Spatio-temporal evaluation of air pollution using ground-based and satellite data during COVID-19 in Ecuador

The concentration of gases in the atmosphere is a topic of growing concern due to its effects on health, ecosystems etc. Its monitoring is commonly carried out through ground stations which offer high precision and temporal resolution. However, in countries with few stations, such as Ecuador, these data fail to adequately describe the spatial variability of pollutant concentrations. Remote sensing data have great potential to solve this complication. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal distribution of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations in Quito and Cuenca, using data obtained from ground-based and Sentinel-5 Precursor mission sources during the years 2019 and 2020. Moreover, a Linear Regression Model (LRM) was employed to analyze the correlation between ground-based and satellite datasets, revealing positive associations for O3 (R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 0.18) and NO2 (R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 0.25) in Quito; and O3 (R2 = 0.74, RMSE = 0.23) and NO2, (R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 0.23) for Cuenca. The agreement between ground-based and satellite datasets was analyzed by employing the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), reflecting good agreement between them (ICC ≥0.57); and using Bland and Altman coefficients, which showed low bias and that more than 95% of the differences are within the limits of agreement. Furthermore, the study investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, such as social distancing and isolation, on atmospheric conditions. This was categorized into three periods for 2019 and 2020: before (from January 1st to March 15th), during (from March 16th to May 17th), and after (from March 18th to December 31st). A 51% decrease in NO2 concentrations was recorded for Cuenca, while Quito experienced a 14.7% decrease. The tropospheric column decreased by 27.3% in Cuenca and 15.1% in Quito. O3 showed an increasing trend, with tropospheric concentrations rising by 0.42% and 0.11% for Cuenca and Quito respectively, while the concentration in Cuenca decreased by 14.4%. Quito experienced an increase of 10.5%. Finally, the reduction of chemical species in the atmosphere as a consequence of mobility restrictions is highlighted. This study compared satellite and ground station data for NO2 and O3 concentrations. Despite differing units preventing data validation, it verified the Sentinel-5P satellite's effectiveness in anomaly detection. Our research's value lies in its applicability to developing countries, which may lack extensive monitoring networks, demonstrating the potential use of satellite technology in urban planning.

Environmental and dietary exposure to 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a typical Chinese coking plant

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known for their health risks, are prevalent in the environment, with the coking industry being a major source of their emissions. To bridge the knowledge gap concerning the relationship between environmental and dietary PAH exposure, we explore this complex interplay by investigating the dietary exposure characteristics of 24 PAHs within a typical Chinese coking plant and their association with environmental pollution. Our research revealed Nap and Fle as primary dietary contaminants, emphasizing the significant influence of soil and atmospheric pollution on PAH exposure. We subjected our data to non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), Spearman correlation analysis, Lasso regression, and Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression to delve into this multifaceted phenomenon. NMDS reveals that dietary PAH exposure, especially within the high molecular weight (HMW) group, is common both within and around the coking plant. This suggests that meals prepared within the plant may be contaminated, posing health risks to coking plant workers. Furthermore, our assessment of dietary exposure risk highlights Nap and Fle as the primary dietary contaminants, with BaP and DahA raising concerns due to their higher carcinogenic potential. Our findings indicate that dietary exposure often exceeds acceptable limits, particularly for coking plant workers. Correlation analyses uncover the dominant roles of soil and atmospheric pollution in shaping dietary PAH exposure. Soil contamination significantly impacts specific PAHs, while atmospheric pollution contributes to others. Additionally, WQS regression emphasizes the substantial influence of soil and drinking water on dietary PAHs. In summary, our study sheds light on the dietary exposure characteristics of PAHs in a typical Chinese coking plant and their intricate interplay with environmental factors. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate PAH exposure so as to safeguard both human health and the environment in affected regions.

Effects of atmospheric particulate pollution on lung function of athletes

There is a knowledge gap on how ground-level particulate pollution affects labor productivity in emerging nations due to a lack of study, especially when it comes to outdoor work settings like couriers in the express delivery industry. Combining findings from two research projects, this paper examines the socioeconomic consequences of particulate matter and ground-level particulate pollution. Special panel dataset from China's express delivery companies are used, we study how particulate pollution affects courier productivity. The instrumental variable of our analysis was built by particulate pollution data from upwind towns. Moreover, a comparable rise in particulate levels during the 30 days caused a significant 23.7% decline in worker productivity. This draws attention to a neglected area of the economic effects of particulate pollution, especially in underdeveloped countries. Our results also highlight the wider health hazards connected to outdoor activities in high-pollution locations, drawing comparisons on outdoor exercisers and particulate matter concentrations. The critical need for coordinated policy attention addressing both ground-level Particulate and particle matters in developing nations is highlighted by the increased risk of lung function impairment among outdoor exercisers owing to excessive particulate matter concentrations. The interrelated risks that air pollution poses to public health and economic productivity are clarified by this Comprehensive viewpoint.

Measuring Pb isotope ratios in fresh snow filtrate refines the apportioning of contaminant sources in the Arctic

The remoteness and low population in the Arctic allow us to study global environmental processes, where the analysis of indicators can provide useful information about local and distant pollution sources. Fresh snow represents a convenient indicator of regional and transboundary atmospheric contamination sources, entrapping aerosols, and particulates like a natural autosampler of the environment. Lead stable isotopes are widely used to trace and monitor local and distant pollution sources. However, the behavior of Pb within different snow components is still not thoroughly studied, and its significance could be underestimated if only larger particulates are accounted for. We collected snow and samples from potential sources (fuel, rocks, coal) in three Arctic localities: Nuuk (Greenland), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Longyearbyen (Svalbard). We separated the filtrate from the filter residue through 0.45 μm nitrocellulose membranes to isolate the low-diameter particles associated with long-range transport from larger particles of mostly local natural origin. Filtrates yielded higher EFs (enrichment factor as the Pb/Al ratio relative to the upper crust) than filtration residues (80 ± 104 and 2.1 ± 1.1, respectively), and Pb isotope signals similar to fuel and coal (206Pb/207Pb are 1.199 ± 0.028 in coal, 1.168 ± 0.029 in filtrates, 1.163 ± 0.013 in fuel, 1.137 ± 0.045 in residues, and 0.985 ± 0.020 in rocks). In contrast to filtrates, the filter residues present wider ranges of Pb isotope compositions and crustal contributions and lower EFs, so we suggest that filtrate contains Pb from fuel combustion more selectively, while the residue carries a more considerable contribution of local mineral dust that can mask the contribution of other anthropogenic or distant natural sources. These findings add weight to the notion that filtrates are a more selective measure of metal deposition from long-range anthropogenic emissions compared to analyzing bulk melted snow or only filter residues.

Tree barks for retrospective measurement and source appointment of airborne perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Tree bark is a useful bioindicator of atmospheric pollution. It is specially suitable for airborne perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) investigation due to persistence of ionic PFASs. The present work firstly systematically studied tree barks as a bioindicator of airborne PFASs. Comparison with the regular active and passive samplers found barks could produce long-term measurement of airborne PFASs, and could record the historical emission of PFASs with retrospective time frame as long as decades. Factors, e.g. tree type, trunk diameter, and sampling depth, can affect PFAS accumulation in barks, and these factors should be kept consistent during sampling. In a study area spatial distribution of airborne PFASs can be obtained by interpolation of bark results, and the concerned region can be located. Properties of the emission sources can be characterized, and the potential sources can be tracked based on the bark results. Their contributions can be further estimated by the source appointment strategies. In the economically and industrially developed study area of the present study, eight cities of southern Jiangsu Province of China, total ionic PFAS concentration of camphor bark samples collected in 34 sites was 0.44-359 ng/g dw (dry weight), dominated by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Two types of possible sources were characterized as with long-chained PFCAs and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) as the main components respectively. The sources were appointed as fluoropolymer manufacturing and textile industries, the important PFAS application fields, and their relative contribution was estimated as 32.5% and 67.5% respectively. The present study can provide useful advice to the method framework of using barks for long-term occurrence investigation, concerned region location, and emission source appointment of airborne PFASs in a study area. Based on the bark results, effective strategies can be further made for PFAS pollution elimination and risk control.

