Long-Term Research on the Quality of Air and the Trends of Its Variability

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 18941

Special Issue Editor

Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk 650065, Russia
Interests: aerosol; Antarctic ice; Arctic; Baikal region; chemical composition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to present a new Special Issue dedicated to long-term research on the most dynamic atmospheric components: gases, aerosols, and atmospheric precipitations. Gaps in knowledge of the properties of atmospheric air, environmental processes, where gaseous and aerosol particles are involved in, and the connection between activities for environmental protection and policy decisions in the field of international agreements on climate change issues have resulted in a stable significant increase in long-term research on this topic. 

Many studies were included in national and international projects, and the number of scientific forums increased over the years. In 1960–1970, the developed countries of Europe and North America faced the problem of acid depositions characterized by fugitive SO2 emissions, which led to serious ecological consequences primarily connected with the acidification of the environment. This led to the establishment of the atmospheric deposition monitoring system and efforts to reduce the emissions of sulfur and other hazardous substances. These activities resulted in considerable progressive improvement in the ecological situation in Europe as a whole.

Complex international projects, connected with research on global climate change and environmental pollution, usually contain atmosphere–ocean–land interplay clusters focused on the study of atmospheric aerosol properties and their role in various biogeochemical cycles in the biosphere. Special attention was given to the study of the cycle of carbon in the Arctic Region. Meteorological conditions, synoptical processes, volcanic activity, wildfires, dust storms, industry, and many other natural and anthropogenic factors significantly affect the quality of air.

This Special Issue aims to establish a community of authors and readers to discuss long-term research on the quality of air and follow trends in the dynamics of its variability. We welcome studies dedicated to the various fields of air quality and its variability analyses. 

Dr. Liudmila Golobokova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • optical depth
  • particle concentration
  • atmospheric chemistry
  • monitoring
  • sources
  • effects on neighboring territories
  • factors
  • dynamic projection

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue Editorial: Long-Term Research on the Quality of Air and the Trends of Its Variability
by Liudmila P. Golobokova
Atmosphere 2023, 14(10), 1477; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos14101477 - 24 Sep 2023
Viewed by 509
Abstract
Long-term observations are integral to encouraging research of atmospheric composition, the climate, and human health, and thus, filling some gaps in scientific knowledge [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 3522 KiB  
Article
Variability of the Chemical Composition of the Atmospheric Aerosol in the Coastal Zone of the Southern Basin of Lake Baikal (East Siberia, Russia)
by Liudmila P. Golobokova, Tamara V. Khodzher, Galina S. Zhamsueva, Alexander S. Zayakhanov, Alexey Starikov and Olga I. Khuriganova
Atmosphere 2022, 13(7), 1090; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13071090 - 10 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1182
Abstract
The role of the atmosphere in the formation of the chemical composition and quality of water in Lake Baikal and its tributaries has been increasing in recent years. In this regard, studies of the chemical composition of the constituents of the atmosphere have [...] Read more.
