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Massagué J, Escudero M, Alastuey A, Mantilla E, Monfort E, Gangoiti G, García-Pando CP, Querol X. Spatiotemporal variations of tropospheric ozone in Spain (2008-2019). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 176:107961. [PMID: 37216837 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to support the development of Spain's Ozone Mitigation Plan by evaluating the present-day spatial variation (2015-2019) and trends (2008-2019) for seven ground-level ozone (O3) metrics relevant for human/ecosystems exposure and regulatory purposes. Results indicate that the spatial variation of O3 depends on the part of the O3 distribution being analyzed. Metrics associated with moderate O3 concentrations depict an increasing O3 gradient between the northern and Mediterranean coasts due to climatic factors, while for metrics considering the upper end of the O3 distribution, this climatic gradient tends to attenuate in favor of hotspot regions pointing to relevant local/regional O3 formation. A classification of atmospheric regions in Spain is proposed based on their O3 pollution patterns, to identify priority areas (or O3 hotspots) where local/regional precursor abatement might significantly reduce O3 during pollution episodes. The trends assessment reveals a narrowing of the O3 distribution at the national level, with metrics influenced by lower concentrations tending to increase over time, and those reflecting the higher end of the O3 distribution tending to decrease. While most stations show no statistically significant variations, contrasting O3 trends are evident among the O3 hotspots. The Madrid area exhibits the majority of upward trends across all metrics, frequently with the highest increasing rates, implying increasing O3 associated with both chronic and episodic exposure. The Valencian Community area exhibits a mixed variation pattern, with moderate to high O3 metrics increasing and peak metrics decreasing, while O3 in areas downwind of Barcelona, the Guadalquivir Valley and Puertollano shows no variations. Sevilla is the only large Spanish city with generalized O3 decreasing trends. The different O3 trends among hotspots highlight the need for mitigation measures to be designed at a local/regional scale to be effective. This approach may offer valuable insights for other countries developing O3 mitigation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Massagué
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Mining, Industrial and ICT Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, UPC, 08242 Manresa, Spain.
| | - Miguel Escudero
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Engineering and Architecture, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrés Alastuey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique Mantilla
- Mediterranean Center for Environmental Studies, CEAM, Valencia 46980, Spain
| | - Eliseo Monfort
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC), Universitat Jaume I, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - Gotzon Gangoiti
- Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Carlos Pérez García-Pando
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Hernández-Ceballos MA, Jiménez-Solano A, Torres-Fernández J. 16 Years (2006-2021) of Surface Ozone Measurements in Córdoba (Southern Spain): Trends and the Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16210. [PMID: 36498282 PMCID: PMC9737292 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Surface ozone concentrations (O3) during the period 2006-2021 are analysed at Córdoba city (southern Iberian Peninsula) in suburban and urban sampling sites. The aims are to present the levels and temporal variations, to explore trends and to quantity the variation in O3 concentrations in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown. The O3 means are higher in the suburban station (62 µg m-3 and 51.3 µg m-3), being the information level threshold only exceeded twice during this period. The daily evolution shows a maximum at about 17:00 UTC, whereas the minimum is reached at about 9:00 UTC, with higher levels in the suburban station. The seasonal evolution of this daily cycle also presents monthly differences in shape and intensity between stations. The trends are analysed by means of daily averages and daily 5th and 95th percentiles, and they show a similar increase in all of these parameters, with special emphasis on the daily P95 concentrations, with 0.27 µg m-3 year-1 and 0.24 µg m-3 year-1. Finally, the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown shows a decline in O3 concentrations over 10%.
