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Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (3 October 2023) | Viewed by 6483

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ülkü Alver Şahin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul 34320, Türkiye
Interests: air pollution; particle size distribution; data analysis; urban air quality; indoor air quality; sensors to measure air pollutants; source analysis of air pollution using PMF and statistics
Dr. Yetkin Dumanoğlu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylul University-Tınaztepe Campus, İzmir, Türkiye
Interests: air pollution; urban air quality; indoor air quality; tropospheric ozone; passive sampling; persistent organic pollutants
Dr. Sarkawt Hama

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
2. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
Interests: aerosols; chemical composition of particulate matter; ultrafine particles (UFPs); laboratory studies; field measurements; sources and sinks for atmospheric oxidants; sources and transformations of air pollutants in urban areas, and gaseous pollutants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution is an important current environmental, health and climate issue. According to the World Health Organization, at least 7 million deaths can be attributed to indoor and ambient air pollution every year. In addition, the relationship between air pollution and climate change is the subject of extensive study that has confirmed a strong interaction. Despite all the existing measures, pollutants such as UFP, O3 and NO2 are still high in the EU. On the other hand, in Asia and Africa, there have been frequent episodes of air pollution and pollutant concentrations are too far above the established limits. Therefore, this Special Issue in Sustainability is entitled “Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies”, in which we aim to publish high-quality papers that focus on the problem of air pollution all over the world. This Special Issue will cover all local, regional, global, natural and anthropogenic sources, transformations and transport of air pollutants, and their effects on climate change and human health using data analysis and models.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Ambient and indoor air quality;
  2. Satellites and remote sensing;
  3. Human health effect;
  4. Composition of atmosphere and sources;
  5. Particle number size distribution and source apportionment;
  6. Climate interactions of air pollution;
  7. Modelling of air pollutants.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Ülkü Alver Şahin
Dr. Yetkin Dumanoğlu
Dr. Sarkawt Hama
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • air pollution
  • particulate matter
  • gas pollutants
  • ambient air
  • indoor air

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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36 pages, 10045 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Potentially Toxic Elements in Macedonia Using a Moss Biomonitoring Technique
by Lambe Barandovski, Trajče Stafilov, Robert Šajn, Katerina Bačeva Andonovska, Marina Frontasyeva and Inga Zinicovscaia
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020748 - 15 Jan 2024
Viewed by 668
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the changes in atmospheric deposition trends in Macedonia, using a moss biomonitoring technique. This technique has been used to assess the content of potentially toxic elements in Macedonia in 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2015, within the framework of [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the changes in atmospheric deposition trends in Macedonia, using a moss biomonitoring technique. This technique has been used to assess the content of potentially toxic elements in Macedonia in 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2015, within the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops. The content of 42 elements was analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), on 72 moss samples collected in the summer of 2015. The median values of the elements studied were compared with data from previous years and with median values obtained from comparable studies in Norway and the neighboring countries. Through factor and cluster analysis, three geogenic factors were identified: Factor 1, which includes the elements Al, Ce, Fe, Hf, La, Li, Na, Sc, Sm, Tb, Ti, Th, V, and U; Factor 4, which includes As, Cl, and I; and Factor 5, which includes the elements Ba and Sr. In addition, one geogenic-anthropogenic factor containing Co, Cr, and Ni (Factor 2), was identified, and one anthropogenic factor containing Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn (Factor 3). The lead and zinc mines near the towns of Kriva Palanka, Probištip, and Makedonska Kamenica in the eastern region of the country, the former lead and zinc smelter in the town of Veles, and the ferronickel smelter near Kavadarci, have continuously had the greatest anthropogenic impact on the atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements during the time period of the study. In addition to the human influences, the lithology and the composition of the soil continue to play a significant role in the distribution of the elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies)
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17 pages, 12017 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Analysis of PM1 Composition in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Basin: A Three-Year Urban Study
by Sujit Das, Anamika Roy, Renu Masiwal, Mamun Mandal, Robert Popek, Monojit Chakraborty, Dinesh Prasad, Filip Chyliński, Amit Awasthi and Abhijit Sarkar
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14894; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014894 - 16 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1443
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) pollution poses a severe threat to the environment and health worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration, physicochemical characteristics, and emission sources of aerodynamic diameters of ≤1 µm (PM1) within an urban sprawl situated in the [...] Read more.
Particulate matter (PM) pollution poses a severe threat to the environment and health worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration, physicochemical characteristics, and emission sources of aerodynamic diameters of ≤1 µm (PM1) within an urban sprawl situated in the eastern Indo-Gangetic basin over three years (2017–2019). The study encompassed the monitoring of PM1 using an ambient PM1 sampler; physicochemical characteristics were determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Possible emission sources were analysed through principal component analysis (PCA) and enrichment factor (EF) analyses. The results showed that the PM1 concentrations were consistently high throughout the research period, even exceeding the national standards for PM2.5 and PM10, especially during the post-monsoon period. Significant seasonal fluctuations were confirmed by the elemental and inorganic ion analyses, highlighting the dominance of elements like Al, Ca, Fe, K, and Mg and inorganic ions like NH4+, SO42−, and NO3−. Vehicular exhaust and non-exhaust (47%), sea salt and biomass burning (26%), and industrial activities (10.3%) are the dominant sources of PM1. Therefore, the findings are thought-provoking and could inspire policymakers to formulate reduction policies in India. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies)
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14 pages, 3708 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Roadside PM Concentration and Traffic Characterization: A Case Study in Macao
by Thomas M. T. Lei and Martin F. C. Ma
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10993; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410993 - 13 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1044
Abstract
Road transportation is a common mode of transport in Macao and is also known to be a significant source of the emission of PM10 and PM2.5 on a local and regional scale. There are six air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) evenly [...] Read more.
Road transportation is a common mode of transport in Macao and is also known to be a significant source of the emission of PM10 and PM2.5 on a local and regional scale. There are six air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) evenly distributed throughout Macao, but some densely populated areas are currently not covered by the monitoring network. Therefore, a monitoring campaign was conducted at four roadside locations in Macao’s most densely populated areas. This work aims to study the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in several roadside locations in Macao. The monitoring campaign was conducted for 24 non-consecutive periods, with a total of 192 monitoring hours. The sampling sites were chosen based on Macao’s most densely populated areas and the most traffic-congested locations. In addition, traffic characterization was performed alongside the monitoring campaign to provide a clearer perspective on the pollution sources. Based on the collected data, a correlation analysis was performed between the number of vehicles and the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 concentration. The results showed a weak relationship between the hourly traffic flow and the level of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, with a correlation of determination (R2) of 0.001 to 0.122. In addition, the results showed a weak relationship between the vehicle types and the level of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, with an R2 of 0.000 to 0.043. As shown, there is little to no relationship between local traffic volume and roadside PM concentration in the monitored locations of Macao, leading us to conclude that PM concentration is more likely tied to regional sources and meteorological conditions. Nevertheless, the complex geographical setting of Macao is also likely an influential factor in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies)
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Review

