Influence of Saharan Dust Transport Events on PM2.5 Concentrations and Composition over Athens

Remoundaki, E.; Papayannis, A.; Kassomenos, Pavlos; Mantas, E.; Kokkalis, Panagiotis; Tsezos, M.

doi:10.1007/s11270-012-1373-4

Cited by 40 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…According to Kocak et al (2012) and Marconi et al (2014), in the Mediterranean region, this mineral dust transport event can be classified as an intense dust episode since the aerosol Al concentration was higher than 1 µg/m . These values are similar to the values reported for crustal origin elements during intense dust events (Remoundaki et al, 2013).…”

Section: Chemical Characterizationsupporting

confidence: 90%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Chemical Composition of Fine and Coarse Aerosol Particles in the Central Mediterranean Area during Dust and Non-Dust Conditions

Malaguti

Mircea

Torretta

et al. 2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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A two-month field campaign was carried out from May to June 2010 at a remote site (Trisaia ENEA Research Centre) in the Southern Italy aiming to identify and quantify the changes of aerosol chemical composition in the presence of Saharan dust. The 24-hr PM 10 and PM 2.5 filter samples were analyzed by mass, carbonaceous species, inorganic ions and elemental composition. Saharan dust transport events were identified with two approaches: one recommended by EC (2011) and one based on indicators derived from measurements. Three indicators were used: PM 2.5 /PM 10 mass concentrations ratio, Ca/Al ratio and Al concentration. Based on these criteria, four Saharan dust transport events were identified, but only one had elevated dust concentration and leaded to an exceedance of the European short-term (24 hour) limit value of 50 µg/m 3 for PM 10 (June 16 th ). The comparison of chemical composition of fine and coarse aerosol fractions during dust and non-dust conditions shows that the presence of dust increases NH 4 and nssSO 4 concentrations in the fine fraction and NO 3 and nssSO 4 concentrations in the coarse fraction. OC and EC concentrations also increase in the fine fraction during dust transport. The uptake of primary and secondary species, inorganic and organic, by dust particles changes their composition and, thus, their properties and this may have implications for human health and climate change.

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Section: Chemical Characterizationsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…These events may lead to substantial increase of aerosol mass concentrations (Perez et al, 2008;Pederzoli et al, 2010;Remoundaki et al, 2013, Marconi et al, 2014, leading to exceedances of the PM 10 daily limit value (50 µg/m 3 )…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Composition of Fine and Coarse Aerosol Particles in the Central Mediterranean Area during Dust and Non-Dust Conditions

Malaguti

Mircea

Torretta

et al. 2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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“…Formenti et al (2003) determined Al/Si ratios of the order of 0.5, in particles larger than 1 µm, during aircraft measurements performed in the Cabo Verde region. Remoundaki et al (2013) found Al/Si ratios of 0.44 ± 0.12 in PM 2.5 aerosols collected in Greece under the influence of air mass transport from the Saharan region. In South America, Formenti et al (2001) observed Al/Si values of 0.48 ± 0.08 in fine particles and of 0.77 ± 0.18 in the coarse aerosol fraction.…”

Section: Pm 10 Mass and Componentsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…This component is usually calculated from the measurement of organic carbon by applying a multiplication factor to take into account other unmeasured elements such as nitrogen, sulfur and, principally, oxygen. Factors ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 have been employed for this purpose (Countess et al, 1980;Japar et al, 1984;Rogge et al, 1993a, b;Sempere and Kawamura, 1994;Russel, 2003;Chen and Yu, 2007;El-Zanan et al, 2009). The highest values are commonly used in sites affected by biomass burning emissions, rich in sugars and organic acids, or away from emission sources, because, under these conditions, the precursor organic material had plenty of time to be strongly oxidised (Turpin and Lim, 2001;Sciare et al, 2005;Ervens et al, 2011).…”

Section: Mass Balance Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Source apportionment of atmospheric aerosol in a marine dusty environment by ionic/composition mass balance (IMB)

