Atmosphere

18 pages, 3591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Sources of VOCs during PM_2.5 Pollution Periods in a Typical City of the Yangtze River Delta

by Dan Zhang, Xiaoqing Huang, Shaoxuan Xiao, Zhou Zhang, Yanli Zhang and Xinming Wang

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101162 (registering DOI) - 28 Sep 2024

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To investigate the characteristics and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as their impacts on secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) formation during high-incidence periods of PM_2.5 pollution, a field measurement was conducted in December 2019 in Hefei, a typical city of [...] Read more.

To investigate the characteristics and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as their impacts on secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) formation during high-incidence periods of PM_2.5 pollution, a field measurement was conducted in December 2019 in Hefei, a typical city of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). During the whole process, the mixing ratios of VOCs were averaged as 21.1 ± 15.9 ppb, with alkanes, alkenes, alkyne, and aromatics accounting for 59.9%, 15.3%, 15.0%, and 9.8% of the total VOCs, respectively. It is worth noting that the contributions of alkenes and alkyne increased significantly during PM_2.5 pollution periods. Based on source apportionment via the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, vehicle emissions, liquefied petroleum gas/natural gas (LPG/NG), and biomass/coal burning were the main sources of VOCs during the research in Hefei. During pollution periods, however, the contribution of biomass/coal burning to VOCs increased significantly, reaching as much as 47.6%. The calculated SOA formation potential (SOAFP) of VOCs was 0.38 ± 1.04 µg m⁻³ (range: 0.04–7.30 µg m⁻³), and aromatics were the dominant contributors, with a percentage of 96.8%. The source contributions showed that industrial emissions (49.1%) and vehicle emissions (28.3%) contributed the most to SOAFP during non-pollution periods, whereas the contribution of biomass/coal burning to SOA formation increased significantly (32.8%) during PM_2.5 pollution periods. These findings suggest that reducing VOCs emissions from biomass/coal burning, vehicle, and industrial sources is a crucial approach for the effective control of SOA formation in Hefei, which provides a scientific basis for controlling PM_2.5 pollution and improving air quality in the YRD region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aerosols)

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13 pages, 7260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Backward Integration of Nonlinear Shallow Water Model: Part I: Solitary Rossby Waves

by Wen-Yih Sun

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101161 (registering DOI) - 28 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The inviscid, nonlinear shallow water model developed by Sun was applied to study the inverse of equatorial Rossby solitons, which can be represented by the Korteweg–De Vries equation (KdV equation). The model was integrated forward in time, then the results were used as [...] Read more.

The inviscid, nonlinear shallow water model developed by Sun was applied to study the inverse of equatorial Rossby solitons, which can be represented by the Korteweg–De Vries equation (KdV equation). The model was integrated forward in time, then the results were used as initial conditions for backward integration by just changing time step from positive to negative. The detailed structure, secondary circulation, and propagating speed of waves from both integrations are in good agreement with analytic solutions. The total mass, energy, and enstrophy are also well conserved. The procedure is much simpler and the results are more accurate than other backward integrations of 2D nonlinear models, which require significant modification of the model and can be contaminated by unwanted diffusion in forward–backward integrations or time-consuming iterative methods. This paper is also different from the numerical method for solving the inverse of the KdV equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)

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10 pages, 918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salix humboldtiana as an Indicator of Air Pollution by Trace Metals in the Urban Areas of the City of Loja, Southern Ecuador

by Ángel Benítez, Diego Ordóñez and James Calva

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101160 (registering DOI) - 28 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Air pollution is the most important environmental problem in urban areas related to vehicular traffic and industrial activities. The widespread presence of common urban trees, such as Salix humboldtiana, and their ability to tolerate diverse environmental conditions make this species an especially [...] Read more.

