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Gangoiti G, de Blas M, Gómez MC, Rodríguez-García A, Torre-Pascual E, García-Ruiz E, Sáez de Cámara E, Zuazo I, García JA, Valdenebro V. Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown in a European Regional Monitoring Network (Spain): Are We Free from Pollution Episodes? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111042. [PMID: 34769562 PMCID: PMC8583473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The impact of the lockdown, during the period from March to June in 2020, upon the air quality of the Basque Country in northern Spain is analyzed. The evaluation accounts for the meteorology of the period. Daily and sub-daily analysis of aerosol and ozone records show that the territory was repeatedly affected by episodes of pollutants from outer regions. Three episodes of PM10 and ten of PM2.5 were caused by transported anthropogenic European sulfates, African dust, and wildland fires. The region, with a varied orographic climatology, shows high and diverse industrial activity. Urban and interurban road traffic of the region decreased by 49% and 53%, respectively, whereas industrial activity showed a lower reduction of 20%. Consequently, the average concentrations of NO2 in the cities during the period fell to 12.4 µg·m−3 (−45%). Ozone showed up to five exceedances of the WHOAQG for the daily maximum 8-h average in both rural and urban sites, associated with transport through France and the Bay of Biscay, under periods of European blocking anticyclones. However, averages showed a moderate decrease (−11%) in rural environments, in line with the precursor reductions, and disparate changes in the cities, which reproduced the weekend effect of their historical records. The PM10 decreased less than expected (−10% and −21%, in the urban and rural environments, respectively), probably caused by the modest decrease of industrial activity around urban sites and favorable meteorology for secondary aerosol formation, which could also influence the lower changes observed in the PM2.5 (−1% and +3% at the urban and rural sites, respectively). Consequently, in a future low NOx traffic emission scenario, the inter-regional PM and ozone control will require actions across various sectors, including the industry and common pollution control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gotzon Gangoiti
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-94-601-4088; Fax: +34-94-601-7800
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Feng J, Gao S, Fu Q, Chen X, Chen X, Han D, Cheng J. Indirect source apportionment of methyl mercaptan using CMB and PMF models: a case study near a refining and petrochemical plant. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:24305-24312. [PMID: 31256395 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is key to air quality control and pollution prevention. Though receptor models have been widely used in source apportionment of VOCs, they are not applicable to identify the potential source of labile species. In this study, the potential source of methyl mercaptan (MeSH) near a large refining and petrochemical plant was identified using an indirect method. When wind directions were controlled, the study period was separated into two subperiods depending on the detection of MeSH. Relative contributions from potential sources were predicted by chemical mass balance model and positive matrix factorization model based on ambient concentrations of sulfur-free compounds. Both models predicted that petroleum refinery and petrochemical production were the dominant sources of VOCs in the study area. When MeSH was detected, the relative contribution from gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, or crude oil increased by 7.4 to 26.8% point, depending on wind direction and the predictive model used, suggesting a close relationship between MeSH and the emission from petroleum refinery. Consistent with the indirect source apportionment, among the coexisting VOCs, MeSH was most highly correlated or associated with ethane, propane, isobutane, cis-2-pentente, and isoprene, which are major components of the products or by-products of petrochemical refining processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Song Gao
- Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai, 200230, China
| | - Qingyan Fu
- Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai, 200230, China
| | - Xiaojia Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Demin Han
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jinping Cheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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de Blas M, Ibáñez P, García JA, Gómez MC, Navazo M, Alonso L, Durana N, Iza J, Gangoiti G, de Cámara ES. Summertime high resolution variability of atmospheric formaldehyde and non-methane volatile organic compounds in a rural background area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 647:862-877. [PMID: 30096675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
On rural background areas atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) is important for its abundance and chemical reactivity, directly linked to the tropospheric ozone formation processes. HCHO is also toxic and carcinogenic to humans. Atmospheric HCHO was continuously measured in summer 2016 during 81 days (N = 6722, average: 1.42 ppbv) in a rural background area in Northern Spain, Valderejo Natural Park (VNP) using a Hantzsch fluorimetric system. To better characterize the photochemical processes the database was completed with hourly measurements of 63 Non-Methane Hydrocarbons (NMHC) performed by gas chromatography and other common atmospheric pollutants and meteorological parameters. HCHO mixing ratios were highly correlated with ozone and isoprene. Cloudy and rainy days, with low temperature and radiation, led to low HCHO mixing ratios, with maxima (<2 ppbv) registered around 14 UTC. On days with increased radiation and temperature HCHO maxima occurred slightly later (<6 ppbv, ≈16:00 UTC). During clear summer days with high temperature and radiation, two HCHO peaks were registered daily, one synchronized with the radiation maximum (≈3-4 ppbv, ≈13:00 UTC) and an absolute maximum (<10 ppbv, ≈18:00 UTC), associated with the addition of HCHO coming into VNP due to inbound transport of old polluted air masses. In the ozone episode studied, the processes of accumulation and recharge of ozone and of HCHO ran in parallel, leading to similar daily patterns of variation. Finally, HCHO mixing ratios measured in VNP were compared with other measurements at rural, forested, and remote sites all over the world, obtaining similar values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite de Blas
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain.
