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McCarron A, Semple S, Swanson V, Braban CF, Gillespie C, Price HD. "I have to stay inside …": Experiences of air pollution for people with asthma. Health Place 2024; 85:103150. [PMID: 38064920 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Asthma, characterized by airway inflammation, sensitization and constriction, and leading to symptoms including cough and dyspnoea, affects millions of people globally. Air pollution is a known asthma trigger, yet how it is experienced is understudied and how individuals with asthma interact with air quality information and manage exacerbation risks is unclear. This study aimed to explore how people living with asthma in Scotland, UK, experienced and managed their asthma in relation to air pollution. We explored these issues with 36 participants using semi-structured interviews. We found that self-protection measures were influenced by place and sense of control (with the home being a "safe space"), and that the perception of clean(er) air had a liberating effect on outdoor activities. We discuss how these insights could shape air quality-related health advice in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McCarron
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Sean Semple
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | | | | | - Colin Gillespie
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Stirling, FK9 4TZ, UK.
| | - Heather D Price
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
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McCarron A, Semple S, Braban CF, Gillespie C, Swanson V, Price HD. Personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and self-reported asthma-related health. Soc Sci Med 2023; 337:116293. [PMID: 37837949 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter) is a key pollutant that can produce acute asthma exacerbations and longer-term deterioration of respiratory health. Individual exposure to PM2.5 is unique and varies across microenvironments. Low-cost sensors (LCS) can collect data at a spatiotemporal resolution previously unattainable, allowing the study of exposures across microenvironments. The aim of this study is to investigate the acute effects of personal exposure to PM2.5 on self-reported asthma-related health. Twenty-eight non-smoking adults with asthma living in Scotland collected PM2.5 personal exposure data using LCS. Measurements were made at a 2-min time resolution for a period of 7 days as participants conducted their typical daily routines. Concurrently, participants were asked to keep a detailed time-activity diary, logging their activities and microenvironments, along with hourly information on their respiratory health and medication use. Health outcomes were modelled as a function of hourly PM2.5 concentration (plus 1- and 2-h lag) using generalized mixed-effects models adjusted for temperature and relative humidity. Personal exposures to PM2.5 varied across microenvironments, with the largest average microenvironmental exposure observed in private residences (11.5 ± 48.6 μg/m3) and lowest in the work microenvironment (2.9 ± 11.3 μg/m3). The most frequently reported asthma symptoms, wheezing, chest tightness and cough, were reported on 3.4%, 1.6% and 1.6% of participant-hours, respectively. The odds of reporting asthma symptoms increased per interquartile range (IQR) in PM2.5 exposure (odds ratio (OR) 1.29, 95% CI 1.07-1.54) for same-hour exposure. Despite this, no association was observed between reliever inhaler use (non-routine, non-exercise related) and PM2.5 exposure (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.71-1.48). Current air quality monitoring practices are inadequate to detect acute asthma symptom prevalence resulting from PM2.5 exposure; to detect these requires high-resolution air quality data and health information collected in situ. Personal exposure monitoring could have significant implications for asthma self-management and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McCarron
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Sean Semple
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | | | - Colin Gillespie
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Stirling, FK9 4TZ, UK.