Air pollution is the most important environmental problem in urban areas related to vehicular traffic and industrial activities. The widespread presence of common urban trees, such as Salix humboldtiana, and their ability to tolerate diverse environmental conditions make this species an especially promising candidate for assessing environmental metal contamination. Therefore, biomonitoring with vascular plants has been widely used to assess air pollution, especially the accumulation of trace metal concentrations. Therefore, for the first time, we analyzed the concentration of trace metals using Salix humboldtiana in twelve areas with different levels of pollution in a city in Southern Ecuador. For this purpose, samples were taken from each site to assess the accumulation of trace metals such as Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Al, and Ni. The results obtained showed significant differences in the concentrations of Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cd between the urban areas and the control area, indicating that the central areas were the most polluted by vehicular traffic. However, these findings suggest that Salix humboldtiana may not be a particularly effective tool for quantifying levels of environmental metal contamination such as Cu and Ni, at least in urban areas in the city of Loja. This study has demonstrated that Salix humboldtiana leaves can effectively monitor trace metals associated with road traffic emissions in areas with varying levels of vehicular activity, indicating that vascular plants can be utilized for this purpose in tropical cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioindicators in Air Pollution Monitoring)

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16 pages, 3663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Improved Version of the Prewhitening Method for Trend Analysis in the Autocorrelated Time Series

by Rahul Sheoran, Umesh Chandra Dumka, Rakesh K. Tiwari and Rakesh K. Hooda

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101159 - 27 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Nonparametric trend detection tests like the Mann–Kendall (MK) test require independent observations, but serial autocorrelation in the datasets inflates/deflates the variance and alters the Type-I and Type-II errors. Prewhitening (PW) techniques help address this issue by removing autocorrelation prior to applying MK. We [...] Read more.

Nonparametric trend detection tests like the Mann–Kendall (MK) test require independent observations, but serial autocorrelation in the datasets inflates/deflates the variance and alters the Type-I and Type-II errors. Prewhitening (PW) techniques help address this issue by removing autocorrelation prior to applying MK. We evaluate several PW schemes—von Storch (PW-S), Slope-corrected PW (PW-Cor), trend-free prewhitening (TFPW) proposed by Yue (TFPW-Y), iterative TFPW (TFPW-WS), variance-corrected TFPW (VCTFPW), and newly proposed detrended prewhitened with modified trend added (DPWMT). Through Monte Carlo simulations, we constructed a lag-1 autoregressive (AR(1)) time series and systematically assessed the performance of different PW methods relative to sample size, autocorrelation, and trend slope. Results indicate that all methods tend to overestimate weak trends in small samples (n < 40). For moderate/high trends, the slopes estimated from the VCTFPW and DPWMT series close (within a ± 20% range) to the actual trend. VCTFPW shows slightly lower RMSE than DPWMT at mid-range lag-1 autocorrelation (ρ1 = 0.3 to 0.6) but fluctuates for ρ1 ≥ 0.7. Original series and TFPW-Y fail to control Type-I error with increasing ρ₁, while VCTFPW and DPWMT maintained Type-I errors below the significance level (α = 0.05) for large samples. Apart from TFPW-Y, all PW methods resulted in weak power of the test for weak trends and small samples. TFPW-WS showed high power of the test but only for strong autocorrelated data combined with strong trends. In contrast, VCTFPW failed to preserve the power of the test at high autocorrelation (≥0.7) due to slope underestimation. DPWMT restores the power of the test for 0.1 ≤ ρ1 ≤ 0.9 for moderate/strong trends. Overall, the proposed DPWMT approach demonstrates clear advantages, providing unbiased slope estimates, reasonable Type-I error control, and sufficient power in detecting linear trends in the AR(1) series. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aerosols Pollution: Characteristics, Impacts, Projections and Mitigation)

39 pages, 4589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions: Formulation and Evaluation for Ozone and Particulate Matter over the US

by Christopher Emery, Kirk Baker, Gary Wilson and Greg Yarwood

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101158 - 27 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) is an open-source, state-of-the-science photochemical grid model that addresses tropospheric air pollution (ozone, particulates, air toxics) over spatial scales ranging from neighborhoods to continents. CAMx has been in continuous development for over 25 years and [...] Read more.

The Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) is an open-source, state-of-the-science photochemical grid model that addresses tropospheric air pollution (ozone, particulates, air toxics) over spatial scales ranging from neighborhoods to continents. CAMx has been in continuous development for over 25 years and has been used by numerous entities ranging from government to industry to academia to support regulatory actions and scientific research addressing a variety of air quality issues. Here, we describe the technical formulation of CAMx v7.20, publicly released in May 2022. To illustrate an example of regional and seasonal model performance for predicted ozone and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), we summarize a model evaluation from a recent 2016 national-scale CAMx application over nine climate zones contained within the conterminous US. We show that statistical performance for warm season maximum 8 h ozone is consistently within benchmark statistical criteria for bias, gross error, and correlation over all climate zones, and often near statistical goals. Statistical performance for 24 h PM_2.5 and constituents fluctuate around statistical criteria with more seasonal and regional variability that can be attributed to different sources of uncertainty among PM_2.5 species (e.g., weather influences, chemical treatments and interactions, emissions uncertainty, and ammonia treatments). We close with a mention of new features and capabilities that are planned for the next public releases of the model in 2024 and beyond. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)

13 pages, 1652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Specific Effects of Combined Heavy Metal Exposure on Blood Pressure: A Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression Analysis

by In-Gwon Kim, Seonmi Hong, Sojeong Yim, Jang-Hun Jeong, Kyunghi Choi, Ju-Hee Lee, Young-Seoub Hong, Sang-Yong Eom, Heon Kim and Yong-Dae Kim

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1157; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101157 - 27 Sep 2024

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Abstract

High blood pressure (BP) is a significant risk factor for heart and brain diseases. Previous studies have suggested that heavy metals including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) contribute to hypertension. This study examined the combined effects of heavy metals on blood [...] Read more.

High blood pressure (BP) is a significant risk factor for heart and brain diseases. Previous studies have suggested that heavy metals including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) contribute to hypertension. This study examined the combined effects of heavy metals on blood pressure, considering sex differences. A health impact survey was conducted among 561 residents living near waste incineration facilities in Cheongju, Korea. Blood samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure was measured. Multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) methods were used to evaluate the relationship between heavy metal exposure and BP. Men had higher blood Hg and Pb concentrations, whereas women had higher Cd levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant association between heavy metals and systolic blood pressure. However, Cd was significantly associated with increased diastolic blood pressure for the total group and women, whereas Pb was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure in men. In the BKMR analysis, the joint effect of the three metals was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure for individuals below the 45th percentile and above the 55th percentile in men. These findings underscore the importance of considering sex differences in environmental health studies and public health strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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18 pages, 2504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Source Profiles of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by Several Business Types in an Industrial Complex Using a Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS)

by Kyoung-Chan Kim, Byeong-Hun Oh, Jeong-Deok Baek, Chun-Sang Lee, Yong-Jae Lim, Hung-Soo Joo and Jin-Seok Han

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101156 - 27 Sep 2024

Viewed by 259

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of significant contributors to air pollution and have profound effects on human health and the environment. This study introduces a detailed analysis of VOC emissions from various industries within an industrial complex using a high-resolution measurement instrument. [...] Read more.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of significant contributors to air pollution and have profound effects on human health and the environment. This study introduces a detailed analysis of VOC emissions from various industries within an industrial complex using a high-resolution measurement instrument. This study aimed to identify the VOC profiles and their concentrations across 12 industries. Sampling was conducted across 99 facilities in an industrial complex in South Korea, and VOC analysis was performed based on measurement data using a Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). The results indicated that the emission of oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) was dominant in most industries. Aromatic hydrocarbons were also dominant in most industries, except in screen printing (SP), lubricating oil and grease manufacturing (LOG), and industrial laundry services (ILS) industries. Chlorinated VOCs (Cl-VOCs) showed a relatively higher level in the metal plating (MP) industry than those in other industries and nitrogen-containing VOCs (N-VOCs) showed high levels in general paints and similar product manufacturing (PNT), MP, and ILS industries, respectively. The gravure printing industry was identified as the highest emitter of VOCs, with the highest daily emissions reaching 5934 mg day⁻¹, primarily consisting of ethyl acetate, toluene, butyl acetate, and propene. The findings suggest that the VOC emissions from the gravure printing and plastic synthetic leather industries should be primarily reduced, and it would be the most cost-effective approach to improving air quality. This study can provide the fundamental data for developing effective reduction technologies and policies of VOC, ultimately contributing to enhanced atmospheric models and regulatory measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Air Pollution over East Asia (Second Edition))

