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Applied Sciences
Special Issues
New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate
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New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 15275

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pierina Ielpo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CNR ISAC, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Lecce Branch, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: atmospheric composition and air quality; source apportionment techniques; Indoor air quality; analytical chemistry Instrumentation; Chromatographic techniques
Prof. Dr. Paola Fermo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: aerosol particulate matter; atmospheric pollution; organic and elemental carbon; metals; degradation of cultural heritage; black crust formation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Constantini Samara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control, Laboratory
Interests: borne PM; chemical composition; redox activity; size distribution; source apportionment; carbonaceous aerosol; SVOCs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atmospheric gases and aerosols affect air quality and play an important role in the Earth’s climate system (IPCC, 2013 and 2018). Nowadays, although the uncertainty in the total direct aerosol effect is reduced, it is still substantial compared to uncertainties associated with greenhouse gases. Aerosol particles can affect the climate directly, by scattering or absorption of solar radiation and altering the reflectivity of the planet, and indirectly by acting as cloud condensation (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN), i.e., due to aerosol–cloud interactions. It is well known, for example, that components of marine aerosols can scatter light and act as CCN and IN affecting the radiation budget in the atmosphere as well as cloud physics. Black carbon (BC), in contrast, absorbs radiation readily, warming the atmosphere but also shading the surface. Organic carbon (OC), sometimes called brown carbon or organic matter, has a warming influence on the atmosphere depending on the brightness of the underlying ground. Mineral dust aerosol affects climate through direct and indirect effects. Primary biological aerosol and humic-like substances (HULIS) can affect atmospheric processes such as ice nucleation and cloud drop formation, affecting clouds and precipitation. The outcome of aerosol–cloud interactions depends on the aerosol size distribution and chemistry, on the environmental conditions and cloud regime.

The relevance of effects and the large uncertainties in the understanding of their effects make aerosol research one of the most important field in the climate sciences. The UNEP report (2011) confirms that the current scientific understanding of the aerosol–radiation effects is sufficient to promote the evaluation of measures to limit emissions of the light-absorbing fraction of the aerosol (such as the BC). Moreover, the IPCC report, released in 2018, identifies emission reduction of black carbon, together with methane, an unavoidable measure to keep the global average temperature increase within 1.5 °C by the end of the century.

The purpose of this Special Issue is therefore to disseminate the results of new insights into aerosols composition and physicochemical properties that are related to climate effects.

The topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to the following:

  • carbonaceous aerosol
  • black carbon natural and anthropogenic sources identification in different regions
  • secondary inorganic and organic aerosol (SIA, SOA) formation from anthropogenic and natural precursor gases
  • aerosol-cloud interactions
  • assessment of source‘s contribution and composition by tracer-based and ensemble-based source apportionments
  • comparison and merging of remote sensing and ground-level measurements and transport models output
  • numerical models of aerosol transport
  • aerosol optical properties
  • Humic Like Substances (HULIS)

Dr. Pierina Ielpo
Prof. Dr. Paola Fermo
Dr. Constantini Samara
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aerosol composition
  • secondary aerosol
  • carbonaceous aerosol
  • aerosol-cloud interaction
  • optical properties
  • numerical models

