Ricardo H. M. Godoi

composition and diurnal variability of the natural Amazonian aerosol

As part of the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA)-Cooperative LBA Airborne Regional Experiment (CLAIRE) 2001 campaign, separate day and nighttime aerosol samples were collected in July 2001 at a ground-based site in Amazonia, Brazil, in order to examine the composition and temporal variability of the natural “background” aerosol. A combination of analytical techniques was used to characterize the elemental and ionic composition of the aerosol. Major particle types larger than ∼0.5 μm were identified by electron and light microscopy. Both the coarse and fine aerosol were found to consist primarily of organic matter (∼70 and 80% by mass, respectively), with the coarse fraction containing small amounts of soil dust and sea-salt particles and the fine fraction containing some non-sea-salt sulfate. Coarse particulate mass concentrations (CPM ≈ PM_(10) − PM_2) were found to be highest at night (average = 3.9 ± 1.4 μg m^(−3), mean night-to-day ratio = 1.9 ± 0.4), while fine particulate mass concentrations (FPM ≈ PM_2) increased during the daytime (average = 2.6 ± 0.8 μg m^(−3), mean night-to-day ratio = 0.7 ± 0.1). The nocturnal increase in CPM coincided with an increase in primary biological particles in this size range (predominantly yeasts and other fungal spores), resulting from the trapping of surface-derived forest aerosol under a shallow nocturnal boundary layer and a lake-land breeze effect at the site, although active nocturnal sporulation may have also contributed. Associated with this, we observed elevated nighttime concentrations of biogenic elements and ions (P, S, K, Cu, Zn, NH_4^+) in the CPM fraction. For the FPM fraction a persistently higher daytime concentration of organic carbon was found, which indicates that photochemical production of secondary organic aerosol from biogenic volatile organic compounds may have made a significant contribution to the fine aerosol. Dust and sea-salt-associated elements/ions in the CPM fraction, and non-sea-salt sulfate in the FPM fraction, showed higher daytime concentrations, most likely due to enhanced convective downward mixing of long-range transported aerosol.

Particulate matter analysis at elementary schools in Curitiba, Brazil.

The particulate matter indoors and outdoors of the classrooms at two schools in Curitiba, Brazil, was characterised in order to assess the indoor air quality. Information concerning the bulk composition was provided by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). From the calculated indoor/outdoor ratios and the enrichment factors it was observed that S-, Cl- and Zn-rich particles are of concern in the indoor environment. In the present research, the chemical compositions of individual particles were quantitatively elucidated, including low-Z components like C, N and O, as well as higher-Z elements, using automated electron probe microanalysis low Z EPMA. Samples were further analysed for chemical and morphological aspects, determining the particle size distribution and classifying them according to elemental composition associations. Five classes were identified based on major elemental concentrations: aluminosilicate, soot, organic, calcium carbonate and iron-rich particles. The majority of the respirable particulate matter found inside of the classroom was composed of soot, biogenic and aluminosilicate particles. In view of the chemical composition and size distribution of the aerosol particles, local deposition efficiencies in the human respiratory system were calculated revealing the deposition of soot at alveolar level. The results showed that on average 42% of coarse particles are deposited at the extrathoracic level, whereas 24% are deposited at the pulmonary region. The fine fraction showed a deposition rate of approximately 18% for both deposition levels.

Gaseous emissions from a heavy-duty engine equipped with SCR aftertreatment system and fuelled with diesel and biodiesel: Assessment of pollutant dispersion and health risk