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16 pages, 2951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Airborne Bacterial and Fungal Communities in South-Eastern Italy and in Albania Using the Compositional Analysis of 16S and ITS rRNA Gene Sequencing Datasets

by Salvatore Romano, Lekë Pepkolaj, Mattia Fragola, Dalila Peccarrisi, Jostina Dhimitri, Alessandro Buccolieri, Adelfia Talà, Pietro Alifano, Gianluca Quarta and Lucio Calcagnile

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101155 - 26 Sep 2024

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Abstract

This study investigates airborne bacterial and fungal communities in south-eastern Italy and Albania using advanced DNA-based techniques and compositional data analysis (CoDa). We assess the significance of airborne microbial communities, detailing our methodologies for site selection, sample collection, DNA extraction, and data analysis. [...] Read more.

This study investigates airborne bacterial and fungal communities in south-eastern Italy and Albania using advanced DNA-based techniques and compositional data analysis (CoDa). We assess the significance of airborne microbial communities, detailing our methodologies for site selection, sample collection, DNA extraction, and data analysis. Our results reveal distinct differences in microbial composition between the two regions, driven by local environmental factors. Specifically, Albanian samples showed higher abundances of bacterial species such as Rubellimicrobium roseum and Sphingomonas cynarae, while Italian samples were characterized by a prevalence of Truepera radiovictrix and Rubrobacter radiotolerans. In terms of fungi, Albanian sites exhibited greater abundance of Mycosphaerella tassiana, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Ascochyta herbicola. Aitchison distance-based dendrograms and principal component analysis (PCA) biplots, utilizing singular value decomposition, clearly delineated a geographical separation of microbial communities, underscoring the impact of regional atmospheric conditions on microbial composition. In the discussion, we interpret these findings in the context of regional environmental factors, highlighting their implications for understanding regional differences in airborne microbial communities. The conclusion emphasizes the effectiveness of advanced DNA techniques and CoDa in environmental microbiology, offering insights into how local environmental conditions shape microbial communities and suggesting directions for future research and public health considerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)

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14 pages, 4269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Radon Variability and Measurement Protocol Optimization in Romanian Educational Buildings Using Integrated and Continuous Measurements

by Gabriel-Cristian Dobrei, Mircea-Claudiu Moldovan, Tiberius Dicu, Ștefan Florică, Alexandru-Iulian Lupulescu, Ancuța-Cristina Țenter and Alexandra Cucoș

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101154 - 26 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Due to the higher susceptibility of children to ionizing radiation, it is imperative to evaluate the radon activity concentration (RAC) in educational buildings, conduct additional investigations to identify radon entry routes, and implement remedial measures to minimize exposure to this radioactive gas. In [...] Read more.

Due to the higher susceptibility of children to ionizing radiation, it is imperative to evaluate the radon activity concentration (RAC) in educational buildings, conduct additional investigations to identify radon entry routes, and implement remedial measures to minimize exposure to this radioactive gas. In Romania, educational buildings are a category of public buildings where it is mandatory to perform RAC measurements. The present study examines data obtained from 41 Romanian educational buildings, where initial and additional radon investigations were performed. The first objective was to identify the factors influencing the variability of the RAC inside the buildings. The second objective was to emphasize the importance of short-term (a few days), continuous measurements in identifying buildings with RAC exceeding the reference level. High RAC values were associated with the classrooms located on the ground floor of the building compared to the administrative ones. The multiple linear regression led to a coefficient of determination of 0.11, the relative humidity and the amount of precipitation being the main variables with a significant impact, kept in the model, the lack of a significant association between the indoor RAC and the radon potential in the soil being obtained. Comparison of the radon long-term integrated measurements with continuous, short-term, led to the suggestion of three different scenarios for the measurement work protocol. By following the suggested modifications, it is possible to accelerate the procedure in situations where the time needed to plan renovations and radon remedial measures is shorter than the time needed to conduct integrated measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Radon Concentration Monitoring and Measurements (2nd Edition))

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18 pages, 4449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Assessment of ERA5 Wind Speed and Its Impact on Atmosphere Environment Using Radar Profiles along the Bohai Bay Coastline

by Chunnan Suo, Anxiang Sun, Chunwang Yan, Xiaoqun Cao, Kecheng Peng, Yulong Tan, Simin Yang, Yiming Wei and Guangjie Wang

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101153 - 26 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The accuracy of ERA5 reanalysis datasets and their applicability in the coastal area of Bohai Bay are crucial for weather forecasting and environmental protection research. However, synthesis evaluation of ERA5 in this region remains lacking. In this study, using a tropospheric wind profile [...] Read more.