| | | | - Heather D Price
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
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McCarron A, Semple S, Braban CF, Swanson V, Gillespie C, Price HD. Public engagement with air quality data: using health behaviour change theory to support exposure-minimising behaviours. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2023; 33:321-331. [PMID: 35764891 PMCID: PMC10234807 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00449-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution prematurely kills 7 million people globally every year. Policy measures designed to reduce emissions of pollutants, improve ambient air and consequently reduce health impacts, can be effective, but are generally slow to generate change. Individual actions can therefore supplement policy measures and more immediately reduce people's exposure to air pollution. Air quality indices (AQI) are used globally (though not universally) to translate complex air quality data into a single unitless metric, which can be paired with advice to encourage behaviour change. Here we explore, with reference to health behaviour theories, why these are frequently insufficient to instigate individual change. We examine the health behaviour theoretical steps linking air quality data with reduced air pollution exposure and (consequently) improved public health, arguing that a combination of more 'personalised' air quality data and greater public engagement with these data will together better support individual action. Based on this, we present a novel framework, which, when used to shape air quality interventions, has the potential to yield more effective and sustainable interventions to reduce individual exposures and thus reduce the global public health burden of air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McCarron
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
| | - Sean Semple
- Institute of Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | | | | | | | - Heather D Price
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Sutton MA, van Dijk N, Levy PE, Jones MR, Leith ID, Sheppard LJ, Leeson S, Sim Tang Y, Stephens A, Braban CF, Dragosits U, Howard CM, Vieno M, Fowler D, Corbett P, Naikoo MI, Munzi S, Ellis CJ, Chatterjee S, Steadman CE, Móring A, Wolseley PA. Alkaline air: changing perspectives on nitrogen and air pollution in an ammonia-rich world. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2020; 378:20190315. [PMID: 32981429 PMCID: PMC7536028 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia and ammonium have received less attention than other forms of air pollution, with limited progress in controlling emissions at UK, European and global scales. By contrast, these compounds have been of significant past interest to science and society, the recollection of which can inform future strategies. Sal ammoniac (nūshādir, nao sha) is found to have been extremely valuable in long-distance trade (ca AD 600-1150) from Egypt and China, where 6-8 kg N could purchase a human life, while air pollution associated with nūshādir collection was attributed to this nitrogen form. Ammonia was one of the keys to alchemy-seen as an early experimental mesocosm to understand the world-and later became of interest as 'alkaline air' within the eighteenth century development of pneumatic chemistry. The same economic, chemical and environmental properties are found to make ammonia and ammonium of huge relevance today. Successful control of acidifying SO2 and NOx emissions leaves atmospheric NH3 in excess in many areas, contributing to particulate matter (PM2.5) formation, while leading to a new significance of alkaline air, with adverse impacts on natural ecosystems. Investigations of epiphytic lichens and bog ecosystems show how the alkalinity effect of NH3 may explain its having three to five times the adverse effect of ammonium and nitrate, respectively. It is concluded that future air pollution policy should no longer neglect ammonia. Progress is likely to be mobilized by emphasizing the lost economic value of global N emissions ($200 billion yr-1), as part of developing the circular economy for sustainable nitrogen management. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Air quality, past present and future'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Sutton
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
- e-mail:
| | - Netty van Dijk
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Peter E. Levy
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Matthew R. Jones
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Ian D. Leith
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Lucy J. Sheppard
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Sarah Leeson
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Y. Sim Tang
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Amy Stephens
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Christine F. Braban
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Ulrike Dragosits
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Clare M. Howard
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Massimo Vieno
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - David Fowler
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
| | - Paul Corbett
- Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast, UK
| | - Mohd Irfan Naikoo
- Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India
| | - Silvana Munzi
- Centro Interuniversitário de História das Ciências e da Tecnologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Sudipto Chatterjee
- Department of Natural Resources, TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERISAS), New Delhi, India
| | - Claudia E. Steadman
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrea Móring
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UK
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Malley CS, Heal MR, Braban CF, Kentisbeer J, Leeson SR, Malcolm H, Lingard JJN, Ritchie S, Maggs R, Beccaceci S, Quincey P, Brown RJC, Twigg MM. The contributions to long-term health-relevant particulate matter at the UK EMEP supersites between 2010 and 2013: Quantifying the mitigation challenge. Environ Int 2016; 95:98-111. [PMID: 27557590 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Human health burdens associated with long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) are substantial. The metrics currently recommended by the World Health Organization for quantification of long-term health-relevant PM are the annual average PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations, with no low concentration threshold. However, within an annual average, there is substantial variation in the composition of PM associated with different sources. To inform effective mitigation strategies, therefore, it is necessary to quantify the conditions that contribute to annual average PM10 and PM2.5 (rather than just short-term episodic concentrations). PM10, PM2.5, and speciated water-soluble inorganic, carbonaceous, heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon components are concurrently measured at the two UK European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) 'supersites' at Harwell (SE England) and Auchencorth Moss (SE Scotland). In this work, statistical analyses of these measurements are integrated with air-mass back trajectory data to characterise the 'chemical climate' associated with the long-term health-relevant PM metrics at these sites. Specifically, the contributions from different PM concentrations, months, components and geographic regions are detailed. The analyses at these sites provide policy-relevant conclusions on mitigation of (i) long-term health-relevant PM in the spatial domain for which these sites are representative, and (ii) the contribution of regional background PM to long-term health-relevant PM. At Harwell the mean (±1 sd) 2010-2013 annual average concentrations were PM10=16.4±1.4μgm(-3) and PM2.5=11.9±1.1μgm(-3) and at Auchencorth PM10=7.4±0.4μgm(-3) and PM2.5=4.1±0.2μgm(-3). The chemical climate state at each site showed that frequent, moderate hourly PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (defined as approximately 5-15μgm(-3) for PM10 and PM2.5 at Harwell and 5-10μgm(-3) for PM10 at Auchencorth) determined the magnitude of annual average PM10 and PM2.5 to a greater extent than the relatively infrequent high, episodic PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. These moderate PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were derived across the range of chemical components, seasons and air-mass pathways, in contrast to the highest PM concentrations which tended to associate with specific conditions. For example, the largest contribution to moderate PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations - the secondary inorganic aerosol components, specifically NO3(-) - were accumulated during the arrival of trajectories traversing the spectrum of marine, UK, and continental Europe areas. Mitigation of the long-term health-relevant PM impact in the regions characterised by these two sites requires multilateral action, across species (and hence source sectors), both nationally and internationally; there is no dominant determinant of the long-term PM metrics to target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Malley
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK; School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK.
