0000000000112950
AUTHOR
D. Varrica
FTIR spectral analysis of PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter over the urban area of Palermo (Italy) during normal days and Saharan events
The principal sources of particulate matter in Palermo urban area are gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, domestic heating, resuspension of soil dust and a geogenic source which includes soil erosion, marine aerosol and sporadic Saharan events. Annual average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations result 27.8±9.8 and 21.3±5.1g/m3. The highest mass levels, 246 and 65 g/m3 respectively for PM10 and PM2.5, were observed during Saharan events. For the present study, which uses the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to provide insights on the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter, a total of 89 filters were collected: 13 PM10 filters from a sub-urban background station, 36 PM10 and 40 PM2.5 filters …
COARSEMAP: synthesis of observations and models for coarse-mode aerosols
Coarse mode aerosols influence Earth's climate and biogeochemistry by interacting with long-wave radiation, promoting ice nucleation, and contributing important elements to biogeochemical cycles during deposition. Yet coarse mode aerosols have received less emphasis in the scientific literature. Here we present first efforts to globally synthesize available mass concentration, compositionand optical depth data and modeling for the coarse mode aerosols (<10 μm) in a new project called "COARSEMAP" (http://www.geo.cornell.edu/eas/PeoplePlaces/Faculty/mahowald/COARSEMAP/). We seek more collaborators who have observational data, especially including elemental or composition data, and/or who a…
Contribution of isotopic geochemistry to the origin of lead in the atmosphere of Sicily.
Air quality can be assessed using mineral and biological indicators: airborne particulate matter, mosses, lichens, and pine needles. However, the origin of the pollutant is usually difficult to determine on the sole basis of concentrations, particularly when many sources are involved. In this study, we report some examples of application of lead isotopic geochemistry on airborne particulate matter, lichens and pine needles as a mean to decipher sources of lead pollution in Sicily. Furthermore, we evaluate the use of Pb/Sc and Pb/Br ratios to enhance the discriminating power of the isotopic method. Besides the methodological aspect, this work aims to provide, at least for lead, a summary of …