Development of baseline (air quality) data in Pakistan

During 2003–2004, SUPARCO, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission has conducted a year long baseline air quality study in country’s major urban areas (Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar). The objective of this study was to establish baseline levels and behavior of airborne pollutants in urban centers with temporal and spatial parameters. This study reveals that the highest concentrations of CO were observed at Quetta (14 ppm) while other pollutants like SO₂ (52.5 ppb), NO _x (60.75 ppb) and O₃ (50 ppb) were higher at Lahore compared to other urban centers like Karachi, Peshawar etc. The maximum particulate (TSP) and PM10 levels were observed at Lahore (996 ug/m³ and 368 ug/m³ respectively), Quetta (778 ug/m³, 298 ug/m³) and in Karachi (410 ug/m³, 302 ug/m³). In all major cities the highest levels were recorded at major intersections and variations were directly correlated with traffic density. These pollutants showed highest levels in summer and spring while lowest were observed in winter and monsoon. A data bank has been generated for future planning and air pollution impact studies.     

Assessment of Ambient Air Quality in Urban Centres of Haryana (India) in Relation to Different Anthropogenic Activities and Health Risks

Considering the mounting evidences of the effects of air pollution on health, the present study was undertaken to assess the ambient air quality status in the fast growing urban centres of Haryana state, India. The samples were collected for total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), respirable suspended particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and oxides of nitrogen (NO₂) during different seasons from 8 districts of Haryana during January, 1999 to September, 2000. The four types of sampling sites with different anthropogenic activities i.e. residential, sensitive, commercial and industrial were identified in each city. The ambient air concentration of TSPM and PM₁₀ observed was well above the prescribed standards at almost all the sites. The average ambient air concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were found below the permissible limits at all the centres. Comparatively higher concentration of SO₂ was observed during winter seasons, which seems to be related with the enhanced combustion of fuel for space heating and relatively stable atmospheric conditions. Air Quality Index (AQI) prepared for these cities shows that residential, sensitive and commercial areas were moderately to severely polluted which is a cause of concern for the residents of these cities. The high levels of TSPM and SO₂ especially in winter are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. The data from Hisar city reveals a significant increase in the total number of hospital visits/admissions of the patients with acute respiratory diseases during winter season when the level of air pollutants was high.     

Study on concentration of ambient NH 3 and interactions with some other ambient trace gases

We present diurnal variation of ambient ammonia (NH₃) in relation with other trace gases (O₃, CO, NO, NO₂, and SO₂) and meteorological parameters at an urban site of Delhi during winter period. For the first time, ambient ammonia (NH₃) was monitored very precisely and continuously using ammonia analyzer, which operates on chemiluminescence method. NH₃ estimation efficiency of the chemiluminescence method (>90%) is much higher than the conventional chemical trapping method (reproducibility 4.5%). Ambient NH₃ concentration reaches its maxima (46.17 ppb) at night and minimum during midday. Result reveals that the ambient ammonia (NH₃) concentration is positively correlated with ambient NO (r ²?=?0.79) and NO₂ (r ²?=?0.91) mixing ratio and negatively correlated with ambient temperature (r ²?=???0.32). Wind direction and wind speed indicates that the nearby (~500 m NW) agricultural fields may be major source of ambient NH₃ at the observational site.     

川南6市空气中SO2和NO2空间分布特征

利用简单、方便、不用电源的被动采样技术分别对川南地区6市区域范围内空气中SO2和NO2在雨季和旱季的空间分布特征进行研究。按16 km×16 km的均匀网格布设点位162个,并在雨季于6市各选1个空气自动站布设城区点位采集空气中SO2和NO2。获得的样品经0.3%的双氧水浸提后采用离子色谱法进行分析,经换算后获得空气中SO2和NO2的浓度,了解了其含量水平,绘制了SO2和NO2的空间分布图,掌握了其空间分布特征,并对可能的来源进行了浅析。将被动采样监测结果与自动站监测结果进行相关分析,两者高度线性相关,NO2和SO2线性相关系数分别为0.901 3和0.874 5,均大于r0.05(4)=0.811 4。     