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Bosch J, Elvira S, Sausor C, Bielby J, González-Fernández I, Alonso R, Bermejo-Bermejo V. Increased tropospheric ozone levels enhance pathogen infection levels of amphibians. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143461. [PMID: 33199009 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As a result of anthropogenic activities, changes to the chemistry of Earth's atmosphere pose a threat to ecosystem health and biodiversity. One such change is the increase in tropospheric ozone (O3), which is particularly severe in the Mediterranean basin area, where the levels of this pollutant are chronically high during spring and summer time. Within this region, Mediterranean mountain ecosystems are hot spots for biodiversity which may be especially vulnerable to changes in O3 levels. Declines in montane amphibian populations have been recorded worldwide, including the Mediterranean basin. A significant driver of these declines is the emerging infection disease, chytridiomycosis, caused by the aquatic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytridiomycosis has negatively affected populations of several amphibian species in the Spanish Central Range, including in the Sierra Guadarrama, and interactions with other biotic and abiotic factors are an important part of these declines. However, there is little evidence or knowledge of whether tropospheric O3 levels may be another factor in the outbreaks of this disease. To test the hypothesis that O3 levels are another interactive driver of Bd infection dynamics, two different approaches were followed: 1) an experimental study in open top chambers was used to quantify the aspects of how Bd infection progressed throughout the metamorphic process under four different O3 levels; and 2) a field epidemiological study was used to analyse the relationship between the Bd infection load in the Sierra de Guadarrama and tropospheric O3 levels during a 9 year period. Our results suggest that high O3 levels significantly delayed the rate of development of tadpoles and increased Bd infection, providing empirical evidence of two new separate ways that may explain population declines of montane amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Bosch
- Research Unit of Biodiversity - CSIC/UO/PA, Universidad de Oviedo, Edificio de Investigación, 5ª planta, 33600 Mieres, Spain; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación, Seguimiento y Evaluación, Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama, 28740 Rascafría, Spain.
| | - Susana Elvira
- CIEMAT, Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, Envionmental Dept., Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Sausor
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jon Bielby
- Liverpool John Moores University, School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rocío Alonso
- CIEMAT, Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, Envionmental Dept., Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Bermejo-Bermejo
- CIEMAT, Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, Envionmental Dept., Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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4
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Association between Prevailing Circulation Patterns and Coarse Particles in Portugal. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the major environmental concerns today, with high socio-economic and public health impacts, which are expected to worsen in the future due to anthropogenic warming. Among the toxic agents present in the atmosphere, coarse particles (PM10 and PM2.5) are some of the most harmful for human health and the environment. Therefore, the study of these particles and their association with meteorological constraining factors is of utmost importance. The aim of this study is to analyze the circulation weather types (CWT) affecting PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations measured at background monitoring stations in Portugal between 2006 and 2018. PM10 and PM2.5 were analyzed in terms of their intra-annual and inter-annual variability, their relations with CWT and the characteristics of two major extreme events over Portugal. The analysis of the extreme events relied on both background stations and through the near-real time data from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) outputs. The inter-annual assessment showed a decrease in concentrations over the studied years, mainly for PM10. Intra-annual assessment pointed to higher concentrations during winter months. Higher PM concentrations were mostly associated with CWTs with easterly or southerly components, characterized by low frequency of rainfall and advection of dry air masses. The two analyzed extreme events, associated with mega wildfires (15–17 October 2017) and dust intrusion (1–10 August 2018) were analyzed in more detail. Prominent southerly and easterly circulations were observed during the onset and peak of the events, which then later decayed due to the change to maritime flows (westerly and northerly circulation types) which dispersed the particles.
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Heat and Ozone Pollution Waves in Central and South Europe—Characteristics, Weather Types, and Association with Mortality. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11121271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and hot temperatures present two major health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions. Episodes of high ozone concentrations and heat waves have been registered throughout Europe and are expected to continue to grow due to climate change. Here, several different heat and ozone wave definitions were applied to characterize the wave-type extremes for two climatically different regions, i.e., Portugal (South Europe) and Bavaria (Central Europe), and their impacts were evaluated considering each type of hazard independently but also when they occur simultaneously. Heat and ozone waves were analyzed with respect to the underlying atmospheric circulation patterns and in terms of their association with human mortality. Heat waves were identified as the most frequent wave type and, despite different climate settings, a comparable exposure to heat and ozone waves was found in Central and South Europe. Waves were associated with in-situ built-up as well as with advection of air masses. However, in Bavaria waves showed the strongest connection with autochthonous weather conditions, while for Portugal, the strongest relationship appeared for eastern and north-eastern inflow. The most severe events, as measured by excess mortality, were always associated to compound heat-ozone waves.
