The role of airborne mineral dusts in human disease

Morman, Suzette A.; Plumlee, Geoffrey S.

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2012.12.001

Cited by 135 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…gov/urban-air-toxics/urban-air-toxic-pollutants; last access: 1 August 2018). Depending on the aerosol composition, extent and time of exposure, previous studies have confirmed that most elemental components of fine particles (PM 2.5 ; particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 µm) exert a multitude of significant diseases from pulmonary inflammation, to increased heart rate variability, to decreased immune response (Fergusson, 1990;Morman and Plumlee, 2013;Leung et al, 2008;Hu et al, 2012;Pardo et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the chemical components relevant for aerosol health effects, airborne heavy metals (a very imprecise term without authoritative definition; John, 2002, loosely referring to elements with atomic density greater than 4.5 g cm −3 ; Streit, 1991) are of particular concern as they typically feature unique properties of bioavailability and bioaccumulation (Morman and Plumlee, 2013;Tchounwou et al, 2012;Fergusson, 1990;Kastury et al, 2017), representing 7 of the 30 hazardous air pollutants identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in terms of posing the greatest potential health threat in urban areas (see https://www.epa. gov/urban-air-toxics/urban-air-toxic-pollutants; last access: 1 August 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First long-term and near real-time measurement of trace elements in China's urban atmosphere: temporal variability, source apportionment and precipitation effect

et al. 2018

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Abstract. Atmospheric trace elements, especially metal species, are an emerging environmental and health concern with insufficient understanding of their levels and sources in Shanghai, the most important industrial megacity in China.Here we continuously performed a 1 year (from March 2016 to February 2017) and hourly resolved measurement of 18 elements in fine particles (PM 2.5 ) at the Shanghai urban center with an Xact multi-metals monitor and several collocated instruments. Mass concentrations (mean ± 1σ ; ng m −3 ) determined by Xact ranged from detection limits (nominally 0.1 to 20 ng m −3 ) to 15 µg m −3 . Element-related oxidized species comprised an appreciable fraction of PM 2.5 during all seasons, accounting for 8.3 % on average. As a comparison, the atmospheric elements concentration level in Shanghai was comparable with that in other industrialized cities in East Asia but 1 or 2 orders of magnitude higher than at sites in North America and Europe. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to identify and apportion the sources of the elements in the PM 2.5 mass. Five different factors were resolved (notable elements and relative contribution in parentheses): traffic-related (Ca, Fe, Ba, Si; 46 %), shipping (V, Ni; 6 %), nonferrous metal smelting (Ag, Cd, Au; 15 %), coal combustion (As, Se, Hg, Pb; 18 %) and ferrous metal smelting (Cr, Mn, Zn; 15 %). The contribution from the exhaust and non-exhaust vehicle emissions, i.e., the traffic-related factor shows a strong bimodal diurnal profile with average concentration over 2 times higher during the rush hour than during nighttime. The shipping factor was firmly identified because V and Ni, two recognized tracers of shipping emissions, are almost exclusively transported from the East China Sea and their ratio (around 3.2) falls within the variation range of V / Ni ratios in particles emitted from heavy oil combustion. Interestingly, nearly half of the K was derived from coal combustion with high mineral affinity (elements associated with aluminosilicates, carbonates and other minerals in coal ash). The contributions of nonferrous metal smelting to the trace elements are consistent with a newly developed emission inventory. Although the precipitation scavenging effect on the mass concentration of the trace elements varied among different species and sources, precipiPublished by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 11794Y. Chang et al.: First long-term and near real-time measurement of trace elements tation could effectively lower the concentration of the trafficand coal combustion-related trace elements. Therefore, water spray to simulate natural types of precipitation could be one of the abatement strategies to facilitate the reduction of ambient PM 2.5 trace elements in the urban atmosphere. Collectively, our findings in this study provide baseline levels and sources of trace elements with high detail, which are needed for developing effective control strategies to reduce the high risk of acute exposure to atmospheri...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First long-term and near real-time measurement of trace elements in China's urban atmosphere: temporal variability, source apportionment and precipitation effect

et al. 2018

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“…Depending on its mineralogical composition, which is determined by the source region, dust transported to remote places may deliver micronutrients and thus fertilize terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Okin et al, 2004;Mahowald et al, 2005). Besides its impact on the environment, dust suspended in the air affects the anthroposphere; dust haze reduces the air quality and is considered to be responsible for increased cases of respiratory diseases, poor human health, and reduced quality of life in general (Morman and Plumlee, 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

Harmattan, Saharan heat low, and West African monsoon circulation: modulations on the Saharan dust outflow towards the North Atlantic