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 181 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate
by Pierina Ielpo
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12091; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122312091 - 25 Nov 2022
Viewed by 600
Abstract
Atmospheric gases and aerosols affect air quality and play an important role in the Earth’s climate system [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 1882 KiB  
Article
Air Quality Assessment of a School in an Industrialized Area of Southern Italy
by Pierina Ielpo, Cristina Mangia, Gianluigi de Gennaro, Alessia Di Gilio, Jolanda Palmisani, Adelaide Dinoi, Andrea Bergomi, Valeria Comite and Paola Fermo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 8870; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11198870 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
In this study, simultaneous monitoring of indoor and outdoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was carried out in a school, by both Radiello® cartridges and real-time monitors (Corvus, IonScience Ltd., Fowlmere UK). Moreover, an outdoor air quality assessment was performed with data from [...] Read more.
In this study, simultaneous monitoring of indoor and outdoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was carried out in a school, by both Radiello® cartridges and real-time monitors (Corvus, IonScience Ltd., Fowlmere UK). Moreover, an outdoor air quality assessment was performed with data from an air quality monitoring station (ARPA Puglia) located close to the school. In particular, VOCs, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xilenes concentrations, obtained by using Radiello® diffusive samplers, were monitored in two classrooms, two bathrooms, and outside of the school building for three weeks during winter 2019. Simultaneously, the Total VOC (TVOC) concentrations were measured by means of real-time monitors inside and outside the classroom in order to individuate the activation of sources during the sampling campaign days. The results evidence that indoor TVOC concentrations were bigger than those outdoors; this suggests the presence of indoor pollutant sources, both in the classrooms and the bathrooms. The results of our study can help the school management by the following recommendations: increasing ventilation in classrooms during school activities and after cleaning; involving students in discussions regarding the use of acrylic paints, permanent markers, perfumes and deodorants, and the limitation of smoking activities both in bathrooms and outdoor spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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25 pages, 7160 KiB  
Article
Combining Chemical Composition Data and Numerical Modelling for the Assessment of Air Quality in a Mediterranean Port City
by Rita Cesari, Alessandra Genga, Riccardo Buccolieri, Silvana Di Sabatino, Maria Siciliano, Tiziana Siciliano, Adelaide Dinoi, Alberto Maurizi and Pierina Ielpo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2181; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11052181 - 02 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
The aim of this study is to characterize the air quality in a Mediterranean port city. The impact of ship emissions on both gaseous and particulate pollutants has been investigated through an integrated methodology which includes atmospheric flow and dispersion numerical modelling as [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to characterize the air quality in a Mediterranean port city. The impact of ship emissions on both gaseous and particulate pollutants has been investigated through an integrated methodology which includes atmospheric flow and dispersion numerical modelling as well as chemical composition and statistical analyses. Specifically, chemical compositional data (ionic fraction, carbonaceous compounds, and metals) of PM2.5 were acquired during an experimental field campaign carried out in the port city of Brindisi (Apulia Region, Southern Italy). The sampling site was located on the roof of a building (ASI) within the port area. Given the complexity of the site in which both domestic buildings and a large industrial area are present, analyses were done by selecting different wind sectors to test different techniques to discriminate between sources. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to evaluate statistical differences in the composition of PM2.5 sampled within the area when the sampling site was downwind to the port or to the urban-industrial area. Only LDA allowed to discriminate the separation between urban-industrial and port macroareas. Those results were further confirmed in terms of PM2.5 concentrations directly associated to ship emissions using a coupled modelling approach. The mesoscale model BOLCHEM was used to investigate the contribution of ship emissions both on primary and secondary PM2.5 concentration in the area surrounding the port, as well as on PM10, NOX and O3 concentrations. Then, the model was coupled offline with the local dispersion model ADMS-Urban. The adopted approach was crucial to evaluate the spatial distribution of the impact of ship emissions. BOLCHEM results showed that in the cell of the port the average impact of ship emissions on NOX was 37.6%, and −11.7% on O3. The average impact on PM2.5 was 6.1%, distributed between primary (2.7%) and secondary fraction (3.4%). At local scale, the analysis of high-resolution modelling results obtained from ADMS-Urban highlighted that, at ASI position, the impact of ship emissions on PM2.5 was 6.8% when the sampling site was positioned downwind to the port area and reduced to lower than 3.0% at about 2 km from the sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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18 pages, 3807 KiB  
Article
Persistent Organic Pollutants and Metals in Atmospheric Deposition Rates around the Port-Industrial Area of Civitavecchia, Italy
by Gaetano Settimo, Maria Eleonora Soggiu, Marco Inglessis, Giovanni Marsili and Pasquale Avino
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1827; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041827 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2122
Abstract
In recent years, studies on climate change have focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions emitted by various civil and industrial processes. This study highlights the importance of characterizing the total deposition rates of airborne particles (bulk atmospheric deposition) in the surroundings of an [...] Read more.
In recent years, studies on climate change have focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions emitted by various civil and industrial processes. This study highlights the importance of characterizing the total deposition rates of airborne particles (bulk atmospheric deposition) in the surroundings of an industrial area along the north cost of the Lazio Region in Italy, to deepen knowledge about the potential impact of emissions from the coal-fired thermoelectric (CTE) power plant and other possible sources existing in the surrounding area. Four sampling sites were identified, and the monitoring plan was performed a yearlong with monthly collecting observation. The deposition samples were collected monthly and processed for determining organic (polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins, PCDDs; polychlorinated dibenzofurans, PCDFs; dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, DL-PCBs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) and inorganic (metals) substances. The samples were collected monthly and sent for chemical characterization. In Europe and Italy, no reference values have been given for the deposition rates of chemicals, while some European countries have determined reference/guide values to which the authors will refer in this study. Therefore, the analytical results show that the deposition rates for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs are lower with respects guide values defined by Germany and Belgium; PAHs values are in line with those measured in other rural-type sites, while for metals the analytical results show a situation between rural and urban area. The approach used in this study can help to identify reference values for Italy in deposition rates, with the aim both to characterize the dynamic of pollution in area with multiple risk factors and to describe and protect human health from environmental exposures caused by the contamination of the food chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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19 pages, 5110 KiB  
