Air pollutant concentrations

About: Air pollutant concentrations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1652 publications have been published within this topic receiving 36138 citations.

Czech Air Quality Monitoring and Receptor Modeling Study

Abstract: An ongoing air quality monitoring program in the Czech Republic has provided nearly continuous data for the concentrations of aerosol and gas-phase pollutants since its inception in February 1992. In addition to PM-2.5 concentrations, the concentrations of sulfate, organic carbon, elemental carbon, trace elements (Al−Pb), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also measured. Fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) was composed mainly of organic carbon and sulfate with smaller amounts of trace metals. Coarse particle mass concentrations were typi cally between 10 and 30% of PM-2.5 concentrations. The chemical composition of emissions from power plants, residential space heating, local factories, and motor vehicles was also characterized. The ambient monitoring and source characterization data were then used in receptor modeling calculations, the results of which indicate that residential space heating and power plant emissions ac counted for most of fine particle mass concentrations observed during win...

Historical and future changes in air pollutants from CMIP6 models

Abstract: . Poor air quality is currently responsible for large impacts on human health across the world. In addition, the air pollutants, ozone (O3) and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), are also radiatively active in the atmosphere and can influence Earth’s climate. It is important to understand the effect of air quality and climate mitigation measures over the historical period and in different future scenarios to ascertain any impacts from air pollutants on both climate and human health. The 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) presents an opportunity to analyse the change in air pollutants simulated by the current generation of climate and Earth system models that include a representation of chemistry and aerosols (particulate matter). The shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) used within CMIP6 encompass a wide range of trajectories in precursor emissions and climate change, allowing for an improved analysis of future changes to air pollutants. Firstly, we conduct an evaluation of the available CMIP6 models against surface observations of O3 and PM2.5. CMIP6 models show a consistent overestimation of observed surface O3 concentrations across most regions and in most seasons, with a large diversity in simulated values over northern hemisphere continental regions. Conversely, observed surface PM2.5 concentrations are consistently underestimated by CMIP6 models, particularly for the northern hemisphere winter months, with the largest model diversity near natural emission source regions. Over the historical period (1850–2014) large increases in both surface O3 and PM2.5 are simulated by the CMIP6 models across all regions, particularly over the mid to late 20th Century when anthropogenic emissions increase markedly. Large regional historical changes are simulated for both pollutants, across East and South Asia, with an increase of up to 40 ppb for O3 and 12 µg m-3 for PM2.5. In future scenarios containing strong air quality and climate mitigation measures (ssp126), air pollutants are substantially reduced across all regions by up to 15 ppb for O3 and 12 µg m-3 for PM2.5. However, for scenarios that encompass weak action on mitigating climate and reducing air pollutant emissions (ssp370), increases of both surface O3 (up 10 ppb) and PM2.5 (up to 8 µg m-3) are simulated across most regions. Although, for regions like North America and Europe small reductions in PM2.5 are simulated in this scenario. A comparison of simulated regional changes in both surface O3 and PM2.5 from individual CMIP6 models highlights important differences due to the interaction of aerosols, chemistry, climate and natural emission sources within models. The prediction of regional air pollutant concentrations from the latest climate and Earth system models used within CMIP6 shows that the particular future trajectory of climate and air quality mitigation measures could have important consequences for regional air quality, human health and near-term climate. Differences between individual models emphasises the importance of understanding how future Earth system feedbacks influence natural emission sources.

Air and Water Pollution Control: A Benefit-Cost Assessment

Abstract: Air and Water Pollution Control: A Benefit-Cost Assessment,by A. Myrick Freeman, Jr. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1982, 186 pp. Price: $26.00. The book is an overview of the state of the art of environmental benefit measurement, based on a synthesis of the literature through 1981. This overview is combined with a clear, nontechnical explanation of the principles and methods of benefit measurement, and of the relevant characteristics of areas of application (air and water quality). Major empirical studies are summarized and responsibly critiqued. Freeman's synthesis includes several consensual, "best judgment" estimates of the actual benefits which air and water pollution control programs can produce. These estimates are compared with the annual costs of pollution control programs, illustrating the uses and limitations in these cases of benefit-cost analysis. The book is an accessible and authoritative summary of what is known of the benefits of environmental improvement.