The role of the atmosphere in the formation of the chemical composition and quality of water in Lake Baikal and its tributaries has been increasing in recent years. In this regard, studies of the chemical composition of the constituents of the atmosphere have an important practical application. In 2020 and 2021, we studied the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol, one of the indicators of air pollution, in the atmosphere of the coastal zone of the southern basin of Lake Baikal compared to the data from previous years. The studies were carried out in the summer on the southwestern (Bolshiye Koty) and southeastern coast (Boyarsky). In the absence of smoke in the aerosol on the southwest coast, the concentrations of NH4+, NO3 and SO42− ions prevailed. The mean total concentration of ions at the Bolshiye Koty research station was 2.08 ± 1.26 μg/m3. The appearance of smog contributed to the growth of the total ionic concentration in the aerosol on the southwest coast to 6.4 μg/m3 in 2020 and to 17.6 μg/m3 in 2021. On the southeast coast, the minimum concentration of the total amount of ions was 3.3 μg/m3. The concentrations of Ca2+, Na+, K+, Cl, and SO42− ions prevailed in the aerosol. Under the influence of smog, the total amount of ions increased to 34.1 μg/m3 in 2020 and to 18.6 μg/m3 in 2021. In periods of intense smoke, NH4+ and SO42− became the dominant ions in the aerosols at both stations. The contribution of NO3 ions increased. Although the effect of natural factors is periodic, they contribute significantly to the change in the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol. Full article
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20 pages, 4744 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Studies of Biological Components of Atmospheric Aerosol: Trends and Variability
by Alexandr S. Safatov, Irina S. Andreeva, Galina A. Buryak, Sergei E. Olkin, Irina K. Reznikova, Boris D. Belan, Mikhail V. Panchenko and Denis V. Simonenkov
Atmosphere 2022, 13(5), 651; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13050651 - 20 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
Background: Biological components of atmospheric aerosol affect the quality of atmospheric air. Long-term trends in changes of the concentrations of total protein (a universal marker of the biogenic component of atmospheric aerosol) and culturable microorganisms in the air are studied. Methods: Atmospheric air [...] Read more.
Background: Biological components of atmospheric aerosol affect the quality of atmospheric air. Long-term trends in changes of the concentrations of total protein (a universal marker of the biogenic component of atmospheric aerosol) and culturable microorganisms in the air are studied. Methods: Atmospheric air samples are taken at two locations in the south of Western Siberia and during airborne sounding of the atmosphere. Sample analysis is carried out in the laboratory using standard culture methods (culturable microorganisms) and the fluorescence method (total protein). Results: Negative trends in the average annual concentration of total protein and culturable microorganisms in the air are revealed over more than 20 years of observations. For the concentration of total protein and culturable microorganisms in the air, intra-annual dynamics is revealed. The ratio of the maximum and minimum values of these concentrations reaches an order of magnitude. The variability of concentrations does not exceed, as a rule, two times for total protein and three times for culturable microorganisms. At the same time, for the data obtained in the course of airborne sounding of the atmosphere, a high temporal stability of the vertical profiles of the studied concentrations was found. The detected biodiversity of culturable microorganisms in atmospheric air samples demonstrates a very high variability at all observation sites. Conclusions: The revealed long-term changes in the biological components of atmospheric aerosol result in a decrease in their contribution to the atmospheric air quality index. Full article
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26 pages, 11419 KiB  
Article
Variability of Near-Surface Aerosol Composition in Moscow in 2020–2021: Episodes of Extreme Air Pollution of Different Genesis
by Dina Petrovna Gubanova, Anna Aleksandrovna Vinogradova, Mikhail Alekseevich Iordanskii and Andrey Ivanovich Skorokhod
Atmosphere 2022, 13(4), 574; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13040574 - 03 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2234
Abstract
During 2020–2021, a comprehensive experiment was conducted to study the composition of near-surface atmospheric aerosol in Moscow. The paper considers the experimental data together with synoptic and meteorological conditions. Attention is focused on six episodes of extremely high aerosol mass concentration values: in [...] Read more.
During 2020–2021, a comprehensive experiment was conducted to study the composition of near-surface atmospheric aerosol in Moscow. The paper considers the experimental data together with synoptic and meteorological conditions. Attention is focused on six episodes of extremely high aerosol mass concentration values: in March and October 2020, as well in March, April, May and July 2021. In all these cases (and only in them), the average daily mass concentration of PM10 aerosol exceeded the Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) value (according to Russian standards, 60 μg/m3). The origin of the aerosol during these periods of extreme pollution is revealed, which is the main result of the work. It was shown that the July episode of 2021 was associated with a local intensive anthropogenic source that arose as a result of the active dismantling and demolition of multistory industrial buildings. The remaining spring and autumn episodes were caused by atmospheric transport of both smoke aerosol from various regions with strong biomass fires and dust aerosol from arid zones of the south of European territory of Russia (ETR) with dust wind storms. The cases of atmospheric pollution transport to Moscow region from the other regions are confirmed with the help of air mass transport trajectories (HYSPLIT 4 model) and MERRA-2 reanalysis data on black carbon and/or dust distribution in the atmosphere over ETR. Differences in the elemental composition of the near-surface aerosol of Moscow air during periods with extremely high aerosol concentrations are analyzed in comparison with each other and with unperturbed conditions for the season. Full article
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21 pages, 4094 KiB  
Article
Seasonal, Weekly, and Diurnal Black Carbon in Moscow Megacity Background under Impact of Urban and Regional Sources
by Olga Popovicheva, Marina Chichaeva, Roman Kovach, Ekaterina Zhdanova and Nikalay Kasimov
Atmosphere 2022, 13(4), 563; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13040563 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2037
Abstract
Moscow megacity has a big gap in assessment of air quality, resulting in severe aerosol pollution. Black carbon (BC) concentrations over different timescales, including weekly and diurnal, are studied during four seasons of 2019–2020 at urban background site. Seasonal BC varies from 0.9 [...] Read more.