Article
Investigation of an Intense Dust Outbreak in the Mediterranean Using XMed-Dry Network, Multiplatform Observations, and Numerical Modeling
by Umberto Rizza, Konrad Kandler, Melanie Eknayan, Giorgio Passerini, Enrico Mancinelli, Simone Virgili, Mauro Morichetti, Michael Nolle, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Vasiliki Vasilatou and Pierina Ielpo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1566; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041566 - 09 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1777
Abstract
The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with online coupled chemistry (WRF-Chem) is applied to study an intense Saharan dust outbreak event affecting the Italian peninsula in 15 and 16 April 2018. According to the MODIS retrievals, this intrusion was characterized by an [...] Read more.
The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with online coupled chemistry (WRF-Chem) is applied to study an intense Saharan dust outbreak event affecting the Italian peninsula in 15 and 16 April 2018. According to the MODIS retrievals, this intrusion was characterized by an intense aerosol optical depth (AOD) peak value in the southern Mediterranean. Measurements within the Dry Deposition Network Across the Mediterranean (XMed-Dry) are compared with the output of the WRF-Chem model. XMed-Dry samples from Lecce (Italy), Athens (Greece) and San Lawrenz/Gozo (Malta) were analysed with respect to aerosol particle size distribution, relative dust contribution, and composition. The discrepancy between the model and measured deposition indicate the need to formulate in WRF-Chem more sophisticated deposition schemes, this will need to evaluate the sensitivity of the results to the precise particle size limits chosen for the aerosol model. Moreover, satellite retrievals from MODIS sensors elaborated with the MAIAC algorithm, Aeronet stations, and measurements of PM10 at the selected sites were also considered. In a numerical domain that spans the Mediterranean and the northern Saharan desert, two different dust emission schemes, namely Gocart-AFWA and the Shao-2001, were tested and compared with multiplatform observations for simulation period covering the dust outbreak. Actual results indicate that both emission schemes would benefit from replacing the static erodibility map and soil particle distribution with remote sensed and in-situ observational data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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20 pages, 4739 KiB  
Article
Study of Temporal Variations of Equivalent Black Carbon in a Coastal City in Northwest Spain Using an Atmospheric Aerosol Data Management Software
by María Piñeiro-Iglesias, Javier Andrade-Garda, Sonia Suárez-Garaboa, Soledad Muniategui-Lorenzo, Purificación López-Mahía and Darío Prada-Rodríguez
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 516; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11020516 - 07 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1902
Abstract
Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols (including black carbon (BC)) pose serious health issues and play significant roles in atmospheric radiative properties. Two-year measurements (2015–2016) of aerosol light absorption, combined with measurements of sub-micrometric particles, were continuously conducted in A Coruña (northwest (NW) Spain) to determine [...] Read more.
Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols (including black carbon (BC)) pose serious health issues and play significant roles in atmospheric radiative properties. Two-year measurements (2015–2016) of aerosol light absorption, combined with measurements of sub-micrometric particles, were continuously conducted in A Coruña (northwest (NW) Spain) to determine their light absorption properties: absorption coefficients (σabs) and the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE). The mean and standard deviation of equivalent black carbon (eBC) during the period of study were 0.85 ± 0.83 µg m−3, which are lower than other values measured in urban areas of Spain and Europe. High eBC concentrations found in winter are associated with an increase in emissions from anthropogenic sources in combination with lower mixing layer heights and frequent stagnant conditions. The pronounced diurnal variability suggests a strong influence from local sources. AAE had an average value of 1.26 ± 0.22 which implies that both fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning influenced optical aerosol properties. This also highlights biomass combustion in suburban areas, where the use of wood for domestic heating is encouraged, as an important source of eBC. All data treatment was gathered using SCALA© as atmospheric aerosol data management support software program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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16 pages, 5939 KiB  
Article
Iron-Rich Magnetic Coal Fly Ash Particles Induce Apoptosis in Human Bronchial Cells
by Matthew J. Lawson, Zoe C. Prytherch, Tim P. Jones, Rachel A. Adams and Kelly A. BéruBé
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(23), 8368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10238368 - 25 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2100
Abstract
Svalbard is an arctic archipelago where coal mining generates all electricity via the local coal-fired power station. Coal combustion produces a waste product in the form of particulate matter (PM) coal fly ash (CFA), derived from incombustible minerals present in the feed coal. [...] Read more.
Svalbard is an arctic archipelago where coal mining generates all electricity via the local coal-fired power station. Coal combustion produces a waste product in the form of particulate matter (PM) coal fly ash (CFA), derived from incombustible minerals present in the feed coal. PM ≤10 µm (diameter) may be “inhaled” into the human respiratory system, and particles ≤2.5 µm may enter the distal alveoli to disrupt normal pulmonary functions and trigger disease pathways. This study discovered that Svalbard CFA contained unusually high levels of iron-rich magnetic minerals that induced adverse effects upon human lungs cells. Iron is a well-characterised driver of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a driving force for cell death and disease. CFA physicochemical characterisation showed non-uniform particle morphologies indicative of coal burnt at inefficient combustion temperatures. The bioreactivity (ROS generation) of PM2.5/10 fractions was measured using plasmid scission assay (PSA, DNA damage) and haemolysis assays (erythrocyte lysis), with PM2.5 CFA showing significant bioreactivity. CFA leached in mild acid caused a significant increase in toxicity, which could occur in CFA waste-stores. The CFA and leachates were exposed to a surrogate model of human bronchial epithelia that confirmed that CFA induced apoptosis in bronchial cells. This study shows that CFA containing magnetic iron-rich minerals mediated adverse reactions in the human lung, and thus CFA should be considered to be an environmental inhalation hazard. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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Review