The accuracy of ERA5 reanalysis datasets and their applicability in the coastal area of Bohai Bay are crucial for weather forecasting and environmental protection research. However, synthesis evaluation of ERA5 in this region remains lacking. In this study, using a tropospheric wind profile radar (CFL-06L) placed in coastal Huanghua city, the deviations of ERA5 reanalysis data are assessed from the ground to an altitude of 5 km. The results indicate that the wind speed of ERA5 reanalysis data exhibits good consistency from the surface to the tropospheric level of about 5 km, with R² values ranging from 0.5 to 0.85. The lowest mean wind speed error, less than 3 m/s, occurs in the middle layer, while larger errors are observed at the surface and upper layers. Specifically, at 150 m, the R² is as low as 0.5, with numerous outliers around 5000 m. Seasonal analysis shows that the ERA5 wind field performs best in summer and worst in autumn and winter, especially at lower levels affected by circulation systems, high stratus clouds, and aerosols, with errors reaching up to 10 m/s. Further analysis of extreme weather events, such as heavy rain; hot, dry winds; and snowstorms, reveals that the effects of sea-land winds and strong convective systems significantly impact the observation of wind profiles and the assimilation of reanalysis data, particularly under the constrain of boundary layer height. Additionally, we also find that the transition of sea-land breeze is capable of triggering the nighttime low-level jet, thereby downward transporting the aloft ozone to the ground and resulting in an abnormal increase in the surface ozone concentration. The study provides a scientific basis for improving meteorological forecasting, optimizing wind energy resource utilization, and formulating environmental protection policies, highlighting its significant scientific and practical application value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Weather Radar to the Understanding and Management of Meteorological Hazards)

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13 pages, 17472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Resolution Daily PM2.5 Exposure Concentrations in South Korea Using CMAQ Data Assimilation with Surface Measurements and MAIAC AOD (2015–2021)

by Jin-Goo Kang, Ju-Yong Lee, Jeong-Beom Lee, Jun-Hyun Lim, Hui-Young Yun and Dae-Ryun Choi

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101152 - 26 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. Specifically, PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, has been linked to increased rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In South Korea, concerns about [...] Read more.

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. Specifically, PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, has been linked to increased rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In South Korea, concerns about PM2.5 exposure have grown due to its potential for causing premature death. This study aims to estimate high-resolution exposure concentrations of PM2.5 across South Korea from 2015 to 2021. We integrated data from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model with surface air quality measurements, the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) satellite data. These data, combined with multiple regression analyses, allowed for the correction of PM2.5 estimates, particularly in suburban areas where ground measurements are sparse. The simulated PM2.5 concentration showed strong correlations with observed values R (ranging from 0.88 to 0.94). Spatial distributions of annual PM2.5 showed a significant decrease in PM2.5 concentrations from 2015 to 2021, with some fluctuation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as in 2020. The study produced highly accurate daily average high-resolution PM2.5 exposure concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Air Pollution over East Asia)

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13 pages, 3522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geometry of Non-Diffusive Tracer Transport in Gridded Atmospheric Models

by Robert McGraw and Tamanna Subba

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101151 - 25 Sep 2024

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Abstract

A first-order linear and numerically non-diffusive Eulerian transport algorithm, minVAR, was recently developed for preservation of correlations between interrelated tracers during advective transport. The present study extends this work by: (1) providing further investigation of several interesting geometric constructions found in contours of [...] Read more.

