Characterization of African Dust (PM2.5) across the Atlantic Ocean during AEROSE 2004

African Dust Storms Reaching Puerto Rican Coast Stimulate the Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 and Cause Cytotoxicity to Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that human airway epithelial cells exposed to metals found in air particles release significant amounts of pro-inflammatory mediators and are toxic in vitro [61,62]. In the present study, the concentration of some metals such as Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and V were detected in the PM 2.5 fractions during the Non-ADE season but most of these metals increased when ADEAO approached the Puerto Rican coast ( Table 2 ); however, these findings are in disagreement with previous studies which suggested that the levels of TMET present in the ADEAO-PM 2.5 fraction are expected to be lower [10]. …”

“…In this study, we also found that the levels of ENX present in the PM 10 samples collected in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Puerto Rican coast were higher and more cytotoxic than those present in the PM 2.5 fractions, which presented the lowest ENX concentrations (<50 EU/mg). These findings are in agreement with previous studies indicating that ENX content in fine PM fractions (2.5), reaching the Caribbean and Puerto Rican coast, is usually lower or negligible when compared to the content in the coarse (10) fractions [10,37,59]. Interestingly, PMB, a known LPS inhibitor, did not reduce cell damage caused by the PM 10 extracts.…”

“…These results suggest that PM 2.5 and PM 10 fractions and some of their constituents (e.g., ENX and TMET) present at different Puerto Rican locations (urban and rural areas) may play a key role in the exacerbation of certain respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma) in predisposed individuals exposed to African dust clouds [8,10,12]. Epidemiological studies by the U.S. CDC and others have reported a high prevalence of asthma, particularly in children [49,69,70].…”

“…Details of the AEROSE science plan, mission and sampling collection have already been reported elsewhere [10,20]. Briefly, the AEROSE project consisted of a series of intensive field experiments conducted aboard the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Ronald H. Brown during the North Hemispheric spring (March 2004) and summer (June-July 2007) expedition.…”

Atmospheric trace metals over the south-west Indian Ocean: Total gaseous mercury, aerosol trace metal concentrations and lead isotope ratios

“…Few data are available on As concentrations of remote marine aerosols. The As concentrations in our aerosols are similar to those observed in aerosols collected in the western Pacific under clean air flows (Fujitani et al, 2004), but are low compared to Saharan influenced North Atlantic samples, the North Pacific and other more pollution impacted areas such as the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea (Chen et al, 2008;Jiménez-Vélez et al, 2009;Narita et al, 1999). There is considerable interest in the solubility of aerosol Fe, due to the importance of atmospheric supply for this micronutrient in many open ocean regions Luo et al, 2005;Mahowald et al, 2005).…”