烟花爆竹禁燃对春节期间东北地区空气质量影响评估

利用2015—2017年春节期间东北地区主要大气污染物(PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2、NO_2、CO和O3)质量浓度监测资料及相应气象因子(温度、湿度、风速和气压)观测资料,分析了春节期间烟花爆竹禁燃对东北地区空气质量的影响。结果表明:随着东北地区主要城市禁燃力度的增强,空气质量逐年提升,PM_(2.5)和SO_2浓度逐年大幅度下降。禁燃可明显降低城区PM_(2.5)浓度,而由于春节期间污染源整体减少,城区和城郊监测点PM_(2.5)浓度值差异减小。烟花爆竹对PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)浓度影响高于对气体污染物SO_2、NO_2和CO的影响。此外,气象条件对东北地区春节期间禁燃改善空气质量的效果也有明显影响。因此,结合春节期间的气象条件,在东北地区实施禁燃政策动态调整非常必要。     

杭州市大气污染物排放清单及特征

以杭州市区为研究区域,通过调查整合多套污染源数据库及其他统计资料,研究文献报道及模型计算的各种污染源排放因子,获得杭州市区各行业PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NOx、CO、VOCs、NH3等污染物的排放量,建立了杭州市区2010年1 km×1 km大气污染物排放清单。结果表明,2010年杭州市区PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NOx、CO、VOCs和NH3的排放总量分别为7.96×104、4.02×104、7.23×104、8.98×104、73.90×104、39.56×104、3.32×104t。从排放源的行业分布来看,机动车尾气排放是杭州市区大气污染物最重要排放源之一,对PM10、PM2.5、NOx、CO和VOCs的贡献分别达到14.4%、27.1%、40.3%、21.4%、31.1%。道路扬尘、电厂锅炉、工业炉窑、植被、畜禽养殖对不同污染物分别有着重要贡献,道路扬尘对PM10和PM2.5的贡献分别为44.6%和20.0%、电厂锅炉对SO2和NOx的贡献分别为37.0%和25.7%、工业炉窑对CO的贡献为41.5%、植被排放对VOCs的贡献为27.1%、畜禽养殖对NH3的贡献为76.5%。从空间分布来看,萧山区和余杭区对SO2、NH3和植被排放BVOC的贡献要显著高于主城区;而主城区机动车对PM2.5、NOx和VOCs的贡献分别达到36.3%、56.0%和47.4%,较市区范围内显著增加,表明机动车尾气排放已成为杭州主城区大气污染最重要的来源之一。     

哈大绥城市“十三五”期间大气环境容量分析

根据2016—2020年哈尔滨市、大庆市、绥化市(以下称哈大绥)国控环境空气自动监测站的SO₂、NO₂、PM_2.5监测资料,统计年鉴中行政区划、污染物排放及气象等监测数据,分析哈大绥区域环境空气质量的变化趋势和测算因子,采用A值法核定了哈大绥区域SO₂、NO₂、PM_2.5的大气环境容量。结果表明:哈大绥SO₂、NO₂、PM_2.5 3项污染物采暖季的大气环境容量均呈逐年递增趋势。通过计算环境承载能力发现,哈大绥SO₂、NO₂、PM_2.5 3项污染物在非采暖季均具有高承载能力,哈大绥非采暖季环境容量高于采暖季。哈尔滨的个别污染物仍然处于临界超载状态,为减少重污染天气,应进一步削减采暖季污染物排放量。     

Air Quality Assessment in Delhi: Before and After CNG as Fuel

A number of policy measures have been activated in India in order to control the levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Delhi, which is one of the most polluted cities in the world, is also going through the implementation phase of the control policies. Ambient air quality data monitored during 2000 to 2003, at 10 sites in Delhi, were analyzed to assess the impact of implementation of these measures, specifically fuel change in vehicles. This paper presents the impact of policy measures on ambient air quality levels and also the source apportionment. CO and NO₂ concentration levels in ambient air are found to be associated with the mobile sources. The temporal variation of air quality data shows the significant effect of shift to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) in vehicles.     

