1
|
Wang W, Xu W, Collett JL, Liu D, Zheng A, Dore AJ, Liu X. Chemical compositions of fog and precipitation at Sejila Mountain in the southeast Tibetan Plateau, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 253:560-568. [PMID: 31330348 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical compositions of fog and rain water were measured between July 2017 and September 2018 at Sejila Mountain, southeast Tibet, where fog events frequently occurred in original fir forests at altitude 3950 m. Fog water samples were collected using a Caltech Active Strand Cloud Collector (CASCC), and rain samples were collected using a precipitation gauge. Differences were observed between fog water and rain composition for most analyzed ions. Ion abundance in fog water was Ca2+ > Cl- > Na+ > SO42- > Mg2+ > NH4+ >K+ > NO3- whereas an order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Cl- > Mg2+ > SO42- > NO3- > K+ > NH4+ was observed for rain water. All ion concentrations were higher in fog water than in rain water. Additionally, Ca2+ was the dominant cation in both fog and rain samples, accounting for more than half of all measured cations. NH4+ and SO42- concentrations were notable for being higher in fog than rain water when compared with other ions. For trace elements, Al, As, Mn and Se were the most abundant elements in fog water; only Al and As were detected in rain water. Seventy-two hour back-trajectory analysis showed that air masses during fog and/or rain events mainly came from the south of Sejila Mountain. Spearman correlation analysis and source contribution calculations indicated that both marine and terrestrial sources contributed to the observed ion concentrations. Considering the higher concentrations of NH4+ and higher ratio of NH4+/NO3- measured in fog than in rain, we suggest that quantification of fog nitrogen deposition and its ecological effect in this area should be given more attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Xizang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, 860000, China; Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet, Ministry of Education, Xizang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, 860000, China.
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Jeffrey L Collett
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Duanyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Transportation Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Aihua Zheng
- Analysis and Testing Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Anthony J Dore
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK.
| | - Xuejun Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sun L, Wang Y, Yue T, Yang X, Xue L, Wang W. Evaluation of the behavior of clouds in a region of severe acid rain pollution in southern China: species, complexes, and variations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:14280-90. [PMID: 25976330 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4674-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cloud samples were collected during the summer of 2011 and the spring of 2012 at a high-elevation site in southern China in an effort to examine the chemical characteristics of acid clouds. In total, 141 cloud samples were collected during 44 cloud events over the observation period. The dominant ionic species were SO4(2-), NH4(+), and NO3(-), contributing approximately 75% of the total inorganic ion concentration. The primary acidifying factors were sulfate and nitrate, and the primary neutralizing factors were ammonium and calcium. The volume-weighted mean (VWM) pH of the cloud water was 3.79, indicating an acidic nature. In these cloud samples, Zn and Al exhibited the highest trace metal concentrations, contributing approximately 60% of the total trace element concentration. Toxic metals, such as Pb, Ba, As, and Cr, were detected at high concentrations, indicating potential hazards for human health, vegetation, and waters in this region. Visual MINTEQ 3.0 results revealed that the majority of Zn(II) and Pb(II) existed in the form of free ions. The behavior of Al, however, differed from the behaviors of zinc and lead. The temporal variation in cloud chemistry indicated that temperature, sandstorms, and long-range transport could affect the concentrations of species. During the lifetime of a cloud event, the concentrations of the chemical species were controlled by the transfer of gases or particles to liquid droplets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li W, Wang Y, Collett JL, Chen J, Zhang X, Wang Z, Wang W. Microscopic evaluation of trace metals in cloud droplets in an acid precipitation region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:4172-4180. [PMID: 23586904 DOI: 10.1021/es304779t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mass concentrations of soluble trace metals and size, number, and mixing properties of nanometal particles in clouds determine their toxicity to ecosystems. Cloud water was found to be acidic, with a pH of 3.52, at Mt. Lu (elevation 1,165 m) in an acid precipitation region in South China. A combination of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for the first time demonstrates that the soluble metal concentrations and solid metal particle number are surprisingly high in acid clouds at Mt. Lu, where daily concentrations of SO2, NO2, and PM10 are 18 μg m(-3), 7 μg m(-3), and 22 μg m(-3). The soluble metals in cloudwater with the highest concentrations were zinc (Zn, 200 μg L(-1)), iron (Fe, 88 μg L(-1)), and lead (Pb, 77 μg L(-1)). TEM reveals that 76% of cloud residues include metal particles that range from 50 nm to 1 μm diameter with a median diameter of 250 nm. Four major metal-associated particle types are Pb-rich (35%), fly ash (27%), Fe-rich (23%), and Zn-rich (15%). Elemental mapping shows that minor soluble metals are distributed within sulfates of cloud residues. Emissions of fine metal particles from large, nonferrous industries and coal-fired power plants with tall stacks were transported upward to this high elevation. Our results suggest that the abundant trace metals in clouds aggravate the impacts of acid clouds or associated precipitation on the ecosystem and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Li