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Bodor Z, Bodor K, Keresztesi Á, Szép R. Major air pollutants seasonal variation analysis and long-range transport of PM 10 in an urban environment with specific climate condition in Transylvania (Romania). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:38181-38199. [PMID: 32617823 PMCID: PMC7496053 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09838-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The air quality decrease, especially in urban areas, is related to local-scale conditions and to dispersion of air pollutants (regional and long-range) as well. The main objective of this study was to decipher the seasonal variation of PM10, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, O3, and CO over a 1-year period (2017) and the possible relationships between air pollution and meteorological variables. Furthermore, trajectory cluster analysis and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) methods were used to assess the trajectories and the source-receptor relationship of PM10 in the Ciuc basin Transylvania, known as the "Cold Pole" of Romania. The pollutants show lower concentrations during warmer periods, especially during summer, and significantly higher concentrations were observed on heating season in winter due to seasonal variations in energy use (biomass burning) and atmospheric stability. Subsequently, in February, the highest concentration of PM10 was 132 μg/m3, which is 4 times higher than the highest recorded monthly mean. Our results indicate a negative correlation between CO/temperature (- 0.89), NOx/temperature (- 0.84) and positive between NOx/PM10 (0.95), CO/PM10 (0.9), and NOx/CO (0.98), respectively. Dominant transport pathways were identified and the results revealed that slow-moving southerly (~ 45%) and northwesterly (~ 32%) air masses represent almost 80% and mainly regional flows were discerned. During 2017, increased PM10 levels were measured at the study site when air masses arrived mostly from northwest and southeast. The CWT and polarplot models show a strong seasonal variation and significant differences were observed between weekdays and weekends, namely highest PM10 concentrations during weekends at low wind speed (2-4 m/s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Bodor
- Department of Bioengineering, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania.
- Institute for Research and Development for Hunting and Mountain Resources, str. Progresului, 35/B, 530240, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania.
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.
| | - Katalin Bodor
- Department of Bioengineering, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Institute for Research and Development for Hunting and Mountain Resources, str. Progresului, 35/B, 530240, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Keresztesi
- Department of Bioengineering, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Institute for Research and Development for Hunting and Mountain Resources, str. Progresului, 35/B, 530240, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Róbert Szép
- Department of Bioengineering, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, 530104, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Institute for Research and Development for Hunting and Mountain Resources, str. Progresului, 35/B, 530240, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Pécs, Ifjúság 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
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Russo A, Sousa PM, Durão RM, Ramos AM, Salvador P, Linares C, Díaz J, Trigo RM. Saharan dust intrusions in the Iberian Peninsula: Predominant synoptic conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137041. [PMID: 32065896 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The Iberian Peninsula (IP) is recurrently affected by dust transport from the Sahara Desert and from the semi-arid Sahel regions. African dust is one of the most important sources of particulate matter in the southern Mediterranean. Therefore, it is vital to understand the underlying processes that lead to episodes of air pollution associated to the occurrence of dust intrusions. This work proposes to make an extended characterization of the preferential circulation weather patterns associated to the onset of dust events affecting the IP between 2006 and 2016. Saharan dust intrusions were analysed and an automatic objective classification procedure was used to classify circulation weather patterns associated to dust events. The spatial distribution of intrusion episodes is not homogeneous throughout the IP, occurring less frequently at northern and northwestern locations than at central and southern sites. Moreover, days with Saharan dust intrusions were more frequent in summer months, and more probable to occur under regimes with a southerly component. Finally, two extreme events with high concentration of particulate matter were analysed relatively to their life-cycle and particle trajectories. The distinct extreme episodes can be associated to different synoptic situations. However, and despite different large-scale configurations, a south or south-easterly component over the region is responsible for the establishment of a dust transport from the Saharan region towards Iberia, and thus leading to the intrusion onset. These results were supported by the calculation of back-trajectories which allowed to source apportioning the particles' origin, through a clear trajectory of air parcels originating from northern Africa in both events. The proposed framework can be useful to the prediction of dust and air pollution events based on the forecast of circulation weather patterns, as the results show that these events across the IP are mainly induced by specific patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Russo