Determination of Toxic Elements in Cannabinoid and Opioid Drugs and Their Impact on Addicts' Health: A Comparative Study

Drug addiction is associated with significant health risks, including cardiovascular complications, cancer, and mental disorders. Illicit drugs, such as cannabinoids and opioids, including prescription medications, are widely consumed and have profound health consequences. Understanding the health effects of the toxic elements in these substances is critical for overdose prevention and effective recovery strategies. This study aimed to determine toxic elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), in cannabinoid and opioid drugs and in biological samples (whole blood, scalp hair, and serum) from 311 male drug abuse patients aged 15-60 years with a history of drug abuse. The participants were categorized into three age groups. The comparative analysis involved 113 reference subjects of the same age groups. The sample preparation employed microwave-assisted acid digestion, and the toxic elements were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Accuracy was ensured using certified reference materials for hair, whole blood, and serum samples. Drug-addicted subjects had significantly higher concentrations of toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and nickel) in biological samples than referent subjects (p > 0.001). Elevated levels of these toxic elements may increase susceptibility to infections, possibly due to malnutrition, drug-related effects, and additional contaminants. These findings necessitate further studies to explore the long-term health outcomes, potential treatment options, and broader socioeconomic impacts of substance abuse. This study serves as a baseline for future research in this critical public health field.

Tracking air quality trends and vehicle traffic dynamics at urban scale using satellite and ground data before and after the COVID-19 outbreak

The implications of the COVID-19 outbreak are subjected to an increasing number of studies. So far, air quality trends related to the lockdown due to the pandemic have been analysed in large cities or entire regions. In this work, the region studied is the metropolitan area of Cagliari, which is the main city on the island of Sardinia (Italy) and can be representative of a coastal city that includes industrial settlements. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of restrictions related to the COVID-19 outbreak on air quality levels and the traffic dynamics in this type of urban area. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) levels before, during and after COVID-19 lockdown have been investigated using data acquired from the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI satellite combined with on-site measurements. Both TROPOMI detected and ground-based data have revealed higher levels of NO₂ before and after the lockdown, compared to those during the period of COVID-related restrictions, in particular in the urban area of Cagliari. On the other hand, NO2 registered in the oil refinery area did not show significant differences associated with lockdown. The correlation of TROPOMI NO₂ tropospheric column with ground data (surface NO2) on a monthly mean basis showed different values based on the background and the highest Pearson's coefficient was of about 0.78 near to the city centre, where traffic can be considered a significant source of emission. In addition, a comparison of the air pollution level with the dynamics of vehicle traffic was investigated. The study highlighted a remarkable correlation between the reduction of the number of vehicles and the corresponding tropospheric NO₂ values that decreased on a weekly mean basis.

The influence of environmental factors on the health of the population of the Aktobe region

This study investigates the impact of environmental factors on human health, including harmful substances, extreme temperatures, and air quality. The health status of the population in regions where many industries operate also depends on meteorological factors. The purpose of the study is to characterize and determine the influence of environmental factors (humidity, temperature, wind) and industries, including metal mining and processing regions, on the health of people in the Aktobe region, Republic of Kazakhstan. The study used general theoretical methods to analyze and systematize the results of the meteorological service of the Aktobe region and the experiments conducted by the branch of the National Centre of Expertise of the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Aktobe region in 2020 and 2021. Statistical data on the amount of chromium, lead, and nickel in the blood, and the morbidity rate of the population were analyzed. The study's findings indicate that residents in the Aktobe region experience hypothermia during winter at temperatures between -12 °C and -15 °C and humidity of 81%, and in summer overheating occurs at temperatures between +19.6 °C and +22.5 °C with humidity of 77%. These extreme temperature conditions disrupt the body's heat exchange with the environment, affecting the respiratory and circulatory systems. Moreover, the predominantly windless conditions in the region affect the atmosphere's self-cleaning ability, resulting in high levels of air pollution throughout the year. The findings can inform strategies to improve public health and prevent diseases in industrial regions. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1-10. © 2023 SETAC.

Particulate matter pollution and non-targeted analysis of polar compounds in three regions of Brazil

Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is a pollutant with diverse origins, exhibiting varying chemical compositions, and undergoes several molecular transformations in the atmosphere. In this study, PM samples (PM2.5, PM10 and TSP) were collected in five Brazilian cities (Camboriú-SC; Catalão-GO; Florianópolis-SC; Limeira-SP and Novo Hamburgo-RS) during the four seasons of the year. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the differences between each city and season in PM concentration. PM10 average concentrations were higher in the city of Limeira, compared to the other (ANOVA p-values and Tukey's test). Moreover, Tukey's test demonstrated differences between the average PM10 concentrations in summer and winter. Regarding TSP and PM2.5, Tukey's test showed differences between winter and warm seasons (spring and summer). Moreover, polar compounds from the samples collected in the summer (February) and winter (August) periods were analyzed (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer) following a non-targeted approach and annotated. This is the first study to carry out this type of analysis in these five Brazilian cities. Despite the differences in PM concentrations, profiles of polar organic compounds, showed similarities between samples/and, in general, the same compounds were present, albeit with different intensities. The annotated compounds are associated with vehicle emissions and plastics, which are considered important global air polluters. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity for comprehensive studies aimed at investigating the non-targeted compounds existing in the atmosphere. Such research can provide invaluable insights to policymakers, enabling them to formulate effective guidelines and policies to mitigate particulate matter concentration and enhance overall air quality.

Reservoirs as high-efficacy sentinels of regional atmospheric pollution and precipitation: magnetic and chemical evidence from a typical subtropical reservoir in South China

While there is a general sense that reservoirs can act as sentinels of climate change, their efficacy has not been thoroughly analyzed. Here multiple-proxy analyses including 210Pb, grain size, heavy metals, magnetic parameters, and spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) were conducted for a sediment core from a typical subtropical reservoir in South China (Huangkeng Reservoir). 210Pb dating revealed that the core spans from ~ 1964 to 2019, with the sedimentary rate increasing during recent years. The sedimentary environment was mainly influenced by natural process (especially precipitation), along with the accumulation of Cr, Ni, Cu, V, As, Sb, and Co and most magnetic particles. However, four heave metals (Cd, Pb, Tl, and Zn) were found mainly from atmospheric deposition from industrial/agricultural activities in Huizhou City, which was also indicated by SCPs, S-ratio, and χARM/SIRM. According to temporal variation of SCPs, the atmospheric pollution history of nearby city (Huizhou City as the most close one) from 1964 was reconstructed. The study shows that reservoir sediments, especially in areas with few or no natural lakes, are high-efficacy and high-resolution achieves for research on environmental evolution in the Anthropocene related to global change and intensifying human activities.

Air quality changes in NE Romania during the first Covid 19 pandemic wave

This study analyzes for the first time uniformly and causally the level of pollution and air quality for the NE-Romania Region, one of the poorest region in the European Union. Knowing the level of pollution and air quality in this region, which can be taken as a benchmark due to its positional and economic-geographical attributes, responds to current scientific and practical needs. The study uses an hourly database (for five pollutants and five climate elements), from 2009 to 2020, from 19 air quality monitoring stations in northeastern Romania. Pollutant levels were statistically and graphically/cartographically modeled for the entire 2009-2020 interval on the distributive-spatial and regime, temporal component. Inter-station differences and similarities were analyzed causally. Taking advantage of the emergency measures between March 16 and May 14, 2020, we observed the impact of the event on the regional air quality in northeastern Romania. During the emergency period, the metropolitan area of Suceava (with over 100,000 inhabitants) was quarantined, which allowed us to analyze the impact of the quarantine period on the local air quality. We found that, in this region, air quality falls into class I (for NO2, SO2 and CO), II for O3 and III for PM10. During the lockdown periods NO2 and SO2 decreased for the entire region by 8.6 and 14.3%, respectively, and in Suceava by 13.9 and 40.1%, respectively. The causes of the reduction were anthropogenic in nature.

Two-century sediment records of atmospheric mercury variations in North China and their relations with regional and global emissions

Sedimentary mercury (Hg) records from remote areas are significant for revealing historical variations of regional Hg and understanding the influence of regional and global Hg emissions. In this study, sediment cores were retrieved from two subalpine lakes in Shanxi Province in North China and employed to reconstruct atmospheric Hg variations over the last two centuries. The two records show similar anthropogenic Hg fluxes and evolution trends, corresponding with that they were affected mainly by regional atmospheric Hg deposition. Before ~1950, the records show negligible Hg pollution signals. Atmospheric Hg in the region had increased rapidly since the 1950s, lagged more than a half-century compared to the global Hg. This indicates that they were seldom affected by Hg emissions dominated by Europe and North America after the industrial revolution. The Hg increases since the 1950s in the two records corresponded well with rapid industrial developments in and around Shanxi Province after the founding of the China, implying the dominant contribution of domestic Hg emissions. By comparing other Hg records, we find that widespread increases in atmospheric Hg in China likely occurred post ~1950. This study rouses to re-examine historical variations in atmospheric Hg at various settings, which is significant to understanding global Hg cycling in the industrial era.