Seasonal characteristics of SO2, NO2, and CO emissions in and around the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) exert significant influence on local and regional atmospheric chemistry. Temporal and spatial variability of these gases are investigated using surface measurements by the Central Pollution Control Board (India) during 2005–2009 over six urban locations in and around the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and supported using the satellite measurements of these gases. The stations chosen are Jodhpur (west of IGP), Delhi (central IGP), Kolkata and Durgapur (eastern IGP), Guwahati (east of IGP), and Nagpur (south of IGP). Among the stations studied, SO₂ concentrations are found to be the highest over Kolkata megacity. Elevated levels of NO₂ occur over the IGP stations of Durgapur, Kolkata, and Delhi. Columnar NO₂ values are also found to be elevated over these regions during winter due to high surface concentrations while columnar SO₂ values show a monsoon maximum. Elevated columnar CO over Guwahati during pre-monsoon are attributed to biomass burning. Statistically significant correlations between columnar NO₂ and surface NO₂ obtained for Delhi, Kolkata, and Durgapur along with very low SO₂ to NO₂ ratios (≤0.2) indicate fossil fuel combustion from mobile sources as major contributors to the ambient air over these regions.     

北京市典型重污染过程中PM2.5载带水溶性无机离子污染特征分析

为研究北京地区冬季PM_(2.5)载带的水溶性无机离子组分污染特征,2013年1月在中国环境科学研究院内采用在线离子色谱(URG-9000B,AIM-IC)对PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子(SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、Cl~-、NH_4~+、Na~+、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+))进行监测与分析。结果表明,采样期间总水溶性无机离子(TWSI)浓度为61.0μg/m~3,其中二次无机离子SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-、NH_4~+(SNA)占比达72.3%,在PM_(2.5)中占比为40.29%,表明北京市PM_(2.5)二次污染严重。重污染天[NO_3~-]/[SO_4~(2-)]表明,固定源污染较移动源更为显著。三元相图表明,在空气质量为优的情况下,NH_4~+(在SNA中占比为30.3%~65.5%,下同)主要以NH_4NO_3的形式存在,较少比例以(NH_4)_2SO_4存在;严重污染时,NH_4~+(47.3%~77.9%)主要以(NH_4)_2SO_4形式存在,其次以NH_4NO_3的形式存在,其余的NH_4~+以NH_4Cl的形式存在。[NO_3~-]/[SO_4~(2-)]日变化表明,早、晚机动车高峰影响北京重污染发生。     

Seasonal Differences in the Levels of Gaseous Air Pollutants in the Vicinity of a Waste Dump

Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, mercaptans and sulphur dioxide (H₂S, NH₃, NO₂, R-SH, SO₂) concentrations were measured at the location in the vicinity of the waste dump to determine the air pollution level of these pollutants prior to the operation of the Mobile Thermal Treatment Plant. Samples were collected over one year period. Seasonal differences, and the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind direction) on the air pollution levels were studied. Results show relatively low concentrations of H₂S, NO₂, R-SH and SO₂, while NH₃ levels were higher compared to the guideline values. Good weather conditions (high air pressure and low relative humidity) are connected to long range transport of NO₂, while higher temperatures result in elevated NH₃ and R-SH concentrations. Because of the predominant northeast wind direction (the same as the waste dump direction), the contribution of air pollution from the direction of the waste dump at the measuring site is significant, but that does not necessarily mean that the pollutants originated from that source.     

2001年～2008年及奥运会期间天津市大气污染特征分析

根据天津市大气质量监测数据,对2001年～2008年及奥运会期间天津市大气污染特征和主要大气污染物的变化规律进行了分析。结果表明,2001年～2008年天津市的PM10、SO2和NO2污染总体呈下降趋势,但质量浓度仍相对较高。2008年8月奥运会期间天津市PM10和SO2质量浓度达到国家空气质量二级标准,NO2质量浓度达到国家空气质量一级标准,空气质量良好。天津市PM10污染相对稳定,SO2和NO2的污染分布呈现明显的季节性,时间上表现为冬强夏弱。气象条件对污染物浓度影响明显,沙尘、大雾等天气可使污染物浓度急剧升高。     

The Effects of Ammonia on SO2 Emissions in a Fluidized Bed Combustor Under Pseudo-Staged Combustion

