Yi-Liang Huang

Study of atmospheric metallic elements pollution in Asia during 2000–2007

The main purpose of this study is to observe the concentration variations for metallic elements in the atmosphere in Asian countries during 2000-2007. These metallic elements typically generated by human activities are directly or indirectly detrimental to human health. The results show that the highest average metallic elements concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in total suspended particles (TSP) were in China, while the lowest average concentrations were in Japan. For metallic elements Cr and Ni, the highest average concentrations in Japan. The highest average concentrations for metallic element Pb were in China while the lowest average concentrations were in Hong-Kong. These analytical results show that the highest average metallic elements concentrations of Pb, Mn, Cr and Ni in PM(10) occurred in Hong-Kong while the lowest average concentrations were in India. In addition, the lowest average concentrations for Zn and Fe occurred in India. These analytical results demonstrate that the highest average concentrations of Pb in PM(2.5) occurred in Hong-Kong while the lowest average concentration was in Japan. The lowest average concentrations for Cu, Mn, Cr and Ni, the average lowest concentrations occurred in Bangladesh. Taiwan had the lowest average concentrations of Cu and Ni among all Asian countries studied during 2000-2007.

Dry deposition of Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb in particles of sizes of 3 μm, 5.6 μm and 10 μm in central Taiwan

This investigates the concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Pb ambient air in total suspended particulates (TSPs) and dry deposition. The ratios of the calculated to measured dry deposition fluxes of ambient-air Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb at five characteristic sampling sites from 2009 to 2010 were determined using two dry deposition models. Experimental results demonstrate that the mean concentrations of metallic elements in TSPs and dry deposition were highest at the Quan-xing (industrial) sampling site, which is surrounded by various industrial factories and is in a severely polluted area. The mean seasonal concentrations of metallic elements in TSPs were highest in the winter and fall at all five sites. The analytical concentrations of metallic elements in fall and winter at these five sites were elevated in low winds. The Baklanov model yielded more accurate predictions concerning the dry deposition of metallic elements in ambient air when the sizes of the deposited particles were <5.6 μm, and the Noll and Fang model yielded better predictions when the sizes of the particles were >5.6 μm.

Study of Ambient Air Particle-Bound As(p) and Hg(p) in Dry Deposition, Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) and Seasonal Variations in Central Taiwan

This study investigated the ambient air particle-bound As(p) and Hg(p) levels and compositions in dry deposition and total suspended particulates (TSP) at five sampling sites in Central Taiwan (suburban/coastal, downtown, residential, industrial and wetland) during the years of 2009 and 2010. The main industrial sources of studied metals in various investigated sites include: steel, electronic, plastic, and chemical industries, the Taichung thermal power plant (TTPP), fossil fuel combustion, a science park, transportation, and waste incineration. The samples were digested with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3), then they were analyzed for metals by ICP-MS. The mean As(p) levels in dry deposition were the highest at Quan-xing site (industrial) and the lowest at Chang-hua site (downtown). Moreover, the mean Hg(p) levels in dry deposition were the highest at Gao-mei site (wetland) and the lowest at He-mei site (residential). In addition, the mean As(p) levels in TSP were the highest at He-mei site (residential) and the lowest at Gao-mei site (wetland). The mean Hg(p) levels in TSP were the highest at Quan-xing site (industrial) and the lowest at Gao-mei site (wetland). Regarding seasonal variation, the lowest levels in dry deposition for both particles As(p) and Hg(p) occurred in spring and summer. Finally, the lowest levels of As(p) and Hg(p) in TSP were observed in fall and winter.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollutants in the Asian Atmosphere During 2001 to 2009

The main purpose of this study is to observe the concentration variation for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Asian countries during the years of 2001 to 2009. The results show that the order of the average PAH concentration for Flu, Ant, FL, and Chr in total suspended particles (TSP) was Hong Kong > China > Taiwan > Korea. The order of the average PAH concentration for Pyr, BaA, BbFL, and BaP in TSP was China > Hong Kong > Taiwan > Korea. In addition, the order of the average PAH concentration for AcPY (Acenaphylene) and AcP (Aceapthene) in TSP was Hong Kong > Taiwan > China for Asian countries during the same time period. Moreover, the order of the average PAH species concentration of Ant (Anthracene) in particulate matter <10μ(PM10) was Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA (Benzo[a]anthracene) and BaP (Benzo[a]pyrene) in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BbFL in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia for Asian countries during the years of 2003 to 2009. Finally, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA in PM2.5 was Taiwan > Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BbFL (Benzo[b]fluoranthene) in fine particle particulate matter (PM2.5) was Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan > Taiwan. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BaP in PM2.5, was Hong Kong > Taiwan > Vietnam > Japan for Asian countries during years of 2003 to 2007.