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19 pages, 3419 KiB  
Review
A Review of the Direct Measurement of Total OH Reactivity: Ambient Air and Vehicular Emission
by Xinping Yang
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16246; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316246 - 23 Nov 2023
Viewed by 686
Abstract
Total OH reactivity, an index utilized to evaluate the overall effect of atmospheric reactive species on hydroxyl radicals, has been assessed over the past half century, particularly in ambient air. The direct measurement of OH reactivity for vehicular sources has also been conducted, [...] Read more.
Total OH reactivity, an index utilized to evaluate the overall effect of atmospheric reactive species on hydroxyl radicals, has been assessed over the past half century, particularly in ambient air. The direct measurement of OH reactivity for vehicular sources has also been conducted, further enhancing our understanding of chemical compounds and processes in source emissions. However, the current summary on OH reactivity dominantly focuses on ambient, and the review of OH reactivity measurements and characteristics for vehicular sources was lacking. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed and compared the measurement techniques, values of total OH reactivity, reactive chemical species, and missing OH reactivity for ambient air and vehicular sources involving exhaust and evaporation. The OH reactivity values for ambient air are comparable to those for evaporative emission (around 0–102 s−1), whereas they are all lower by 2–3 orders of magnitude than exhaust emission. In areas dominated by anthropogenic emissions, inorganic reactivity dominates the OH reactivity, while in biogenic-dominated areas, organic reactivity is the main contributor. For vehicular sources, inorganic reactivity dominates the calculated OH reactivity for exhaust emissions, while volatile organic compound reactivity (especially alkene reactivity) can almost explain all the calculated OH reactivity for evaporative emissions. The missing reactivity for ambient air and vehicular emission might derive from unmeasured, even unknown, organic species. We finally discussed possible new directions for future studies of total OH reactivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies)
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15 pages, 2775 KiB  
Review
A Review of Global PM2.5 Exposure Research Trends from 1992 to 2022
by Nan Jia, Yinshuai Li, Ruishan Chen and Hongbo Yang
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10509; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310509 - 4 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Exposure to air pollutants of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major threat to human health. Research on PM2.5 exposure has been on the rise in recent years, but there has been a lack of systematic literature analysis in this [...] Read more.
Exposure to air pollutants of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major threat to human health. Research on PM2.5 exposure has been on the rise in recent years, but there has been a lack of systematic literature analysis in this field. To address this research gap, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of the existing publications on PM2.5 exposure over the past three decades and analyzed the current state and historical trends of research using the open-access tool, KNIME. Our results show that the number of publications on PM2.5 exposure has been increasing at an accelerating rate over the last 30 years. The authors of the publications are primarily from developed nations, such as countries in North America, Europe, East Asia, and Oceania. Published research is mainly from the fields of Environmental Sciences and Ecology, Environmental Sciences, and Public, Environmental and Occupational Health. The main research hotspots are exposure, air pollution, and PM2.5. Research is trending toward the intersection and integration of multiple subjects. Our results highlight the rapid growth of PM2.5-related research and provide insights into the structure, impact, and trends of this interdisciplinary field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality Studies)
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