Cardoso

Almeida²,

Nunes

et al. 2018

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

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PM 10 aerosol was sampled in Santiago, the largest island of Cabo Verde, for 1 year, and analysed for elements, ions and carbonaceous material. Very high levels of dust were measured during the winter months, as a result of the direct transport of dust plumes from the African continent. Ionic and mass balances (IMBs) were applied to the analysed compounds, permitting the determination of six to seven different processes and source contributions to the aerosol loading: insoluble and soluble dust, sea salt, carbonaceous material and secondary inorganic compounds resulting from the reaction of acidic precursors with ammonia, sea salt and dust. The mass balance could be closed by the consideration and estimation of sorbed water that constituted 20 %-30 % of the aerosol mass. The balance methodology was compared with positive matrix factorisation (PMF), showing similar qualitative source composition. In quantitative terms, while for soil dust and secondary inorganic compound source classes, the results are similar, for other sources such as sea-salt spray there are significant differences in periods of dust episodes. The discrepancies between both approaches are interpreted based on calculated source profiles. The joint utilisation of the two methodologies, which are complementary, gives confidence in our capability for the correct source apportionment of aerosol particles.Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.

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“…2(c) and 2(d)). Soil and sea spray particles more likely belong in the coarse fraction of PM (Almeida et al, 2005;Flament et al, 2011;Dimitirou and Kassomenos, 2014c), yet many previous studies which analyzed the chemical composition of fine PM, have revealed a substantial participation of dust and marine aerosols in PM 2.5 mass (Rodriguez et al, 2011;Remoundaki et al, 2013;Engelbrecht Mantas et al, 2014). In addition, Saharan desert dust is very frequently mixed with particulate pollutants deriving from industrial activities in Northern Algeria, Eastern Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco (Rodriguez et al, 2011).…”

Section: Concentration Weighted Trajectory (Cwt) Model Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%

The Dependence of PM Size Distribution from Meteorology and Local-Regional Contributions, in Valencia (Spain) - A CWT Model Approach

Dimitriou

2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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This paper combines an analysis of hourly air pollution measurements and daily meteorological data with backward air mass trajectories, in order to elucidate local/regional sources and processes (e.g., atmospheric dispersion/stagnation, dust resuspension, etc.) defining PM levels and size distribution in Valencia (Spain). Four size fractions of PM (PM 10 , PM COARSE = PM 10 -PM 2.5 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 ) were independently studied. No chemical/physical interactions among the four different size categories were assumed. Wind dispersion of PM 2.5 and PM 1 was indicated, whereas atmospheric stagnation conditions triggered the accumulation of fine particles, mainly produced from local combustion. Wind blown dust enhanced PM COARSE concentrations, particularly throughout warm periods when dry land facilitates dust resuspension. Hourly air mass trajectory points were analyzed by Concentration Weighted Trajectory (CWT) model and Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) on a 0.5° × 0.5° resolution grid. The outcome of CWT model and PSCF identified Iberian Peninsula, France, North-West Africa and the Mediterranean as potential exogenous PM source areas. Extreme events of all PM fractions were primarily associated with the prevalence of South-South West airflows, whereas Saharan dust PM COARSE intrusions also emerged. The availability of hourly meteorological data and the analysis of the chemical species included in PM mass could further clarify the findings of this paper and remove uncertainties.

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Influence of Saharan Dust Transport Events on PM2.5 Concentrations and Composition over Athens

Cited by 40 publications

References 50 publications

Chemical Composition of Fine and Coarse Aerosol Particles in the Central Mediterranean Area during Dust and Non-Dust Conditions

Chemical Composition of Fine and Coarse Aerosol Particles in the Central Mediterranean Area during Dust and Non-Dust Conditions

Source apportionment of atmospheric aerosol in a marine dusty environment by ionic/composition mass balance (IMB)

The Dependence of PM Size Distribution from Meteorology and Local-Regional Contributions, in Valencia (Spain) - A CWT Model Approach

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