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20 pages, 2619 KiB  
Review
Multidimensional Analytical Characterization of Water-Soluble Organic Aerosols: Challenges and New Perspectives
by Regina M. B. O. Duarte, João T. V. Matos and Armando C. Duarte
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2539; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11062539 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Water-soluble organic aerosols (OA) are an important component of air particles and one of the key drivers that impact both climate and human health. Understanding the processes involving water-soluble OA depends on how well the chemical composition of this aerosol component is decoded. [...] Read more.
Water-soluble organic aerosols (OA) are an important component of air particles and one of the key drivers that impact both climate and human health. Understanding the processes involving water-soluble OA depends on how well the chemical composition of this aerosol component is decoded. Yet, obtaining detailed information faces several challenges, including water-soluble OA collection, extraction, and chemical complexity. This review highlights the multidimensional non-targeted analytical strategies that have been developed and employed for providing new insights into the structural and molecular features of water-soluble organic components present in air particles. First, the most prominent high-resolution mass spectrometric methods for near real-time measurements of water-soluble OA and their limitations are discussed. Afterward, a special emphasis is given to the degree of compositional information provided by offline multidimensional analytical techniques, namely excitation–emission (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and their hyphenation with chromatographic systems. The major challenges ahead on the application of these multidimensional analytical strategies for OA research are also addressed so that they can be used advantageously in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate)
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