Title: | Temporal variations of PM1 major components in an urban street canyon |
Author(s): | Yubero E; Galindo N; Nicolas JF; Crespo J; Calzolai G; Lucarelli F; |
Address: | "Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernandez University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202, Elche, Spain, eyubero@umh.es" |
Journal Title: | Environ Sci Pollut Res Int |
DOI: | 10.1007/s11356-015-4599-z |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1614-7499 (Electronic) 0944-1344 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Seasonal changes in the levels of PM1 and its main components (organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), SO4 (2-), NO3 (-) and NH4 (+)) were studied in an urban street canyon in southeastern Spain. Although PM1 levels did not show an evident seasonal cycle, strong variations in the concentrations of its major components were observed. Ammonium sulfate, the main secondary inorganic compound, was found to be of regional origin. Its formation was favored during summer due to increased photochemical activity. In contrast, the concentrations of particulate ammonium nitrate, which is thermally unstable, were highest in winter. Although traffic emissions are the dominant source of EC in the city, variations in traffic intensity could not explain the seasonal cycle of this component. The higher EC concentrations during the cold months were attributed to the lower dispersion conditions and the increase in EC emissions. Special attention has been given to variations in organic carbon levels since it accounted for about one third of the total PM1 mass. The concentrations of both total OC and secondary OC (SOC) were maxima in winter. The observed seasonal variation in SOC levels is similar to that found in other southern European cities where the frequency of sunny days in winter is high enough to promote photochemical processes" |
Keywords: | Aerosols Air Pollutants/*analysis Carbon/analysis Cities Environmental Monitoring Humans Nitrates/analysis Particulate Matter/*analysis Seasons Spain Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis; |
Notes: | "MedlineYubero, E Galindo, N Nicolas, J F Crespo, J Calzolai, G Lucarelli, F eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Germany 2015/05/06 Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015 Sep; 22(17):13328-35. doi: 10.1007/s11356-015-4599-z. Epub 2015 May 5" |