Mirjana Tasic

Active moss biomonitoring of trace elements with Sphagnum girgensohnii moss bags in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition in Belgrade, Serbia

Active biomonitoring with wet and dry moss bags was used to examine trace element atmospheric deposition in the urban area of Belgrade. The element accumulation capability of Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow was tested in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition. Moss bags were mounted for five 3-month periods (July 2005-October 2006) at three representative urban sites. For the same period monthly bulk atmospheric deposition samples were collected. The concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analyses and atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant accumulation of most elements occurred in the exposed moss bags compared with the initial moss content. High correlations between the elements in moss and bulk deposits were found for V, Cu, As, and Ni. The enrichment factors of the elements for both types of monitor followed the same pattern at the corresponding sites.

First assessment of the PM10 and PM2.5 particulate level in the ambient air of Belgrade city.

Intention, Goal, Scope, BackgroundAs the strong negative health effect of exposure to the inhalable particulate matter PM10 in the urban environment has been confirmed, the study of the mass concentrations, physico-chemical characteristics, sources, as well as spatial and temporal variation of atmospheric aerosol particles becomes very important.ObjectiveThis work is a pilot study to assess the concentration level of ambient suspended particulate matter, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 µm, in the Belgrade central urban area. Average daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 have been measured at three representative points in the city between June 2002 and December 2002. The influence of meteorological parameters on PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations was analyzed, and possible pollution sources were identified.MethodsSuspended particles were collected on Pure Teflon filters by using a Mini-Vol low-volume air sampler (Airmetrics Co., Inc.; 5 1 min-1 flow rate). Particle mass was determined gravimetrically after 48 h of conditioning in a desiccator, in a Class 100 clean room at the temperature T = 20°C and at about 50% constant relative humidity (RH) .Results and DiscussionAnalysis of the PM10 data indicated a marked difference between season without heating - (summer; mean value 56 ug nr3) and heating season - (winter; mean value 96 µg m3); 62% of samples exceeded the level of 50 µg nr3. The impact of meteorological factors on PM concentrations was not immediately apparent, but there was a significant negative correlation with the wind speed.ConclusionsThe PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations in the Belgrade urban area had high average values (77 µg nr3 and 61 µg m3) in comparison with other European cities. The main sources of particulate matter were traffic emission, road dust resuspension, and individual heating emissions. When the air masses are coming from the SW direction, the contribution from the Obrenovac power plants is evident. During days of exceptionally severe pollution, in both summer and winter periods, high production of secondary aerosols occurred, as can be seen from an increase in PM2.5 in respect to PM10 mass concentration.Recommendation and OutlookThe results obtained gave us the first impression of the concentration level of particulate matter, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 µm, in the Belgrade ambient air. Due to measured high PM mass concentrations, it is obvious that it would be very difficult to meet the EU standards (EEC 1999) by 2010. It is necessary to continue with PM10 and PM2.5 sampling; and after comprehensive analysis which includes the results of chemical and physical characterization of particles, we will be able to recommend effective control measures in order to improve air quality in Belgrade.

Source apportionment of atmospheric bulk deposition in the Belgrade urban area using Positive Matrix factorization

The primary objective of the present study was to assess anthropogenic impacts of heavy metals to the environment by determination of total atmospheric deposition of heavy metals. Atmospheric depositions (wet + dry) were collected monthly, from June 2002 to December 2006, at three urban locations in Belgrade, using bulk deposition samplers. Concentrations of Fe, Al, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, V, As and Cd were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Based upon these results, the study attempted to examine elemental associations in atmospheric deposition and to elucidate the potential sources of heavy metal contaminants in the region by the use of multivariate receptor model Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF).

Assessment of Air Quality in an Urban Area of Belgrade, Serbia

Mirjana Tasi a, Slavica Rajsi a, Milica Tomasevi a, Zoran Miji a, Mira Ani i a, Velibor Novakovi a, Dragan M. Markovi a, Dragan A. Markovi b, Lazar Lazi c, Mirjana Radenkovi d and Jasminka Joksi d aInstitute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia bFaculty of Applied Ecology, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia cInstitute of Meteorology, Faculty of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia dInstitute of Nuclear Science Vin a, Belgrade, Serbia

Statistical Character and Transport Pathways of Atmospheric Aerosols in Belgrade

Clean air is considered to be a basic requirement for human health and well being. Various chemicals are emitted into the air from both, natural and anthropogenic sources. In spite of the introduction of cleaner technologies in industry, energy production and transport, air pollution remains a major health risk and tighter emission controls are being enforced by many governments. Atmospheric particles – aerosols – are some of the key components of the atmosphere. They influence the energy balance of the Earths surface, visibility, climate and environment as a whole [1-3]. According to World Health Organization (WHO), ozone, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals and some hydrocarbons present the priority pollutants in the troposphere [4]. Public health can also be indirectly affected by deposition of air pollutants in environmental media and uptake by plants and animals, what results in entering of chemicals into the food chain or drinking water, and thereby constituting additional sources of human exposure. A number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that acute and chronic health effects are related to the inhalable PM10 (aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) exposure in the urban environment, and some data also seem to indicate possible seasonal effects of the particulate matter on human health [5-10]. This is especially important for urban aerosols, whose variety of size and composition make complete characterization a difficult task. Particulate matter pollution is nowadays one of the problems of the most concern in great cities, not only because of the adverse health effects, but also of the reducing atmospheric visibility and affect to the state of conservation of various cultural heritages [11]. Therefore, the measurement of the levels of atmospheric particulate matter is a key parameter in air quality monitoring throughout the world.