Atmospheric Arsenic (As) Concentrations in Different Countries During 2000–2011

This review study discusses total average concentrations of arsenic (As) in PM10 and PM2.5 in different countries, which included Serbia, Taiwan, Canada, Spain, China, Portugal-Sines, Greece, Korea, France, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Finland, Scotland, Switzerland, United States (Southern California), Italy (Venice) during 2000–2011. Generally, the main sources for As in ambient air in different countries were copper smelters, traffic exhaust, coal use, industrial activities, petrochemical plant, incinerator plants, domestic heating, ship traffic, burning biomass, incinerator emissions, agriculture, mining industry, and foundries. The data show that ambient air As concentrations in PM10 in Serbia in 2000 were the highest while those in PM10 in the United States (Southern California) in 2009 were ranked the lowest. The data also indicate that ambient air concentrations in PM2.5 in Shanghai in 2008 were the highest while those in Greece in 2003 were the lowest. Average ambient air concentrations in PM10 decreased significantly during 2000–2010 in Serbia and Spain. Finally, average ambient air concentrations in PM10 decreased while ambient air particle bound As (As(p)) concentrations in PM2.5 increased during period 2000–2010 and then decreased during 2000–2010.

Measurement and modeling of concentrations of ambient air particles, chromium, copper and lead pollutants concentrations, as well as dry deposition in central Taiwan

The main purpose of this investigation was to monitor ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition. Furthermore, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) were evaluated using three dry deposition models at five characteristic sampling sites for the 2009–2010. The results show that the average concentrations of metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb in TSP were highest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and the lowest at Gao-mei (wetland) among the five characteristic sampling sites during the years 2009-2010. This study also shows that the mean rates of dry deposition of metallic elements Cr and Cu were highest at Quan-xing (industrial) and lowest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and Chang-hua (downtown). Finally, the Noll and Fang model was found to yield better predictions of the dry deposition of ambient air particles and metallic elements Cr and Cu than any of the other deposition models.

Atmospheric Particulate and Metallic Elements at Five Characteristic Sampling Sites in Taiwan

The main purpose of this study is to observe the seasonal variations of total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition (and the metallic elements that attach to them) at five characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan during the years of 2009 and 2010. The highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Mn and Fe occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area), while the highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb was observed in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal area). The lowest average concentrations for metallic elements in TSP occurred in Gao-mei (wetland area). In addition, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Zn was observed in He-mei (residential area). Also, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area). The lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Cr occurred in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), while the lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Zn, Cu, and Pb was observed in Chang-hua (downtown). Regarding seasonal variation, the results show that the average seasonal dry deposition order for metallic elements Zn, Cr, and Pb was fall > spring > winter at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), Chang-hua (downtown), He-mei (residential), and Gao-mei (wetland). Finally, the average seasonal concentration order for Cu in TSP was fall > winter > spring, at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), He-mei (residential), Quan-xing (industrial), and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites.

Atmospheric Particle Bound Mercury Hg(p) Concentrations and Amounts in Total Suspended Particulates and Dry Deposition at an Industrial and Wetland Sampling Sites in Taiwan

The focus of this study is to observe the seasonal variations of particulate bound mercury Hg(p) concentration and amount of Hg(p) (ng/g) in total suspended particulates (TSP) and dry deposition at two (industrial and wetland) characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan, during the years 2009–2010. Concentrations of Hg(p) from each sample (quartz filter, overhead projection film) were analyzed by a direct Hg(p) analyzer DMA-80. Approximately 30 mg of the filter sample was loaded directly into the DMA-80 and analyzed. The results indicated that the mean highest Hg(p) in TSP (expressed in ng/m3) and dry deposition (expressed in ng/m2/min) both occurred at the industrial site (Quan-xing) while the corresponding mean lowest Hg(p) concentrations occurred at the wetland site (Gao-mei). Also, the mean highest amount of Hg(p) (expressed in ng/g) in TSP and dry deposition occurred at the industrial site (Quan-xing), while the mean lowest amount of Hg(p) occurred at the wetland site (Gao-mei). Metal products manufacturing and heavily loaded traffic during weekdays were possible sources responsible for the high concentrations of Hg(p) observed at Quan-xing (industrial) sampling site.