Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment
We have conducted a comprehensive sampling campaign of PM10 pollutants at a site next to a major highway, using standard protocols. Particulate matter (PM) total mass, elemental and chemical/mineral compositions of the fine and coarse fractions of traffic-related PM pollutants were determined using...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.666678/full |
| _version_ | 1818864319192891392 |
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| author | Nasser M. Hamdan Nasser M. Hamdan Hussain Alawadhi Mohamed Shameer |
| author_facet | Nasser M. Hamdan Nasser M. Hamdan Hussain Alawadhi Mohamed Shameer |
| author_sort | Nasser M. Hamdan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We have conducted a comprehensive sampling campaign of PM10 pollutants at a site next to a major highway, using standard protocols. Particulate matter (PM) total mass, elemental and chemical/mineral compositions of the fine and coarse fractions of traffic-related PM pollutants were determined using several complementary techniques, including gravimetric analysis, x-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The PM mass concentrations show that PM10 is within acceptable international standards except during dust storms within the sampled periods. Desert dust, crustal minerals, and sea salts are the major natural sources of PM10 pollution. Examples of these minerals are quartz [SiO2], calcite [CaCO3], gypsum [CaSO4·2H2O], palygorskite [(Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)•4(H2O], chlorite-serpentine [(Mg,Fe)6AlSi3O10(OH)8], halite [NaCl] and nitratine [NaNO3]. Anthropogenic mineral-based pollutants, such as mascagnite [(NH4)2SO4] and koktaite [(NH4)2Ca(SO4)2·H2O], were also observed to contribute to PM10. Trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr and Mn that are markers for traffic sources, Ni and V that are markers for heavy oil combustion, and Pb, which is attributed to industrial emissions, were also identified in PM10. Seasonal variation of the average total mass concentrations and the average mass concentration of elements emitted from natural sources show that the hot season is associated with higher pollution levels compared to the cold season due to increased dust events in the spring and summer. Correlation coefficients between elements have identified elements originating from common sources such as dust storms (e.g., Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn) and sea breeze (Cl and Na), in addition to anthropogenic elements. Enrichment factors calculations have identified elements that mainly have crustal origins, and elements that are partially or highly enriched by humans. Anthropogenic elements were more enriched during the cold season due to reduced human activities in the summer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T10:29:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ebed39cb69f0403dbd84877223149285 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T10:29:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-ebed39cb69f0403dbd848772231492852022-12-21T20:25:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2021-05-01910.3389/fenvs.2021.666678666678Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh EnvironmentNasser M. Hamdan0Nasser M. Hamdan1Hussain Alawadhi2Mohamed Shameer3Physics Department, The American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCenter for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCenter for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCenter for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesWe have conducted a comprehensive sampling campaign of PM10 pollutants at a site next to a major highway, using standard protocols. Particulate matter (PM) total mass, elemental and chemical/mineral compositions of the fine and coarse fractions of traffic-related PM pollutants were determined using several complementary techniques, including gravimetric analysis, x-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The PM mass concentrations show that PM10 is within acceptable international standards except during dust storms within the sampled periods. Desert dust, crustal minerals, and sea salts are the major natural sources of PM10 pollution. Examples of these minerals are quartz [SiO2], calcite [CaCO3], gypsum [CaSO4·2H2O], palygorskite [(Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)•4(H2O], chlorite-serpentine [(Mg,Fe)6AlSi3O10(OH)8], halite [NaCl] and nitratine [NaNO3]. Anthropogenic mineral-based pollutants, such as mascagnite [(NH4)2SO4] and koktaite [(NH4)2Ca(SO4)2·H2O], were also observed to contribute to PM10. Trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr and Mn that are markers for traffic sources, Ni and V that are markers for heavy oil combustion, and Pb, which is attributed to industrial emissions, were also identified in PM10. Seasonal variation of the average total mass concentrations and the average mass concentration of elements emitted from natural sources show that the hot season is associated with higher pollution levels compared to the cold season due to increased dust events in the spring and summer. Correlation coefficients between elements have identified elements originating from common sources such as dust storms (e.g., Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn) and sea breeze (Cl and Na), in addition to anthropogenic elements. Enrichment factors calculations have identified elements that mainly have crustal origins, and elements that are partially or highly enriched by humans. Anthropogenic elements were more enriched during the cold season due to reduced human activities in the summer.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.666678/fullPM10chemical compositionanthropogenic sourcestraffic siteaerosol pollutionseasonal variation |
| spellingShingle | Nasser M. Hamdan Nasser M. Hamdan Hussain Alawadhi Mohamed Shameer Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment Frontiers in Environmental Science PM10 chemical composition anthropogenic sources traffic site aerosol pollution seasonal variation |
| title | Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment |
| title_full | Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment |
| title_fullStr | Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment |
| title_short | Physicochemical Characterization and Seasonal Variations of PM10 Aerosols in a Harsh Environment |
| title_sort | physicochemical characterization and seasonal variations of pm10 aerosols in a harsh environment |
| topic | PM10 chemical composition anthropogenic sources traffic site aerosol pollution seasonal variation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.666678/full |
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