Moscow megacity has a big gap in assessment of air quality, resulting in severe aerosol pollution. Black carbon (BC) concentrations over different timescales, including weekly and diurnal, are studied during four seasons of 2019–2020 at urban background site. Seasonal BC varies from 0.9 to 25.5 μg/m3 with a mean of 1.7 ± 1.4 μg/m3. Maximum mean BC equal to 2.2 ± 1.8 μg/m3 was observed in spring. Diurnal trends of black carbon concentrations differ in spring/summer and autumn/winter periods, they exhibit morning and evening peaks corresponding to traffic combined with the boundary layer height effect. The weekly cycle of BC characterizes the highest amount of combustion-related pollution on working days and the characteristics of population migration from a city for weekend. Seasonal pollution roses show the direction of the highest BC contamination. For identification of BC sources relating to traffic, heat and power plants, and industry around the site, polar plots are used. The spectral dependence of the aerosol light attenuation provides the estimate for Absorption Angstrom Exponent (AAE). We use the AAE above 1.3 and high frequency of AAE observation above 1 in order to support the assessment for a contribution of biomass burning in the region around Moscow in autumn and winter as well as of agriculture fires and wildfires in warm seasons. Air masses arriving to a city from fire-affected regions in spring and summer impact urban air pollution. Full article
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21 pages, 7444 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution of Aerosol Characteristics over the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean Using Multiyear (2004–2021) Measurements from Russian Antarctic Expeditions
by Sergey M. Sakerin, Liudmila P. Golobokova, Dmitry M. Kabanov, Olga I. Khuriganowa, Viktor V. Pol’kin, Vladimir F. Radionov, Olga R. Sidorova and Yuri S. Turchinovich
Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 427; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13030427 - 06 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
Since 2004, we have carried out yearly measurements of physicochemical aerosol characteristics onboard research vessels at Southern Hemisphere high latitudes (34–72° S; 45° W–110° E). In this work, we statistically generalize the results from multiyear (2004–2021) measurements in this area of the aerosol [...] Read more.
