Chemical composition and oxidative potential of atmospheric coarse particles at an industrial and urban background site in the alpine region of northern Italy. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pietrogrande, Maria Chiara; Dalpiaz, Cristina; Dell'Anna, Rossana; Lazzeri, Paolo; Manarini, Francesco; Visentin, Marco; Tonidandel, Gabriele
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 191(2018)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 350
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Coarse particles PM10 -- Oxidative potential -- Industrial emissions -- Source apportionment; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.08.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: The chemical composition and oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM10 ) samples were investigated at an industrial (Ala) and a background (TN) site in northern Italy. Three emission sources of airborne metals were identified by Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis, i.e., the zinc coating facility located in the area, the traffic on the nearby motorway and the pesticides normally used in the extensive vineyard cultivation. PM10 redox activity was measured using dithiothreitol (OP DTT V ) and ascorbic acid (OP AA V ) cell-free assays. Similar OP DTT V responses were obtained at the two sites (0.60 ± 0.23 mmol min −1 m −3 ), while higher (OP AA V ) values were measured at Ala (1.4 ± 1.1 nmol min −1 m −3 ) than at TN (0.7 ± 0.4 nmol min −1 m −3 ). Overall, both OP DTT V and OP AA V responses were found to be broadly correlated with several inorganic species, namely ions and soluble metals, and organic components. In particular, OP AA V responses are mainly affected by Zn directly emitted from the zinc factory and Cu used in the vineyard cultivation. Therefore, the higher OP AA V values measured at Ala can be explained by the higher concentration of these metals at the industrial site. Highlights: Chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol influences its oxidative potential. Metals are mainly emitted from zinc coating industry, traffic and agriculture. Two cell-free assays give complementary information on PM10 oxidative potential. Responses of ascorbic acid assay are mainly associated with copper and zinc. Responses of dithiothreitol assay are associated with several chemical tracers.