Aerosol characterisation including oxidative potential as a proxy of health impact

Josipovic, Miroslav; Leal-Liousse, Catherine; Crobeddu, Bélinda; Baeza‐Squiban, Armelle; Segakweng, Constance K.; Galy‐Lacaux, Corinne; Beukes, J. P.; Zyl, Pieter G. van; Fourie, Gerhard

doi:10.17159/caj/2019/29/2.7517

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…All aerosol samples in this study were collected using a set of three 5-stage cascade sioutas impactors (Josipovic et al, 2019), each connected to a pump and running in parallel at a flow rate of 9L/min. These impactors allowed for the collection of PM in the 2.5 -10 µm, 1.0 -2.5µm, 0.50 -1.0µm, 0.25 -0.50µm and <0.25µm aerodynamic diameter size ranges.…”

Section: Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…South Africa has one of the largest industrialised economies in Africa with significant industrial, mining and agricultural activities (Josipovic et al, 2019), while being regarded a significant source region of atmospheric pollutants (Venter et al, 2017). In addition, coalfired power stations produce > 90% of the electricity in South Africa, while seasonal open biomass burning (wildfires) also has a large impact on air quality in this region .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Segakweng

Zyl

Liousse

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Abstract. Naturally and anthropogenically emitted aerosols, which are determined by their physical and chemical properties, have an impact on both air quality and the radiative properties of the earth. An important source of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in South Africa is household combustion for space heating and cooking, which predominantly occurs in low-income urban settlements. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed size-resolved assessment of chemical characteristics of aerosols associated with household combustion through the collection of particulates in low-income urban settlements in South Africa in order to quantify the extent of the impacts of atmospheric pollution within these settlements. Outdoor (ambient) and indoor aerosols in different size fractions were collected during summer and winter in four low-income urban settlements located in the north-eastern interior on the South African Highveld. The mass concentration and chemical composition was determined for three size fractions, namely, PM1, PM2.5 and PM2.5-10. The highest concentrations of particulates were measured indoors with the highest mass concentration determined in the indoor PM2.5-10 (coarse) size fraction. However, the highest mass concentrations were determined in PM1 in all outdoor aerosol samples collected during winter and summer, as well as in indoor samples collected during summer. Significantly higher concentrations were determined for SO4−2 in outdoor and indoor particulates compared to other ionic species, with NH4+ and NO3− being the second most abundant. SO4−2 and NH4+ almost exclusively occurred in the PM1 size fraction, while NO3− was the major constituent in the larger size fractions. The highest SO4−2 levels were recorded for the winter and summer outdoor campaigns conducted at Zamdela, while NO3− and NH4+ concentrations were higher during the winter outdoor campaign. The combined concentrations of trace elements were higher for indoor particulates compared to outdoor aerosols, while the total trace element concentrations in PM1 were substantially higher than levels thereof in the two larger size fractions of particulates collected during all sampling campaigns. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for the concentrations of trace elements. Na, Ca and Cr had the highest concentrations in particulates collected during outdoor and indoor sampling campaigns. Ni concentrations in outdoor and indoor aerosols exceeded the annual average European standard PM1 collected during all sampling campaigns in low-income urban settlements had the highest organic- and elemental carbon (OC and EC) concentrations. The highest OC and EC levels were determined in PM1 collected during the winter indoor campaign. OC and EC concentrations were highest during winter, which can be attributed to changes in meteorological patterns and increased household combustion during winter. Low OC / EC ratios determined for particulates collected in low-income urban settlements are indicative of OC and EC being mainly associated with local sources of these species. OC concentrations determined in this study were an order of magnitude lower than OC concentrations determined for ambient aerosols collected in the north-eastern interior of South Africa, while similar EC levels were measured. According to estimated dust concentrations, it was indicated that dust is the major constituent in all size ranges of particulates collected in this study, while trace elements were the second most abundant. However, trace elements made the highest contribution to indoor PM1 and PM1-2.5 mass. Mass concentrations and chemical concentrations determined for aerosols collected in low-income settlements reflects the regional impacts of anthropogenic sources in the north-eastern interior of South Africa, as well as the influence of local sources.

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Section: Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Segakweng

Zyl

Liousse

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…All aerosol samples in this study were collected using a set of three five-stage Sioutas Cascade Impactors (Josipovic et al, 2019), each connected to a pump and running in parallel at a flow rate of 9 L min −1 . These impactors allowed for the collection of PM in the 2.5-10, 1.0-2.5, 0.50-1.0, 0.25-0.50, and <0.25 µm aerodynamic diameter size ranges.…”

