Source particulate matter

The major purpose of ambient particulate sampling is to obtain mass concentration and chemical composition data, preferably as a function of particle diameter. This information is valuable for a variety of problems effects on human health, identification of particulate matter sources, understanding of atmospheric haze, and particle removal processes. 

Source Characterization. All receptor models, even the source/receptor hybrids, require input data about the particulate matter sources. The multivariate models, which can conceivably be used to better estimate source compositions, require an initial knowledge of the chemical species associations in sources. 

Lyons, C.E. Tombach, I. Eldred, R.A. Terraglio, F.P. Core, J.E. "Relating Particulate Matter Sources and Impacts in the Willamette Valley During Field and Slash Burning" presented at 72nd Annual Air Pollution Control Association Meeting,... 

Ostro B, Tobias A, Querol X, Alastuey A, Amato F, Pey J, Perez N, Sunyer J (2011) The effects of particulate matter sources on daily mortality a case-crossover study of Barcelona, Spain. Environ Health Perspect 119(12) 1781—1787... 

Mazzei F, D Alessandro A, Lucarelli F, Nava S, Prati P, Valli G, Vecchi R (2008) Characterization of particulate matter sources in an urban environment. Sci Total Environ 401 81-89... 

Latimer, D. A. (1996). Particulate Matter Source-Receptor Relationships Between All Point and Area Sources in the United States and PSD Class I Area Receptors, prepared for EPA, OAQPS. 

Airborne Particulate Matter Sources, Composition and Concentration... 

This edited volume has a total of eight chapters. The contributions of invited authors have been divided into six chapters which correspond to specific theme areas that relate to the topic of airborne PM and its chemical composition, environmental fate, behaviour and impact on exposed populations, as follows 1. Airborne Particulate Matter Sources, Composition and Concentration, 2. Metals and Organic Compounds in Airborne Particulate Matter Analytical Methods, 3. Airborne Particulate Matter Environmental Pathways, Behaviour and Fate in Urban Environments, 4. BioavaUability and Toxicology of Airborne Particulate Matter, 5. Airborne Particulate Matter Exposures and Health Risks and 6. Protecting Human Health Policy Measures and Scientific Uncertainty. Chapters 7 and 8 include the author and subject indices, respectively. 

In operation, a spark source is normally first flushed with argon to remove loose particulate matter from any previous analysis. The argon flow is then reduced, and the cathode is preheated or conditioned with a short bum time (about 20 sec). The argon flow is then reduced once more, and the source is ran for sufficient time to build a signal from the sample. The spark is then stopped, and the process is repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a consistent series of analyses. The arc source operates continuously, and sample signal can be taken over long periods of time. 

Environmental Aspects. Airborne particulate matter (187) and aerosol (188) samples from around the world have been found to contain a variety of organic monocarboxyhc and dicarboxyhc acids, including adipic acid. Traces of the acid found ia southern California air were related both to automobile exhaust emission (189) and, iadirecfly, to cyclohexene as a secondary aerosol precursor (via ozonolysis) (190). Dibasic acids (eg, succinic acid) have been found even ia such unlikely sources as the Murchison meteorite (191). PubHc health standards for adipic acid contamination of reservoir waters were evaluated with respect to toxicity, odor, taste, transparency, foam, and other criteria (192). BiodegradabiUty of adipic acid solutions was also evaluated with respect to BOD/theoretical oxygen demand ratio, rate, lag time, and other factors (193). 

E. Bakke, "The AppHcation of Wet Electrostatic Precipitators for Control of Eiue Particulate Matter," Preprint, Symposium on Control of Tine Particulate Emissions from Industrial Sources, Joint U.S.-USSR Working Group, Stationay Source Air Pollution ControlTechnology, San Francisco, Calif, Jan. 15—18, 1974. 

U. S. EPA Regulations on Standards ofPeformanceforNeir Stationay Sources, 40 CER 60, Appendix A, Reference Methods, Washington, D.C., 1993. ASTM D3685-92, Standard Test Methodfor Sampling and Determination of Particulate Matter in Stack Gases, American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, Pa., 1992. 

