This chapter provides an introduction to particulate matter by discussing various ways of categorisation, characterisation and their health effects. The natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric particulate matter are discussed. The chapter also introduces qualitatively some aerosol concepts, such as their chemical composition and size distribution. Some examples are provided to illustrate how particulate matter, despite being microscopic particles, can manifest themselves in the atmosphere. Finally, the various pathways by which particulate matter impacts the health system are reviewed along with their interactions to understand concept behind the PM-associated health effects.
Photo-chemical-transformations of organophosphate pesticides, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and phorate, using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) namely UV photolysis, UV/H 2 O 2 , UV/Fenton and Fenton systems in aqueous solution were investigated in this work. A laboratory set-up was designed to evaluate and select the optimal oxidation process. Results show that addition of hydrogen peroxide/Fenton's reagent increased the UV degradation rates of all pesticides, and data were simulated through kinetic modeling. Kinetic results evidence pseudo first-order degradation, with the rate constant of reaction as 3.3 × 10 -4 , 2.07 × 10 -2 and 1.
This study represents use of organic and inorganic engineered nanoparticles for crop production. The study has been performed on sorghum bicolor plant which is considered to be important staple in semi-arid and arid countries. The result shows that synthesized nanomaterials can be used as plant growth promoter and fertilizer, which can bring an innovation in agricultural industry for biomass gain, fruit and bioenergy production.
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