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Rocha CA, Marques EV, Dos Santos RP, de Santiago ÍS, Cavalcante CLA, Cassiano DR, Ribeiro JP, Bertoncini BV, Nobre JS, Freitas JVB, Ferreira AG, Cavalcante RM. A better understanding of air quality resulting from the effects of the 2020 pandemic in a city in the equatorial region (Fortaleza, Brazil). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:20921-20938. [PMID: 34748175 PMCID: PMC8573563 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16697-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The year 2020 was atypical due to the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19), providing a unique opportunity to understand changes in air quality due to the reduction in urban activity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to perform an integrated evaluation on the influence of the effects of the 2020 pandemic on air quality in the city of Fortaleza, investigating levels of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NO, SO2, CO, and O3, corresponding health risks, as well as the influence of meteorological variables and urban activity. In all phases analyzed, significant reductions were found in NOx, NO, NO2, and CO. A considerable reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 was found in the early phases, with an increase in the later phases. These findings are explained by the nearly 50% reduction in vehicular traffic and the consequent reduction in fossil fuel emissions, mainly in the partial lockdown and total lockdown periods, as well as reductions in commercial (stores/shops) and industrial activities. The variation in O3 was initially non-significant, followed by a considerable increase in the last three phases analyzed; this increase was influenced by changes in temperature and the incidence of sunlight. SO2 concentrations increased in the period studied, demonstrating that the vehicular fleet, local commerce, and other activities are not the predominant sources of this compound. Estimated health risks were reduced by half during the lockdown period, especially for non-smokers, followed by a drastic increase in the last three phases. The planetary boundary layer was positively correlated with O3 and PM10 and negatively correlated with NOx, NO2, and NO, indicating its influence on the distribution of pollutants in the lower atmosphere and, consequently, air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille A Rocha
- Institute of Geosciences, Federal Fluminense University, Campus Praia Vermelha, Boa Viagem, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Prodema-Master's Degree in Development and Environment, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science (Ciências Ambientais/UFC)-Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Elissandra V Marques
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science (Ciências Ambientais/UFC)-Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Rafael P Dos Santos
- Prodema-Master's Degree in Development and Environment, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science (Ciências Ambientais/UFC)-Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Íthala S de Santiago
- Prodema-Master's Degree in Development and Environment, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science (Ciências Ambientais/UFC)-Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | | | - Demostenis R Cassiano
- Research Group in Transport, Traffic and Environment-GTTEMA, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Jefferson P Ribeiro
- Research Group in Transport, Traffic and Environment-GTTEMA, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Bruno V Bertoncini
- Research Group in Transport, Traffic and Environment-GTTEMA, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Juvêncio S Nobre
- Department of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60440900, Brazil
| | - João V B Freitas
- Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Scientific Computation, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio G Ferreira
- Earth Observation Labomar Laboratory (EOLLAB), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, CEP, Fortaleza, CE, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Prodema-Master's Degree in Development and Environment, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil.
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science (Ciências Ambientais/UFC)-Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil.
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil.
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Santiago ÍS, Silva TFA, Marques EV, Barreto FMDS, Ferreira AG, Rocha CA, Mendonça KV, Cavalcante RM. Influence of the seasonality and of urban variables in the BTEX and PM 2.5 atmospheric levels and risks to human health in a tropical coastal city (Fortaleza, CE, Brazil). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:42670-42682. [PMID: 33818727 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13590-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies benzene in group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). Particulate matter (PM) has recently also been classified in this category. This was an advance toward prioritizing the monitoring of particles in urban areas. The aim of the present study was to assess levels of PM2.5 and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), the influence of meteorological variables, the planetary boundary layer (PBL), and urban variables as well as risks to human health in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, in the wet and dry periods. BTEX compounds were sampled using the 1501 method of NIOSH and determined by GC-HS-PID/FID. PM2.5 was monitored using an air sampling pump with a filter holder and determined by the gravimetric method. Average concentrations of BTEX ranged from 1.6 to 45.5 μg m-3, with higher values in the wet period, which may be explained by the fact that annual distribution is influenced by meteorological variables and the PBL. PM2.5 levels ranged from 4.12 to 33.0 μg m-3 and 4.18 to 86.58 μg m-3 in the dry and wet periods, respectively. No seasonal pattern was found for PM2.5, probably due to the influence of meteorological variables, the PBL, and urban variables. Cancer risk ranged from 2.46E-04 to 4.71E-03 and 1.72E-04 to 2.01E-03 for benzene and from 3.07E-06 to 7.04E-05 and 3.08E-06 to 2.85E-05 for PM2.5 in the wet and dry periods, respectively. Cancer risk values for benzene were above the acceptable limit established by the international regulatory agency in both the dry and wet periods. The results obtained of the noncarcinogenic risks for the compounds toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were within the limits of acceptability. The findings also showed that the risk related to PM is always greater among smokers than nonsmokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Íthala S Santiago
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science - Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Tamiris F A Silva
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science - Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Elissandra V Marques
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science - Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Francisco M de S Barreto
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology - IFCE, Fortaleza Campus, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Antonio G Ferreira
- Earth Observation Labomar Laboratory (EOLLab), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Camille A Rocha
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Kamila V Mendonça
- Laboratory of Economics, Law and Sustainability (LEDS/LABOMAR), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil.
- Undergraduate Course in Environmental Science - Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará, 60165-081, Brazil.
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Lima MFB, Fernandes GM, Oliveira AHB, Morais PCV, Marques EV, Santos FR, Nascimento RF, Swarthout RF, Nelson RK, Reddy CM, Cavalcante RM. Emerging and traditional organic markers: Baseline study showing the influence of untraditional anthropogenic activities on coastal zones with multiple activities (Ceará coast, Northeast Brazil). Mar Pollut Bull 2019; 139:256-262. [PMID: 30686426 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Molecular markers are useful tools to characterize natural and anthropogenic impacts on coastal zones. Distribution of n-alkanes showed that the Pacoti River was predominantly influenced by terrigenous input. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) indices showed a mix of natural sources, especially pyrogenic influences. Sterol and hormone levels showed sewage discharge. Integrated geographic assessment showed that pyrogenic process and sewage discharge are predominant along the river because of natural and different anthropogenic activities. The upstream region is influenced by rural activities such as livestock and discharge from the sewage treatment plant, whereas the estuarine region is influenced by urban and industrial activities, predominantly the discharge of treated or untreated sewage, vehicle traffic, and manufacture of red ceramics. On the other hand, on the river mouth, there is the predominance of aquaculture activities. Traditional anthropogenic markers are not sufficient for producing a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic impacts in areas with multiple activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcielly F B Lima
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle M Fernandes
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Andre H B Oliveira
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, SN-PICI, 60000-000 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pollyana C V Morais
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Elissandra V Marques
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Felipe R Santos
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo F Nascimento
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, SN-PICI, 60000-000 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Robert F Swarthout
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Robert K Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Christopher M Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States of America
| | - Rivelino M Cavalcante
- Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR-UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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