A first-order linear and numerically non-diffusive Eulerian transport algorithm, minVAR, was recently developed for preservation of correlations between interrelated tracers during advective transport. The present study extends this work by: (1) providing further investigation of several interesting geometric constructions found in contours of constant minVAR, short for minimum variance, through extension to three coordinate dimensions. These contours capture point-by-point representations of thousands of individual atmospheric aerosol and/or cloud particles as they evolve and are rendered on Eulerian grids at a level of sub-grid resolution limited only by numerical precision; and (2) exploration of geometric similarities between the Arakawa C-grid, used to obtain interpolated values of the wind field at grid scale and minVAR. In particular, we consider interpolation of the u and v horizontal components of wind velocity from grid to sub-grid scales. The last results are motivated by recent applications of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model applied in the coastal Houston region, where the recent TRacking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) field campaign was organized. A unique and fully consistent mapping is obtained between particles moving along meteorological wind trajectories and the non-diffusive, non-dispersive representation of such trajectories on an Eulerian grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geometry in Meteorology and Climatology)

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23 pages, 5482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Chained Simulation Method for Quantifying Cooling Energy in Buildings Affected by the Microclimate of Avenue Trees

by Bryon Flowers and Kuo-Tsang Huang

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101150 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 238

Abstract

This paper introduces a methodology aimed at bridging the gap between building energy simulation and urban climate modeling. A coupling method was developed through the Building Control Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) and applied to a case study in Taipei City, Taiwan, to address [...] Read more.

This paper introduces a methodology aimed at bridging the gap between building energy simulation and urban climate modeling. A coupling method was developed through the Building Control Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) and applied to a case study in Taipei City, Taiwan, to address the microclimate factors of street trees crucial to cooling energy consumption. The use of the Urban Weather Generator for weather file modification revealed a 0.63 °C average air temperature disparity. The coupling method emphasized the importance of accurate wind speed and convective heat transfer coefficients (CHTCs) on building surfaces in determining cooling energy. The results indicated that elevated CHTC values amplify heat exchange, with higher wind velocities playing a crucial role in heat dissipation. The presence of street trees was found to significantly reduce heat flux penetration, leading to a reduction in building surface temperatures by as much as 9.5% during hot months. The cooling energy was lowered by 16.7% in the BCVTB simulations that included trees compared to those without trees. The EnergyPlus-only simulations underestimated the cooling energy needs by approximately 9.3% during summer months. This research offers valuable insights into the complex interactions between buildings and their environments. The results highlight the importance of trees and shading in mitigating the heat island effect and improving energy-efficient urban planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biometeorology and Bioclimatology)

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12 pages, 9338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation between Peak Height of Polar Mesospheric Clouds and Mesopause Temperature

by Yuxin Li, Haiyang Gao, Shaoyang Sun and Xiang Li

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101149 - 25 Sep 2024

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Abstract

Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) are ice crystal clouds formed in the mesosphere of high-latitude regions in both the northern (NH) and southern hemispheres (SH). Peak height is an important physical characteristic of PMCs. Satellite observation data from solar occultation for ice experiments (SOFIE) [...] Read more.

Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) are ice crystal clouds formed in the mesosphere of high-latitude regions in both the northern (NH) and southern hemispheres (SH). Peak height is an important physical characteristic of PMCs. Satellite observation data from solar occultation for ice experiments (SOFIE) during seven PMC seasons from 2007 to 2014 show that the difference between the height of the mesopause and the peak height of the PMCs (Z_mes-Z_max) were inversely correlated with the atmospheric mesopause temperature. The Z_mes-Z_max averages for all seasons for the NH and SH were 3.54 km and 2.66 km, respectively. They were smaller at the starting and ending stages of each PMC season and larger in the middle stages. Analysis of the individual cases and statistical results simulated by the PMCs 0-D model also revealed the inverse correlations between the Z_mes-Z_max and mesopause temperature, with correlation coefficients of −0.71 and −0.62 for the NH and SH, respectively. The corresponding rates of change of Z_mes-Z_max with respect to mesopause temperature were found to be −0.21 km/K and −0.14 km/K, respectively. The formation mechanism of PMCs suggests that a lower temperature around the mesopause can lead to a greater distance and longer time for ice crystals to condense and grow in clouds. Thus, ice crystals sediment to a lower height, making the peak height of the PMCs further away from the mesopause. In addition, disturbances in small-scale dynamic processes tend to weaken the impact of temperature on the peak height of PMCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of Atmosphere)

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10 pages, 8370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ozone Induces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Nasal Mucosa of Rats

by Yu Zhan, Lufang Tian, Ruxin Zhang, Shaoqing Yu and Na Sun

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101148 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 182

Abstract

Background: The development of the global economy has led to changes in air pollution patterns. The haze phenomenon characterized by high concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) has changed to complex pollution, and photochemical pollution characterized by ozone (O₃) has [...] Read more.

