Article
Environmental Sciences
Wen Nie, Xiaofei Liu, Huitian Peng, Chengyi Liu, Yun Hua, Lidian Guo
Summary: WC55-Y hydraulic support transporters are efficient in transporting equipment in fully mechanized mining faces. However, the diesel particulate matter (DPM) emitted by these transporters poses serious air pollution and health risks to coal mine workers. This study used computational fluid dynamics to simulate the diffusion dispersion of DPM during the operation of a WC55-Y hydraulic support transporter, identifying areas of high DPM concentration. The findings suggest that coal mine workers should maintain a distance of at least 21.27 m from the transporter to avoid inhaling DPM, and operators handling the transporter should wear protective equipment with good filtering ability. These findings can be utilized to develop new guidelines and optimize auxiliary ventilation systems to reduce underground miner exposure to DPM.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pak Kin Wong, Shou Hao Chen, Meisam Ahmadi Ghadikolaei, Kar Wei Ng, Simon Ming Yuen Lee, Jin Cheng Xu, Zhen Dong Lian, Min Ren, Zhi Ning, Nirmal Kumar Gali
Summary: This research investigates the impact of renewable fuels, including three types of biodiesel and ethanol, on the physical properties and structural characteristics of particulate matter (PM) emitted from a diesel engine. Three biodiesel blended fuels (10% grape seed biodiesel, 10% spent coffee ground biodiesel, and eucalyptus oil biodiesel) and one ethanol blend (9% ethanol and 1% biodiesel) were tested. The results show that both biodiesel blends and ethanol blend affect the properties of PM compared to pure diesel, with biodiesel blends having a slightly weaker influence than ethanol blend. Among the biodiesel blends, grape seed biodiesel has the greatest impact on the reduction of PM mass, making it a promising renewable fuel for diesel engines.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Barba-Lobo, Isidoro Gutierrez-Alvarez, Jose Antonio Adame, Juan Pedro Bolivar
Summary: This study aimed to develop a novel method for accurately measuring particulate matter mass under different humidity conditions. The reliability and applicability of the method were validated through comparisons with existing methods. The method was also proven to be reliable in measuring pollutants in multiple sampling scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pedro Trechera, Meritxell Garcia-Marles, Xiansheng Liu, Cristina Reche, Noemi Perez, Marjan Savadkoohi, David Beddows, Imre Salma, Mate Vorosmarty, Andrea Casans, Juan Andres Casquero-Vera, Christoph Hueglin, Nicolas Marchand, Benjamin Chazeau, Gregory Gille, Panayiotis Kalkavouras, Nikos Mihalopoulos, Jakub Ondracek, Nadia Zikova, Jarkko V. Niemi, Hanna E. Manninen, David C. Green, Anja H. Tremper, Michael Norman, Stergios Vratolis, Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Francisco J. Gomez-Moreno, Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco, Holger Gerwig, Alfred Wiedensohler, Kay Weinhold, Maik Merkel, Susanne Bastian, Jean-Eudes Petit, Olivier Favez, Suzanne Crumeyrolle, Nicolas Ferlay, Sebastiao Martins Dos Santos, Jean-Philippe Putaud, Hilkka Timonen, Janne Lampilahti, Christof Asbach, Carmen Wolf, Heinz Kaminski, Hicran Altug, Barbara Hoffmann, David Q. Rich, Marco Pandolfi, Roy M. Harrison, Philip K. Hopke, Tuukka Petaja, Andres Alastuey, Xavier Querol
Summary: This study evaluated the hourly particle number size distributions (PNSD) from 26 sites in Europe and 1 in the US, focusing on urban background (UB) and traffic (TR) sites. The objective was to describe the characteristics of urban ultrafine particles (UFP) in Europe. The results showed variations in PNC and BC across different regions and site types, with traffic emissions being a major contributor. The study emphasized the need for specific monitoring of PNSD and measurements of <10 nm PNC for assessing the health effects of nanoparticles.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
William L. Knight, Matthew P. Fraser, Pierre Herckes
Summary: Misting systems are used in hot, arid environments to cool outdoor spaces by spraying water droplets that evaporate and lower the surrounding air temperature. However, these systems may increase localized PM concentrations, with chloride and magnesium ions serving as potential tracers for particles from misting systems. Experimental results show that PM concentrations decrease with distance from misting systems.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisa Miyashita, Gary Foley, Ian Gill, Gavin Gillmore, Jonathan Grigg, David Wertheim
Summary: The study reveals that diesel particulate matter can appear as aggregates of spherule particles with smooth surfaces or with sharp jagged edges. These new findings may explain how air pollution particulate matter can infiltrate human airway cells and lead to various diseases.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celia Alves, Margarita Evtyugina, Ana Vicente, Kati Lehtoranta
Summary: In this study, detailed organic speciation of particulate matter emitted by a Euro VI diesel city bus was conducted using both chassis dynamometer and on-road testing. The results showed that the particulate matter mass fractions of various compounds were higher in on-road driving tests compared to dynamometer cycles. Amongst the detected constituents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alcohols were found to be the dominant compounds. Compounds from fuel additives, cooling system fluids, by-products of after-treatment technologies, and antioxidants leached from polymeric materials were also observed in the exhaust particles. The findings suggest the use of diesel/biodiesel blends by bus drivers.
