Abstract: Although cities are an important source of aerosol particles, aerosol number flux measurements over urban areas are scarce. These measurements are however important as they can allow us to identify the different sources/sinks of aerosol particles and quantify their emission contributions. Therefore, they can help us to understand the aerosol impacts on human health and climate, and to design effective mitigation strategies through the reduction of urban aerosol emissions. In this work we analyze the aerosol number concentrations and fluxes for particles with diameters larger than 2.5 nm measured by eddy covariance technique at an urban area (Granada city, Spain) from November 2016 to April 2018. This is the first study of particle number flux in an urban area in the Iberian Peninsula and is one of the few current studies that report long-term aerosol number flux measurements. The results suggest that, on average, Granada urban area acted as a net source for atmospheric aerosol particles with median particle number flux of 150 × 106 m−2 s−1. Downward negative fluxes were observed in only 12% of the analyzed data, and most of them were observed during high aerosol load conditions. Both aerosol number fluxes and concentrations were maximum in winter and 50% larger than those measured in summer due to the increased emissions from domestic heating, burning of residual agricultural waste in the agricultural area surrounding the site, as well as to the lower aerosol dilution effects during winter. The analysis of the seasonal diurnal variability of the aerosol number concentration revealed the significant impact of traffic emissions on aerosol population over Granada urban area in all seasons. It also shows the impact of domestic heating and agricultural waste burning emissions in winter as well as the influence of new particle formation processes in summer and spring seasons. Closer analysis by wind sector demonstrated that both aerosol concentrations and fluxes from urban sector (where high density of anthropogenic sources is located) were lower than those from rural sector (which includes agricultural area but also the main highway of the city). This evidences the strong impact of aerosol emissions from traffic circulating on the highway on aerosol population over our measurement site.

Palavras-Chave: urban areas; aerosols; concentration ratio; atmospheres; particles; eddy currents; data covariances

CASQUERO-VERA, J.A.; LYAMANI, H.; TITOS, G.; MOREIRA, G. de A.; BENAVENT-OLTRA, J.A.; CONTE, M.; CONTINI, D.; JARVI, L.; OLMO-REYES, F.J.; ALADOS-ARBOLEDAS, L. Aerosol number fluxes and concentrations over a southern European urban area. Atmospheric Environment, v. 269, p. 1-10, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118849. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/32956. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: This study employs surface and remote sensing data jointly with deep learning techniques to examine the influence of vehicular traffic in the seasonal patterns of CO, NO2 , PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations in the São Paulo municipality, as the period of physical distancing (March 2020 to December 2021), due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the resumption of activities, made it possible to observe significant variations in the flow of vehicles in the city of São Paulo. Firstly, an analysis of the planetary boundary layer height and ventilation coefficient was performed to identify the seasons’ patterns of pollution dispersion. Then, the variations (from 2018 to 2021) of the seasonal average values of air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and thermal inversion occurrence/position were compared to identify possible variations in the patterns of such variables that would justify (or deny) the occurrence of more favorable conditions for pollutants dispersion. However, no significant variations were found. Finally, the seasonal average concentrations of the previously mentioned pollutants were compared from 2018 to 2021, and the daily concentrations observed during the pandemic period were compared with a model based on an artificial neural network. Regarding the concentration of pollutants, the primarily sourced from vehicular traffic (CO and NO2 ) exhibited substantial variations, demonstrating an inverse relationship with the rate of social distancing. In addition, the measured concentrations deviated from the predictive model during periods of significant social isolation. Conversely, pollutants that were not primarily linked to vehicular sources (PM2.5 and PM10) exhibited minimal variation from 2018 to 2021; thus, their measured concentration remained consistent with the prediction model.

Palavras-Chave: urban areas; air pollution; air quality; machine learning; vehicles; coronaviruses