Background: The development of the global economy has led to changes in air pollution patterns. The haze phenomenon characterized by high concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) has changed to complex pollution, and photochemical pollution characterized by ozone (O₃) has become increasingly prominent. Ozone pollution and its impact on human health has become an important topic that needs to be studied urgently. Objective: To investigate the effects of ozone on oxidative stress and inflammation in the nasal mucosa of a rat model. Methods: Thirty-two healthy female Sprague–Dawley rats, eight in each group, were divided into four groups using the randomized numeric table method: normal control group (NC group), normal rats with a low level of ozone inhalation exposure (NEL group, 0.5 ppm), medium ozone inhalation exposure (NEM group, 1 ppm), and high ozone inhalation exposure (NEH group, 2 ppm). The ozone inhalation exposure groups were placed in the ozone inhalation exposure system and exposed to different concentrations of ozone for 2 h each day for 6 weeks. Nasal secretion was measured, and nasal lavage and nasal mucosa were collected. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured by colorimetric assay, and the nasal mucosa was analyzed by Western blot. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of NF-κB p65 nuclear protein in nasal mucosa. The mRNA expression of NF-κB target genes IL-6 and IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and the protein content of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was detected by ELISA in serum and nasal lavage fluid. The nasal mucosa of rats was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to observe the pathological changes in the nasal mucosa. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software. Results: The amount of nasal secretion increased significantly in all groups after ozone exposure compared with that in the NC group. The MDA content of the nasal mucosa was significantly increased in the ozone-exposed group compared with the NC group, and the activity levels of SOD and GSH-Px in the nasal mucosa were lower in the ozone-exposed group than in the NC group. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the nasal mucosa of the ozone-exposed group was elevated, and the protein content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in the nasal lavage fluid was elevated, and the content increased with the increase in ozone concentration. The expression of NF-κB p65 intracellular protein in the nasal mucosa of each ozone-exposed group was higher than that of the normal group, and the content increased with the increase in ozone concentration. Conclusions: Ozone inhalation exposure promotes oxidative stress and the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, leading to pathological damage of the nasal mucosa, the degree of which increases with increasing concentration. This pathological process may be related to the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB by ozone in the nasal mucosa of rats, which increases the expression of its target genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change, Air Pollution and Human Health: Past, Present and Future)

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15 pages, 1341 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is It Possible to Breathe Fresh Air in Health Resorts? A Five-Year Seasonal Evaluation of Benzo(a)pyrene Levels and Health Risk Assessment of Polish Resorts

by Grzegorz Majewski, Weronika Niezgoda and Barbara Klik

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101147 - 25 Sep 2024

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Abstract

This study examines air quality in Polish health resorts (HR) and its potential health risks, challenging the belief that these environments always provide safe air for recovery. Over five years, air quality was evaluated by measuring concentrations of PM10 and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in [...] Read more.

This study examines air quality in Polish health resorts (HR) and its potential health risks, challenging the belief that these environments always provide safe air for recovery. Over five years, air quality was evaluated by measuring concentrations of PM10 and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in seven resorts with varying environmental conditions. Using data from 3781 daily samples, both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were assessed for visitors (various age groups) and employees to determine health risks from prolonged exposure. The findings show frequent exceedances of national B(a)P limits, with some resorts, such as HR2 in Rabka-Zdrój and HR3 in Polanica-Zdrój, surpassing permissible levels by up to 320% and 373%, especially in winter. Non-carcinogenic risks exceeded safe limits by up to 40% for visitors in HR2 and 18% for employees in HR6 (Szczawno-Zdrój). Carcinogenic risks were up to 3.74 times higher than acceptable levels for visitors in HR2 and 3.15 times higher for employees in HR5 (Latoszyn), indicating a continuous risk from long-term exposure. These findings underscore the urgent need for measures to improve air quality in HRs. Given the global implications, similar risks could affect resorts worldwide. Therefore, future research should focus on cross-border studies and innovative strategies to manage pollution and protect health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality and Health)

