott Heckbert
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(17), 8576; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178576 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
We evaluated the uncertainty associated with secondary pollutants formation due to different chemical mechanisms in photochemical modelling. The CMAQ modelling system was utilized in conjunction with CB6R3, SAPRC07, and RACM2 chemical mechanisms and compared the concentrations of various chemical species, including ozone (O [...] Read more.
We evaluated the uncertainty associated with secondary pollutants formation due to different chemical mechanisms in photochemical modelling. The CMAQ modelling system was utilized in conjunction with CB6R3, SAPRC07, and RACM2 chemical mechanisms and compared the concentrations of various chemical species, including ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Using datasets from ambient monitoring stations, we assessed the performance of each of the mechanism in summer and winter. The concentrations of various chemical species predicted by the three mechanisms varied significantly. The differences are more evident in summer than in winter for most of the species, except for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), methyl hydroperoxide (MEPX), and Secondary Organic Aerosol—Anthropogenic. We observed that the summer daytime O3 predictions showed reasonable peaks at the three air quality monitoring sites, but the nighttime values under-predicted for all three mechanisms. In the winter, all three mechanisms tend to under-predict O3. Differences in the mean O3 values (bias) at the different sites, for the different seasons, are consistent with corrections made to previous modelling studies that modified KZMIN. PM2.5 predictions with RACM2 were slightly better. The dominant PM2.5 species in summer were sulfate and SOA-Bio, which may be attributed to non-mobile sources in the region, while NO3 became dominant in winter due to more favorable conditions for forming this species, including lower temperatures and an elevated NH4 to SO4 ratio. We concluded that the differences in O3 and PM2.5 predictions between the three mechanisms are significant, implying that when developing strategic and management actions are based on modelling, the most appropriate mechanism should be considered. Full article
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16 pages, 3628 KiB  
Article
Comparisons of GC-Measured Carboxylic Acids and AMS m/z 44 Signals: Contributions of Organic Acids to m/z 44 Signals in Remote Aerosols from Okinawa Island
by Bhagawati Kunwar, Kazuhiro Torii, Shankar G. Aggarwal, Akinori Takami and Kimitaka Kawamura
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8017; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168017 - 10 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1543
Abstract
An intercomparison study was conducted to evaluate the contributions of carboxylic acids to m/z 44 (COO+) signals obtained by an on-line aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) during a field campaign at Cape Hedo, Okinawa, in the western North Pacific Rim. We report [...] Read more.
An intercomparison study was conducted to evaluate the contributions of carboxylic acids to m/z 44 (COO+) signals obtained by an on-line aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) during a field campaign at Cape Hedo, Okinawa, in the western North Pacific Rim. We report for the first time that carboxylic acids (diacids, oxoacids, benzoic acid, and fatty acids) significantly contribute to m/z 44 signals with a strong correlation (R = 0.93); oxalic acid accounts for 16 ± 3% of the m/z 44 signals and 3.7 ± 0.9% of organic mass measured by AMS. We also found that about half of AMS m/z 44 signals can be explained by diacids and related compounds, suggesting that the remaining signals may be derived from other organic acids including monocarboxylic acids (e.g., formate and acetate) in aerosol phase. This study confirms that AMS-derived m/z 44 can be used as a surrogate tracer of carboxylic acids, although the signals cannot specify the types of carboxylic acids and their molecular compositions. Full article
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18 pages, 1198 KiB  
Article
The Characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 and Elemental Carbon Air Pollution in Sevastopol, Crimean Peninsula
by Alla V. Varenik
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7758; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157758 - 01 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1274
Abstract
In most cities of the world, air pollution reaches critical levels. The air masses circulating over the Crimean Peninsula bring a significant amount of mineral dust, which contains soil particles, emissions from industrial enterprises, gases, etc. The purpose of this research is to [...] Read more.
In most cities of the world, air pollution reaches critical levels. The air masses circulating over the Crimean Peninsula bring a significant amount of mineral dust, which contains soil particles, emissions from industrial enterprises, gases, etc. The purpose of this research is to study the processes and the factors influencing atmospheric pollution in Sevastopol (Crimea). Air pollutant concentration data, including elemental carbon, nutrients (inorganic fixed nitrogen, inorganic fixed phosphorus and silicon), PM10, and PM2.5, were collected during this research. Samples were collected at the station that is located at a distance from sources of pollution (background station). Our study has shown that even at the background site the daily-averaged concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere of Sevastopol reach and even exceed the maximum permissible concentrations in the case of dust transported from deserts. Values of the daily-averaged concentrations of microparticles have exceeded the European maximum permissible concentration (MPC) values in 17 cases for PM2.5 particles and in 6 cases for PM10. The impact of both local sources and long-distance atmospheric transport depends on weather conditions. Concentrations of elemental carbon in air samples have never exceeded the maximum allowed by regulations concentration limits during our research. However, the elemental carbon concentration in air samples collected near highways with a traffic intensity of approximately 500–1000 cars per hour has exceeded the background values by 30–50 times. Full article
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13 pages, 1903 KiB  
Article
Isotopic Characterization of Gaseous Mercury and Particulate Water-Soluble Organic Carbon Emitted from Open Grass Field Burning in Aso, Japan
by Satoshi Irei
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010109 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1254
Abstract
Biomass burning is one of the major emitters of airborne particulate matter (PM) and gaseous mercury. In order to apply the isotopic fingerprinting method to process identification and source apportionment studies, isotopic characterizations of targeted substances at emission are indispensable. Here, we report [...] Read more.