| | - Mathew R Heal
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | | | - John Kentisbeer
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Sarah R Leeson
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Heath Malcolm
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Justin J N Lingard
- Ricardo Energy & Environment, The Gemini Building, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0QR, UK
| | - Stuart Ritchie
- Ricardo Energy & Environment, The Gemini Building, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0QR, UK
| | - Richard Maggs
- Bureau Veritas, Fifth Floor, 66 Prescot Street, London, E1 8HG, UK
| | - Sonya Beccaceci
- Environment Division, National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Paul Quincey
- Environment Division, National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Richard J C Brown
- Environment Division, National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK
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6
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Bell MW, Tang YS, Dragosits U, Flechard CR, Ward P, Braban CF. Ammonia emissions from an anaerobic digestion plant estimated using atmospheric measurements and dispersion modelling. Waste Manag 2016; 56:113-124. [PMID: 27302836 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is becoming increasingly implemented within organic waste treatment operations. The storage and processing of large volumes of organic wastes through AD has been identified as a significant source of ammonia (NH3) emissions, however the totality of ammonia emissions from an AD plant have not been previously quantified. The emissions from an AD plant processing food waste were estimated through integrating ambient NH3 concentration measurements, atmospheric dispersion modelling, and comparison with published emission factors (EFs). Two dispersion models (ADMS and a backwards Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) model) were applied to calculate emission estimates. The bLS model (WindTrax) was used to back-calculate a total (top-down) emission rate for the AD plant from a point of continuous NH3 measurement downwind from the plant. The back-calculated emission rates were then input to the ADMS forward dispersion model to make predictions of air NH3 concentrations around the site, and evaluated against weekly passive sampler NH3 measurements. As an alternative approach emission rates from individual sources within the plant were initially estimated by applying literature EFs to the available site parameters concerning the chemical composition of waste materials, room air concentrations, ventilation rates, etc. The individual emission rates were input to ADMS and later tuned by fitting the simulated ambient concentrations to the observed (passive sampler) concentration field, which gave an excellent match to measurements after an iterative process. The total emission from the AD plant thus estimated by a bottom-up approach was 16.8±1.8mgs(-1), which was significantly higher than the back-calculated top-down estimate (7.4±0.78mgs(-1)). The bottom-up approach offered a more realistic treatment of the source distribution within the plant area, while the complexity of the site was not ideally suited to the bLS method, thus the bottom-up method is believed to give a better estimate of emissions. The storage of solid digestate and the aerobic treatment of liquid effluents at the site were the greatest sources of NH3 emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Bell
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Penicuik, United Kingdom; INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1069 SAS, Rennes, France; University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Y Sim Tang
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Dragosits
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Christine F Braban
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh Research Station, Penicuik, United Kingdom
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Steinle S, Reis S, Sabel CE, Semple S, Twigg MM, Braban CF, Leeson SR, Heal MR, Harrison D, Lin C, Wu H. Personal exposure monitoring of PM2.5 in indoor and outdoor microenvironments. Sci Total Environ 2015; 508:383-94. [PMID: 25497678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Adverse health effects from exposure to air pollution are a global challenge and of widespread concern. Recent high ambient concentration episodes of air pollutants in European cities highlighted the dynamic nature of human exposure and the gaps in data and knowledge about exposure patterns. In order to support health impact assessment it is essential to develop a better understanding of individual exposure pathways in people's everyday lives by taking account of all environments in which people spend time. Here we describe the development, validation and results of an exposure method applied in a study conducted in Scotland. A low-cost particle counter based on light-scattering technology - the Dylos 1700 was used. Its performance was validated in comparison with equivalent instruments (TEOM-FDMS) at two national monitoring network sites (R(2)=0.9 at a rural background site, R(2)=0.7 at an urban background site). This validation also provided two functions to convert measured PNCs into calculated particle mass concentrations for direct comparison of concentrations with equivalent monitoring instruments and air quality limit values. This study also used contextual and time-based activity data to define six microenvironments (MEs) to assess everyday exposure of individuals to short-term PM2.5 concentrations. The Dylos was combined with a GPS receiver to track movement and exposure of individuals across the MEs. Seventeen volunteers collected 35 profiles. Profiles may have a different overall duration and structure with respect to times spent in different MEs and activities undertaken. Results indicate that due to the substantial variability across and between MEs, it is essential to measure near-complete exposure pathways to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the exposure risk a person encounters on a daily basis. Taking into account the information gained through personal exposure measurements, this work demonstrates the added value of data generated by the application of low-cost monitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Steinle
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom; Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, Research Avenue North, Riccarton EH14 4AP, United Kingdom.