Atmospheric benzo[a]pyrene in the Yangtze River Delta, China: pollution level and lung cancer risk in 2016 and future predictions

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) has undergone widespread polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution. In this study, we simulated the spatial distribution of atmospheric benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, the most carcinogenic PAH) in the YRD in 2016 and 2030 under different emission scenarios using a 3-D atmospheric transport model and evaluated the lung cancer risks posed by BaP during the study years. The purpose of this study is to suggest targeted policy recommendations for policy-makers to mitigate BaP pollution through numerical simulation. Our results showed that the average BaP concentration in the YRD was 0.30 ng/m3 in 2016; however, a significant spatial variation was observed, with the highest BaP concentration in Shanghai (0.59 ng/m3). The population-weighted incremental lifetime lung cancer risk (PILCR) was 6.67 × 10-6 in 2016, whereas it ranged from 2.70 × 10-6 to 1.05 × 10-5 in 2030 under the five emission scenarios. A higher future population density in the YRD region could increase lung cancer risk. In all scenarios, Shanghai had the highest number of lung cancer cases (range: 208-476). The results suggest that BaP pollution could be effectively improved through the synergistic effect of reducing activity levels and improving technology. Finally, we provide specific suggested pollution control strategies (e.g., accelerating the use of clean energy in rural areas) for atmospheric BaP in the YRD.

Air quality trends and implications pre and post Covid-19 restrictions

Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths every year. Thus, air quality assessment is essential to preserve human health and support authorities to identify proper policies. In this study, concentration levels of 6 air contaminants (benzene, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground level ozone, particulate matters) as monitored in 2019, 2020 and 2021 by 37 stations, located in Campania (Italy) were analysed. Particular attention has been paid to March-April 2020 period to get clues on the possible effects of the lockdown regulations, imposed in Italy from March 9th to May 4th to limit COVID-19 spread, on atmospheric pollution. Air Quality Index (AQI), an algorithm developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), allowed us to classify the air quality from moderately unhealthy to good for sensitive groups. The evaluation of air pollution impact on human health by using the AirQ+ software evidenced a significant decrement of adult mortality in 2020 respect to 2019 and 2021. Among the six pollutants considered, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 resulted the less affected by the lockdown restrictions. Finally, a comparison between NO₂ ground level concentration and the reprocessed Level 2 NO₂ tropospheric column concentration obtained from satellite surveys highlighted as concentration measured at the ground level stations can be strongly influenced by the station position and its surroundings.

Hydrocarbons in the atmospheric gas phase of a coastal city in Tunisia: Levels, gas-particle partitioning, and health risk assessment

Many studies have focused on aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs and PAHs) in different environmental compartments, especially atmospheric particles (aerosols), due to their adverse effects on the environment and human health. However, much less information is currently available on the content of AHs and PAHs in the atmospheric gas phase, which is a major reservoir of volatile and photoreactive compounds. Here, for the first time, we assessed the levels, gas-particle partitioning, human health risks and seasonal variations of AHs and PAHs in the atmospheric gas-phase of Bizerte city (Tunisia, North Africa) over a one-year period (March 2015-January 2016). Σ₃₄PAH concentration in the gas phase over the period ranged from 6.7 to 90.6 ng m^-3 and on average was 2.5 times higher in the cold season than in the warm season. Σ₂₈AH concentration in the gas phase over the period ranged from 14.0 to 35.9 ng m^-3, with no clear seasonal variations. In the gas phase, hydrocarbons were dominated by low-molecular-weight (LMW) compounds, i.e. 3- and 4-ring for PAHs and < n-C₂₄ for AHs. Gas-phase concentrations of PAHs and AHs accounted for up to 80 % of the total (gas + particle phases) atmospheric concentrations of PAHs and AHs. Further analysis of gas-particle partitioning showed that LMW hydrocarbons preferential accumulated in the gas phase, and that gas-particle partitioning was not in equilibrium but dominated by absorption processes into the aerosol organic matter. Benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalency quotient (BaP-TEQ) in the gas phase represented on average 37 % of the total atmospheric BaP-TEQ concentration, which was always higher in the cold season. Atmospheric gas is a significant factor in the risks of cancer associated with inhalation of ambient air. The Monte Carlo simulation-based exposure assessment model predicted that outdoor air exposure to PAHs does not pose a cancer risk to infants, but the children, adolescent, and adult populations may face a lower cancer risk during the warm season and a higher risk in the cold season.

Particulate pollution and its toxicity to fish: An overview

Aquatic ecosystems cover more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global temperature and providing various benefits to an expanding human population. However, human activities are causing negative effects on these ecosystems. Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny particles with a variable composition and a diameter of <100 μm. These particles can settle in water and be consumed by fish, posing a health hazard to them. Additionally, these particles can scatter light, which can negatively impact the growth of plants and algae in the water, and ultimately affect the aquatic food chain. Particle pollution can transport contaminants, such as toxic heavy metals and organic compounds, which can accumulate in fish tissues and be ingested by humans. These pollutants can harm aquatic life through various processes, such as physical damage, ingestion, bioaccumulation, light attenuation, and toxicity. This review article specifically focuses on different sources of particulate matter that impact fish and the mechanisms by which these pollutants can cause toxicity in fish.

Environmental signature and health risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) emitted from a landfill fire in Santiago de Chile

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been flame retardants used in building materials, electronics, furnishings, vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles for many years. Currently, the primary commercial mixtures, penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE, are globally restricted. Still, products containing PBDEs are expected to impact waste management and the environment for many years. In January 2016, an open fire in the Santa Marta landfill close to Santiago de Chile affected the city and surroundings. The fire caused several acute health effects and an increase in emergency hospitalizations. PBDE levels in the areas affected by the fire were determined in the air (gaseous and particulate), soil and the PBDE emissions were estimated using a dispersion model. The results showed an increase in the PBDE concentrations by a factor of 2-4 one day after the start of the fire. However, PBDE concentrations measured in PM₁₀ and the gas phase after the fire were considered low compared to other regions. Interestingly, PBDEs' patterns differed across the sites; however, BDE209 was the dominant congener for all environmental matrices. A preliminary risk assessment was conducted using the daily exposure dose (DED) by air inhalation estimation. The results showed low DED values for adults and children and suggested no direct health risk due to PBDE exposure. This study contributes new data useful for future solid waste management initiatives in the country.

Mobile samplers of particulate matter - Flying omnivorous insects in detection of industrial contamination

Flying insects are potential mobile samplers of airborne particulate matter (PM). However, current knowledge on their susceptibility to PM is limited to pollinators. Insects' capacity for particle surface accumulation depends on the lifestyle, structure of the body integuments, and behavioral patterns. Here, we investigate how two species of flying omnivorous insects from the genus Vespula, possessing direct interactions with air, soil, plants, and herbivores, indicate industrial pollution by accumulating coarse (PM₁₀) and fine (PM_2.5) particles on their bodies. The internal accumulation of particles in wasps' gut tissues is assessed considering heavy metals exposure to reveal and discuss the potential magnitude of ecotoxicological risks. Female individuals of Vespula vulgaris and V. germanica were sampled with a hand-netting near to Harjavalta Cu-Ni smelter and in the control areas in southwestern Finland. They were analyzed with light microscopy (LM), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods. Near to the smelter, wasps trapped significantly more particles, which were of bigger size and their surface optical density was higher. Vespula vulgaris accumulated larger particles than V. germanica, but that wasn't associated with morphological characteristics such as body size or hairiness. In both areas, accumulated surface PM carried clays and silicates. Only in polluted environments PM consistently contained metallic and nonmetallic particles (from high to moderate weight %) of Fe, Ni, Cu, and S - major pollutants emitted from the smelter. Wasps from industrially polluted areas carried significantly more granules in the columnar epithelial midgut cells. TEM-EDX analyses identified those structures were associated with metal ions such as Cr, Cu, Ni, and Fe. As epithelial gut cells accumulated metal particles, midgut confirmed as a barrier for metal exposure in wasps. External PM contamination in wasps is suggested as a qualitative, yet a natural and simple descriptor of local industrial emissions.