The reduction of SO₂ by ammonia gas additionduring staged combustion of bituminous coal has beenstudied in a 2 m high fluidized bed combustor of 30 cmstatic bed height and a freeboard height of 100 cm.The coal was introduced to the combustor at 42 cmabove the distributor and the ammonia gas was injectedat 52 cm above the distributor by an uncooledstainless steel injector. Experiments were carriedout to investigate effects of ammonia gas injection onSO₂ emissions of (i) air staged levels, (ii) excess air levels, (iii) primary air factor, PAF(ratio of primary to stoichiometric air), (iv) NH₃:SO₂ molar ratio, and (v) fluidizingvelocity. Experiments were carried out under a newtechnique of air staging called Pseudo-stagedCombustion, maintaining the excess air level andfluidizing velocity between 17 and 70% and between0.7 and 2.0 m sec^-1, respectively. A maximum reduction of92% was obtained at 37% excess air, at NH₃:SO₂ molar ratio of 5.5. The effective NH₃:SO₂ molar ratio was found to be between 3.0 and5.5, which is true for all staging and excess air levels.A greater removal of SO₂ with NH₃ injectionduring staged combustion is probably due to this newstaging technique. The Pseudo-staging reducestemperature through the freeboard and flue for theoccurance of as NH₃ + SO₂ reactions. Thesereactions are reported to be low temperaturereactions. The NH₃ carry over was less than 83 ppm for all operating conditions. The present studydemonstrates that staged combustion coupled withammonia injection can reduce SO₂ emissions.     

主分量分析法在环境空气监测数据分析中的应用

根据西宁市13个环境空气监测站点2013—2017年大气污染物细颗粒物(PM2. 5)、可吸入颗粒物(PM10)、二氧化硫(SO_2)、二氧化氮(NO_2)、臭氧最大8 h平均(O_3-8h)和一氧化碳(CO)的监测数据,采用主分量分析法对西宁市环境空气质量进行了综合评估。结果表明,2013—2017年西宁市大部分环境空气监测站点周边环境空气质量逐渐提升,4个国控站综合得分(F)趋势变化幅度较大,其周边环境空气质量状况改善较为明显;城南新区、湟源县气象局和西钢监测站点周边环境空气质量呈逐年下降趋势,与其附近工业生产有关。     

Study of urban atmospheric pollution in Navarre (Northern Spain)

An ambient air quality study was undertaken in two cities (Pamplona and Alsasua) of the Province of Navarre in northern Spain from July 2001 to June 2004. The data were obtained from two urban monitoring sites. At both monitoring sites, ambient levels of ozone, NO_x, and SO₂ were measured. Simultaneously with levels of PM₁₀ measured at Alsasua (using a laser particle counter), PM₁₀ levels were also determined at Pamplona (using a beta attenuation monitor). Mean annual PM₁₀ concentrations in Pamplona and Alsasua reached 30 and 28 μg m⁻³, respectively. These concentrations are typical for urban background sites in Northern Spain. By using meteorological information and back trajectories, it was found that the number of exceedances of the daily PM₁₀ limit as well as the PM₁₀ temporal variation was highly influenced by air masses from North Africa. Although North African transport was observed on only 9% of the days, it contributed the highest observed PM₁₀ levels. Transport from the Atlantic Ocean was observed on 68% of the days; transport from Europe on 13%; low transport and local influences on 7%; and transport from the Mediterranean region on 3% of the days. The mean O₃ concentrations were 45 and 55 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and Alsasua, respectively, which were above the values reported for the main Spanish cities. The mean NO and NO₂ levels were very similar in both sites (12 and 26 μg m⁻³, respectively). Mean SO₂ levels were 8 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and 5 μg m⁻³ in Alsasua. Hourly levels of PM₁₀, NO and NO₂ showed similar variations with the typically two coincident maximums during traffic rush hours demonstrating a major anthropogenic origin of PM₁₀, in spite of the sporadic dust outbreaks.     

Outdoor-indoor air quality in Riyadh: SO2, NH3, and HCHO

A funded research project was conducted during the period July1992 through November 1994. The project was designed to evaluateindoor and ambient air quality in and around buildings of different types and uses in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.Thirty intercity buildings and two outercity (background) siteswere carefully selected and monitored for air quality. Ten airpollutants, together with relevant meteorological parameters, were monitored indoor and outdoor at each site continuously andsimultaneously for a period of two weeks covering summer and winter seasons.This article discusses the results obtained for sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ammonia (NH₃) and formaldehyde (HCHO). Results of this investigation revealed that most sites had on the averageexceeded the recommended standards for SO₂ and NH₃ bothindoor and outdoor, with indoor levels being worse than outdoorduring winter time. Several sites also showed high levels of HCHO, with outdoor levels being consistently higher than indoor.Statistical and frequency analyses were performed on the collected data, showing seasonal and sector by sector variability, and outdoor-indoor correlations.     