The changes in the composition of fuels in combination with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission control systems bring new insights into the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants. The major goal of our study was to quantify NOx, NO, NO2, NH3 and N2O emissions from a four-cylinder diesel engine operated with diesel and a blend of 20% soybean biodiesel. Exhaust fume samples were collected from bench dynamometer tests using a heavy-duty diesel engine equipped with SCR. The target gases were quantified by means of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The use of biodiesel blend presented lower concentrations in the exhaust fumes than using ultra-low sulfur diesel. NOx and NO concentrations were 68% to 93% lower in all experiments using SCR, when compared to no exhaust aftertreatment. All fuels increased NH3 and N2O emission due to SCR, a precursor secondary aerosol, and major greenhouse gas, respectively. An AERMOD dispersion model analysis was performed on each compound results for the City of Curitiba, assumed to have a bus fleet equipped with diesel engines and SCR system, in winter and summer seasons. The health risks of the target gases were assessed using the Risk Assessment Information System For 1-h exposure of NH3, considering the use of low sulfur diesel in buses equipped with SCR, the results indicated low risk to develop a chronic non-cancer disease. The NOx and NO emissions were the lowest when SCR was used; however, it yielded the highest NH3 concentration. The current results have paramount importance, mainly for countries that have not yet adopted the Euro V emission standards like China, India, Australia, or Russia, as well as those already adopting it. These findings are equally important for government agencies to alert the need of improvements in aftertreatment technologies to reduce pollutants emissions.

Healthy environment — indoor air quality of Brazilian elementary schools nearby petrochemical industry

The mitigation of pollution released to the environment originating from the industrial sector has been the aim of all policy-makers and its importance is evident if the adverse health effects on the world population are considered. Although this concern is controversial, petroleum refinery has been linked to some adverse health effects for people living nearby. Apart from home, school is the most important indoor environment for children and there is increasing concern about the school environment and its impact on health, also in developing countries where the prevalence of pollution is higher. As most of the children spend more than 40% of their time in schools, it is critical to evaluate the pollution level in such environment. In the metropolitan region of Curitiba, South Brazil, five schools nearby industries and highways with high density traffic, were selected to characterize the aerosol and gaseous compounds indoor and outdoor of the classrooms, during 2009-2011. Size segregated aerosol samples were collected for analyses of bulk and single particle elemental profiles. They were analyzed by electron probe X-ray micro-analysis (EPXMA), and by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), to investigate the elemental composition of individual particles and bulk samples. The concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX); NO2; SO2; acetic acid; and formic acid were assessed indoor and outdoor using passive diffusion tubes. BTEX were analyzed by GC-MS and other collected gasses by ion chromatography. Individual exposition of BTEX was assessed by personal passive diffusion tubes. Results are interpreted separately and as a whole with the specific aim of identifying compounds that could affect the health of the scholars. In view of the chemical composition and size distribution of the aerosol particles, local deposition efficiencies in the childrens respiratory systems were calculated, revealing the deposition of particles at extrathoracic, tracheobronchial and pulmonary levels.

Single Particle Characterisation of the Aerosol in the Marine Boundary Layer and Free Troposphere over Tenerife, NE Atlantic, during ACE-2

In the framework of the 2nd Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-2), in June and July 1997, size segregated samples were collected for single particle analysis on the island of Tenerife, in both the marine boundary layer (MBL) and the free troposphere (FT), to study the characteristics of the North Atlantic aerosol. A systematic assessment was made of the aerosol under background conditions and when the environment was perturbed by European emissions and/or Saharan dust. The aerosol particles were analysed by automated and manual SEM-EDX, followed by cluster analysis to identify the different particle types and their abundance. Basing on back trajectory calculations, particle numbers and volume concentrations, different periods can be identified regarding the origin of the sampled air masses. In the FT, the air masses were classified as clean Atlantic, Saharan dust from Africa or pollution from Europe. In the MBL, air masses were classified as clean, polluted or perturbed by emissions from Europe. For both the FT and MBL samples, the main changes in chemical composition were observed between the fine and coarse mode aerosol. The FT fine mode aerosol is dominated by S-poor aluminosilicates (62%) in the event of the dust samples or sulphates, carbonaceous particles (20%) and S-rich aluminosilicates (46%) in the polluted samples. For the larger fractions, a strong decreasing trend was observed for the sulphates (less than 20%) and carbonaceous particles (10%) in the polluted samples. The MBL fine mode was completely dominated by S-rich particles (polluted 55% and perturbed 59%), and to a lesser extent, carbonaceous and aged sea salt particles. In the coarse mode, the polluted air mass is dominated by sea salt particles (62%). Contrary to the fine fraction, the polluted air mass in the coarse fraction contained 5.3% of S-rich particles. The combined interpretation of the data from the analysis of size-fractioned particles and the calculated backward trajectories for air masses coming from Europe, Africa and the Atlantic, results in better insights on aerosol chemistry, especially for the comparison of the particle composition in the FT and the MBL.