Foulants enter a cooling system with makeup water, airborne contamination, process leaks, and corrosion. Most potential foulants enter with makeup water as particulate matter, such as clay, sdt, and iron oxides. Insoluble aluminum and iron hydroxides enter a system from makeup water pretreatment operations. Some well waters contain high levels of soluble ferrous iron that is later oxidized to ferric iron by dissolved oxygen in the recirculating cooling water. Because it is insoluble, the ferric iron precipitates. The steel corrosion process is also a source of ferrous iron and, consequendy, contributes to fouling. 

Receptor Models. Receptor models, by their formulation, are effective in determining the contributions of various sources to particulate matter concentrations. In classic studies, sources contributing to airborne particle loadings have been identified in Washington, D.C. (78), St. Louis (9,24), Los Angeles (7,12), Portiand, Oregon (78), and Boston (79—81), as well as other areas including the desert (82). 

The instrumental analyzer procedure, EPA Method 3A, is commonly used for the determination of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in emissions from stationary sources. An integrated continuous gas sample is extracted from the test location and a portion of the sample is conveyed to one or more instrumental analyzers for determination of O9 and CO9 gas concentrations (see Fig. 25-30). The sample gas is conditioned prior to introduction to the gas analyzer by removing particulate matter and moisture. Sampling is conducted at a constant rate for the entire test run. Performance specifications and test procedures are provided in the method to ensure reliable data. 

Owing to the stability of the uranyl carbonate complex, uranium is universally present in seawater at an average concentration of ca. 3.2/rgL with a daughter/parent activity ratio U) of 1.14. " In particulate matter and bottom sediments that are roughly 1 x 10 " years old, the ratio should approach unity (secular equilibrium). The principal source of dissolved uranium to the ocean is from physicochemical weathering on the continents and subsequent transport by rivers. Potentially significant oceanic U sinks include anoxic basins, organic rich sediments, phosphorites and oceanic basalts, metalliferous sediments, carbonate sediments, and saltwater marshes. " ... 

Fig. 4-3. Seasonal variation of suspended particulate matter concentration. Composite of 20 nonurban sites. United States. Source Pirtas, R., and Levin, H. ]. Air PoUut. Control Assoc. 21(6), 329-333, 1971.

Dust storms that entrain large amounts of particulate matter are a common natural source of air pollution in many parts of the world. Even a relatively small dust storm can result in suspended particulate matter read-... 

The sources of particulate matter in the atmosphere can be primary, directly injected into the atmosphere, or secondary, formed in the atmosphere by gas-to-particle conversion processes (13). The primary sources of fine particles are combustion processes, e.g., power plants and diesel... 

Lis the possible sources of loss or error in sampling for particulate matter. 

Fig. 14-6. Schematic diagram of a four-stage cascade impactor. Source Giever, P. M., Particulate matter sampling and sizing, in "Air Pollution," 3rd ed., Vol. lil (A. C. Stem, ed.). Academic Press, New York, 1976, p. 41,...

For sources having a large component of emissions from low-level sources, the simple Gifford-Hanna model given previously as Eq. (20-19), X = Cqju, works well, especially for long-term concentrations, such as annual ones. Using the derived coefficients of 225 for particulate matter and 50 for SO2, an analysis of residuals (measured minus estimated) of the dependent data sets (those used to determine the values of the coefficient C) of 29 cities for particulate matter and 20 cities for SOj and an independent data set of 15 cities for particulate matter is summarized in Table 20-1. For the dependent data sets, overestimates result. The standard deviations of the residuals and the mean absolute errors are about equal for particulates and sulfur dioxide. For the independent data set the mean residual shows... 

A version of the Gifford-Hanna model was evaluated (50) using 1969 data for 113 monitoring stahons for particulate matter and 75 stations for SO2 in the New York metropolitan area. This version differed from Eq. (20-19) in considering major point source contributions and the stack height of emission release. This model produced results (Table 20-2) comparable to those of the much more complicated COM model (51). 

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