- Instituto Dom Luíz, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Edifício C8, Piso 3, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - P M Sousa
- Instituto Dom Luíz, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Edifício C8, Piso 3, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R M Durão
- IPMA-Instituto Português do Mar e Atmosfera, Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Arquitectura e Georrecursos, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A M Ramos
- Instituto Dom Luíz, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Edifício C8, Piso 3, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Salvador
- Environmental Department of the Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - C Linares
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, National School of Public Health, Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Díaz
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, National School of Public Health, Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - R M Trigo
- Instituto Dom Luíz, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Edifício C8, Piso 3, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Meteorologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-916, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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8
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Negral L, Suárez-Peña B, Zapico E, Fernández-Nava Y, Megido L, Moreno J, Marañón E, Castrillón L. Anthropogenic and meteorological influences on PM 10 metal/semi-metal concentrations: Implications for human health. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 243:125347. [PMID: 31765904 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in investigating the human health risk associated with metals in airborne particulate matter. The objective of this paper is the health risk assessment of Al, Be, Sb, Sn, Ti and Tl in PM10 under different advections of air masses. These metals/semi-metal were studied in samples collected in an area influenced by industrial activities in northern Spain with the aim of analysing the variations in PM10 metal/semi-metal. Elemental concentrations were assessed over a period of one year in terms of air mass origin by means of back trajectories (HYSPLIT), the conditional probability function, polar plots, PM concentration roses, aerosol maps (NAAPs) and receptor modelling. The mean concentrations of Al, Be, Sb, Sn, Ti and Tl were 254, 0.02, 1.30, 1.15, 15.3 and 0.20 ng/m3, respectively, and were within the usual range for suburban stations in Europe. The highest levels were recorded during conditions of regional air mass origin, highlighting the importance of sources not far from the station. Under these circumstances, the renovation of air masses was not produced. The main sources of metals were anthropogenic, mostly related to the use of coal and coke production. In general, the cancer and non-cancer risk values obtained in this study fell within accepted precautionary criteria in all trajectory groups. However, in order to improve air quality and reduce risks to human health, the impact resulting from the joint inhalation of Al, Be, Sb, Sn, Ti and Tl should not be ignored when air masses are fundamentally of regional origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Negral
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Suárez-Peña
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Eugenia Zapico
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Yolanda Fernández-Nava
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Laura Megido
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Jose Moreno
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, 30202, Cartagena, Spain.
| | - Elena Marañón
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
| | - Leonor Castrillón
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Engineering, Gijón Campus, University of Oviedo, 33203, Gijón, Spain.
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Pay MT, Gangoiti G, Guevara M, Napelenok S, Querol X, Jorba O, García-Pando CP. Ozone source apportionment during peak summer events over southwestern Europe. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2019; 19:5467-5494. [PMID: 33424952 PMCID: PMC7788066 DOI: 10.5194/acp-19-5467-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that in Europe, high O3 concentrations are most pronounced in southern/Mediterranean countries due to the more favourable climatological conditions for its formation. However, the contribution of the different sources of precursors to O3 formation within each country relative to the imported (regional and hemispheric) O3 is poorly quantified. This lack of quantitative knowledge prevents local authorities from effectively designing plans that reduce the exceedances of the O3 target value set by the European air quality directive. O3 source attribution is a challenge because the concentration at each location and time results not only from local biogenic and anthropogenic precursors, but also from the transport of O3 and precursors from neighbouring regions, O3 regional and hemispheric transport and stratospheric O3 injections. The main goal of this study is to provide a first quantitative estimation of the contribution of the main anthropogenic activity sectors to peak O3 events in Spain relative to the contribution of imported (regional and hemispheric) O3. We also assess the potential of our source apportionment method to improve O3 modelling. Our study applies and thoroughly evaluates a countrywide O3 source apportionment method implemented in the CALIOPE air quality forecast system for Spain at