AIR QUALITY ATMOSPHERE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hao Yang, Yongqiang Zhang, Cong Li, Yu Fang, Xinghu Li
Summary: The physicochemical characteristics of particulate matter produced by PODE2-4/diesel blended fuel at different blend ratios were characterized. Increasing PODE2-4 concentration decreased PM size and increased fractal dimension. The addition of PODE2-4 affected the nanostructure and oxidation activity of PM, leading to faster oxidation rates.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiyou Zhu, Chengyang Xu
Summary: Functional trait-based ecological research has greatly contributed to our understanding of environmental changes. This study found that urban plants exhibit a trade-off relationship of economics spectrum traits under atmospheric particulate matter, with certain traits positively correlated and others negatively correlated with particulate matter levels. Optimizing the spatial distribution of leaf stomata can help plants improve gas exchange efficiency in particulate matter environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinxi Zhou, Song Zhou, Zhanguang Wang
Summary: With the implementation of sulfur emission regulations, the impact of PM emissions from marine diesel engines on the nearshore environment and human health is becoming increasingly concerning. This study investigates the emission characteristics and influencing factors of PM from marine diesel engines, including number and mass emissions, volatility, composition, and toxicity. The results show that fuel type and engine type influence the size distribution of particle number.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yahui Qian, Yanci Liang, Qingyi Cao, Zhe Wang, Yunyun Shi, Handong Liang
Summary: Coal-seam fires are a significant source of atmospheric mercury pollution, and the Wuda Coalfield in China has high GEM and PHg concentrations, indicating severe contamination. The study provides insights for atmospheric PHg speciation analysis and environmental mercury safety assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Patricia Bedregal, Marco Ubillus, Cynthia Caceres-Rivero, Paula Olivera, Roy Garay, Jhojan Rojas, Rafael Zafra, Renato Urdanivia
Summary: In order to improve environmental policies for better air quality, it was necessary to generate objective evidence and reliable information for decision makers. Therefore, the atmospheric aerosol components in the urban area of Carabayllo were evaluated by monitoring PM2.5 and PM10, determining mass concentration, analyzing PM10 for metals quantification, analyzing anions using ion chromatography, and determining organic and elemental carbon using the NIOSH method. The results showed that the mass concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded the WHO guidelines, indicating an unhealthy air quality. Additionally, the Positive Matrix Factorization model identified five sources of pollutants: metallurgical industry, sea salt, industrial activity, dust and non-exhaust emissions, and vehicle emissions.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaozhe Yin, Meredith Franklin, Masoud Fallah-Shorshani, Martin Shafer, Rob McConnell, Scott Fruin
Summary: This study presents the largest scale research conducted in a single urban area, using monitoring of different particulate matter concentrations and developing regression and machine learning models to successfully predict 24 elemental components in eight Southern California communities. It was found that incorporating spatiotemporally resolved meteorology into the models improved the accuracy of predictions for particle distribution, especially near roadways for non-tailpipe emissions.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sreekanth Vijayakumaran Nair, Joze Kotnik, Jan Gacnik, Igor Zivkovic, Alkuin Maximilian Koenig, Tanja Ljubic Mlakar, Milena Horvat
Summary: The cement industry is the second largest anthropogenic mercury emission source in Europe, and the operational status of the cement plant's raw mills has significant influence on mercury concentrations in flue gas emissions. The study also found that mercury emissions from the cement plant are closely related to mercury levels in the surrounding air, and wind blowing from the northeast direction is responsible for elevated mercury levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chang Yuan, Zuwu Wang, Hairong Cheng, Shengwen Liang, Yuanzhi Hu, Xinyuan Dong, Jiawei Wu