Environmental and economic benefits of substituting chemical potassium fertilizer with crop straw residues in China

Chemical potassium (K) fertilizer plays a crucial role in improving crop productivity, yet its production and application also result in environmental issues including greenhouse gas emission and atmospheric pollution emissions. In addition, the abandon or open burning of crop straw not only causes the wasting of resource, but also creates environmental problems. On-present studies recognize the importance of the substitution of straw resource utilization for chemical K fertilizer, yet whether such action can effectively mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gas and pollutants remains unclear. In this study, we examine the effects of substituting straw for chemical K fertilizer on the emissions of greenhouse gas and pollutants and the associated direct and damage cost implications in China at the provincial level. Results showed that the useable straw contributed 2750 Gg of K from 2000 to 2009 and 3567 Gg from 2010 to 2017, equaling 121% and 57.3% of chemical K fertilizer, respectively. Chemical K fertilizer substitution with straw can also reduce annual emissions of greenhouse gases, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and fine particulate matter by 664 Gg, 18.5 Gg, 10.7 Gg, and 1.48 Gg, respectively. The average abatement cost reached 4790 million USD during 2000-2009 and 3898 million USD during 2010-2017, respectively. And the mitigation potential of the emissions of greenhouse gas and pollutants and average abatement cost showed a large spatial heterogeneity at the provincial level. Overall, replacing chemical K fertilizer with straw is an efficient strategy to reduce environmental risk and utilize agricultural waste.

Genotoxic effects of particulate matter on larvae of a common and widespread butterfly along an urbanization gradient

Biodiversity is currently declining worldwide. Several threats have been identified such as habitat loss and climate change. It is unknown if and how air pollution can work in addition or in synergy to these threats, contributing to the decline of current species and/or local extinction. Few studies have investigated the effects of particulate matter (PM), the main component of air pollution, on insects, and no studies have investigated its genotoxic effects through Micronucleus assay. Butterflies play an important role in the environment, as herbivores during larval stages, and as pollinators as adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of PM₁₀ from different sites along a gradient of population urbanization, on a common cabbage butterfly species (Pieris brassicae). PM₁₀ was collected from April to September in an urban (Turin, Italy), a suburban (Druento, Italy) and a mountain site (Ceresole Reale, Italy) with different urbanization levels. P. brassicae larvae (n = 218) were reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions (26 °C, L:D 15:9) on cabbage plants (average 9.2 days), and they were exposed to PM₁₀ organic extracts (20 and 40 m³/mL) or dimethyl sulfoxide (controls) through vaporization. After exposure, larvae were dissected and cells were used for the Micronucleus (MN) assay. Results showed that all PM extracts induced significant DNA damage in exposed larvae compared to controls, and that increasing the PM dose (from 20 to 40 m³/mL) increased genotoxic effects. However, we did not detect any significant differences between sites with different urbanization levels. In conclusion, PM at different concentrations induced genotoxic effects on larvae of a common butterfly species. More alarmingly, PM could work in addition to and/or in synergy with other compounds (e.g. pesticides) and, especially on species already threatened by other factors (e.g. fragmentation), thus affecting the vitality of populations, leading to local extinctions.

High temporal resolution records of outdoor and indoor airborne microplastics

There is increasing concern regarding airborne microplastics, but to date, studies have typically used coarse interval sampling (a day or longer) to generate deposition and concentration estimates. In this proof-of-concept study, we used a Burkard volumetric spore trap (intake 10 L min-1; recording airborne particulates onto an adhesive-coated tape moving at 2 mm hr-1) to assess whether this approach has potential to record airborne microplastics at an hourly resolution, thereby providing detailed diurnal patterns. Simultaneous sampling at outdoor and indoor locations at rural and urban sites showed clear daily and weekly patterns in microplastic concentrations which may be related to people and vehicle movement. Indoor residential concentrations of suspected microplastics were the highest (reaching hourly concentrations of 40-50 m-3), whilst rural outdoor concentrations were very low (typically 1-2 m-3 h-1). Whilst the approach shows great potential for high resolution data generation, further development is required for spectroscopic analysis and hence chemical confirmation of visual microplastic identification.

Examining the release of synthetic microfibres to the environment via two major pathways: Atmospheric deposition and treated wastewater effluent

Research on the discharge of synthetic microfibres to aquatic environments has typically focused on laundering, where fibres can be discharged via wastewater effluent. However emerging research suggests that microfibres generated during the wear of textiles in normal use could present a major, additional, pathway for microfibre pollution to the environment. This study aimed to quantify and compare the quantities of microfibre entering the marine environment via both these pathways; wastewater discharge and atmospheric deposition. Areas of high and low population density were also evaluated. Samples were collected in and around two British cities (Bristol and Plymouth) both of which are located on tidal waters. Fibres originating from the atmosphere were deposited at an average rate of 81.6 fibres m² d^-1 across urban and rural areas. Treated wastewater effluent contained on an average 0.03 synthetic fibres L^-1. Based on our results we predict ~20,000-500,000 microfibres could be discharged per day from the Wastewater Treatment Plants studied. When the two pathways were compared. Atmospheric deposition of synthetic microfibres appeared the dominant pathway, releasing fibres at a rate several orders of magnitude greater than via treated wastewater effluent. Potential options to reduce the release of microfibres to the environment are discussed and we conclude that intervention at the textile design stage presents the most effective approach. In order to guide policy intervention to inform the Plastics Treaty UNEA 5.2, future work should focus on understanding which permutations of textile design have the greatest influence fibre shedding, during both everyday use and laundering.

A multi-biomarker approach to assess the sublethal effects of settleable atmospheric particulate matter from an industrial area on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Iron and steel industries discharge a large amount of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) containing metals and metallic nanoparticles (NPs) that contaminate not only the air, but also settle into the aquatic environments. However, the effects of settleable atmospheric particulate matter (SePM) on aquatic fauna are still poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the sublethal effects of a short-term exposure to a realistic concentration of SePM on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using a multi-biomarker approach: relative ventricular mass (RVM) and heart function, blood oxidative stress, stress indicators, hemoglobin concentration, metallic NPs internalization, and metal bioaccumulation. Exposed fish exhibited reduced hemoglobin content and elevated plasma cortisol and glucose levels, reflecting stressed states. Furthermore, SePM caused blood oxidative stress increasing lipid and protein oxidation, decreasing glutathione levels, and inhibiting superoxide and glutathione reductase activities. SePM exposure also increased RVM and improved cardiac performance, increasing myocardial contractile force and rates of contraction and relaxation. In the heart tissue there was a significant accumulation of Fe > Zn > > Cr > Cu > Rb > Ni > V > Mn > Se > Mo > As. On the other hand, in the erythrocytes there was significant accumulation of Sn > Zn > > Cr > Ti > Mn = Ni > Nb > As > Bi. The highest bioaccumulation factors were found for Cr, Zn and Ni in both tissues. NPs (Ti, Sn, Al, Fe, Cu, Si, Zn) were also detected in ventricular myocardium of fish exposed and nanocrystallographic analysis revealed a predominance of anatase phase of TiO₂-NP, which is regarded to be more cytotoxic. The association between blood oxidative stress and energy expenditure to sustain increased cardiac pumping capacity under stress condition suggests that SePM has negative impacts on fish physiological performance, threatening their survival, growth rate and/or population establishment.

Atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements in Bangladesh: A new insight into spatiotemporal variability and source apportionment

The interaction between water vapor and natural/anthropogenic airborne particles deposits a massive amount of trace elements in the ecosystem. As the principal source region of the Indian monsoon originated from the Bay of Bengal, atmospheric trace elements in Bangladesh have impacted atmospheric wet deposition along the pathway, even reaching the headwaters in the Asian water tower. However, no study reports the atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements at the spatiotemporal scale. Thus, this study investigated the concentration, sources, and deposition of eighteen trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, and Pb) from 232 precipitation samples at four sites in Bangladesh. Results showed that the VWM concentrations of the eighteen measured trace elements ranged from 0.03 to 535.6 μg L^-1. Zn, Fe, and Al were the principal elements of the atmosphere at four sites with mean values of 207.9 ± 227.8, 18.2 ± 9.3, and 16.3 ± 6.8 μg L^-1, respectively. Besides, the eighteen trace elements showed significant variation in spatial scale with distinct seasonality. Enrichment factors of Zn, Sb, and Cd indicated serious anthropogenic influences. The major sources of trace elements were fossil fuel combustion, brick kilns, crustal dust, fugitive Pb, metal smelters, and battery recycling. Both the concentration and precipitation amount played a pivotal role in the deposition. Most of the air masses during the monsoon season came from marine sources passing over southern India and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the air masses during the non-monsoon season were from West Asia and the northwestern Indian subcontinent. The air masses are transported over a long range and deposit massive amounts of particulate matter in the Third Pole Himalayan region. This first-hand work on spatiotemporal variation provides a reference dataset for future targeting of the scientific community and policymakers for the development of strategies and action plans.