| | - Stefan Reis
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom; European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Clive E Sabel
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Rd, Bristol BS8 1SS, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Semple
- Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, Research Avenue North, Riccarton EH14 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Marsailidh M Twigg
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom
| | - Christine F Braban
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah R Leeson
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew R Heal
- University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, United Kingdom
| | - David Harrison
- Bureau Veritas, 5th Floor, 66 Prescot Street, London E1 8HG, United Kingdom
| | - Chun Lin
- University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, United Kingdom
| | - Hao Wu
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, United Kingdom; University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, United Kingdom
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8
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Kentisbeer J, Leeson SR, Malcolm HM, Leith ID, Braban CF, Cape JN. Patterns and source analysis for atmospheric mercury at Auchencorth Moss, Scotland. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2014; 16:1112-1123. [PMID: 24690922 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00700f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous elemental (GEM), particulate bound (PBM) and gaseous oxidised (GOM) mercury species were monitored between 2009 and 2011 at the rural monitoring site, Auchencorth Moss, Scotland using the Tekran speciation monitoring system. GEM average for the three year period was 1.40±0.19 ng m(-3) which is comparable with other northern hemisphere studies. PBM and GOM concentrations are very low in 2009 and 2010 with geometric mean (×/÷standard deviation) PBM values of 2.56 (×/÷3.44) and 0.03 (×/÷17.72) pg m(-3) and geometric mean (×/÷standard deviation) GOM values of 0.11 (×/÷4.94) and 0.09 (×/÷8.88) pg m(-3) respectively. Using wind sector analysis and air mass back trajectories, the importance of local and regional sources on speciated mercury are investigated and we show the long range contribution to GEM from continental Europe, and that the lowest levels are associated with polar and marine air masses from the north west sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kentisbeer
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, UK.
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Vogt E, Dragosits U, Braban CF, Theobald MR, Dore AJ, van Dijk N, Tang YS, McDonald C, Murray S, Rees RM, Sutton MA. Heterogeneity of atmospheric ammonia at the landscape scale and consequences for environmental impact assessment. Environ Pollut 2013; 179:120-131. [PMID: 23669461 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We examined the consequences of the spatial heterogeneity of atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) by measuring and modelling NH₃ concentrations and deposition at 25 m grid resolution for a rural landscape containing intensive poultry farming, agricultural grassland, woodland and moorland. The emission pattern gave rise to a high spatial variability of modelled mean annual NH₃ concentrations and dry deposition. Largest impacts were predicted for woodland patches located within the agricultural area, while larger moorland areas were at low risk, due to atmospheric dispersion, prevailing wind direction and low NH3 background. These high resolution spatial details are lost in national scale estimates at 1 km resolution due to less detailed emission input maps. The results demonstrate how the spatial arrangement of sources and sinks is critical to defining the NH₃ risk to semi-natural ecosystems. These spatial relationships provide the foundation for local spatial planning approaches to reduce environmental impacts of atmospheric NH₃.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Vogt
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology-CEH, Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, United Kingdom
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10
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Sutton MA, Reis S, Riddick SN, Dragosits U, Nemitz E, Theobald MR, Tang YS, Braban CF, Vieno M, Dore AJ, Mitchell RF, Wanless S, Daunt F, Fowler D, Blackall TD, Milford C, Flechard CR, Loubet B, Massad R, Cellier P, Personne E, Coheur PF, Clarisse L, Van Damme M, Ngadi Y, Clerbaux C, Skjøth CA, Geels C, Hertel O, Wichink Kruit RJ, Pinder RW, Bash JO, Walker JT, Simpson D, Horváth L, Misselbrook TH, Bleeker A, Dentener F, de Vries W. Towards a climate-dependent paradigm of ammonia emission and deposition. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20130166. [PMID: 23713128 PMCID: PMC3682750 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing descriptions of bi-directional ammonia (NH3) land-atmosphere exchange incorporate temperature and moisture controls, and are beginning to be used in regional chemical transport models. However, such models have typically applied simpler emission factors to upscale the main NH3 emission terms. While this approach has successfully simulated the main spatial patterns on local to global scales, it fails to address the environment- and climate-dependence of emissions. To handle these issues, we outline the basis for a new modelling paradigm where both NH3 emissions and deposition are calculated online according to diurnal, seasonal and spatial differences in meteorology. We show how measurements reveal a strong, but complex pattern of climatic dependence, which is increasingly being characterized using ground-based NH3 monitoring and satellite observations, while advances in process-based modelling are illustrated for agricultural and natural sources, including a global application for seabird colonies. A future architecture for NH3 emission-deposition modelling is proposed that integrates the spatio-temporal interactions, and provides the necessary foundation to assess the consequences of climate change. Based on available measurements, a first empirical estimate suggests that 5°C warming would increase emissions by 42 per cent (28-67%). Together with increased anthropogenic activity, global NH3 emissions may increase from 65 (45-85) Tg N in 2008 to reach 132 (89-179) Tg by 2100.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Sutton
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK.
