Conversion of SO2 to Particulate Sulfate during Transport from China to Japan - Assessment by Selenium in Aerosols -

Abstract

To examine transportation and oxidation states of sulfur compounds from China to Japan, the SO 2 concentration in the atmosphere and the nss-SO 4 2-concentration and selenium (Se) concentration in aerosols were observed at four sites in western Japan. High SO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere and the nss-SO 4 2-concentration and Se concentration in aerosols were found when the air mass passed through the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over large cities or industrial areas in China during winter with winds from the northwest. A bibliographic survey of Se and S concentrations in aerosols over eastern Asia during 1991Asia during -2004 revealed that the average Se and S concentrations in aerosols at seven sites of urban or industrial areas in China were, respectively, 15.7 ng/m 3 and 7.4 μg/m 3 . The S concentration and Se concentration in aerosols in China were, respectively, about 3 times and 10-20 times higher than those of Korea and Japan. The Se/S ratios of aerosols in China were higher (avg. 2.5 × 10 -3 ) than that of Korea (avg. 0.6 × 10 -3 ) or Japan (avg. 0.7 × 10 -3 ). The SO 2 conversion rate was ascertained as 0.1% h -1 to 1.5% h -1 using the Se(sum)/S ratio technique, when the air mass passed over large combustion sources in China and later reached Japan. The Se/S (or its reverse) technique provides useful information to ascertain the SO 2 to SO 4 2-conversion rate.

Removal and Emission Characteristics of Condensable Particulate Matter in an Ultralow Emission Power Plant

“…Particulate matter (PM), especially fine particulate matter (FPM), can remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Fine particulates are extremely small and, thus, can diffuse and drift with the movement of the atmosphere, causing long-term damage to human health and the environment . Primary PM discharged directly and secondary PM generated in gaseous form through complex atmospheric physicochemical processes, such as SO 2 , NO x , and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are the two types of pollutants emitted by combustion sources to atmospheric PM .…”

“…Fine particulates are extremely small and, thus, can diffuse and drift with the movement of the atmosphere, causing long-term damage to human health and the environment. 1 Primary PM discharged directly and secondary PM generated in gaseous form through complex atmospheric physicochemical processes, such as SO 2 , NO x , and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are the two types of pollutants emitted by combustion sources to atmospheric PM. 2 Primary PM can be either FPM, which is directly discharged in a solid state, or condensable particulate matter (CPM), which is discharged in gaseous form at the flue gas temperature and condensed into a solid state during the dilution and cooling of flue gas.…”

Systematic Approach to Optimization of Submicron Particle Agglomeration Using Ionic-Wind-Assisted Pre-Charger

“…Particulate matter pollution is a serious global problem because fine particles can remain suspended in air and spread with atmospheric motion, causing permanent health and environmental damage (Kagawa and Ishizaka, 2014). Particles less than 1 µm in diameter can penetrate the alveoli where gas exchange occurs (Londahl et al, 2006;Cao et al, 2013).…”

Seasonal Variations of Volcanic Ash and Aerosol Emissions around Sakurajima Detected by Two Lidars

“…For example, the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, infamously hindered aviation in Europe [2][3][4]. For populations near volcanoes, the impacts of volcanic ash are more severe than those of atmospheric sulfate because the conversion of SO 2 to sulfate occurs more remotely due to its atmospheric processing time (0.1-1.5%/h) [5]. In addition, fine ash is detrimental to human health because it is effectively captured by the lungs.…”