Since 2004, we have carried out yearly measurements of physicochemical aerosol characteristics onboard research vessels at Southern Hemisphere high latitudes (34–72° S; 45° W–110° E). In this work, we statistically generalize the results from multiyear (2004–2021) measurements in this area of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) of the atmosphere, concentrations of aerosol and equivalent black carbon (EBC), as well as the ionic composition of aerosol. A common regularity was that the aerosol characteristics decreased with increasing latitude up to the Antarctic coast, where the aerosol content corresponded to the global background level. Between Africa and Antarctica, AOD decreased from 0.07 to 0.024, the particle volume decreased from 5.5 to 0.55 µm3/cm3, EBC decreased from 68.1 to 17.4 ng/m3, and the summed ion concentration decreased from 24.5 to 2.5 µg/m3. Against the background of the common tendency of the latitude decrease in aerosol characteristics, we discerned a secondary maximum (AOD and ion concentrations) or a plateau (aerosol and EBC concentrations). The obtained spatial distribution of aerosol characteristics qualitatively agreed with the model-based MERRA-2 reanalysis data, but showed quantitative differences: the model AOD values were overestimated (by 0.015, on average); while the EBC concentrations were underestimated (by 21.7 ng/m3). An interesting feature was found in the aerosol spatial distribution in the region of Antarctic islands: at a distance of 300 km from the islands, the concentrations of EBC decreased on average by 29%, while the aerosol content increased by a factor of 2.5. Full article
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13 pages, 2527 KiB  
Article
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere of the Southern Baikal Region (Russia): Sources and Relationship with Meteorological Conditions
by Irina Marinaite, Ioganes Penner, Elena Molozhnikova, Maksim Shikhovtsev and Tamara Khodzher
Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 420; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13030420 - 05 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
This article presents the results of the long-term studies at two stations located in the city of Irkutsk and the Listvyanka settlement of the southern Baikal region (East Siberia) concerning the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosol. The studies revealed [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of the long-term studies at two stations located in the city of Irkutsk and the Listvyanka settlement of the southern Baikal region (East Siberia) concerning the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosol. The studies revealed the seasonal and interannual dynamics in the distribution of PAHs in aerosols from urban (source) and rural (receptor) areas. We carried out a comprehensive analysis of weather conditions such as wind direction, relative humidity, air temperature, and atmospheric pressure. The analysis determined high correlations between air temperature, atmospheric pressure, temperature inversions, and PAHs at the monitoring stations. The average annual concentrations of PAHs in the abnormally warm 2020 were three times lower than the average values obtained in the cold 2016. The toxic equivalent concentrations (BaPeq) increased from summer to winter with an increase in the contribution from benzo(a)pyrene, one of the most toxic and hazardous compounds of this class of organic substances. Four-, five- and six-ring PAHs mainly predominated in aerosol; the proportion of two- and three-ring PAHs increased from the warm season to the cold season. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs identified the main sources of air pollution by this class of compounds: combustion of coal, liquid fuel and firewood, vehicle emissions, and wildfires. The percentage of the transport of anthropogenic aerosol containing PAHs from industrial sources of the Southern Baikal region towards Lake Baikal was 65 to 71%. Full article
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14 pages, 4870 KiB  
Article
PM Dimensional Characterization in an Urban Mediterranean Area: Case Studies on the Separation between Fine and Coarse Atmospheric Aerosol
by Maurizio Manigrasso, Maria Eleonora Soggiu, Gaetano Settimo, Marco Inglessis, Carmela Protano, Matteo Vitali and Pasquale Avino
Atmosphere 2022, 13(2), 227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13020227 - 29 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1940
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM) is object of particular attention due to its health effects. It is currently regulated by adopting PM2.5 as an indicator to control anthropogenic combustion emissions. Therefore, it is crucial to collect aerosol samples representative of such sources, without [...] Read more.
Fine particulate matter (PM) is object of particular attention due to its health effects. It is currently regulated by adopting PM2.5 as an indicator to control anthropogenic combustion emissions. Therefore, it is crucial to collect aerosol samples representative of such sources, without including PM from natural sources. Thus, a clean separation between coarse and fine mode aerosol should be set. With this purpose, aerosol size mass distribution was taken in the aerodynamic diameter range from 0.5 to 10 µm. In comparison with a base scenario, characterized by local pollution sources, three case studies were considered, involving desert dust advection, sea salt advection and forest fire aerosol from a remote area. In the base scenario, PM2.5 represented a suitable fine-mode indicator, whereas it was considerably affected by coarse PM in case of desert dust and sea salt aerosol advection. Such interference was considerably reduced by setting the fine/coarse separation at 1.0 µm. Such separation underrepresented fine PM from forest fire long-range transport, nonetheless in the case studies considered, PM1 represented the best indicator of fine aerosol since less affected by coarse natural sources. The data presented clearly support the results from other studies associating the health effects of PM2.5 to PM1, rather than to PM1–2.5. Overall, there is a need to reconsider PM2.5 as an indicator of fine atmospheric aerosol. Full article
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20 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Sources Identification of Atmospheric PM10 and Its Cation and Anion Contents in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
by Turki M. Habeebullah, Said Munir, Jahan Zeb and Essam A. Morsy
Atmosphere 2022, 13(1), 87; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos13010087 - 06 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2131
Abstract
In this paper, atmospheric water-soluble cation and anion contents of PM10 are analysed in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. PM10 samples were collected at five sites for a whole year. PM10 concentrations (µg/m3) ranged from 82.11 to 739.61 at Aziziyah, [...] Read more.