high resolution (4 × 4 km2) over a 10-day period characterized by typical summer conditions in the Iberian Peninsula (IP). The method tags both O3 and its gas precursor emissions from source sectors within one simulation, and each tagged species is subject to the typical physico-chemical processes (advection, vertical mixing, deposition, emission and chemistry) as the actual conditions remain unperturbed. We quantify the individual contributions of the largest NO x local sources to high O3 concentrations compared with the contribution of imported O3. We show, for the first time, that imported O3 is the largest input to the ground-level O3 concentration in the IP, accounting for 46 %-68 % of the daily mean O3 concentration during exceedances of the European target value. The hourly imported O3 increases during typical northwestern advections (70 %-90 %, 60-80 μg m-3), and decreases during typical stagnant conditions (30 %-40 %, 30-60 μg m-3) due to the local NO titration. During stagnant conditions, the local anthropogenic precursors control the O3 peaks in areas downwind of the main urban and industrial regions (up to 40 % in hourly peaks). We also show that ground-level O3 concentrations are strongly affected by vertical mixing of O3-rich layers present in the free troposphere, which result from local/regional layering and accumulation, and continental/hemispheric transport. Indeed, vertical mixing largely explains the presence of imported O3 at ground level in the IP. Our results demonstrate the need for detailed quantification of the local and remote contributions to high O3 concentrations for local O3 management, and show O3 source apportionment to be an essential analysis prior to the design of O3 mitigation plans in any non-attainment area. Achieving the European O3 objectives in southern Europe requires not only ad hoc local actions but also decided national and European-wide strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Pay
- Earth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, BSC, c/Jordi Girona, 29, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gotzon Gangoiti
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, ETSI-Bilbao School of Engineering, Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Marc Guevara
- Earth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, BSC, c/Jordi Girona, 29, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergey Napelenok
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18–26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oriol Jorba
- Earth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, BSC, c/Jordi Girona, 29, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Pérez García-Pando
- Earth Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, BSC, c/Jordi Girona, 29, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Salonen H, Salthammer T, Morawska L. Human exposure to ozone in school and office indoor environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 119:503-514. [PMID: 30053738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although it is recognized that ozone causes acute and chronic health effects and that even trace amounts of ozone are potentially deleterious to human health, information about global and local exposures to ozone in different indoor environments is limited. To synthesize the existing knowledge, this review analyzes the magnitude of and the trends in global and local exposure to ozone in schools and offices and the factors controlling the exposures. METHODS In conducting the literature review, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched using 38 search terms and their combinations to identify manuscripts, reports, and directives published between 1973 and 2018. The search was then extended to the reference lists of relevant articles. RESULTS The calculated median concentration of ozone both in school (8.50 μg/m3) and office (9.04 μg/m3) settings was well below the WHO guideline value of 100 μg/m3 as a maximum 8 h mean concentration. However, a large range of average concentrations of ozone was reported, from 0.8-114 μg/m3 and from 0 to 96.8 μg/m3 for school and office environments, respectively, indicating situations where the WHO values are exceeded. Outdoor ozone penetrating into the indoor environment is the main source of indoor ozone, with median I/O ratios of 0.21 and 0.29 in school and office environments, respectively. The absence of major indoor ozone sources and ozone sinks, including gas-phase reactions and deposition, are the reasons for lower indoor than outdoor ozone concentrations. However, there are indoor sources of ozone that are of significance in certain indoor environments, including printers, photocopiers, and many other devices and appliances designed for indoor use (e.g., air cleaners), that release ozone either intentionally or unintentionally. Due to significantly elevated outdoor ozone concentrations during summer, summer indoor concentrations are typically elevated. In addition, the age of a building and various housing aspects (carpeting, air conditioning, window fans, and window openings) have been significantly associated with indoor ozone levels. CONCLUSIONS The existing means for reducing ozone and ozone reaction products in school and office settings are as follows: 1) reduce penetration of outdoor ozone indoors by filtering ozone from the supply air; 2) limit the use of printers, photocopiers, and other devices and appliances that emit ozone indoors; 3) limit gas-phase reactions by limiting the use of materials and products (e.g. cleaning chemicals) the emissions of which react with ozone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Salonen
- Aalto University, Department of Civil Engineering, PO Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia.