Biomass burning is one of the major emitters of airborne particulate matter (PM) and gaseous mercury. In order to apply the isotopic fingerprinting method to process identification and source apportionment studies, isotopic characterizations of targeted substances at emission are indispensable. Here, we report the stable isotopic composition of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and the stable and radiocarbon isotopic composition of low-volatile water-soluble nitrogen (LV-WSN) and organic carbon (LV-WSOC) in PM emitted from open grass field burning in the Aso region of Japan. The measurement results showed that TGM concentrations in the air increased during the open field burning events, indicating the presence of TGM emissions. The results of LV-WSN analysis showed very low concentrations; therefore, the stable nitrogen isotope ratios could not be measured. The stable mercury isotope ratios exhibited lighter composition than those observed during non-biomass-burning days. The analysis of LV-WSOC revealed heavy stable carbon isotope ratios (average ± SD, −18 ± 2‰), suggesting a substantial contribution from C4 plant carbon. The 14C analysis showed that more than 98% of the LV-WSOC was modern carbon, indicating the contribution of plant carbon to PM emitted from biomass burning. The findings here provide reference isotope compositions of TGM and particulate LV-WSOC from biomass burning in this region. Full article
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19 pages, 9352 KiB  
Article
Efficiency of the Vehicle Cabin Air Filters for Removing Black Carbon Particles and BTEX from the Air Intake
by Tak W. Chan, Marie Lee, Gary Mallach and David Buote
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9048; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11199048 - 28 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2535
Abstract
A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate 11 vehicular cabin filters (including electrostatic filters) in removing fine particles. Two filters with charcoal were also evaluated to understand their usefulness in removing five common volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers [...] Read more.
A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate 11 vehicular cabin filters (including electrostatic filters) in removing fine particles. Two filters with charcoal were also evaluated to understand their usefulness in removing five common volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX). Filters were found to show considerably different particle filtration efficiencies (FE). Electrostatic filters were found to provide 20–60% better FE across all particle diameters (6–520 nm). For 6 nm particles, FE from 78 to 94% were observed (from the worst to the best filters), while at 520 nm, FE varied from 35 to 60%. The best group of filters provided 44–46% FE for capturing the most penetrating particles (100–300 nm), while the worst group of filters provided only 10–11% FE. The filtration behavior of nominal filters was typically stable (with respect to particle number, black carbon, and particulate matter mass) over the course of 1–2 years of usage. The benefits of the electrostatic filters were significant, but such advantages were observed to gradually dissipate over the course of about 1 year; by then, the electrostatic filter becomes no different compared to a nominal filter in terms of filtration behavior. Charcoal filters showed variabilities in removing BTEX, and removal efficiencies varied from 11 to 41%. Full article
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16 pages, 5643 KiB  
Article
Aerosol–Cloud Interaction at the Summit of Mt. Fuji, Japan: Factors Influencing Cloud Droplet Number Concentrations
by Yoko Iwamoto, Ayami Watanabe, Ryota Kataoka, Mitsuo Uematsu and Kazuhiko Miura
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8439; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188439 - 11 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1987
Abstract
To investigate interactions between aerosols and clouds, the size and number concentrations of the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and the cloud droplets (CDs) were measured at the summit of Mt. Fuji (altitude 3776 m), Japan. The CCN number concentrations (NCCN) [...] Read more.