Summary: This study investigated the concentration and characterization of condensable particulate matter (CPM) and filterable particulate matter (FPM) emitted from different stationary sources in Wuhan. The results showed that these stationary sources do emit some CPMs, with coal-fired plants having higher CPM concentrations.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jeffry Sorensen, Bleuenn Gueguen, Brandy D. Stewart, Jasquelin Pena, Olivier Rouxel, Brandy M. Toner
Article
Ecology
Zhichao Zhou, Yang Liu, Jie Pan, Brandi R. Cron, Brandy M. Toner, Karthik Anantharaman, John A. Breier, Gregory J. Dick, Meng Li
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Colleen L. Hoffman, Collin S. Schladweiler, Nicholas C. A. Seaton, Sarah L. Nicholas, Jessica N. Fitzsimmons, Robert M. Sherrell, Christopher R. German, Phoebe J. Lam, Brandy M. Toner
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Brandy D. Stewart, Jeffry Sorensen, Kathleen Wendt, Jason B. Sylvan, Christopher R. German, Karthik Anantharaman, Gregory J. Dick, John A. Breier, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: This study investigates the speciation of particulate iron in buoyant hydrothermal plumes through observations and modeling, revealing a high diversity in solid-state chemistry and the need for a multi-modal analytical approach. Equilibrium modeling was found to work well for certain phases but poorly for others, leading to recommendations for future field expeditions to explore a variety of site conditions and for the development of kinetic models and expansion of thermodynamic databases to better reflect the composition of plumes.
Article
Microbiology
Cody S. Sheik, Jonathan P. Badalamenti, Jon Telling, David Hsu, Scott C. Alexander, Daniel R. Bond, Jeffrey A. Gralnick, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: Deep subsurface environments host diverse microbial communities facing unique challenges, with nutrient limitations likely facilitating diverse microbe-microbe interactions that drive biogeochemical cycling of major elements. Microbial communities in low temperature, chemically reduced brines at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park are dominated by Firmicute and Proteobacteria phyla, with metabolic reconstruction showing dominant carbon-fixation pathways and potential for cryptic sulfur cycling. Overall, metabolic flexibility is an important trait for microorganisms in deep isolated systems.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Caroline E. Pierce, Olha S. Furman, Sarah L. Nicholas, Jill Coleman Wasik, Caitlin M. Gionfriddo, Ann M. Wymore, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Randall K. Kolka, Carl P. J. Mitchell, Natalie A. Griffiths, Dwayne A. Elias, Edward A. Nater, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: We investigated the composition and spatial correlation of sulfur and mercury pools in peatland soil profiles. Our findings suggest that organic sulfur species play an important role in mercury methylation processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Xiang Wang, Adrian A. Wackett, Brandy M. Toner, Kyungsoo Yoo
Summary: In steep mountainous landscapes constrained by erosion, the longevity of soil organic carbon is largely independent of organic matter chemistry.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Cristopher J. Schuler, Lindsey J. Briscoe, Scott C. Alexander, E. Calvin Alexander, Jeffrey A. Gralnick, Cara M. Santelli, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: This study characterizes the hydrogeologic and geochemical systems of a 2.7 Ga banded iron formation in the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, highlighting the interplay between geochemistry and microbiology in deep environments. The presence of high magnesium concentrations and distinct water isotope values suggests a unique subsurface community, making Soudan a promising site for future research into deep crustal life.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brandy Stewart, Sarah Nicholas, Sharon Bone, Ryan Tappero, Paul Eger, Cody Sheik, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: Low-cost and low-input water treatment systems are crucial for industrial stormwater remediation. Researchers found that the primary mechanism for chromium attenuation in the reactors is precipitation as Cr-Fe hydroxides combined with trivalent Cr adsorption onto peat surfaces.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
William S. Dowd, Christopher J. Schuler, Cara M. Santelli, Brandy M. Toner, Cody S. Sheik, Kelden Pehr, Jill M. McDermott