Magnetic properties of acicular ultrafine iron particles

Magnetic properties of acicular (/spl sim/60 and /spl sim/200 nm) iron particles, obtained by reduction of alumina-coated goethite particles, are reported. X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy showed that the particles consist of an /spl alpha/-Fe core and a thin surface layer of maghemite. Magnetization data indicated an improvement of /spl sim/28% in the saturation magnetization, coercive field, and squareness for particles with /spl sim/60 nm. This magnetic property enhancement of the present particles, whose size is 40% smaller than those commercially available, could result in a similar decrease of the bit-size for higher density of magnetic media.

Indoor air quality of a museum in a subtropical climate: The Oscar Niemeyer museum in Curitiba, Brazil

The assessment of damage to indoor cultural heritage, in particular by pollutants, is nowadays a major and growing concern for curators and conservators. Nevertheless, although many museums have been widely investigated in Europe, the effects of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants in museums under tropical and subtropical climates and with different economic realities are still unclear. An important portion of the worlds cultural heritage is currently in tropical countries where both human and financial resources for preserving museum collections are limited. Hence, our aim is to assess the damage that can be caused to the artwork by pollution in hot and humid environments, where air quality and microclimatic condition differences can cause deterioration. As a case study, particulate matter as well as gases were collected at the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON) in Curitiba, Brazil, where large modern and contemporary works of art are displayed. NO2, SO2, O3, Acetic Acid, Formic Acids and BTEX, in the ambient air, were sampled by means of passive diffusive sampling and their concentrations were determined by IC or GC-MS. The particulate matter was collected in bulk form and analyzed with the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and aethalometer. The chemical compositions of individual particles were quantitatively elucidated, including low-Z components like C, N and O, as well as higher-Z elements, using automated electron probe microanalysis. The gaseous and particulate matter levels were then compared with the concentrations obtained for the same pollutants in other museums, located in places with different climates, and with some reference values provided by international cultural heritage conservation centers. Results are interpreted separately and as a whole with the specific aim of identifying compounds that could contribute to the chemical reactions taking place on the surfaces of artifacts and which could potentially cause irreversible damage to the artworks.

Effectiveness of selective catalytic reduction systems on reducing gaseous emissions from an engine using diesel and biodiesel blends.

The aim of this investigation was to quantify organic and inorganic gas emissions from a four-cylinder diesel engine equipped with a urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. Using a bench dynamometer, the emissions from the following mixtures were evaluated using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer: low-sulfur diesel (LSD), ultralow-sulfur diesel (ULSD), and a blend of 20% soybean biodiesel and 80% ULSD (B20). For all studied fuels, the use of the SCR system yielded statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower NOx emissions. In the case of the LSD and ULSD fuels, the SCR system also significantly reduced emissions of compounds with high photochemical ozone creation potential, such as formaldehyde. However, for all tested fuels, the SCR system produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher emissions of N2O. In the case of LSD, the NH3 emissions were elevated, and in the case of ULSD and B20 fuels, the non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) and total hydrocarbon of diesel (HCD) emissions were significantly higher.

Poluição e a densidade de vegetação: BTEX em algumas áreas públicas de Curitiba - PR, Brasil

The occurrence of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in some public areas of Curitiba-PR, Brazil, was evaluated. Their concentrations were then related to the vegetations density in each area. Average benzene concentrations varied from 3.9 to 6.1 μg m-3, with higher values occurring in poorly dense vegetation areas. For toluene, average concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 7.2 μg m-3. The effect of such pollutants was evaluated by means of a bio indicator, Tillandsia stricta. Variation in total chlorophyll content and in stomatic density were detected in some samples and may be related to the BTEX concentrations found in the studied areas.

Nanoparticle synthesis of La/sub 1-x/Sr/sub x/MnO/sub 3/ (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) perovskites

Synthesis of La/sub 1-x/Sr/sub x/MnO/sub 3/ (x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) by homogenous coprecipitation method using urea as precipitant agent is reported. The particles are smaller than 200 nm after heating at 950/spl deg/C. Temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity was found to be similar to the reported value for single crystals of these manganites.