MOREIRA, GREGORI de A.; CACHEFFO, ALEXANDRE; ANDRADE, IZABEL da S.; LOPES, FABIO JULIANO da S.; GOMES, ANTONIO A.; LANDULFO, EDUARDO. Analyzing the influence of vehicular traffic on the concentration of pollutants in the city of São Paulo: an approach based on pandemic SARS-CoV-2 data and deep learning. Atmosphere, v. 14, n. 10, p. 1-16, 2023. DOI: 10.3390/atmos14101578. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/34210. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: Vehicular emissions comprise a main source of air pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM), which contains toxic compounds. Brazil has been restricting vehicular emissions for more than 30 years to minimize the impacts of fleet vehicles, but despite the restrictive legislation, several Brazilian cities still suffer from the effects of atmospheric pollution. The adoption of nature-based solutions (NbS) is being hailed as a sound alternative for improving urban air quality. In this sense, trees are a true reflection of the NbS concept since they can directly decrease PM levels by intercepting and resuspending particles, as well as altering pollution dispersion patterns. We wanted to understand the practical outcome of urban forest fragments as an NbS. Therefore, using litterfall in urban forest fragments, this study reported the role of green areas in reducing air pollution concentrations in 4 urban parks in Sao Paulo Megacity, Brazil. Air contaminants (Cd, Cu and Pb) varied from the edge to the core of urban forests. Multivariate analysis revealed that areas with different vehicle fleets influenced the input of air pollutants into these forest fragments. Our study further showed that trees serve as a natural barrier against PM. It can be concluded that this low-cost NbS alternative can reduce air pollution and has a potential to improve human health and well-being, and should be incorporated into municipal policies and programs, especially in critical locations of high human density. and poorly managed green areas.

Palavras-Chave: urban areas; forests; environmental policy; planning

RAMON, MAURO; RIBEIRO, ANDREZA P.; THEOPHILO, CAROLINA Y.S.; MOREIRA, EDSON G.; CAMARGO, PLINIO B. de; PEREIRA, CARLOS A. de B.; SARAIVA, ERLANDSON F.; TAVARES, ARMANDO dos R.; DIAS, ANTONIO G.; NOWAK, DAVID; FERREIRA, MAURICIO L. Assessment of four urban forest as environmental indicator of air quality: a study in a brazilian megacity. Urban Ecosystems, v. 26, n. 1, p. 197-207, 2023. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01296-7. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/34009. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: The control of air pollution remains a challenge to the planning of cities and fossil fuel burning is the main cause of air degradation. Particulate matter (PM) is the contaminant commonly used as an indicator of pollution, but environmental agencies may face difficulties in operating surveillance networks due to the lack of resources and infrastructure. As an alternative to conventional networks, scientific studies have pointed out that nature itself can contribute to the diagnosis and reduction of air pollution. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are proposals that use natural processes and structures to meet different environmental challenges. In this study, biomonitoring with Tillandsia usneoides was applied as a NbS tool to evaluate air quality in an important port urban area in the city of Guarujá, Brazil, affected by industrial and vehicular emissions. It was observed that cadmium mass fractions were at least forty times higher than the control area with one-month exposition.

Palavras-Chave: air pollution monitoring; plants; cadmium; urban areas; biological indicators

THEOPHILO, CAROLINA Y.S.; RIBEIRO, ANDREZA P.; MOREIRA, EDSON G.; ARANHA, SIDNEI; BOLLMANN, HARRY A.; SANTOS, CLEITON J.; OLIVEIRA, ANDERSON de; SANTOS, SIDNEY dos; SAIKI, MITIKO; SALDIVA, PAULO H.N.; FERREIRA, MAURICIO L. Biomonitoring as a nature‐based solution to assess atmospheric pollution and impacts on public health. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v. 107, n. 1, p. 29-36, 2021. DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03205-8. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/32067. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: : Air pollution in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP), Brazil, is a serious problem and is strongly affected by local sources. However, atmosphere column composition in MASP is also affected by biomass burning aerosol (BB). Understanding the impacts of aerosol particles, from both vehicles and BB, on the air quality and climate depends on in-depth research with knowledge of some parameters such as the optical properties of particles and their chemical composition. This study characterized fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from July 2019 to August 2020 in the eastern part of the MASP, relating the chemical composition data obtained at the surface and columnar optical parameters, such as aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström Exponent (AE), and single-scattering albedo (SSA). According to the analyzed data, the mean PM2.5 concentration was 18.0 ± 12.5 µg/m3 ; however, daily events exceeded 75 times the air quality standard of the World Health Organization (15 µg/m3 ). The mean black carbon concentration was 1.8 ± 1.5 µg/m3 in the sampling period. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) identified four main sources of aerosol: heavy vehicles (42%), followed by soil dust plus local sources (38.7%), light vehicles (9.9%), and local sources (8.6%). AOD and AE presented the highest values in the dry period, during which biomass burning events are more frequent, suggesting smaller particles in the atmosphere. SSA values at 440 nm were between 0.86 and 0.94, with lower values in the winter months, indicating the presence of more absorbing aerosol.