Section: Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…South Africa has one of the largest industrialised economies in Africa with significant industrial, mining, and agricultural activities (Josipovic et al, 2019), while being regarded a significant source region of atmospheric pollutants (Venter et al, 2017). In addition, coal-fired power stations produce >90 % of the electricity in South Africa, while seasonal open biomass burning (wildfires) also has a large impact on air quality in this region (Vakkari et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

et al. 2022

Self Cite

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Abstract. Naturally and anthropogenically emitted aerosols, which are determined by their physical and chemical properties, have an impact on both air quality and the radiative properties of the earth. An important source of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in South Africa is household combustion for space heating and cooking, which predominantly occurs in low-income urban settlements. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed size-resolved assessment of chemical characteristics of aerosols associated with household combustion through the collection of particulates in low-income urban settlements in South Africa to quantify the extent of the impacts of atmospheric pollution. Outdoor (ambient) and indoor aerosols in different size fractions were collected during summer and winter in four low-income urban settlements located in the north-eastern interior on the South African Highveld, i.e. Kwadela, Kwazamokuhle, Zamdela, and Jouberton. Mass concentration and chemical composition was determined for three size fractions, namely, PM1, PM2.5, and PM2.5−10. The highest concentrations of particulates were measured indoors with the highest mass concentration determined in the indoor PM2.5−10 (coarse) size fraction. However, the highest mass concentrations were determined in PM1 in all outdoor aerosol samples collected during winter and summer, and in indoor samples collected during summer. Significantly higher concentrations were determined for SO4-2 in outdoor and indoor particulates compared to other ionic species, with NH4+ and NO3- being the second most abundant. SO4-2 and NH4+ almost exclusively occurred in the PM1 size fraction, while NO3- was the major constituent in the larger size fractions. The highest SO4-2 levels were recorded for the winter and summer outdoor campaigns conducted at Zamdela, while NO3- and NH4+ concentrations were higher during the winter outdoor campaign. The combined concentrations of trace elements were higher for indoor particulates compared to outdoor aerosols, while the total trace element concentrations in PM1 were substantially higher than levels thereof in the two larger size fractions of particulates collected during all sampling campaigns. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for the concentrations of trace elements. Na, Ca, and Cr had the highest concentrations in particulates collected during outdoor and indoor sampling campaigns. Ni concentrations in outdoor and indoor aerosols exceeded the annual average European standard. PM1 collected during all sampling campaigns in low-income urban settlements had the highest organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations. The highest OC and EC levels were determined in PM1 collected during the winter indoor campaign. OC and EC concentrations were highest during winter, which can be attributed to changes in meteorological patterns and increased household combustion during winter. Low OC/EC ratios determined for particulates collected in low-income urban settlements are indicative of OC and EC being mainly associated with local sources of these species. OC concentrations determined in this study were an order of magnitude lower than OC concentrations determined for ambient aerosols collected in the north-eastern interior of South Africa, while similar EC levels were measured. According to estimated dust concentrations, it was indicated that dust is the major constituent in all size ranges of particulates collected in this study, while trace elements were the second most abundant. However, trace elements made the highest contribution to indoor PM1 and PM1−2.5 mass. Mass concentrations and chemical concentrations determined for aerosols collected in low-income settlements reflect the regional impacts of anthropogenic sources in the north-eastern interior of South Africa and the influence of local sources.

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“…South Africa has one of the three largest industrialised economies on the African continent and boasts significant mining and metallurgical industries (Venter et al, 2012). It is the largest regional energy producer on the continent, generating most of the electricity in coalfired power plants (Tiitta et al, 2014;Josipovic et al, 2019). The Highveld region has been recognised as a region having significant negative ambient air quality impacts and as such, was declared an Air Quality Priority Area on 23 November 2007.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Source apportionment of ambient fine and coarse aerosols in Embalenhle and Kinross, South Africa

Walton¹,

Piketh

Zyl

et al. 2021

Clean Air J.

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The South African Highveld is recognised as a region having significant negative ambient air quality impacts with its declaration as an Air Quality Priority Area in 2007. Such areas require the implementation of specific air quality intervention strategies to address the air quality situation. A greater understanding of the composition of the atmospheric aerosol loading and the contributing air pollution sources will assist with the formulation and implementation of these strategies. This study aims to assess the composition and sources of the aerosol loading in Embalenhle and Kinross located on the Highveld. Fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) aerosol samples were collected during summer and winter, which were quantified using the gravimetric method. Wavelength-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) and Ion Chromatography (IC) analysis were used to determine the chemical composition of aerosols. Mean PM2.5 concentrations in Embalenhle and Kinross ranged from 16.3 to 34.1 µg/m3 during winter and 7.4 to 19.0 µg/m3 during summer. Mean PM10-2.5 concentrations ranged from 10.3 to 114 µg/m3 during winter and 5.9 to 11.2 µg/m3 during summer. Si, Al, S, Na (winter only), Ca (summer only), SO42- and NH4+ were the most abundant species in PM2.5 during both seasons. In PM10-2.5, Si, Al, Na (winter only), SO42- and F- were the most abundant species during both seasons. The elements S and Ca also had high abundances at Embalenhle and Kinross, respectively, during summer. Source apportionment was undertaken using Positive Matrix Factorisation, which identified five sources. Dust, secondary aerosols, domestic combustion, wood and biomass burning, and industry were determined to be the contributing sources. Any measures to mitigate particulate air pollution on the Highveld should consider these key sources.

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Aerosol characterisation including oxidative potential as a proxy of health impact

Cited by 5 publications

References 42 publications

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Source apportionment of ambient fine and coarse aerosols in Embalenhle and Kinross, South Africa

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