Characterisation of atmospheric pollution and of Oxidative Potential in an industrial suburban site in Southern Italy

Authors

  • Eva Merico Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy
  • Daniela Cesari Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy
  • Fabio Massimo Grasso Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy
  • Andrea Gambaro Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, (DAIS), Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155, 30172 Venice, Mestre, Italy
  • Elisa Morabito Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, (DAIS), Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino, 155, 30172 Venice, Mestre, Italy
  • Stefano Decesari Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Via Piero Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
  • Matteo Rinaldi Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Via Piero Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
  • Daniele Contini Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36125/ijoehy.v12i2.401

Keywords:

biogas plant emissions, PM2.5, PM Oxidative potential, source apportionment, size distribution

Abstract

The study deals with air quality assessment of a densely populated area in South Italy, including industrial settlements, including a biogas production and combustion plant.

Statistical analysis of gaseous and particles’ concentration (of different size classes) and source apportionment, based to chemical characterisation of PM2.5, allowed to identify the main sources contributing to measured levels, with a specific focus on the plant contribution. Further, the Oxidative Potential (OP) of PM2.5, considered by the international scientific community as an indirect indicator of human health risks due to PM, was determined by an acellular assay. Finally, potential toxicity of each PM2.5 identified source was estimated with two independent approaches (PMF and MLR).  

Results indicated combustion sources (biomass burning and traffic plus secondary nitrate) as the main contributors to PM2.5, as well as to nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO) and smaller particles (nanoparticles and ultrafine particles). The impact of the biogas plant was found to industrial and traffic plus secondary nitrate sources, together with to nitrogen monoxide (NO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and accumulation particles.

References

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Published

2022-07-01