In this paper, atmospheric water-soluble cation and anion contents of PM10 are analysed in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. PM10 samples were collected at five sites for a whole year. PM10 concentrations (µg/m3) ranged from 82.11 to 739.61 at Aziziyah, 65.37 to 421.71 at Sanaiyah, 25.20 to 466.60 at Misfalah, 52.56 to 507.23 at Abdeyah, and 40.91 to 471.99 at Askan. Both daily and annual averaged PM10 concentrations exceeded WHO and Saudi Arabia national air quality limits. Daily averaged PM10 concentration exceeded the national air quality limits of 340 µg/m3, 32% of the time at Aziziyah, 8% of the time at Sanaiyah, and 6% of the time at the other three sites. On average, the cations and anions made a 37.81% contribution to the PM10 concentrations. SO42−, NO3, Ca2+, Na+, and Cl contributed 50.25%, 16.43%, 12.11%, 11.12%, and 8.70% to the total ion concentrations, respectively. The minor ions (F, Br, Mg2+, NO2, and PO43−) contributed just over 1% to the ion mass. Four principal components explained 89% variations in PM10 concentrations. Four major emission sources were identified: (a) Road traffic, including emission from the exhaust, wear-and-tear, and the resuspension of dust particles (F, SO42−, NO3, Ca2+, Na+, Mg+, Br, Cl, NO2, PO43−); (b) Mineral dust (Cl, F, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, PO43−); (c) Industries and construction–demolition work (F, SO42−, Ca2+, Mg2+); and (d) Seaspray and marine aerosols (Cl, Br, Mg2+, Na+). Future work would include an analysis of the metal contents of PM10 and their spatiotemporal variability in Makkah. Full article
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16 pages, 4391 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Biogas Generated in Two Landfills in South-Central Ecuador
by Paulina Poma, Marco Usca, María Polanco, Theofilos Toulkeridis and Carlos Mestanza-Ramón
Atmosphere 2021, 12(10), 1365; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/atmos12101365 - 19 Oct 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2973
Abstract
The landfill is a final disposal technique to confine municipal solid waste (MSW), where organic matter is degraded generating leachate and biogas composed of methane gases (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases that contribute to global warming. The [...] Read more.
The landfill is a final disposal technique to confine municipal solid waste (MSW), where organic matter is degraded generating leachate and biogas composed of methane gases (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases that contribute to global warming. The objective of the current research was to estimate the amount of biogas generated through the LandGEM 3.03 mathematical model to determine the amount of electrical energy generated and the number of homes that would be supplied with electrical energy from 2021 to 2144. As a result of the application, it was estimated that in the Pichacay landfill, the highest point of biogas generation in 2053 would be 76,982,177 (m3/year) that would generate 81,226,339.36 (kWh/year), and would supply 5083 homes with electricity. Similarly, in the Las Iguanas landfill, the highest point would be 693,975,228 (m3/year) of biogas that produces 73,223,5296.7 (kWh/year) and would supply electricity to 45,825 homes. Of the performed gas analyses in the Pichacay landfill in 2020, an average of 51.49% CH4, 40.35% CO2, 1.75% O2 and 17.8% H2S was presented, while in the Las Iguanas landfill, for 2020 and 2021, we obtained an average of 51.88/CH4, 36.62% CO2, 1.01% O2 and 187.58 ppm H2S. Finally, the biogas generated by being harnessed minimizes the impacts related to global warming and climate change and would contribute electricity to the nearby communities. Full article
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