Source oxygen contributions of primary nitrate emitted from biomass burning

Atmospheric nitrate (NO3-) produced by photochemical oxidation in the atmosphere has high oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O values). Recently, the primary NO3- emitted from combustion sources was found to have much lower δ18O values. However, it is unclear how and to what extents the low δ18O signatures were controlled by major O sources during the primary NO3- formation of combustion processes. Here, we first measured concentrations and δ18O values of NO3- from burning five biomass materials (bb-NO3- and δ18Obb-NO3-, respectively) in China. Distinctly higher concentration levels of the bb-NO3- emissions (42.1 ± 8.1 μmol m-3) than ambient NO3- suggest it is a potential source of atmospheric NO3- pollution. Much lower δ18Obb-NO3- signatures (27.6 ± 2.7 ‰) than ambient NO3- support it as a primary emission source with different O sources and formation mechanism from secondary NO3-. Isotope mass-balance modeling revealed that atmospheric O2 and the biomass O dominated the O of bb-NO3- (53 ± 7 % and 40 ± 4 %, respectively) over the aqueous vapor (7 ± 3 %). Besides, we found increasing δ18Obb-NO3- values with the biomass N contents and relatively lower δ18Obb-NO3- values for biomasses with higher carbon (C) and lower O contents, indicating that biomass C, N, and O contents may influence the source O contributions of the bb-NO3-. This work provides a novel isotope analysis on the O source contribution of the bb-NO3-, which is useful for understanding the formation mechanism of combustion-related NO3- sources and evaluating the primary NO3- emissions.

Atmospheric environment monitoring technology and equipment in China: A review and outlook

Accurate monitoring of the atmospheric environment and its evolution are important for understanding the sources, chemical mechanisms, and transport processes of air pollution and carbon emissions in China, and for regulatory and control purposes. This study gives an overview of atmospheric environment monitoring technology and equipment in China and summarizes the major achievements obtained in recent years. China has made great progress in the development of atmospheric environment monitoring technology and equipment with decades of effort. The manufacturing level of atmospheric environment monitoring equipment and the quality of products have steadily improved, and a technical & production system that can meet the requirements of routine monitoring activities has been initiated. It is expected that domestic atmospheric environment monitoring technology and equipment will be able to meet future demands for routine monitoring activities in China and provide scientific assistance for addressing air pollution problems.

Vertical aerosol data assimilation technology and application based on satellite and ground lidar: A review and outlook

Observations and numerical models are mainly used to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and vertical structure characteristics of aerosols to understand aerosol pollution and its effects. However, the limitations of observations and the uncertainties of numerical models bias aerosol calculations and predictions. Data assimilation combines observations and numerical models to improve the accuracy of the initial, analytical fields of models and promote the development of atmospheric aerosol pollution research. Numerous studies have been conducted to integrate multi-source data, such as aerosol optical depth and aerosol extinction coefficient profile, into various chemical transport models using various data assimilation algorithms and have achieved good assimilation results. The definition of data assimilation and the main algorithms will be briefly presented, and the progress of aerosol assimilation according to two types of aerosol data, namely, aerosol optical depth and extinction coefficient, will be presented. The application of vertical aerosol data assimilation, as well as the future trends and challenges of aerosol data assimilation, will be further analysed.

Advances in coastal ocean boundary layer detection technology and equipment in China

Accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the atmospheric environment and its evolution within the coastal ocean boundary layer are necessary for understanding the sources, chemical mechanisms, and transport processes of air pollution in land, sea, and atmosphere. We present an overview of coastal ocean boundary layer detection technology and equipment in China and summarize the progress and main achievements in recent years. China has developed a series of coastal ocean boundary layer detection technologies, including Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), turbulent exchange analyzer, air-sea flux analyzer, stereoscopic remote sensing of air pollutants, and oceanic aerosol detection equipment to address the technical bottleneck caused by harsh environmental conditions in coastal ocean regions. Advances in these technologies and equipment have provided scientific assistance for addressing air pollution issues and understanding land-sea-atmosphere interactions over coastal ocean regions in China. In the future, routine atmospheric observations should cover the coastal ocean boundary layer of China.

Review on recent progress in on-line monitoring technology for atmospheric pollution source emissions in China

Emissions from mobile sources and stationary sources contribute to atmospheric pollution in China, and its components, which include ultrafine particles (UFPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other reactive gases, such as NH₃ and NO_x, are the most harmful to human health. China has released various regulations and standards to address pollution from mobile and stationary sources. Thus, it is urgent to develop online monitoring technology for atmospheric pollution source emissions. This study provides an overview of the main progress in mobile and stationary source monitoring technology in China and describes the comprehensive application of some typical instruments in vital areas in recent years. These instruments have been applied to monitor emissions from motor vehicles, ships, airports, the chemical industry, and electric power generation. Not only has the level of atmospheric environment monitoring technology and equipment been improving, but relevant regulations and standards have also been constantly updated. Meanwhile, the developed instruments can provide scientific assistance for the successful implementation of regulations. According to the potential problem areas in atmospheric pollution in China, some research hotspots and future trends of atmospheric online monitoring technology are summarized. Furthermore, more advanced atmospheric online monitoring technology will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric pollution and improve environmental monitoring capacity.

Atmospheric deposition and trajectories of antimony in Central Europe

Antimony (Sb) concentrations were measured in wet atmospheric deposition at 10 high-elevation sites in the Czech Republic (Central Europe) during three winter seasons (2009-2011). Soluble and insoluble Sb forms were quantified in snow (vertical deposition) and rime (horizontal deposition) on mountain summits located equidistantly near the Czech borders with Austria, Germany and Poland. The highest Sb concentrations were found in the soluble form in rime (0.47 μg L^-1), while the lowest Sb concentrations were those in the insoluble form in snow (0.017 μg L^-1). The estimated average Sb deposition rate in Central Europe amounted to 1.3. 10^-4 g m^-2 yr^-1. Most Sb was deposited in the soluble form in snow (7.9. 10^-5 g m^-2 yr^-1), followed by the soluble form in rime (3.5. 10^-5 g m^-2 yr^-1). The corresponding insoluble fraction contained less Sb, namely 1.2. 10^-5 g m^-2 yr^-1 in snow and 2.3. 10^-6 g m^-2 yr^-1 in rime. The average Sb deposition in Central Europe, measured at an altitude of 1000 m a.s.l., was by six orders of magnitude higher compared to Sb deposition in the Arctic (7. 10^-10 g m^-2 yr^-1), and by four orders of magnitude lower compared to Sb deposition in a Sb-Hg mining district in China (7 g m^-2 yr^-1). Using the HYSPLIT model, backward trajectories of air masses indicated that the Sb sources were predominantly situated in Upper and Lower Silesia.

Modelling the response of urban lichens to broad-scale changes in air pollution and climate

To create more resilient cities, it is important that we understand the effects of the global change drivers in cities. Biodiversity-based ecological indicators (EIs) can be used for this, as biodiversity is the basis of ecosystem structure, composition, and function. In previous studies, lichens have been used as EIs to monitor the effects of global change drivers in an urban context, but only in single-city studies. Thus, we currently do not understand how lichens are affected by drivers that work on a broader scale. Therefore, our aim was to quantify the variance in lichen biodiversity-based metrics (taxonomic and trait-based) that can be explained by environmental drivers working on a broad spatial scale, in an urban context where local drivers are superimposed. To this end, we performed an unprecedented effort to sample epiphytic lichens in 219 green spaces across a continental gradient from Portugal to Estonia. Twenty-six broad-scale drivers were retrieved, including air pollution and bio-climatic variables, and their dimensionality reduced by means of a principal component analysis (PCA). Thirty-eight lichen metrics were then modelled against the scores of the first two axes of each PCA, and their variance partitioned into pollution and climate components. For the first time, we determined that 15% of the metric variance was explained by broad-scale drivers, with broad-scale air pollution showing more importance than climate across the majority of metrics. Taxonomic metrics were better explained by air pollution, as expected, while climate did not surpass air pollution in any of the trait-based metric groups. Consequently, 85% of the metric variance was shown to occur at the local scale. This suggests that further work is necessary to decipher the effects of climate change. Furthermore, although drivers working within cities are prevailing, both spatial scales must be considered simultaneously if we are to use lichens as EIs in cities at continental to global scales.