Summary: In isolated fracture networks in the Precambrian Shield, saline anoxic fluids produced through water and rock interactions host microbial communities that rely on anaerobic reactions for energy. Methane and other short-chain alkanes serve as electron donors, while sulfate, nitrate, and ferric iron act as alternative electron acceptors.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nanqi Bao, Jake I. Gold, Jonathan K. Sheavly, James J. Schauer, Victor M. Zavala, Van Lehn, Manos Mavrikakis, Nicholas L. Abbott
Summary: This study reveals that liquid crystals can undergo ordering transitions in response to surface reactions triggered by metal oxide substrates, offering a new class of substrates for amplifying atomic-scale transformations. The experiments and computational modeling demonstrate that the reaction between SO2 and H2O on anatase (101) substrates displaces the liquid crystal from the surface, resulting in an orientation transition. Moreover, the liquid crystal shows a high selectivity to SO2, making it a promising material for sensing atmospheric chemical species.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nanqi Bao, Shengli Jiang, Alexander Smith, James J. Schauer, Manos Mavrikakis, Reid C. Van Lehn, Victor M. Zavala, Nicholas L. Abbott
Summary: In this study, we show how analysis of the optical responses of liquid crystal films to targeted gases using a machine learning methodology can improve gas sensing and provide insights into the underlying physical processes. We demonstrate that a three-dimensional convolutional neural network can extract feature information from the color patterns of the liquid crystals to detect and quantify the presence of different gases in mixtures. Our findings suggest that the detection of O3 is driven by the transition time of brightness changes in the liquid crystals, while the detection of Cl2 is driven by late-developing color fluctuations. This research has implications for the design of portable liquid crystal monitoring devices.
Article
Microbiology
A. Soares, A. Edwards, D. An, A. Bagnoud, J. Bradley, E. Barnhart, M. Bomberg, K. Budwill, S. M. Caffrey, M. Fields, J. Gralnick, V. Kadnikov, L. Momper, M. Osburn, A. Mu, J. W. Moreau, D. Moser, L. Purkamo, S. M. Rassner, C. S. Sheik, B. Sherwood Lollar, B. M. Toner, G. Voordouw, K. Wouters, A. C. Mitchell
Summary: Our meta-analysis reveals that the microbial diversity in the terrestrial deep subsurface is dominated by Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Firmicutes, suggesting their diverse metabolic strategies as the reasons. Furthermore, a common small consortium of prevalent Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria operational taxonomic units was found across various locations, implying a core deep subsurface community that plays a significant role in colonizing and sustaining microbial habitats. In silico contamination-aware analysis of the deep subsurface-derived sequencing data emphasizes the importance of downstream methods to ensure the reliability of conclusions. Understanding microbial diversity and ecological dynamics in the deep terrestrial subsurface is crucial for comprehending the microbial contribution to global subsurface element and nutrient cycling.
Article
Oceanography
Rose Jones, Sarah Nicholas, Paul Northrup, Benjamin C. Bostick, Colleen Hoffman, Wen Hu, Phoebe J. Lam, Alessandra Leri, Brandy M. Toner, Benjamin S. Twining
Summary: Synchrotron instruments are valuable tools for marine studies, allowing nondestructive measurements of chemical composition and speciation on small sample volumes and at low concentrations. This article provides guidance for new users on accessing these instruments, designing appropriate experiments, and avoiding common pitfalls. Successful marine studies using synchrotron techniques are also presented.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christina L. Norris, Ross Edwards, Chinmay Ghoroi, James J. Schauer, Marilyn Black, Michael H. Bergin
Summary: Indian cities have poor air quality, and there is limited research on the indoor sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A pilot study in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, quantified hundreds of VOCs inside and outside 26 homes. The study found seasonal variations in VOC concentrations and sources, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of factors contributing to indoor pollution to reduce health risks.