| | - Pablo Ibáñez
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio García
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Maria Carmen Gómez
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Marino Navazo
- Faculty Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Lucio Alonso
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Nieves Durana
- Faculty Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Jon Iza
- Faculty Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
| | - Gotzon Gangoiti
- Faculty of Engineering - Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Spain
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de Blas M, Navazo M, Alonso L, Gangoiti G, García JA, de Cámara ES, Valdenebro V, García-Ruiz E, García-Borreguero N. Continuous measurement of atmospheric reduced sulphur compounds as key tracers between odour complaints and source apportionment. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:102. [PMID: 28185157 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Odour complaints are frequent nowadays, particularly nearby industrial facilities emitting odorous compounds. Among all compounds susceptible of causing odour annoyance, reduced sulphur compounds (RSC) were studied, due to their unpleasant odour and low odour threshold. RSC ambient air mixing ratios, meteorological conditions and population complaints were analysed in an area of complex topography in order to identify their potential sources. Mixing ratios of three compounds, dimethyl sulphide (DMS), carbon disulphide (CDS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), were continuously monitored using an online gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MSD), which was placed in a mobile air quality monitoring unit. Measurement campaigns were performed during 2012 and 2013 for periods of 7-25 days in an urban area (four campaigns, N = 1368) and an urban area surrounded by industrial activities (three campaigns, N = 564). During such campaigns, RSC mixing ratios were frequently above their odour thresholds, which did not always involve citizen complaints. Average RSC ambient air mixing ratios tended to be lower in the urban area (DMS 0.06-0.33, CDS 0.05-0.10, DMDS 0.07-0.30 μg m-3) than in the industry surrounded one (DMS 0.30-2.39, 0.05-0.18, DMDS 0.09-0.62 μg m-3). The DMS/DMDS mixing ratio was frequently above 1, being a paper mill one of the main sources of RSC in the area. DMS/DMDS ratios below 1 were also recorded, suggesting a waste treatment plant as the RSC source or older air masses coming from the paper mill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite de Blas
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Marino Navazo
- University College of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Lucio Alonso
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Gotzon Gangoiti
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - José Antonio García
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz Sáez de Cámara
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Verónica Valdenebro
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz García-Ruiz
- Faculty of Engineering-Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
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de Blas M, Navazo M, Alonso L, Durana N, Iza J. Automatic on-line monitoring of atmospheric volatile organic compounds: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection as complementary systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2011; 409:5459-5469. [PMID: 21978614 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.08.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally air quality networks have been carrying out the continuous, on-line measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in ambient air with GC-FID. In this paper some identification and coelution problems observed while using this technique in long-term measurement campaigns are described. In order to solve these problems a GC-MS was set up and operated simultaneously with a GC-FID for C2-C11 VOCs measurement. There are few on-line, unattended, long term measurements of atmospheric VOCs performed with GC-MS. In this work such a system has been optimized for that purpose, achieving good repeatability, linearity, and detection limits of the order of the GC-FID ones, even smaller in some cases. VOC quantification has been made by using response factors, which is not frequent in on-line GC-MS. That way, the identification and coelution problems detected in the GC-FID, which may led to reporting erroneous data, could be corrected. The combination of GC-FID and GC-MS as complementary techniques for the measurement of speciated VOCs in ambient air at sub-ppbv levels is proposed. Some results of the measurements are presented, including concentration values for some compounds not found until now on public ambient air VOC databases, which were identified and quantified combining both techniques. Results may also help to correct previously published VOC data with wrongly identified compounds by reprocessing raw chromatographic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite de Blas
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, University College of Technical Mining and Civil Engineering, University of the Basque Country, Colina de Beurco s/n, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain.