The macrophage senescence hypothesis: the role of poor heat shock response in pulmonary inflammation and endothelial dysfunction following chronic exposure to air pollution

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been associated with high exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM_2.5). Alveolar macrophages are the first defense against inhaled particles. As soon as they phagocytize the particles, they reach an inflammatory phenotype, which affects the surrounding cells and associates with CVD. Not coincidentally, CVD are marked by a depleted heat shock response (HSR), defined by a deficit in inducing 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression during stressful conditions. HSP70 is a powerful anti-inflammatory chaperone, whose reduced levels trigger a pro-inflammatory milieu, cellular senescence, and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). However, whether macrophage senescence is the main mechanism by which PM_2.5 propagates low-grade inflammation remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

In this article, we review evidence supporting that chronic exposure to PM_2.5 depletes HSR and determines the ability to solve the initial stress.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

When exposed to PM_2.5, macrophages increase the production of reactive oxygen species, which activate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). NF-κB is naturally a pro-inflammatory factor that drives prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and causes fever. PGE2 can be converted into prostaglandin A2, a powerful inducer of HSR. Therefore, when transiently activated, NF-κB can trigger the anti-inflammatory response through negative feedback, by inducing HSP70 expression. However, when chronically activated, NF-κB heads a set of pathways involved in mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, inflammasome activation, and apoptosis. During chronic exposure to PM_2.5, cells cannot properly express sirtuin-1 or activate heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), which delays the resolution phase of inflammation. Since alveolar macrophages are the first immune defense against PM_2.5, we suppose that the pollutant impairs HSR and, consequently, induces cellular senescence. Accordingly, senescent macrophages change its secretory phenotype to a more inflammatory one, known as SASP. Finally, macrophages' SASP would propagate the systemic inflammation, leading to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Man-made natural and regenerated cellulosic fibres greatly outnumber microplastic fibres in the atmosphere

Atmospheric microplastics have been widely reported in studies around the world. Microfibres are often the dominant morphology found by researchers, although synthetic (i.e., plastic) microfibres are typically just a fraction of the total number of microfibres, with other, non-synthetic, cellulosic microfibres frequently being reported. This study set out to review existing literature to determine the relative proportion of cellulosic and synthetic atmospheric anthropogenic (man-made) microfibres, discuss trends in the microfibre abundances, and outline proposed best-practices for future studies. We conducted a systematic review of the existing literature and identified 33 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Google Scholar searches that examined cellulosic microfibres and synthetic microfibres in the atmosphere. Multiple analyses indicate that cellulosic microfibres are considerably more common than synthetic microfibres. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy data obtained from 24 studies, showed that 57% of microfibres were cellulosic and 23% were synthetic. The remaining were either inorganic, or not determined. In total, 20 studies identified more cellulosic microfibres, compared to 11 studies which identified more synthetic microfibres. The data show that cellulosic microfibres are 2.5 times more abundant between 2016 and 2022, however, the proportion of cellulosic microfibres appear to be decreasing, while synthetic microfibres are increasing. We expect a crossover to happen by 2030, where synthetic microfibres will be dominant in the atmosphere. We propose that future studies on atmospheric anthropogenic microfibres should include information on natural and regenerated cellulosic microfibres, and design studies which are inclusive of cellulosic microfibres during analysis and reporting. This will allow researchers to monitor trends in the composition of atmospheric microfibers and will help address the frequent underestimation of cellulosic microfibre abundance in the atmosphere.

Establishment of background pollution levels and spatial analysis of moss data on a regional scale

The determination of background pollution levels is fundamental for the interpretation of the results obtained from environmental biomonitoring. In this paper we propose a new probabilistic method, based on a Gaussian mixture model, for determining the distribution of regional background levels of different pollutants. The distribution of the reference level is used to categorize the observations as "background" or "above-background" and spatial statistical techniques are then applied to determine the probability of the background level being exceeded. To exemplify its use, we applied the method to concentrations of five potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) measured in the moss Pseudoscleropodium purum. The proposed method was applied to data resulting from sampling at ca. 150 sampling stations in a regular grid (15 × 15 km) in Galicia (NW Spain). Sampling was carried out in June in 2000 and 2002, and in March and September in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2014. The proposed method yielded consistent results for all of the different sampling surveys, and the pollution levels were found to be closely related to the sources of pollution identified in the study region. In short, although not an optimal solution, the proposed method seems to be suitable and realistic for the qualitative assessment of regional pollution.

Increasing water-use efficiency mediates effects of atmospheric carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen on growth variability of central European conifers

Climate controls forest biomass production through direct effects on cambial activity and indirectly through interactions with CO₂, air pollution, and nutrient availability. The atmospheric concentration of CO₂, sulfur and nitrogen deposition can also exert a significant indirect control on wood formation since these factors influence the stomatal regulation of transpiration and carbon uptake, that is, intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). Here we provide 120-year long tree-ring time series of iWUE, stem growth, climatic and combined sulfur and nitrogen (SN) deposition trends for two common tree species, Pinus sylvestris (PISY) and Picea abies (PCAB), at their lower and upper distribution margins in Central Europe. The main goals were to explain iWUE trends using theoretical scenarios including climatic and SN deposition data, and to assess the contribution of climate and iWUE to the observed growth trends. Our results showed that after a notable increase in iWUE between the 1950s and 1980s, this positive trend subsequently slowed down. The substantial rise of iWUE since the 1950s resulted from a combination of an accelerated increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (C_a) and a stable level of leaf intercellular CO₂ (C_i). The offset of observed iWUE values above the trajectory of a constant C_i/C_a scenario was explained by trends in SN deposition (all sites) together with the variation of drought conditions (low-elevation sites only). Increasing iWUE over the 20th and 21st centuries improved tree growth at low-elevation drought-sensitive sites. In contrast, at high-elevation PCAB sites, growth was mainly stimulated by recent warming. We propose that SN pollution should be considered in order to explain the steep increase in iWUE of conifers in the 20th century throughout Central Europe and other regions with a significant SN deposition history.

The first detection of organophosphate esters (OPEs) of a high altitude fresh snowfall in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Due to the gradual phase-out of brominated flame retardants, the consumption of organophosphate esters (OPEs) as suitable alternatives has increased in recent years. These compounds could be trapped and accumulate in the widely developed glaciers such as Laohugou Glacier No. 12 in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), as snow is an effective scavenger of organic pollutants in the atmosphere. However, large gaps in knowledge still exist regarding the occurrence, distribution, and source analysis of OPEs in TP glaciers. In this study, eight surface snow samples collected at different altitudes on Laohugou Glacier No. 12 on the northeastern edge of the TP in order to investigate sources and distribution of OPEs. The results showed that the concentrations of ∑7OPEs varied from 54.53 ng/L to 169.15 ng/L, with a mean of 99.84 ng/L. ∑Chlorinated-OPEs (Cl-OPEs) were dominant in these samples, accounting for 83% of the total OPE concentrations. ∑OPEs concentration increases with altitude on Laohugou Glacier No. 12, implying an altitudinal magnification effect on OPEs deposition. Principal component analysis suggests that OPEs primarily originated from traffic emissions and their variations were largely driven by dust transport. Analyses of backward trajectories of air masses and the wind field indicate that these OPEs might have come from urban emissions northwest of Laohugou Glacier No. 12. This study provides the first valuable insight into the environmental behavior of OPEs in Tibetan glaciers.

Short-term and residential exposure to air pollution: Associations with inflammatory biomarker levels in adults living in northern France

INTRODUCTION

Air pollution has an impact on health, and low-grade inflammation might be one of the underlying mechanisms. The objective of the present study of adults from northern France was to assess the associations between short-term and residential exposure to air pollution and levels of various inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

The cross-sectional Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environnement (ELISABET) study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in the Lille and Dunkirk urban areas of northern France. Here, we evaluated the associations between PM₁₀, NO₂ and O₃ exposure (on the day of the blood sample collection and on the day before, and the mean annual residential level) and levels of the inflammatory biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, and tumor necrosis factor α.

RESULTS

We assessed 3074 participants for the association with hsCRP and a subsample of 982 non-smokers from Lille for the association with plasma cytokine levels. A 10 μg/m³ increment in PM₁₀ and NO₂ levels on the day of sample collection and on the day before was associated with a higher hsCRP concentration (3.43% [0.68; 6.25] and 1.75% [-1.96; 5.61], respectively, whereas a 10 μg/m³ increment in O₃ was associated with lower hsCRP concentration (-1.2% [-3.95; 1.64]). The associations between mean annual exposure and the hsCRP level were not significant. Likewise, the associations between exposure and plasma cytokine levels were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Short-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher serum hsCRP levels in adult residents of two urban areas in northern France. Our results suggest that along with other factors, low-grade inflammation might explain the harmful effects of air pollution on health.