To investigate interactions between aerosols and clouds, the size and number concentrations of the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and the cloud droplets (CDs) were measured at the summit of Mt. Fuji (altitude 3776 m), Japan. The CCN number concentrations (NCCN) are significantly higher in continental air masses than in air masses from the Pacific Ocean. The hygroscopicity parameter κ did not change much for different air mass origins, indicating that aerosol particles in the free troposphere are well mixed. Based on the CD number concentrations (NCD), the degree of supersaturation in the ambient air during the cloud-shrouded period was estimated to be 0.15% (25th percentile) to 0.44% (75th percentile). To evaluate factors influencing the NCD, measured NCD were compared to ones calculated based on the Köhler theory using aerosol number size distributions, κ, and the degree of supersaturation. The results showed that NCD could not be reproduced satisfyingly when the mean number size distribution or the mean effective supersaturation were used for the calculation. This study highlights the importance of obtaining information about the degree of supersaturation to predict NCD in the atmosphere. Full article
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13 pages, 3830 KiB  
Article
Baseline Air Monitoring of Fine Particulate Matter and Trace Elements in Ontario’s Far North, Canada
by Yushan Su, Uwayemi Sofowote, Anthony Munoz, Michael Noble, Chris Charron, Aaron Todd, Valbona Celo, Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska, Alla Kryukova and Teresa Switzer
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6140; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136140 - 01 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Large mineral deposits have been discovered in Ontario’s Far North and are being considered for further development. Particulate matter and trace elements can be emitted from potential mining activities and these air pollutants are associated with health risks and harmful to the sensitive [...] Read more.
Large mineral deposits have been discovered in Ontario’s Far North and are being considered for further development. Particulate matter and trace elements can be emitted from potential mining activities and these air pollutants are associated with health risks and harmful to the sensitive ecosystem. An air monitoring station, powered by solar panels and a wind turbine, was established in this near-pristine area to monitor baseline levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and trace elements downwind of a proposed mine site. Levels of PM2.5 and trace elements observed from 2015 to 2018 were much lower than measurements observed in southern Ontario, suggesting minimal influence of primary emissions in the study area. One episodic PM2.5 event in July 2015 was attributable to wildfire emissions in northern Ontario. Only 8 out of the 31 target elements were detected in 25% or more of the samples. Good correlations among As, Se, Pb, and Sb, between Mn and Fe, as well as between Ce and La indicated they originated from long-range atmospheric transport from the south. Ontario’s Ambient Air Quality Criteria were not exceeded for any target air pollutants. Four years of air measurements filled the data gap of baseline information in this near-pristine study area and can be used to assess impacts of potential mining activities in the future. Field operations during this study period indicated that the battery-powered air instruments and meteorological sensors worked well in the harsh environment of Ontario’s Far North even in cold winter months. The field experiences gained in this study can be applied to future air monitoring activities in harsh environments where no direct power supply is available and site access is limited. Full article
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12 pages, 2305 KiB  
Article
Oxidation of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in Acidified Water: Evaluation of Possible Sinking Pathway of Atmospheric Gaseous Mercury in Acid Cloud, Fog, and Rain Droplets
by Satoshi Irei
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031196 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6537
Abstract
This is the first report investigating the transformation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), the major form of airborne mercury, into oxidized mercury in bulk liquid, a possible sinking pathway of atmospheric GEM in clouds, fog, rain droplets and ocean spray. A 100–150 ng [...] Read more.
This is the first report investigating the transformation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), the major form of airborne mercury, into oxidized mercury in bulk liquid, a possible sinking pathway of atmospheric GEM in clouds, fog, rain droplets and ocean spray. A 100–150 ng m−3 GEM standard gas, a 50–150 times higher concentration than the typical atmospheric concentration, was introduced into a 2.5 L rectangular glass vessel, at the bottom of which a 0.5 L uptake solution of pure water (pH 6–7), weakly acidified pure water with sulfuric or nitric acid (pH 3.2–3.6) or seawater (pH 8) was resting. The standard gas was introduced into the space above the solution in the vessel at the rate of 0.82 L min−1 and exited from the opposite end of the vessel, which was open to the room’s pressure. After exposing the solution to the gas for 0.5–4 h, a portion of the uptake solution was sampled, and the dissolved elemental mercury (Hg0aq) and dissolved oxidized mercury (Hg2+aq) in the solution were analyzed by the conventional trapping method, followed by cold vapor atomic fluorescent spectrometer measurements. The results showed that the quantities of total dissolved mercury (THgaq = Hg0aq + Hg2+aq) in the pure water and seawater were compatible, but those were slightly lower than the equilibrated Hg0aq concentrations estimated from Henry’s law, suggesting non-equilibrium throughout the whole solution. In contrast, the quantity of Hg2+aq and THgaq in the acidified pure water with sulfuric acid was significantly enhanced. Over the 4 h exposure, the THgaq concentrations were two times higher than the equilibrated Hg0aq concentration. This was due to the slow oxidation reaction of Hg0aq by the sulfuric acid in the bulk phase. Using the collision rate of GEM with the surface of the solution and the observed uptake, the estimated uptake coefficient of GEM by this uptake was (5.5 ± 1.6) × 10−6. Under the typical atmospheric concentration, this magnitude results in an atmospheric lifetime of 4970 years, negligibly small compared with other atmospheric oxidation processes. Full article
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