Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2)...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academy of Science of South Africa
2011-01-01
|
| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://archive.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/269 |
| _version_ | 1811260064919453696 |
|---|---|
| author | Alexandra S. Lourens Johan P. Beukes Pieter G. van Zyl Gerhardus D. Fourie Johanna W. Burger Jacobus J. Pienaar Colin E. Read Johan H. Jordaan |
| author_facet | Alexandra S. Lourens Johan P. Beukes Pieter G. van Zyl Gerhardus D. Fourie Johanna W. Burger Jacobus J. Pienaar Colin E. Read Johan H. Jordaan |
| author_sort | Alexandra S. Lourens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:40:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be5a5e29f9c346f1ac2eefbc0bca727b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0038-2353 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:40:52Z |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-be5a5e29f9c346f1ac2eefbc0bca727b2022-12-22T03:20:47ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science0038-23531996-74892011-01-011071/210.4102/sajs.v107i1/2.269269Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South AfricaAlexandra S. Lourens0Johan P. Beukes1Pieter G. van Zyl2Gerhardus D. Fourie3Johanna W. Burger4Jacobus J. Pienaar5Colin E. Read6Johan H. Jordaan7North West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusSasol Technology, SasolburgSasol Technology, SasolburgNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusDiverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites.http://archive.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/269BTEXNO2SO2O3passivesampling |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra S. Lourens Johan P. Beukes Pieter G. van Zyl Gerhardus D. Fourie Johanna W. Burger Jacobus J. Pienaar Colin E. Read Johan H. Jordaan Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa South African Journal of Science BTEX NO2 SO2 O3 passive sampling |
| title | Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa |
| title_full | Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa |
| title_short | Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa |
| title_sort | spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the highveld of south africa |
| topic | BTEX NO2 SO2 O3 passive sampling |
| url | http://archive.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/269 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alexandraslourens spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT johanpbeukes spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT pietergvanzyl spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT gerhardusdfourie spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT johannawburger spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT jacobusjpienaar spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT colineread spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica AT johanhjordaan spatialandtemporalassessmentofgaseouspollutantsinthehighveldofsouthafrica |