2017

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Abstract. The outflow of dust from the northern African continent towards the North Atlantic is stimulated by the atmospheric circulation over North Africa, which modulates the spatio-temporal distribution of dust source activation and consequently the entrainment of mineral dust into the boundary layer, as well as the transport of dust out of the source regions. The atmospheric circulation over the North African dust source regions, predominantly the Sahara and the Sahel, is characterized by three major circulation regimes: (1) the harmattan (trade winds), (2) the Saharan heat low (SHL), and (3) the West African monsoon circulation. The strength of the individual regimes controls the Saharan dust outflow by affecting the spatio-temporal distribution of dust emission, transport pathways, and deposition fluxes.This study aims at investigating the atmospheric circulation pattern over North Africa with regard to its role favouring dust emission and dust export towards the tropical North Atlantic. The focus of the study is on summer 2013 (June to August), during which the SALTRACE (Saharan Aerosol Long-range TRansport and Aerosol-Cloud interaction Experiment) field campaign also took place. It involves satellite observations by the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) flying on board the geostationary Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite, which are analysed and used to infer a data set of active dust sources. The spatio-temporal distribution of dust source activation frequencies (DSAFs) allows for linking the diurnal cycle of dust source activations to dominant meteorological controls on dust emission. In summer, Saharan dust source activations clearly differ from dust source activations over the Sahel regarding the time of day when dust emission begins. The Sahara is dominated by morning dust source activations predominantly driven by the breakdown of the nocturnal low-level jet. In contrast, dust source activations in the Sahel are predominantly activated during the second half of the day, when downdrafts associated with deep moist convection are the major atmospheric driver. Complementary to the satellite-based analysis on dust source activations and implications from their diurnal cycle, simulations on atmosphere and dust life cycle were performed using the mesoscale atmosphere–dust model system COSMO-MUSCAT (COSMO: COnsortium for Small-scale MOdelling; MUSCAT: MUltiScale Chemistry Aerosol Transport Model). Fields from this simulation were analysed regarding the variability of the harmattan, the Saharan heat low, and the monsoon circulation as well as their impact on the variability of the Saharan dust outflow towards the North Atlantic. This study illustrates the complexity of the interaction among the three major circulation regimes and their modulation of the North African dust outflow. Enhanced westward dust fluxes frequently appear following a phase characterized by a deep SHL. Ultimately, findings from this study contribute to the quantification of the interannual variability of the atmospheric dust burden.

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“…Dust aerosols not only impact Earth climate but they also affect modern human life: exposure to dust aerosol enhances the prevalence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, which results in an increased loss of working hours due to illness and hospitalization rates (Morman and Plumlee, 2013). An increased level of dust concentrations leads to reduced air quality, which is sensed as a reduction in quality of life.…”

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confidence: 99%

North African dust transport toward the western Mediterranean basin: atmospheric controls on dust source activation and transport pathways during June–July 2013

Schepanski

Mallet²,

Heinold

et al. 2016

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

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Abstract. Dust transported from north African source region toward the Mediterranean basin and Europe is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the Mediterranean region. Winds formed by large-scale pressure gradients foster dust entrainment into the atmosphere over north African dust source regions and advection of dust downwind. The constellation of centers of high and low pressure determines wind speed and direction, and thus the chance for dust emission over northern Africa and transport toward the Mediterranean. We present characteristics of the atmospheric dust life cycle determining dust transport toward the Mediterranean basin with focus on the ChArMEx (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment) special observation period in June and July 2013 using the atmosphere–dust model COSMO-MUSCAT (COSMO: COnsortium for Small-scale MOdeling; MUSCAT: MUltiScale Chemistry Aerosol Transport Model). Modes of atmospheric circulation are identified from empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the geopotential height at 850 hPa and compared to EOFs calculated from 1979–2015 ERA-Interim reanalysis. Two different phases are identified from the first EOF, which in total explain 45 % of the variance. They are characterized by the propagation of the subtropical ridge into the Mediterranean basin, the position of the Saharan heat low and the predominant Iberian heat low, and discussed illustrating a dipole pattern for enhanced (reduced) dust emission fluxes, stronger (weaker) meridional dust transport, and consequent increased (decreased) atmospheric dust concentrations and deposition fluxes. In the event of a predominant high-pressure zone over the western and central Mediterranean (positive phase), a hot spot in dust emission flux is evident over the Grand Erg Occidental, and a reduced level of atmospheric dust loading occurs over the western Mediterranean basin. The meridional transport in northward direction is reduced due to prevailing northerly winds. In case of a predominant heat low trough linking the Iberian and the Saharan heat low (negative phase), meridional dust transport toward the western Mediterranean is increased due to prevailing southerly winds resulting in an enhanced atmospheric dust loading over the western Mediterranean. Altogether, results from this study illustrate the relevance of knowing dust source location and characteristics in concert with atmospheric circulation. The study elaborates on the question of the variability of summertime dust transport toward the Mediterranean and Europe with regard to atmospheric circulation conditions controlling dust emission and transport routes of Saharan dust, exemplarily for the 2-month period of June–July 2013. Ultimately, outcomes from this study contribute to the understanding of the variance in dust transport into a populated region.

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The role of airborne mineral dusts in human disease

Cited by 135 publications

References 58 publications

First long-term and near real-time measurement of trace elements in China's urban atmosphere: temporal variability, source apportionment and precipitation effect

First long-term and near real-time measurement of trace elements in China's urban atmosphere: temporal variability, source apportionment and precipitation effect

Harmattan, Saharan heat low, and West African monsoon circulation: modulations on the Saharan dust outflow towards the North Atlantic

North African dust transport toward the western Mediterranean basin: atmospheric controls on dust source activation and transport pathways during June–July 2013

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