| | - Tunga Salthammer
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia; Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Lidia Morawska
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia
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Elvira S, González-Fernández I, Alonso R, Sanz J, Bermejo-Bermejo V. Ozone levels in the Spanish Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range are above the thresholds for plant protection: analysis at 2262, 1850, and 995 m a.s.l. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:593. [PMID: 27679512 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5581-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, located at 60 km from Madrid City (Spain), includes high valuable ecosystems following an altitude gradient, some of them protected under the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The characteristic Mediterranean climatic conditions and the precursors emitted from Madrid favor a high photochemical production of ozone (O3) in the region. However, very little information is available about the patterns and levels of O3 and other air pollutants in the high elevation areas and their potential effects on vegetation. Ozone levels were monitored at three altitudes (2262, 1850, and 995 m a.s.l.) for at least 3 years within the 2005-2011 period. NO x and SO2 were also recorded at the highest and lowest altitude sites. Despite the inter-annual and seasonal variations detected in the O3 concentrations, the study revealed that SG is exposed to a chronic O3 pollution. The two high elevation sites showed high O3 levels even in winter and at nighttime, having low correlation with local meteorological variables. At the lower elevation site, O3 levels were more related with local meteorological and pollution conditions. Ozone concentrations at the three sites exceeded the thresholds for the protection of human health and vegetation according to the European Air Quality Directive (EU/50/2008) and the thresholds for vegetation protection of the CLRTAP. Ozone should be considered as a stress factor for the health of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain ecosystems. Furthermore, since O3 levels at foothills differ from concentration in high elevation, monitoring stations in mountain ranges should be incorporated in regional air quality monitoring networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Elvira
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - I González-Fernández
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Alonso
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Sanz
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - V Bermejo-Bermejo
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Dimitriou K, Kassomenos P. Three year study of tropospheric ozone with back trajectories at a metropolitan and a medium scale urban area in Greece. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 502:493-501. [PMID: 25290591 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Three years of hourly O3 concentration measurements from a metropolitan and a medium scale urban area in Greece: Athens and Ioannina respectively, were analyzed in conjunction with hourly wind speed/direction data and air mass trajectories, aiming to reveal local and regional contributions respectively. Conditional Probability Function was used to indicate associations among distinct wind directions and extreme O3 episodes. Backward trajectory clusters were elaborated by Potential Source Contribution Function on a grid of a 0.5°×0.5° resolution, in order to localize potential exogenous sources of O3 and its precursors. In Athens, an increased likelihood of extreme O3 events at the Northern suburbs was associated with the influence of SSW-SW sea breeze from Saronikos Gulf, due to O3 transportation from the city center. In Ioannina, the impacts of O3 conveyance from the city center to the suburban monitoring site were weaker. Potential O3 transboundary sources for Athens were mainly localized over Balkan Peninsula, Greece and the Aegean Sea. Potential Source Contribution Function hotspots were isolated over the industrialized area of Ptolemaida basin and above the region of Thessaloniki. Potential regional O3 sources for Ioannina were indicated across northern Greece and Balkan Peninsula, whereas peak Potential Source Contribution Function values were particularly observed over the urban area of Sofia in Bulgaria. The implemented methods, revealed local and potential transboundary source areas of O3, influencing Athens and Ioannina. Differences among the two cities were highlighted and the role of topography was emerged. These findings can be used in order to reduce the emission of O3 precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavlos Kassomenos
- Laboratory of Meteorology, Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, Greece
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Saavedra S, Rodríguez A, Souto JA, Casares JJ, Bermúdez JL, Soto B. Trends of rural tropospheric ozone at the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:603034. [PMID: 22649298 PMCID: PMC3350947 DOI: 10.1100/2012/603034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropospheric ozone levels around urban and suburban areas at Europe and North America had increased during 80's–90's, until the application of NOx reduction strategies. However, as it was expected, this ozone depletion was not proportional to the emissions reduction. On the other hand, rural ozone levels show different trends, with peaks reduction and average increments; this different evolution could be explained by either emission changes or climate variability in a region. In this work, trends of tropospheric ozone episodes at rural sites in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula were analyzed and compared to others observed in different regions of the Atlantic European coast. Special interest was focused on the air quality sites characterization, in order to guarantee their rural character in terms of air quality. Both episodic local meteorological and air quality measurements along five years were considered, in order to study possible meteorological influences in ozone levels, different to other European Atlantic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saavedra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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