Characteristics and Application of Receptor Models to the Atmospheric Aerosols Research

Atmospheric aerosols can be defined as solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Due to their confirmed role in climate change (IPCC, 2001), impact on human health (Dockery and Pope, 1994; Schwartz et al., 1996; Schwartz et al., 2001; WHO, 2002, 2003; Dockery and Pope, 2006), role on the radiative budget (IPCC, 2007), effects on ecosystems (Niyogi et al., 2004; Bytnerowicz et al., 2007), and local visibility they are of major scientific interest. The human activities in various aspects cause a change in the natural air quality. This change is more marked in very inhabited areas with high industrialization. Epidemiological research over the past 15 years has revealed a consistent statistical correlation between levels of airborne particulate matter (PM) and adverse human health effects (Pope et al., 2004; Dockery and Stone, 2007). Airborne particulate matter contains a wide range of substances, such as heavy metals, organic compounds, acidic gases, etc. Chemical reactions occurring on aerosols in the atmosphere can transform hazardous components and increase or decrease their potential for adverse health effects. Especially organic compounds react readily with atmospheric oxidants, and since small particles have a high surface-to-volume ratio, their chemical composition can be efficiently changed by interaction with trace gases such as ozone and nitrogen oxides. The impact of atmospheric aerosols on the radiative balance of the Earth is of comparable magnitude to greenhouse gases effect (Anderson et al., 2003). Atmospheric aerosol in the troposphere influences climate in two ways: directly, through the reflection and absorption of solar radiation, and indirectly through the modification of the optical properties and lifetime of clouds. Estimation of the radiative forcing induced by atmospheric aerosols is much more complex and uncertain compared with the well-mixed greenhouse gases because of the complex physical and chemical processes involved with aerosols and because of their short lifetimes which make their distributions inherently more inhomogeneous. In order to protect public health and the environment i.e. to control and reduce particulate matter levels, air quality standards (AQS) were issued and target values for annual and daily mean PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 m) and PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 m) mass concentrations were established. For the first stage, the EU Directive (EC, 1999) required an annual limit of 40 g m-3 and a 24h limit 7

Ground Level Air Radioactivity Monitoring in Belgrade Urban Area

The paper presents the preliminary results of determination of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides ( 7 Be, 210 Pb, 235 U, 238 U, 232 Th, 40 K, 137 Cs) in ground level air, soils and tree leaves in Belgrade urban area. Activities of the radionuclides were determined on an HPGe detector (ORTEC, relative efficiency 23%) by standard gamma spectrometry. The content of the radionuclides in soils were within the average values for the region and the 235 U/ 238 U ratio confirmed the natural origin of uranium. The average radionuclides concentrations in ground level air in the urban areas were within the range of the values obtained in the long-term study on the ground level air radioactivity in the city area, exhibiting in general the same seasonal variations pattern. The highest concentrations of 210 Pb in aerosols were measured in the very center of the city. There were no significant differences in the content of 7 Be and 40 K in leaves, whereas further investigations are needed to confirm the differences in the content of 137 Cs and 210 Pb due to the plant morphology (horse chestnut, linden) or seasonal variations. The study is in progress.

PRIMENA HIBRIDNIH RECEPTORSKIH MODELA ZA ISPITIVANJE TRANSPORTA PM10 ČESTICA NA PODRUČJE BEOGRADA

Ispitivanje uticaja transporta atmosferskih aerosola na njihove koncentracije u urbanoj sredini su od kljucnog znacaja za razvoj i unapređenje efikasne kontrole kvaliteta vazduha. U periodu od 2003. do 2006. godine u Beogradu su vrsena merenja dnevnih masenih koncentracija PM 10 cestica i sadržaja metala (Pb, Cu, Zn, Al, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni i V) metodom atomske apsorpcione spektroskopije. Analizirana je njihova međusobna povezanost, trend promena koncentracija, kao i zavisnost od meteoroloskih parametara. U cilju određivanja moguceg regionalnog transporta atmosferskih aerosola na podrucje Beograda i identifikacije potencijalnih oblasti u kojima se nalaze izvori emisije primenjena su dva hibridna receptorska modela, Funkcija potencijalnih doprinosa izvora emisije i Model trajektorija otežinjenih koncentracijama. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na postojanje dominantnog transporta cestica iz zapadnih i jugozapadnih oblasti.

Physical Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 in Belgrade Atmosphere by SEM/EDX and Image Analysis System

Suspended atmospheric particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm and 2.5 μm) are today a key issue in contemporary air pollution research. Daily aerosol samples were collected at three representative places in the central region of Belgrade in the period of 2002–2005. The results lead to assessment of air quality in urban area of Belgrade.

Some Characteristic Air Back Trajectories For High PM10 And PM2.5 Concentration Episodes in Belgrade

A pilot study was performed to assess the concentration level of ambient suspended particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 in the Belgrade urban area. This study has shown theoretical and experimental evidence of pollutants for characteristic measurements when maximum PM concentrations occurred. For this study, 60‐h air‐back trajectories are calculated. When the air masses were coming from the SW direction, the contribution from the complex of coal‐fired power plants was evident.