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15 pages, 18352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Source Identification for PM_2.5 Using PMF Model: Comparison of Seoul Metropolitan Area with Baengnyeong Island

by Kyoung-Chan Kim, Hui-Jun Song, Chun-Sang Lee, Yong-Jae Lim, Joon-Young Ahn, Seok-Jun Seo and Jin-Seok Han

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101146 - 24 Sep 2024

Viewed by 250

Abstract

To establish and implement effective policies for controlling fine particle matters (PM_2.5), which is associated with high-risk diseases, continuous research on identifying PM_2.5 sources was conducted. This study utilized the positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model to estimate the sources [...] Read more.

To establish and implement effective policies for controlling fine particle matters (PM_2.5), which is associated with high-risk diseases, continuous research on identifying PM_2.5 sources was conducted. This study utilized the positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model to estimate the sources and characteristics of PM_2.5 between Baengnyeong Island (BNI) and the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). We conducted PMF modeling and backward trajectory analysis using the data on PM_2.5 and its components collected from 2020 to 2021 at the Air quality Research Centers (ARC). The PMF modeling identified nine pollution sources in both BNI and the SMA, including secondary sulfate, secondary nitrate, vehicles, biomass burning, dust, industry, sea salt particles, coal combustion, and oil combustion. Secondary particulate matter, vehicles, and biomass burning were found to be major contributors to PM_2.5 concentrations in both regions. A backward trajectory analysis indicated that air masses, passing through BNI to the SMA, showed higher concentrations and contributions of ammonium nitrate, vehicles, and biomass burning in the SMA site compared to BNI site. These findings suggest that controlling nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia emissions in the SMA, as well as monitoring the intermediate products that form aerosols, such as HNO₃, are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Air Pollution over East Asia)

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19 pages, 2643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Precise Evaluation of Environmental Impacts of Air Pollution in Cold Regions Using the Cost Control Method

by Caoqingqing Li, Di An, Ruxin Wang, Huaishu Zhang, Wei Liu and Jie Yao

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101145 - 24 Sep 2024

Viewed by 290

Abstract

Objective: With the acceleration of industrialization, air pollution has become a global environmental issue, particularly in cold regions where the unique climatic and geographical conditions give rise to distinctive types of air pollution and impacts. Considering the economic evaluation of environmental damage is [...] Read more.

Objective: With the acceleration of industrialization, air pollution has become a global environmental issue, particularly in cold regions where the unique climatic and geographical conditions give rise to distinctive types of air pollution and impacts. Considering the economic evaluation of environmental damage is crucial for effective pollution control policies, this study aims to provide a more precise environmental damage assessment method through the Improved Virtual Control Cost Method (IVCCM) to optimize air pollution governance strategies in cold regions. Method: This study utilizes a case study of a major company producing methanol and coal-based natural gas, where the emissions from the boiler exhaust exceeded the prescribed standards for particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides during a specific period. By employing a segmented counting approach that accounts for downtime, precise calculations were conducted for the actual periods of excess emissions. Adjustments were made to the calculation coefficients within the Virtual Control Cost Method to more accurately reflect the ecological damage caused by air pollution. Results: The IVCCM calculations revealed that the total environmental loss caused by the company’s excessive air pollution emissions amounted to USD 1.6844 million, significantly lower than the original calculation method (USD 2.1885 million). Specifically, the environmental losses due to particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides were USD 0.0032 million, USD 0.3600 million, and USD 1.3212 million, respectively. Conclusions: The IVCCM enables a more precise assessment and prediction of ecological environmental damage caused by air pollution in cold regions. Compared to traditional methods, it effectively reduces assessment costs, mitigates disputes arising from unclear parameter values and calculation methods, and facilitates the development of more rational environmental protection policies and measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)

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Atmosphere, Volume 15, Issue 10 (October 2024) – 18 articles

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