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Pradhan M, Kalberer M, Griffiths PT, Braban CF, Pope FD, Cox RA, Lambert RM. Uptake of gaseous hydrogen peroxide by submicrometer titanium dioxide aerosol as a function of relative humidity. Environ Sci Technol 2010; 44:1360-1365. [PMID: 20108895 DOI: 10.1021/es902916f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is an important atmospheric oxidant that can serve as a sensitive indicator for HO(x) (OH + HO(2)) chemistry. We report the first direct experimental determination of the uptake coefficient for the heterogeneous reaction of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) with titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), an important component of atmospheric mineral dust aerosol particles. The kinetics of H(2)O(2) uptake on TiO(2) surfaces were investigated using an entrained aerosol flow tube (AFT) coupled with a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS). Uptake coefficients (gamma(H(2)O(2))) were measured as a function of relative humidity (RH) and ranged from 1.53 x 10(-3) at 15% RH to 5.04 x 10(-4) at 70% RH. The observed negative correlation of RH with gamma(H(2)O(2)) suggests that gaseous water competes with gaseous H(2)O(2) for adsorption sites on the TiO(2) surface. These results imply that water vapor plays a major role in the heterogeneous loss of H(2)O(2) to submicrometer TiO(2) aerosol. The results are compared with related experimental observations and assessed in terms of their potential impact on atmospheric modeling studies of mineral dust and its effect on the heterogeneous chemistry in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manik Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Braban CF, Adams JW, Rodriguez D, Cox RA, Crowley JN, Schuster G. Heterogeneous reactions of HOI, ICl and IBr on sea salt and sea salt proxies. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2007; 9:3136-48. [PMID: 17612737 DOI: 10.1039/b700829e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The heterogeneous chemistry of HOI, ICl and IBr on sea salt and sea salt proxies has been studied at 274 K using two experimental approaches: a wetted wall flow tube coupled to an electron impact mass spectrometer (WWFT-MS) and an aerosol flow tube (AFT) coupled to a differential mobility analyser (DMA) and a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (CIMS). Uptake of all three title molecules into bulk aqueous halide salt films was rapid and controlled by gas phase diffusion. Uptake of HOI gave rise to gas-phase ICl and IBr, with the latter being the predominant product whenever Br(-) was present. Only partial release of IBr was observed due to high solubility of dihalogens in the film. ICl uptake gave the same yield of IBr as HOI uptake. Uptake of ICl on NaBr aerosol was accommodation limited with alpha = 0.018 +/- 0.004 and gas phase IBr product has a yield of 0.6 +/- 0.3. The results show that HOI can act as a catalyst for activation of bromine from sea-salt aerosols in the marine boundary layer, via the reactions: HOI(aq) + Cl + H--> ICl(aq) + H(2)O(l) and ICl(aq) + Br--> IBr(aq) + Cl.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Braban
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine F. Braban
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Matthew F. Carroll
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Sarah A. Styler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Jonathan P. D. Abbatt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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Thornton JA, Braban CF, Abbatt JPD. N2O5 hydrolysis on sub-micron organic aerosols: the effect of relative humidity, particle phase, and particle size. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2003. [DOI: 10.1039/b307498f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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