Study of temporal variation in ambient air quality during Diwali festival in India

The variation in air quality was assessed from the ambient concentrations of various air pollutants [total suspended particle (TSP), particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM₁₀), SO₂, and NO₂] for pre-Diwali, Diwali festival, post-Diwali, and foggy day (October, November, and December), Delhi (India), from 2002 to 2007. The extensive use of fireworks was found to be related to short-term variation in air quality. During the festival, TSP is almost of the same order as compared to the concentration at an industrial site in Delhi in all the years. However, the concentrations of PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ increased two to six times during the Diwali period when compared to the data reported for an industrial site. Similar trend was observed when the concentrations of pollutants were compared with values obtained for a typical foggy day each year in December. The levels of these pollutants observed during Diwali were found to be higher due to adverse meteorological conditions, i.e., decrease in 24 h average mixing height, temperature, and wind speed. The trend analysis shows that TSP, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ concentration increased just before Diwali and reached to a maximum concentration on the day of the festival. The values gradually decreased after the festival. On Diwali day, 24-h values for TSP and PM₁₀ in all the years from 2002 to 2007 and for NO₂ in 2004 and 2007 were found to be higher than prescribed limits of National Ambient Air Quality Standards and exceptionally high (3.6 times) for PM₁₀ in 2007. These results indicate that fireworks during the Diwali festival affected the ambient air quality adversely due to emission and accumulation of TSP, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO_2.     

2010—2019年台州市市区降水化学组成特征及变化趋势

为了解台州市市区大气降水化学成分组成特征及变化规律,对2010—2019年台州市市区降水监测数据进行了统计分析。结果表明:2010—2019年降水样品pH为4.20～4.84夏高冬低,强酸性降水频率下降显著,电导率平均值为3.16 mS/cm。SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-是降水中最主要的阴离子,NH_4~+和Ca~(2+)是降水中最主要的阳离子。Ca~(2+)浓度在2018年开始有所抬升,SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-浓度整体呈波动下降趋势。SO_4~(2-)与NO_3~-浓度比均值为1.50,呈下降趋势,同大气中SO_2与NO_2的质量浓度比变化趋势基本一致。SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-相关性显著,Cl~-、Na~+及Mg~(2+)三者之间具有较好相关性。降水与气态污染物相关性不大,对颗粒物有明显冲刷去除作用。SO_2和NO_x的排放量显著下降,酸雨污染呈现改善过程。     

Simultaneous Measurements of Atmospheric Pollutants and Visibility with a Long-Path DOAS System in Urban Areas

In this paper, the applicability of a Long-Path Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) system was checked for the feasibility of the simultaneous measurement of trace gases (such as O₃, NO₂, SO₂, and HCHO) and atmospheric visibility (light extinction by aerosols) in Asian urban areas. Field studies show that an LP-DOAS system can simultaneously measure the key pollutants (such as O₃, NO₂, SO₂, and HCHO) at detection limits in the ppb/sub-ppb range as well as the Mie extinction coefficient with an uncertainty of 0.1 km^–1 at time resolution of a few minutes. It is thus concluded that the use of LP-DOAS system is feasible for simultaneous measurement of gaseous pollutants as well as an atmospheric extinction coefficient which is tightly bound to fine particulate concentration.     

重庆市主城区大气水溶性离子在线观测分析

2015年12月—2016年3月期间,利用在线气体与气溶胶成分监测仪(IGAC)在重庆市大气超级站开展连续观测分析,并捕捉到2次持续时间较长的空气重污染过程。对PM_(2.5)中9种水溶性离子及5种气态前体物的观测结果分析表明:NO_3~-、NH_4~+和SO_4~(2-)是重庆市主城区PM_(2.5)中主要的水溶性离子成分,其浓度均表现出明显的日变化特征,主要以(NH4)_2SO_4和NH_4NO_3的形式存在。NH_3和SO_2是最主要的气态污染物。2次重污染过程的水溶性离子组分有明显差异,细颗粒物累积型污染的NH_4~+、SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-浓度高,二次转化十分明显;春节期间烟花爆竹集中燃放,Cl~-、K~+浓度高,主要属于一次排放;污染期间主要离子组分的同源性特征显著。