Record of heavy metals in Huguangyan Maar Lake sediments: Response to anthropogenic atmospheric pollution in Southern China

The historical atmospheric heavy metal pollution of southern China over the past 200 years was explored by analyzing radiometric dating, heavy metals, and Pb isotopes from a sediment core in Huguangyan Maar Lake. Zn, Cd, Sb, Tl, and Pb in the lake are closely related to anthropogenic activities, while Cr and Ni are mainly derived from the weathering of basalt surrounding the lake. Atmospheric Zn, Cd, Sb, and Tl increased rapidly after 1980, consistent with the local industrial development. The increase of atmospheric Pb in southern China occurred earlier than in other regions of China, with the increase after 1850. War and the use of leaded gasoline were the main causes for the rapid increase in atmospheric Pb during 1910-1950. From 1950 to 2000, the input of Pb from anthropogenic activities decreased gradually due to the stable social environment. After 2000, atmospheric Pb continued to rise due to continued industrial development. The three-end-member model of Pb isotopes indicates that coal combustion is the main source of current atmospheric Pb. The proportion of Pb derived from vehicle exhaust emissions reached a peak in the 1960s, then gradually decreased and further reduced with the ban on leaded gasoline after 2000. These results are important in identifying the sources of atmospheric heavy metal pollution and in formulating pollution control strategies.

Determination of phytotoxicity and cytogenotoxicity due to exposure to particles originating from sugarcane burning using test systems Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L

Sugarcane straw burning generates particulate matter with complex composition resulting in atmosphere pollution. Sugarcane straw sugarcane burning particles (PSSB) contain several chemical compounds that were previously identified to be associated with carcinogenic and mutagenic processes. The aim of the present study was to extract PSSB under lab conditions and subsequently determine phyto- and cytogenotoxicity of these particles using Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L. bioassays. Seeds of lettuce var. Cinderela and onion cv. Vale-Ouro IPA-11 were germinated in Petri dishes containing different concentrations of PSSB at 25, 50, 100, 200 or 300 mg/ml as well as control for 72 hr. Seed germination of lettuce was inhibited by PSSB, in a concentration-dependent manner, accompanied by decreased root growth, suggesting phytotoxic effects. Further, reduction of mitotic index and high number of chromosomal alterations in onion of meristematics cells indicated a cytogenotoxic action attributed to PSSB. Although the chemical composition of PSSB in question has not been determined, the phyto- and cytogenotoxic effects may be linked to the possible presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are were identified as the main constituents of particulate matter resulting from burning of sugarcane straw, in addition to exerting adverse biological effects that might result in mutations and cancer. Data demonstrated that the use of plants bioassays might be an important tool for biomonitoring air quality.

Lung function among residents from the largest coal region in Brazil

Coal mining and burning activities in coal-fired power plants are among the most polluting activities in developing countries. In Brazil, the Candiota coal deposit concentrates 40% of the national mineral coal. Although, previous studies indicate several negative health outcomes to residents of this coal region, there is no information about lung function. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate lung function by spirometry among residents from the largest coal mining region of Brazil and its related factors. It was carried out a cross-sectional study with 300 male adults residing in four cities from this region. Socioeconomic, demographic, life style, and health conditions were collected through a structured questionnaire, and lung function was assessed by spirometry. Almost 18% of the residents have disorders in pulmonary function. There was significant statistical difference in the spirometry main parameters between the cities. Candiota city (host city of coal exploration activities) have the highest prevalence of obstructive ventilatory disorder. Curiously, upper economic class had significant higher risk of altered lung function (P<0.001), as well as inappropriate sewage destination (P<0.001). Residents of Candiota city had 20% higher risk of altered lung function. Regarding air quality, the PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ of the region were 20.6± 3.9, 7.0± 2.2, and 6.0± 1.6, respectively. Two air quality stations exceed the limit of 20 μg/m³ to PM₁₀ proposed by Brazilian legislation and WHO, and three stations had PM₁₀ quite close to the limit. This study points out the need for urgent action to protect residents from this coal mining region.

First comparison of sampler surface areas for atmospheric microfibre deposition

Recent studies have reported on the widespread abundance of atmospheric microplastics (At-MPs) and atmospheric anthropogenic microfibres (At-AMFs) in urban and remote locations. This study sought to test whether there were differences in the quantity of deposited At-AMFs collected when comparing three different surface sampler areas (small: 0.0113 m² (Φ = 120 mm), medium: 0.0254 m² (Φ = 180 mm) and large: 0.0346 m² (Φ = 210 mm)). The analysis revealed no statistically significant variation in the number of At-AMFs recorded, when data was presented in At-AMFs per m² day^-1. However, our findings indicate that for any given individual sampling event, the amount of deposition can range by ∼ 150 to 200 At-AMFs m² d^-1 even if samplers are kept relatively close together. To account for this, we would recommend that future studies collect data in duplicate or triplicate. Our results suggest that data can be compared across different sites and geographical regions-at least if comparing the overall mean and standard deviation of all samples collected. These findings are important because currently there is no standard sampler size for passive collection of At-AMFs and At-MPs.

The Effect of Urban Green Spaces on Reduction of Particulate Matter Concentration

In an urban scenario, one of the air pollutants most harmful to human health and environmental is the particulate matter (PM). Considering that urban green areas can contribute to mitigating the effects of PM, this work compares the concentration of PM_2.5 in two closer locations in Rio de Janeiro, in order to verify how vegetation cover can actually improve air quality. One is the entrance to the Rebouças Tunnel (RT) and the other is the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (RJBG). For this purpose, PM_2.5 samples were taken from September 2017 to March 2018 using a Large Volume Sampler (LVS). The results reveal that RT has a higher concentration of PM_2.5 in almost all samples. The RJBG obtains concentrations around 33% less than the other area, suggesting that the presence of urban green areas like the RJBG can reduce PM_2.5 levels when compared to places with less vegetation cover, providing better air quality.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and its effects on human health: An overeview

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals of considerable environmental significance. PAHs are chemical contaminants of fused carbon and hydrogen aromatic rings, basically white, light-yellow, or solid compounds without color. Natural sources of pollution are marginal or less significant, such as volcanic eruptions, natural forest fires, and moorland fires that trigger lightning bursts. The significant determinants of PAH pollution are anthropogenic pollution sources, classified into four groups, i.e., industrial, mobile, domestic, and agricultural pollution sources. Humans can consume PAHs via different routes, such as inhalation, dermal touch, and ingestion. The Effect of PAHs on human health is primarily based on the duration and route of exposure, the volume or concentration of PAHs to which one is exposed, and the relative toxicity of PAHs. Many PAHs are widely referred to as carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens and thus pose a significant danger to human health and the well-being of humans. Skin, lung, pancreas, esophagus, bladder, colon, and female breast are numerous organs prone to tumor development due to long-term PAH exposure. PAH exposure may increase the risk of lung cancer as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction (MI). Preclinical studies have found a relationship between PAH exposure, oxidative stress, and atherosclerosis. In addition, investigations have discovered a relationship between PAH exposure at work and CVD illness and mortality development. This review aims to explain PAH briefly, its transportation, its effects on human health, and a relationship between environmental exposures to PAHs and CVD risk in humans.

Biochar mitigated more N-related global warming potential in rice season than that in wheat season: An investigation from ten-year biochar-amended rice-wheat cropping system of China

Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), the major rice-based cropping system, constitutes a significant source of N-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emission due to the unique wet-dry alternation process. Biochar is often highlighted as a potential solution for reducing fertilizer N losses, hence, understanding its effects on Ngr emissions (mainly NH₃ and N₂O) under wet-dry conditions is critical to inform strategies for GHG mitigation. This study investigated the responses of NH₃ and N₂O emissions to biochar amendments during rice and wheat seasons based on in situ measurements under ten-year successive straw biochar application in RWCS. Our results indicated that 43.7% and 89.9% of N₂O and NH₃ emissions were emitted during rice season and 56.3% and 10.1% during wheat season, respectively. Long-term biochar amendment was found to play significant role in mitigating NH₃ emissions (38.6-43.9%), which could be attributed to the disappearance of liming effect of aged-biochar on flooding water and decreased NH₄⁺ concentrations in the soil. However, considerable variation of N₂O emissions were observed in RWCS. Biochar showed a significant decreasing effect on the net global warming potential related to N₂O and NH₃ emissions (GWP_N) in rice season (16.1-89.6%), and slight increased tendency in wheat season (1.43-13.1%) primarily due to its positive effects on N₂O emission. Biochar amendment mainly BC22.5, significantly increased above-ground yields by 9.22% in rice season. Thus, it is a low carbon-producing and sustainable crop management method that can support crop production, C sequestration, and GHG mitigation in rice season under RWCS from the viewpoint of the Ngr mitigation. Our results suggest that emission patterns of N₂O and NH₃ varied with wet-dry alternation under the disturbance of long-term biochar amendment in RWCS; moreover, long-term biochar application exhibited significant potential for mitigating soil Ngr losses in rice season for RWCS.