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Navazo M, Durana N, Alonso L, Gómez MC, García JA, Ilardia JL, Gangoiti G, Iza J. High temporal resolution measurements of ozone precursors in a rural background station. A two-year study. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2008; 136:53-68. [PMID: 17492486 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-9720-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Revised: 10/09/2006] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We present a very complete database of individual non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) measurements with high temporal resolution (hourly) in a rural background atmosphere. We show their use to characterize the biogenic NMHC as well as to identify the transport and impact of anthropogenic NMHC on rural areas. In January 2003 an automatic GC-FID analyzer of volatile organic compounds between 2 and 10 carbon atoms (C2-C10 VOCs) was placed in the centre of the Valderejo Natural Park in northern Iberia (42.87 degrees N, 3.22 degrees W), far away from important cities. The system operated continuously until December 2004. Data coverage was higher than 70% for a total of 59 VOC of both anthropogenic and biogenic origin, with detection limits in the range of pptv. Our results allow for the description of the behaviour of these compounds, in order to identify external impacts arriving to the sampling site which has been recognized to be highly representative of a rural background atmosphere. Biogenic VOC concentrations have been compared also with the calculated emissions, using Guenther's algorithm, and the discrepancies interpreted in terms of the different reactivity of such compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Navazo
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, UPV-EHU, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
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Zhou L, Zeng Y, Hazlett PD, Matherne V. Ambient air monitoring with Auto-gas chromatography running in trigger mode. Anal Chim Acta 2007; 596:156-63. [PMID: 17616253 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2007.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2007] [Accepted: 05/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Speciated volatile organic compounds (VOC), either as ozone precursors or air toxics in the air, are commonly monitored by triggered canister method or continuous ozone precursor analyzer (commonly known as Auto-gas chromatography (GC)) method. In the triggered canister method, a canister sample is collected when a total non-methane organic compound (TNMOC) concentration exceeds a pre-determined trigger level. The canister sample is then analyzed in a lab in a later time. In the Auto-GC method, an online GC runs in a "continuous" mode with a sampling and analysis cycle of 1 h. Within the cycle hour, samples are collected only during the first 40 min. A new approach of Auto-GC running in trigger mode is developed in this study. This new approach uses Auto-GC but operates it in a trigger mode similar to the triggered canister sampling method. Compared to the triggered canister sample method, this system provides near real-time speciated VOC data, which are critical for responding to a high VOC concentration episode. Although the canister system generally costs less, its cost advantage may diminish if trigger events are frequent and the monitoring duration is long. Compared to continuous Auto-GC, triggered GC has its niche--it is better for capturing transient plumes with a small footprint. The continuous GC either misses a transient plume if the plume does not arrive at the sampling site during the sampling cycle or flattens the plume concentration peak by dilution with non-plume air sample. Field experience with this system for fenceline VOC monitoring is presented. The sampling and calibration strategy for trigger mode operation is described. The chromatograph retention time drift issues are discussed. The system performance is evaluated, including the method detection limit, precision and accuracy. The trigger mode configuration for VOC fenceline or near source monitoring in this work proved effective for local and transient plume identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Zhou
- Providence Engineering and Environmental Group LLC, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States.
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