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Csavina J, Field J, Taylor MP, Gao S, Landázuri A, Betterton EA, Sáez AE. A review on the importance of metals and metalloids in atmospheric dust and aerosol from mining operations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 433:58-73. [PMID: 22766428 PMCID: PMC3418464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2012] [Revised: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2012] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants can be transported rapidly and over relatively long distances by atmospheric dust and aerosol relative to other media such as water, soil and biota; yet few studies have explicitly evaluated the environmental implications of this pathway, making it a fundamental but understudied transport mechanism. Although there are numerous natural and anthropogenic activities that can increase dust and aerosol emissions and contaminant levels in the environment, mining operations are notable with respect to the quantity of particulates generated, the global extent of area impacted, and the toxicity of contaminants associated with the emissions. Here we review (i) the environmental fate and transport of metals and metalloids in dust and aerosol from mining operations, (ii) current methodologies used to assess contaminant concentrations and particulate emissions, and (iii) the potential health and environmental risks associated with airborne contaminants from mining operations. The review evaluates future research priorities based on the available literature and suggest that there is a particular need to measure and understand the generation, fate and transport of airborne particulates from mining operations, specifically the finer particle fraction. More generally, our findings suggest that mining operations play an important but underappreciated role in the generation of contaminated atmospheric dust and aerosol and the transport of metal and metalloid contaminants, and highlight the need for further research in this area. The role of mining activities in the fate and transport of environmental contaminants may become increasingly important in the coming decades, as climate change and land use are projected to intensify, both of which can substantially increase the potential for dust emissions and transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janae Csavina
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Jason Field
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Mark P. Taylor
- Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Song Gao
- Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314
| | - Andrea Landázuri
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Eric A. Betterton
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - A. Eduardo Sáez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu XH, Wai KM, Wang Y, Zhou J, Li PH, Guo J, Xu PJ, Wang WX. Evaluation of trace elements contamination in cloud/fog water at an elevated mountain site in Northern China. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 88:531-41. [PMID: 22503636 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Totally 117 cloud/fog water samples were collected at the summit of Mt. Tai (1534m a.s.l.)-the highest mountain in the Northern China Plain. The results were investigated by a combination of techniques including back trajectory model, regional air quality and dust storm models, satellite observations and Principal Component Analysis. Elemental concentrations were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, with stringent quality control measures. Higher elemental concentrations were found at Mt. Tai compared with those reported by other overseas studies. The larger proportions and higher concentrations of toxic elements such as Pb and As in cloud/fog water compared with those in rainwater at Mt. Tai suggests higher potential hazards of cloud/fog water as a source of contamination in polluted areas to the ecosystem. Peak concentrations of trace elements were frequently observed during the onset of cloud/fog events when liquid water contents of cloud/fog water were usually low and large amount of pollutants were accumulated in the ambient air. Inverse relationship between elemental concentrations and liquid water contents were only found in the samples with high electrical conductivities and liquid water contents lower than 0.3gm(-3). Affected mainly by the emissions of steel industries and mining activities, air masses transported from south/southwest of Mt. Tai were frequently associated with higher elemental concentrations. The element Mn is attributed to play an important role in the acidity of cloud/fog water. The composition of cloud/fog water influenced by an Asian dust storm event was reported, which was seldom found in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-huan Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nguyen TB, Lee PB, Updyke KM, Bones DL, Laskin J, Laskin A, Nizkorodov SA. Formation of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing light-absorbing compounds accelerated by evaporation of water from secondary organic aerosols. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2011jd016944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
7
|
Csavina J, Landázuri A, Wonaschütz A, Rine K, Rheinheimer P, Barbaris B, Conant W, Sáez AE, Betterton EA. Metal and Metalloid Contaminants in Atmospheric Aerosols from Mining Operations. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2011; 221:145-157. [PMID: 23441050 PMCID: PMC3576728 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-011-0777-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mining operations are potential sources of airborne metal and metalloid contaminants through both direct smelter emissions and wind erosion of mine tailings. The warmer, drier conditions predicted for the Southwestern US by climate models may make contaminated atmospheric dust and aerosols increasingly important, with potential deleterious effects on human health and ecology. Fine particulates such as those resulting from smelting operations may disperse more readily into the environment than coarser tailings dust. Fine particles also penetrate more deeply into the human respiratory system, and may become more bioavailable due to their high specific surface area. In this work, we report the size-fractionated chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosols sampled over a period of a year near an active mining and smelting site in Arizona. Aerosols were characterized with a 10-stage (0.054 to 18 μm aerodynamic diameter) multiple orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI), a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and a total suspended particulate (TSP) collector. The MOUDI results show that arsenic and lead concentrations follow a bimodal distribution, with maxima centered at approximately 0.3 and 7.0 μm diameter. We hypothesize that the sub-micron arsenic and lead are the product of condensation and coagulation of smelting vapors. In the coarse size, contaminants are thought to originate as aeolian dust from mine tailings and other sources. Observation of ultrafine particle number concentration (SMPS) show the highest readings when the wind comes from the general direction of the smelting operations site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janae Csavina
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|