Palavras-Chave: particulates; air pollution; air quality; urban areas; aerosols; optical properties

VIEIRA, ERICK V.R.; ROSARIO, NILTON E. do; YAMASOE, MARCIA A.; MORAIS, FERNANDO G.; MARTINEZ, PEDRO J.P.; LANDULFO, EDUARDO; MIRANDA, REGINA M. de. Chemical characterization and optical properties of the aerosol in São Paulo, Brazil. Atmosphere, v. 14, n. 9, p. 1-21, 2023. DOI: 10.3390/atmos14091460. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/34211. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: The focus of this study was to measure the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) concentrations in the megacity – São Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA). The measurements analyzed in this study included 78 hydrocarbon (HC) samples collected during 2006, and 66 samples of HC, 62 of aldehydes and 42 of ethanol collected during 2011-2012. The observational results showed that the consumption of ethanol, gasoline and diesel from 2006 to 2012 increased by 64 %, 23 % and 25 %, respectively, with substantial changes in the atmospheric composition. The 10 most abundant VOCs in the atmosphere found during 2011/2012 at CETESB IPEN/ USP air quality monitoring station were ethanol, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetone, propane, ethene, ethane, butane, 1-ethyl-4- methyl benzene, and 1,2,4-trimethyl benzene. During the 2006 campaign, alkanes represented 54.8 % of the total HC concentration, alkenes 29.2 %, aromatics 13.6 %, and alkadienes 2.4 %. On the other hand, during the 2011-2012 campaign, aldehydes represented 35.3 % of the VOCs, ethanol 22.6 %, aromatics 15.5 %, alkanes 13.5 %, acetone 6.8 %, alkenes 6.0 %, and alkadienes with less than 0.1 %. An increase in VOCs concentrations in the SPMA atmosphere from 2006 to 2012, such as aldehydes and aromatics (which are important ozone precursors) was measured.

Palavras-Chave: organic compounds; volatility; air pollution; ozone; air quality; urban areas; ethanol; carbon; emission; environment

ALVIM, DEBORA S.; GATTI, LUCIANA V.; CORREA, SERGIO M.; CHIQUETTO, JULIO B.; PENDHARKAR, JAYANT; PRETTO, ANGELICA; SANTOS, GUACIARA M.; ROSSATI, CARLOS de S.; HERDIES, DIRCEU L.; FIGUEROA, SILVIO N.; NOBRE, PAULO. Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds in the megacity of São Paulo in 2006 and 2011/2012: a comparative study. Anuário do Instituto de Geociências - UFRJ, v. 43, n. 4, p. 263-282, 2020. DOI: 10.11137/2020_4_263_282. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/31784. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: This work compares variations in the concentrations and air quality indexes of the pollutants PM10, PM2.5, CO, and NO2, during the COVID-19 outbreak in São Paulo Municipality. Such comparisons considered the period of physical distancing (autumn) and the three first months of economic activities’ resumption (winter). The concentrations and indexes observed in 2020 were compared with their correspondent values measured in the three preceding years. Also, from a supervised machine learning algorithm, the correspondent 2020 expected values were predicted and used in these comparisons. In order to analyze the influence of meteorological conditions, the seasons studied were characterized using remote sensing and surface data. The pollutants predominantly emitted by the vehicle fleet (CO and NO2) had reductions in their concentrations, with values always below the predictions and good air quality indexes. However, the pollutants whose concentration is less dependent on automotive emissions (PM10 and PM2.5) had high proximity to the predictions during the autumn and lower values during some periods in winter. This reduction was not enough to avoid days with a moderate air quality index. The approximation of the average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and CO to the prediction, from the second-half August 2020, indicates the influence of activities’ resumption in air quality.

Palavras-Chave: coronaviruses; urban areas; urban populations; emergency plans; air quality; air pollution monitors; pollution sources; optical radar