Air pollution and meteorological variables' effects on COVID-19 first and second waves in Spain

The aim of this research is to study the influence of atmospheric pollutants and meteorological variables on the incidence rate of COVID-19 and the rate of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 during the first and second waves in nine Spanish provinces. Numerous studies analyze the effect of environmental and pollution variables separately, but few that include them in the same analysis together, and even fewer that compare their effects between the first and second waves of the virus. This study was conducted in nine of 52 Spanish provinces, using generalized linear models with Poisson link between levels of PM₁₀, NO₂ and O₃ (independent variables) and maximum temperature and absolute humidity and the rates of incidence and hospital admissions of COVID-19 (dependent variables), establishing a series of significant lags. Using the estimators obtained from the significant multivariate models, the relative risks associated with these variables were calculated for increases of 10 µg/m³ for pollutants, 1 °C for temperature and 1 g/m³ for humidity. The results suggest that NO₂ has a greater association than the other air pollution variables and the meteorological variables. There was a greater association with O₃ in the first wave and with NO₂ in the second. Pollutants showed a homogeneous distribution across the country. We conclude that, compared to other air pollutants and meteorological variables, NO₂ is a protagonist that may modulate the incidence and severity of COVID-19, though preventive public health measures such as masking and hand washing are still very important.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-022-04190-z.

Changing air pollution and CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lesson learned and future equity concerns of post-COVID recovery

COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and quarantines have led to significant industrial slowdowns among the world's major emitters of air pollutants, with resulting decreases to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in nations such as China, India and US, deemed to be major sources of global CO₂ emissions, as well. However, there are major concerns that these decreases in atmospheric pollution can be hampered as economies are reactivated. Historically, countries have weakened environmental legislations following economic slowdown to encourage renewed economic growth. Such a policy response now will likely have disproportionate impacts on global Indigenous people and marginalized groups within countries, who have already faced disproportionate impacts from COVID-19 and environmental pollution. Our "new normal" remain nimble enough to allow us to fine-tune our interventions, research tools and solutions-oriented research to quickly enough to stay ahead of the pandemic trajectory in the face of air pollution and climate change. Societal and behavioral changes to reduce these anthropogenic cumulative stressors should be advocated, while prioritizing the public health of marginalized groups around the world, promoting new approaches to champion environmental health along with educational programs addressed to the population. Bold government decisions can restart economies while pre-empting future inequities and committing to environmental protection in an era of COVID-19 and global change.

Characterization of black crusts developed on historic stones with diverse mineralogy under different air quality environments

Black crusts (BCs) are one of the most critical alteration forms found on stones belonging to architectural heritage. Since they could be considered as passive samplers of atmospheric pollution, it would be plausible to establish relations between the air contamination and the BCs. With this aim, we have characterized BCs collected on historic buildings from two Spanish cities (Granada and Vigo) with different polluted atmospheres, as well as formed on stone substrates of varied mineralogy and texture. Likewise, in order to assess the impact of the atmospheric pollutants on the growth of BCs, quartz fiber filters were used as surrogate substrates and placed nearby the studied buildings to collect and analyze the aerosol particulate matter (PM). To this end, an array of complementary analytical techniques was used to evaluate the mineralogy, chemical composition, and texture of the BCs and to establish the correlation with the ions, OC (organic carbon), and EC (elemental carbon) detected in the PM on the quartz fiber filters. As result, BCs developed on carbonate substrates from Granada show more complex structure than those from Vigo, which are thinner because of frequent rain episodes. In both cities, NaCl, Pb-Cl, and Ca-Cl-rich particles, Ca-phosphate particles and clusters of Ba-sulfate-rich particles were detected. However, metal-rich rounded particles were more abundant in Granada's BCs, including soot particles. BCs from Granada were richer in carbonaceous components (OC and EC) than the Vigo's BCs. Although in the filters PM did not show EC-mainly due to traffic-, in the BCs from both locations OC and EC were detected. Therefore, this different composition was related to the mineralogy of the stones and the higher pollution of Granada in contrast to the industrial and sea-exposed city of Vigo.

Atmospheric pollution and mortality in Portugal: Quantitative assessment of the environmental burden of disease using the AirQ+ model

In Portugal, data on mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution are not reported due to shortness and irregularity of the available data series, and therefore, the disclosure of the national progress in reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from air contamination in exposures to multiple pollutants is incomplete. The present work describes the application of the AirQ+ model developed by the WHO to calculate how much of specific health outcomes is attributable to long-term exposure to atmospheric NO₂, PM_2.5, and O₃ in the population of various municipalities in Portugal, from 2010 to 2019. Linear Mixed Models were used for data analysis and have shown that (i) approximately 5000 deaths per year are attributable to exposure to mixtures of NO₂ and PM_2.5; (ii) the spatial distribution of the proportion of deaths attributable to NO₂, PM_2.5 and O₃ shows significant differences between locations, and (iii) that AirQ+ is a useful tool for the purpose of effective Public Health policymaking and reporting on the national progress to implement the 2030 Agenda.

Source term determination with elastic plume bias correction

Estimation of a source term, i.e. release rate, of atmospheric radionuclide emissions is of key interest for nuclear emergency response and further accident analysis. The source term estimate is, however, often very inaccurate due to biases in atmospheric transport and used meteorological analysis. We propose a method for atmospheric plume bias correction which uses not only concentrations modeled at a measuring site but also the information on concentration gradient from the neighborhood of each measuring site, i.e. information already available from the atmospheric transport model. To properly regularize the model, we propose an elastic model of the plume bias correction based on regularization with the use of known topology of the measurement network. The proposed plume bias correction method can be coupled with an arbitrary source term estimation algorithm and can be instantly applied to any other atmospheric release of hazardous material. We demonstrate the method in two real cases. First, we use data from the European Tracer Experiment to validate the methodology. Second, we use data from the ¹⁰⁶Ru occurrence over Europe in 2017 to demonstrate the methodology in a more demanding case where agreement with state-of-the-art estimates is shown with much better reconstruction of measurements.

Air quality and photochemical reactions: analysis of NOx and NO2 concentrations in the urban area of Turin, Italy

In this work, based on the existing studies on photochemical reactions in the lower atmosphere, an analysis of the historical series of NO_x, NO₂, and O₃ concentrations measured in the period 2015-2019 by two monitoring stations located in the urban area of Turin, Italy, was elaborated. The objective was to investigate the concentration trends of the contaminants and evaluate possible simplified relationships based on the observed values. Concentration trends of these pollutants were compared in different time bands (diurnal or seasonal cycles), highlighting some differences in the dispersion of the validated data. Calculated [NO₂]/[NO_x] ratios were in agreement with the values observed in other urban areas worldwide. The influence of temperature on the [NO₂]/[NO_x] ratio was investigated. An increase of [NO₂]/[NO_x] concentration ratio was found with increasing temperature. Finally, a set of empirical relationships for the preliminary determination of NO₂ concentration values as a function of the NO_x was elaborated and compared with existing formulations. Polynomial functions were adapted to the average concentration values returned by the division into classes of 10 μg/m³ of NO_x. The choice of an empirical function to estimate the trend of NO₂ concentrations is potentially useful for the preliminary data analysis, especially in case of data scarcity. The scatter plots showed differences between the two monitoring stations, which may be attributable to a different urban context in which the stations are located. The dissonance between a purely residential context (Rubino station) and another characterised by the co-presence of residential buildings and industries of various kinds (Lingotto station) leads to the need to consider a greater contribution to the calculation of the concentrations emitted in an industrial/residential context due to a greater presence of industrial chimneys but also to more intense motorised vehicle transport. The analysis of the ratio between nitrogen oxides and tropospheric ozone confirmed that, as O₃ concentration increases, there is a consequent reduction of NO_x concentration, due to the chemical reactions of the photo-stationary cycle that takes place between the two species. This work highlighted that the use of an empirical formulation for the estimation of [NO_x] to [NO₂] conversion rate could in principle be adopted. However, the application of empirical models for the preliminary estimation of [NO_x] conversion to [NO₂] cannot replace advanced models and should be, in principle, restricted to a limited area and a limited range of NO_x concentrations.