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Rawat P, Sharma B, Dey S, Rana A, Mukherjee A, Polana AJ, Mao J, Jia S, Yadav AK, Khillare PS, Sarkar S. Are fireworks a significant episodic source of brown carbon? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:40252-40261. [PMID: 35404032 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We hypothesize that firework events involving the combustion of charcoal fuel, organic binders, metal salts, and cellulose-based wrapping material could be significant transient sources of aerosol brown carbon (BrC). To test this, we couple high time-resolution (1 min) measurements of black carbon (BC) and BrC absorption from a 7-wavelength aethalometer with time-integrated (12-24 h) measurements of filter extracts, i.e., UV-visible, fluorescence, and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) signatures of BrC, total and water-soluble organic carbon (OC and WSOC), ionic species, and firework tracer metals during a sampling campaign covering the Diwali fireworks episode in India. In sharp contrast to BC, BrC absorption shows a distinct and considerable rise of 2-4 times during the Diwali period, especially during the hours of peak firework activity, as compared to the background. Fluorescence profiles suggest enrichment of humic-like substances (HULIS) in the firework plume, while the enhancement of BrC absorption in the 400-500 nm range suggests the presence of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). Considerable contributions of WSOC and secondary organics to OC (44.1% and 31.2%, respectively) and of the water-soluble fraction of BrC to total BrC absorption (71.0%) during the Diwali period point toward an atmospherically processed, polar signature of firework-related BrC, which is further confirmed by FT-IR profiles. This aqueous BrC exerts a short-lived but strong effect on atmospheric forcing (12.0% vis-à-vis BC in the UV spectrum), which could affect tropospheric chemistry via UV attenuation and lead to a stabilization of the post-Diwali atmosphere, resulting in enhanced pollutant build-up and exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Rawat
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175075, India
| | - Bijay Sharma
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175075, India
| | - Supriya Dey
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175075, India
| | - Archita Rana
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
| | - Arya Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
| | - Anuraag J Polana
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India
| | - Jingying Mao
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiguo Jia
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Amit K Yadav
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pandit S Khillare
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sayantan Sarkar
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, 741246, Nadia, India.
- School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, 175075, India.
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D'Uva JA, DeTata D, May CD, Lewis SW. Investigations into the source attribution of party sparklers using trace elemental analysis and chemometrics. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 12:4939-4948. [PMID: 33030194 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay01319f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In Australia, party sparklers are commonly used to initiate or prepare inorganic based homemade explosives (HMEs) as they are the most easily accessible and inexpensive pyrotechnic available on the market. As sparkler residue would be encountered in cases involving these types of devices, the characterisation and source determination of the residue would be beneficial within a forensic investigation. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the potential of using trace elemental profiling coupled with chemometric and other statistical techniques to link a variety of different sparklers to their origin. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of 50 elements in 48 pre-blast sparkler samples from eight sparkler brands/classes available in Australia. Extracting ground-up sparkler residue in 10% nitric acid for 24 hours was found to give the most reliable quantification. The collected data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to visualise the distribution of the sample data and explore whether the sparkler samples could be classified into their respective brands. ANOVA based feature selection was used to remove elements that did not largely contribute to the separation between classes. This resulted in the development of a 7-elemental profile, consisting of V, Co, Ni, Sr, Sn, Sb, W, which could be used to correctly classify the samples into eight distinct groups. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was subsequently used to construct a discriminant model using four out of six samples from each class. The model successfully classified 100% of the samples to their correct sparkler brand. The model also correctly matched 100% of the remaining samples to the correct class. This demonstrates the potential of using trace elemental analysis and chemometrics to correctly identify and discriminate between party sparklers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A D'Uva
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia and Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
| | - David DeTata
- ChemCentre, Manning Road, Bentley, 6102, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher D May
- ChemCentre, Manning Road, Bentley, 6102, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon W Lewis
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia and Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
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He N, Ni Y, Teng J, Li H, Yao L, Zhao P. Identification of inorganic oxidizing salts in homemade explosives using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2019; 221:117164. [PMID: 31163327 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recently, inorganic low explosives, such as pyrotechnic composition, black powder, and ammonium nitrate, are commonly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the rioter or terrorists since these energetic materials can be obtained easily and legally from civilian markets. Identification of inorganic oxidizing salts in these homemade explosives, including nitrates, chlorates, and perchlorates, is a necessary procedure for forensic investigators to provide criminal evidences. In this article, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to discriminate NO3-, CO32-, ClO3-, ClO4-, SO42-, and NH4+, whose characteristic absorption bands were explained by vibration modes of the covalent bonds. Then the spectral absorption features of nitrate salts with monovalent or divalent cations were discussed. Furthermore, it was studied whether nitrates or perchlorates can be unequivocally distinguished with the presence of carbonate and sulfate impurities through FTIR technique. Finally, the feasibility of this method was verified through an analytical case of homemade explosives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning He
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
| | - Yunchang Ni
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
| | - Jiao Teng
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
| | - Hongda Li
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
| | - Lijuan Yao
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhao
- Department of Forensic Chemistry, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang 110035, China.
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Guerra M, Longelin S, Pessanha S, Manso M, Carvalho ML. Development of a combined portable x-ray fluorescence and Raman spectrometer for in situ analysis. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2014; 85:063113. [PMID: 24985805 DOI: 10.1063/1.4883188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we have built a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer in a planar configuration coupled to a Raman head and a digital optical microscope, for in situ analysis. Several geometries for the XRF apparatus and digital microscope are possible in order to overcome spatial constraints and provide better measurement conditions. With this combined spectrometer, we are now able to perform XRF and Raman measurements in the same point without the need for sample collection, which can be crucial when dealing with cultural heritage objects, as well as forensic analysis. We show the capabilities of the spectrometer by measuring several standard reference materials, as well as other samples usually encountered in cultural heritage, geological, as well as biomedical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Guerra
- Departamento de Física da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - S Longelin
- Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Pessanha
- Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Manso
- Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M L Carvalho
- Departamento de Física da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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