MOREIRA, GREGORI de A.; ANDRADE, IZABEL da S.; CACHEFFO, ALEXANDRE; YOSHIDA, ALEXANDRE C.; GOMES, ANTONIO A.; SILVA, JONATAN J. da; LOPES, FABIO J. da S.; LANDULFO, EDUARDO. COVID-19 outbreak and air quality: analyzing the influence of physical distancing and the resumption of activities in São Paulo municipality. Urban Climate, v. 37, p. 1-15, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100813. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/32059. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: Technological advances have promoted improvements in several science fields, especially related to environmental and analytical areas with the improvement of detection and development of environmentally friendly extraction techniques. This study applied Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe method (QuEChERS) for soil extraction and assessed its performance through a validation study using samples from the soil of a contaminated area in Caieiras, SP, Brazil. Nine organochlorine pesticides, including the isomers alpha, beta, gamma and delta- hexachlorocyclohexane; cis- and trans-heptachlor epoxide; cis- and trans-chlordane and heptachlor were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detector. The method was validated according to ISO 5725-4 (2020), EURACHEM (2014) and DOQ-CGCRE-008 (2016). The limits of detection and quantification of the method for the nine organochlorines were α-HCH (1.2 and 12.6 µg kg−1), β-HCH (1.7 and 12.0 µg kg−1), γ-HCH (1.5 and 11.6 µg kg−1), δ-HCH (0.8 and 11.6 µg kg−1), heptachlor (1.0 and 10.8 µg kg−1), cis-heptachlor epoxide (0.9 and 11.5 µg kg−1), trans-heptachlor epoxide (0.9 and 11.5 µg kg−1), cis-chlordane (0.4 and 7.9 µg kg−1) and trans-chlordane (0.5 and 10.9 µg kg−1), respectively, and all of them were within the maximum limits recommended by the EPA for the compounds α-HCH (86.0 and 360.0 µg kg−1), β-HCH (300.0 and 1.3 × 103 µg kg−1), γ-HCH (570.0 and 2.5 × 103 µg kg−1), δ-HCH (not defined), heptachlor (130.0 and 630.0 µg kg−1), cis-/trans-heptachlor epoxide (7.0 and 330.0 µg kg−1), cis-/trans-chlordane (1.77 × 103 and 7.7 × 103 µg kg−1) in residential and industrial soil, respectively. Recovery results were between 65% and 105% for almost all compounds, which is an optimum result for multi-residue analytical methods, considering the complexity of the matrix used in the study. Caieiras presented contamination levels of α-HCH in the range of 2.0 to 66.0 µg g−1, which was higher than the limits established by EPA, corresponding to 0.077 µg g−1 for residential soil and 0.27 µg g−1 for industrial soil. According to the validation study, the analytical method proposed was reliable for organochlorine quantification, and the QuEChERS was considered efficient for organochlorine extraction from soil.

Palavras-Chave: organic chlorine compounds; soils; urban areas; pollution; sanitary landfills; land pollution; pesticides; environmental impacts; validation; electron-capture detectors

VARCA, JUSTINE P.R.O.; MARTINS, ELAINE A.J.; VARCA, GUSTAVO H.C.; ROMANO, RENATO L.; LEBRE, DANIEL T.; LAINETTI, PAULO E.O.; BUSTILLOS, JOSE O.V. Determination of organochlorines in soil of a suburban area of São Paulo Brazil. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, v. 17, n. 16, p. 1-16, 2020. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165666. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/31473. Acesso em: $DATA.

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Abstract: High ozone (O-3) concentrations are a major concern about air quality in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA). During 2016, the 8-hour state standard of 140 mu g m(-3) was exceeded on 32 days, whereas the 1-hour national standard of 160 mu g m(-3) was exceeded on 76 days. Exposure to such unhealthy O-3 levels and other pollutants can lead to respiratory disease. The focus of this study is to determine the main O-3 precursor in terms of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in order to provide a scientific basis for controlling this pollutant. In this work, 66 samples of hydrocarbons, 62 of aldehydes and 42 of ethanol were taken during the period from September 2011 to August 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. The OZIPR trajectory model and SAPRC atmospheric chemical mechanism were used to determine the major O-3 precursors. During the studied period, aldehydes represented 35.3% of the VOCs, followed by ethanol (22.6%), aromatic compounds (15.7%), alkanes (13.5%), ketones (6.8%), alkenes (6.0%) and alkadienes (less than 0.1%). Considering the concentration of VOCs and their typical reactivity, the simulation results showed that acetaldehyde contributed 61.2% of the O-3 formation. The total aldehydes contributed 74%, followed by aromatics (14.5%), alkenes (10.2%), alkanes (1.3%) and alkadienes (e.g., isoprene; 0.03%). Simulation results for the SPMA showed that the most effective alternative for limiting the O-3 levels was reducing the VOC emissions, mainly the aldehydes.

Palavras-Chave: ozone; air quality; organic compounds; urban areas; air pollution; troposphere; carbon monoxide

ALVIM, DEBORA S.; GATTI, LUCIANA V.; CORREA, SERGIO M.; CHIQUETTO, JULIO B.; SANTOS, GUACIARA M.; ROSSATTI, CARLOS de S.; PRETTO, ANGELICA; ROZANTE, JOSE R.; FIGUEROA, SILVIO N.; PENDHARKAR, JAYANT; NOBRE, PAULO. Determining VOCs reactivity for ozone forming potential in the megacity of São Paulo. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, v. 18, n. 9, p. 2460-2474, 2018. DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.2017.10.0361. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/29265. Acesso em: $DATA.

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